SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of: February 2007 | Commission File Number: 1-8481 |
BCE Inc.
1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest, Bureau 3700, Montréal, Québec H3B 4Y7, (514) 870-8777
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [ ] Form 40-F [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .
Notwithstanding any reference to BCEs Web site on the World Wide Web in the documents attached hereto, the information contained in BCEs site or any other site on the World Wide Web referred to in BCEs site is not a part of this Form 6-K and, therefore, is not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BCE Inc. (signed) Siim Vanaselja |
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Siim A. Vanaselja Chief Financial Officer Date: February 7, 2007 |
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CONTENTS The Year in Review 2 The Quarter at a Glance 6 Supplementary Financial Information 18 Accompanying Notes 30 |
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
In this report, we, us, our and BCE mean BCE Inc., its subsidiaries and joint ventures. References to Bell Aliant include matters relating to, and actions taken by, both Aliant Inc. prior to July 7, 2006, and Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund on and after such date. The information contained in this report is unaudited. |
Our results for 2006 showed step-by-step progress in operational execution as underlying business trends began to exhibit signs of improvement. We intensified our focus on generating profitable recurring service revenue streams, while continuing to
drive productivity improvements and cost efficiencies throughout the organization. Our growth services portfolio, which grew by about 11% this year, now represents a majority of Bell Canadas revenues, accounting for 51% of the total at the end
of 2006. This was enabled by a significant improvement in wireless, video and Internet average revenue per user (ARPU), as well as by increased sales of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions. As expected, local line losses in 2006
increased year-over-year as a result of the expanded competitive presence of lower-priced cable telephony service offerings in our markets. Our focus on profitable and disciplined subscriber growth, coupled with cost savings of more than $700
million and a reduced emphasis on low margin product sales, allowed us to maintain stable EBITDA(1) margins at Bell Canada
year-over-year, despite the expected ongoing erosion of our legacy wireline business. Higher EBITDA, as well as capital spending
efficiency, helped to drive an improvement in free cash flow(1) in 2006.
We also made steady progress in the area of customer service this year by dealing with customer issues more promptly, enhancing the performance of our high-speed Internet network and improving service for wireline
installations and repairs, all of which contributed to a higher level of customer satisfaction.
In line with our corporate simplification program, we completed a number of important steps during the year to reshape the companys asset portfolio and bring greater focus to Bell Canadas core communications
operations. In addition to selling our remaining interest in CGI Group Inc. and reducing our interest in CTVglobemedia Inc. (formerly Bell Globemedia Inc.) to 15%, we created the Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (Bell Aliant),
announced the sale of our satellite services subsidiary Telesat Canada (Telesat) and began the process of rationalizing BCE Inc.s holding company structure. As a result of these strategic initiatives and others that we have completed over the
last few years, we have simplified our corporate organization, improved the revenue mix between growth and legacy products and services, and strengthened our operational capacity.
In our Residential segment, the combination of subscriber growth and significant ARPU increases in our wireless, video and Internet businesses contributed to revenue growth in 2006. These more than offset the impact of
ongoing customer erosion in our high-margin local wireline and long distance business and price reductions mandated by certain regulatory decisions. In addition to our focus on balancing growth with profitability in our wireless, video and Internet
units, lower year-over-year net activations in our growth services resulted from more aggressive competition in wireless and Internet, as well as from weaker retail performance in all three markets. Lower subscriber acquisition costs and savings
from various cost reduction initiatives moderated the loss in operating income from increased local line losses.
In our Business segment, increased sales of Internet Protocol (IP) based connectivity and ICT solutions to our Enterprise and small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers, strategic product pricing and improved
wireless results drove revenue growth in 2006. Cost savings from workforce reductions, outsourcing and other productivity improvements, as well as a shift away from less profitable contracts, helped to offset the negative impact on operating margins
from the continuing evolution in product mix from higher margin legacy services to IP-based services.
In the Bell Aliant segment, growth in revenues from Internet, data and information technology (IT) services more than offset declining revenues from traditional wireline services attributable to expansion by
competitors, technology substitution and regulatory constraints. Higher revenues, in combination with ongoing expense management driven by productivity initiatives, led to improved operating income and stable operating margins in 2006.
In the Other Bell Canada segment, operating income in 2006 increased before reflecting restructuring and other items related to the formation of Bell Aliant and the costs associated with our 2006 workforce reduction
program. The year-over-year improvement was due mainly to lower cost of goods sold and a decline in labour costs, despite the offsetting impact of lower revenues directly attributable to the ongoing competitive market conditions in our wholesale
business and sales of fibre and access capacity in 2005.
Within the Other BCE segment, revenue growth at Telesat was driven by higher overall broadcast revenues, increased sales of its two-way broadband services and improved performance at its subsidiaries, despite the sale
of services for the installation and maintenance of an interactive distance learning network in 2005 that did not recur this year. Although operating costs were well controlled, operating income was negatively impacted by special compensation costs
related to senior executive changes in late 2006.
(1) EBITDA, operating income before restructuring and other items, net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form the Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (Bell Aliant), and free cash flow do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details on these measures, including a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, please refer to the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures contained herein.
p. 2 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
|
2006 | CONNECTIONS | ||
|
NET | DECEMBER 31, | ||
(in thousands) |
ACTIVATIONS | 2006 | ||
|
||||
NAS |
(525 | ) | 12,056 | |
High-Speed Internet |
267 | 2,462 | ||
Wireless |
432 | 5,873 | ||
Video |
93 | 1,820 | ||
|
In 2006, we generated revenues of $17,713 million at BCE, an increase of 0.6% over the previous year, reflecting higher revenues at Bell Canada as well as at Telesat where performance improved largely as a result of higher broadcast
revenues.
Revenues at Bell Canada grew by 0.7% to $17,348 million, driven primarily by higher ARPU and an increase in the number of subscribers across all our growth services, steady revenue growth at Bell Aliant, and solid
wireless and ICT growth in our Business segment. Softer wholesale revenues and the negative impact from a number of Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decisions, including a mandated reduction in local rates
associated with the Price Caps deferral account, a mandated reduction in the rates we charge for switching and aggregation services to long distance service providers, and a mandated reduction in the fees we charge to competitive local service
providers for co-location in Bell Canadas switching offices, curtailed revenue growth. In total, these regulatory rulings reduced Bell Canadas revenues in 2006 by about $61 million. In addition, the results for Bell Canada in 2005
included revenues from a number of non-recurring sources which adversely affected our revenue growth rate in 2006. These included the sale of customer contracts in our Enterprise unit related to legacy point-of-sale systems, fibre and access
capacity sales in our Wholesale unit, the sale of U.S. conferencing solutions contracts in our SMB unit, the early termination of a cross-border facilities contract and the recognition of deferred revenues related to prepaid minutes that would
otherwise go unused.
p. 3 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
OPERATING INCOME AND EBITDA(1)
Operating income at BCE in 2006 was $3,332 million, down from $3,759 million in 2005, due largely to $355 million of restructuring and other items associated with employee departures initiated at Bell Canada, the relocation of employees and closing
of real estate facilities related to a reduced workforce, transaction costs from the formation of Bell Aliant, and costs incurred under a proposal to reorganize the company into an income trust and to simplify our corporate structure.
Operating income before restructuring and other items(1) in 2006 was $3,687 million or $127 million
lower than the previous year. Increased net benefit plans cost and higher amortization expense more than offset an
improvement in EBITDA. EBITDA for BCE in 2006 increased $95 million or 1.3%,
year-over-year, to $7,329 million due to higher EBITDA at Bell Canada.
Similarly, Bell Canadas operating income in 2006 was $3,353 million, down from $3,755 million in 2005, mainly because of the restructuring costs and other items previously discussed. Operating income before
restructuring and other items was $3,685 million or $124 million lower than 2005, due to higher net benefit plans cost and amortization expense offset partly by higher EBITDA. EBITDA at Bell Canada increased 1.4% to $7,289 million this year, due
entirely to higher revenues despite the continued erosion of our NAS wireline customer base. Operating expenses, which remained virtually unchanged
year-over-year, benefited from lower labour costs mainly as a result of workforce reductions,
increased cost savings from supply chain and process improvement initiatives, lower wireless and video customer acquisition costs, as well as lower expenses as a result of costs incurred in 2005 to restore service levels as we recovered from a
labour dispute with our technicians in Ontario. These lower costs were offset by higher wireless customer retention costs and marketing expenses, higher operations costs associated with an increased volume of connection and service requests,
increased capital taxes, and higher operating expenses from various business acquisitions made over the past year.
In line with our objective for 2006 to keep Bell Canadas EBITDA margin stable
year-over-year as we continue to transform the company into an IP-based growth services company, we increased Bell Canadas EBITDA
margin to 42.0% from 41.7% in 2005. This was accomplished as a result of higher overall revenues and improved EBITDA performance.
Net earnings applicable to common shares were $1,937 million, or $2.25 per common share in 2006, 2.4% higher than net earnings of $1,891 million, or $2.04 per common share in 2005. Included in net earnings this year was a charge of $222 million from restructuring and other items, net gains on investments of $525 million and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant of $42 million, compared with a net charge of $10 million for the same period last year. Net gains on investments in 2006 included the recognition of a future tax asset totalling $434 million in respect of approximately $2,341 million of previously unrecognized capital loss carryforwards. These tax losses are being recognized as a result of the agreement we have entered into for the sale of Telesat. Net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant(1) of $1,676 million, or $1.95 per common share, were down $225 million, or $0.10 per share. The decrease was a result of higher amortization expense, higher net benefit plan cost and discontinued operations, partly offset by improved EBITDA performance and the positive impact on EPS of the Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) share repurchase program. The decrease was further offset by the favourable impact on EPS as a result of the share consolidation associated with the distribution of a 28.8% interest in Bell Aliant to BCE Inc. common shareholders as well as by lower income tax expense.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURESFor full-year 2006, capital expenditures of $3,133 million for BCE were $224 million or 6.7% lower than in 2005. As a percentage of revenues, capital expenditures decreased to 17.7% in 2006 from 19.1% last year. Similarly, Bell Canadas capital expenditures decreased 6.3% this year to $2,921 million. As a result, Bell Canadas capital intensity declined 1.3 percentage points in 2006 to reach 16.8%. Lower capital expenditures in 2006 reflected reduced spending in the legacy areas of our business as we focus increasingly on key strategic priorities within our growth services. Our key strategic priorities for 2006 included the expansion of the fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) footprint to deliver higher-speed broadband access, further deployment of our Evolution, Data Optimized (EVDO) wireless high-speed mobile data network, investment in our IPTV platform, as well as enhancements to the quality and breadth of our wireless and DSL networks. In addition, the year-over-year decreases in spending at both BCE and Bell Canada reflected reduced expenditures on IT infrastructure and systems to support our cost reduction program and productivity initiatives, lower spending at Bell Aliant and the completion in the fourth quarter of 2005 of the Alberta SuperNet (a next-generation broadband access network). The difference in capital expenditures between BCE and Bell Canada was due to spending on satellite builds at Telesat.
(1) EBITDA, operating income before restructuring and other items, net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant, and free cash flow do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details on these measures, including a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, please refer to the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures contained herein.
p. 4 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES AND FREE CASH FLOW(1)
Cash from operating activities was $5,389 million in 2006, an increase of $52 million or 1.0% compared to $5,337 million in 2005. Cash from operating activities was impacted positively by an improvement in cash earnings
resulting from higher EBITDA, a decrease in pension and other benefit plan payments, a decrease in interest payments, and an improvement in working capital. These improvements were partly offset by a decrease in proceeds from the sale of accounts
receivable in 2005, compensation payments on the vesting of restricted share units (RSUs) granted for a two-year performance period that ended at December 31, 2005, and an increase in restructuring payments as a result of the pay equity settlement
announced in Q2 2006.
We generated $708 million of free cash flow for 2006, representing an increase of $139 million or 24% compared to the $569 million achieved in the previous year. The increase can be attributed to a decrease in capital
expenditures and an increase in cash from operating activities. This was partly offset by an increase in dividends paid to non-controlling interest mainly for distributions made by Bell Aliant and insurance proceeds received by Telesat in 2005.
(1) EBITDA, operating income before restructuring and other items, net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form the Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (Bell Aliant), and free cash flow do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For more details on these measures, including a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, please refer to the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures contained herein.
p. 5 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
In the fourth quarter, we announced a number of initiatives that return capital to our shareholders and enhance our value proposition. We increased our dividend for 2007 by 11% to $1.46 per common share on an annualized basis and announced the
renewal of our share buyback program with a NCIB targeting approximately 5% of BCE Inc.s outstanding common shares.
With respect to our financial performance, we delivered results that were essentially in line with our expectations for the quarter. Total revenues in the quarter were flat
year-over-year, due mainly to the continued
erosion of our legacy business, the adverse impact of mandated regulatory rate reductions for local services, and revenues from a one-time telecommunications services contract secured in Q4 2005. As expected, local line losses increased in the
quarter due to more intense cable telephony competition in certain of our markets. However, these losses were offset in part by the positive impact of our customer winback activities. In line with our focus on profitability and revenue quality, we
generated higher ARPU across all our growth services. This contributed to higher EBITDA at Bell Canada, which improved for a fourth consecutive quarter to reach a growth rate of 2.7% in Q4 2006, reflecting our continued focus on operational
execution, a shift away from less profitable contracts, lower subscriber acquisition costs, productivity improvements and greater control over operating costs.
Financial performance in our Residential segment reflected ARPU increases across all our growth services, which generated sufficiently higher revenues
year-over-year to more than offset the reduction in legacy wireline
revenues stemming from increased local line losses to cable telephony competition. Wireless, video and high-speed Internet subscriber growth was adversely affected by softer net activations, due mainly to intense competition in wireless and Internet
and reduced retail store traffic in all three markets when compared with the 2005 holiday period. The resulting decrease in subscriber acquisition costs, as well as careful cost management, helped to offset the impact on operating income from
continued erosion in our high-margin local wireline and long distance business.
In our Business segment, profitability improved during the quarter mainly as a result of higher gross margins brought about by lower operating expenses, productivity improvements and a shift away from less profitable
contracts. This was achieved despite the continuing change in product mix from higher margin legacy services to IP-based services. Overall revenues were unchanged
year-over-year, as higher wireless and wireline access revenues were offset by a
decrease in ICT sales to our Enterprise customers, as well as by ongoing declines in long distance and legacy data revenues.
In the Bell Aliant segment, revenues increased as growth in Internet and IT outpaced the decline in the traditional wireline business resulting from competitive losses, technology substitution and regulatory
constraints. Higher revenues this quarter, in combination with ongoing expense management driven by productivity initiatives, contributed to maintaining stable operating margins
year-over-year.
In the Other Bell Canada segment, the challenging market conditions in our wholesale business due to ongoing pricing pressures in long distance and customers migrating voice and data services onto their own network
facilities contributed to the decrease in revenues. A contract secured in Q4 2005 to restore telecommunications service to the areas affected in the United States by Hurricane Katrina also adversely affected revenue growth in the quarter. Although
operating income was negatively impacted by lower revenues and restructuring charges related mainly to our 2006 workforce reduction and corporate simplification initiatives, lower operating costs and productivity improvements partly offset the
decrease.
Telesat reported solid revenue growth for the fourth quarter reflecting increased sales of its broadcast and two-way broadband services as well as improved performance at its Infosat subsidiary. Operating income at
Telesat was impacted by higher cost of sales as well as by special compensation costs related to senior executive changes made in the previous quarter.
CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
|
Q4 2006 | CONNECTIONS | ||
|
NET | DECEMBER 31, | ||
(in thousands) |
ACTIVATIONS | 2006 | ||
|
||||
NAS |
(181 | ) | 12,056 | |
High-Speed Internet |
59 | 2,462 | ||
Wireless |
169 | 5,873 | ||
Video |
32 | 1,820 | ||
|
p. 6 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
In Q4 2006, we generated revenues of $4,547 million at BCE, an increase of 0.2% compared with the same quarter in 2005. Fourth quarter revenues at Bell Canada remained unchanged year-over-year at $4,451 million. Higher Residential segment revenues driven by higher ARPU and subscriber expansion across all our growth services and improved revenue performance at Bell Aliant from solid growth in Internet and IT services and products were offset by lower traditional voice and data revenues resulting from higher residential NAS losses and ongoing migration of business customers traffic to IP-based systems, lower ICT revenues, weaker wholesale revenues and a $21 million negative impact from various regulatory rulings. The results for Q4 2005 included $17 million of revenues from a contract to provide telecommunications services to the areas affected in the United States by Hurricane Katrina.
OPERATING INCOME AND EBITDA
Operating income at BCE this quarter was $760 million, down from $881 million in Q4 2005, due to $91 million of restructuring and other items associated with employee departure costs initiated at Bell Canada, costs incurred under a proposal to
reorganize the company into an income trust and to simplify our corporate structure, as well as other costs.
Operating income before restructuring and other items in Q4 2006 was $851 million or $54 million lower than the same quarter in 2005. Increased net benefit plans cost and higher amortization expense more than offset an
improvement in EBITDA. EBITDA for BCE increased $33 million or 1.9% to $1,773 million, due to higher EBITDA at Bell Canada.
Similarly, Bell Canadas operating income in Q4 2006 was $782 million, or $105 million lower than Q4 2005, mainly because of $86 million of restructuring costs. Operating income before restructuring and other items
was $868 million or $43 million lower than Q4 2005, due to higher net benefit plans cost and amortization expense offset partly by higher EBITDA.
EBITDA at Bell Canada increased by 2.7% in Q4 2006, representing the best quarterly growth rate of the year, to reach $1,779 million. This result was due to a reduction in total operating expenses as revenues remained
unchanged year-over-year. Operating expenses decreased due primarily to lower wireless and video customer acquisition costs, lower labour costs from workforce reductions, ongoing cost savings from supply chain initiatives and productivity
improvements, as well as higher operating costs incurred in Q4 2005 to restore customer service levels as we recovered from a labour dispute. These lower costs were offset in part by higher wireless marketing expenses, higher bad debts expense, and
higher operating expenses from acquisitions made over the past year. As a result of improved EBITDA performance, Bell Canadas EBITDA margin increased to 40.0% in Q4 2006 from 38.9% in Q4 2005.
Net earnings applicable to common shares for Q4 2006 were $699 million, or $0.84 per common share, compared to net earnings of $413 million, or $0.44 per common share for the same period last year. Included in Q4 net earnings this year was a charge of $66 million from restructuring and other items and net gains on investments of $412 million, compared with a net charge of $16 million for the same period last year. The amount for net gains on investments in Q4 2006 includes the recognition of a future tax asset totalling $434 million related to approximately $2,341 million of previously unrecognized capital loss carryforwards which will be applied against the anticipated gain on the sale of Telesat. Net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant of $353 million, or $0.44 per common share, were down $76 million, or $0.02 per share. The decrease was a result of higher amortization expense, higher net benefit plans cost and discontinued operations, partly offset by improved EBITDA performance and the positive impact on EPS from the NCIB share repurchase. Net earnings in the quarter also reflect higher interest income and lower income tax expense. There was a minimal impact on EPS as a result of the formation of Bell Aliant as the favourable impact from the decrease in tax expense resulting from the non-taxable portion of Bell Aliants income and the reduction in BCE Inc.s outstanding common shares related to the formation of Bell Aliant was offset by an increase in non-controlling interest.
p. 7 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures for BCE were $935 million in Q4 2006, compared with $792 million in the same quarter last year. As a percentage of revenues, capital expenditures increased this quarter as expected to 20.6% from 17.4% in Q4 2005. Similarly, Bell Canadas capital expenditures increased 23% this quarter to $901 million. As a result, Bell Canadas capital intensity in the quarter increased by 3.7 percentage points year-over-year to 20.2%, partly as a result of delayed spending earlier in the year. The majority of capital spending in the quarter was focused on key strategic priorities within the growth areas of our business. Accordingly, the year-over-year increases at both BCE and Bell Canada primarily reflected incremental investment in our FTTN footprint expansion to deliver higher-speed broadband access, higher expenditures related to wireless growth and expansion of our high-speed mobile EVDO data network, as well as increased spending on IT infrastructure and systems to support both our productivity initiatives and marketing development activities in our Business segment. This was partly offset by reduced spending in the legacy areas of our business. The difference in capital expenditures between BCE and Bell Canada reflected spending on satellite builds at Telesat.
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES AND FREE CASH FLOW
In Q4 2006, cash from operating activities was $1,527 million, a decrease of $32 million compared with $1,559 million in Q4 2005. The lower cash from operating activities reflected
a decrease of $154 million in proceeds from the sale
of accounts receivable in 2006. This was partly offset by a decrease in interest payments, an improvement in cash earnings from higher EBITDA and an improvement in working capital.
Free cash flow of $206 million generated in Q4 2006 was $243 million lower than free cash flow of $449 million in Q4 2005. The decrease can be attributed to higher capital expenditures, an increase in dividends paid to
non-controlling interest mainly as a result of distributions made by Bell Aliant, decreased cash from operating activities, and insurance proceeds received by Telesat in 2005. These items were offset in part by a decrease in common dividends paid,
resulting from a reduction in common shares outstanding made concurrently with the Bell Aliant transaction and our share repurchase program.
Our strategy is to deliver integrated communication services to customers efficiently and cost effectively, and to take a leadership position in providing IP services. We continue to build on three key pillars that support this strategy: Customer
Experience, Bandwidth and Next-Generation Services. Advancing this strategy requires us to transform our cost structure and the way that we serve customers.
During the quarter, we made progress on each of our three key priorities and on transforming our cost structure.
1) Enhancing customer experience by providing superior products and service that build loyalty
2) Deliver abundant and reliable bandwidth to enable next-generation services
p. 8 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
3) Create next-generation services to drive profitable future growth
Transforming our cost structure
Overall, our various cost-reduction initiatives resulted in savings of $223 million in the fourth quarter of 2006, bringing total savings for 2006 to $724 million. These cost savings were realized primarily through process improvements in our
business units and our supply chain transformation program, contributing to an improvement in Bell Canadas EBITDA margin year-over-year.
Cost reductions from efficiency-related process improvements amounted to $98 million in the quarter, bringing the full-year 2006 total to $341 million. These savings were due primarily to:
Supply transformation savings of $125 million in the quarter and $383 million in 2006 were realized from:
In the fourth quarter, an additional 90 employees departed, bringing the total number of employee departures associated with our 2006 workforce reduction program to 2,754. Approximately 200 temporary workers were hired in the fourth quarter to handle short-term projects and peak loads associated with our growth businesses.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTSBCE will not proceed with income trust conversion
On December 12, 2006, BCE announced that it would not move forward with the planned conversion of the company into an income trust as announced on October 11, 2006 in light of the federal Minister of Finances announcement on October 31, 2006 to increase the level of taxation of income trusts. As a result, BCEs management and Board of Directors concluded it was no longer in the best interests of the company and its shareholders to proceed with the conversion. However, the company is continuing with its previously announced plans to simplify its corporate structure and eliminate BCEs holding company operations, which is a further step in our plan to focus on Bell Canada and our core communications operations. As part of this process, BCE Inc. intends, at its next annual shareholders meeting, and subject to shareholders approval, to change its name to Bell Canada Inc. and will have two operating businesses: Bell and Bell Aliant. Bell Canada also intends to change its name to Bell Inc. at the same time.
Dividend increase
On December 12, 2006, BCE announced, subject to being declared by the board of directors, an 11%, or $0.14 per share, increase in its annualized common share dividend.
Completion and renewal of Normal Course Issuer Bid program
During the fourth quarter, BCE Inc. purchased 4.8 million common shares for a total cost of approximately $136 million, completing its current NCIB program. In total for 2006, the company repurchased for cancellation 45 million common shares, or approximately 5% of the companys outstanding common shares, for a cost of $1,241 million, representing an average purchase price of approximately $27.50 per share. On December 12, 2006, BCE Inc. also announced its plan to renew its share buyback program for another twelve-month period to repurchase approximately an additional 5% of its outstanding common shares through a NCIB, representing an estimated value in excess of $1 billion. On February 6, 2007, the company received acceptance from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) of its notice of intention to make a NCIB.
p. 9 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
Local telephone deregulation
On December 11, 2006, Canadas Minister of Industry announced a federal Cabinet decision to overturn the local forbearance framework established by the CRTC. The Cabinet has proposed instead a new, simpler facilities-based framework that proposes to replace the CRTCs market-share test with one that emphasizes the presence of competitive infrastructure in a given geographical area. The Cabinet decision was in response to an appeal filed by Bell Canada and other established telephone companies of an April 6, 2006 decision by the CRTC setting out its framework for price deregulation of local telephone service provided by traditional telephone companies.
Exchange of Bell Canada preferred shares
The Bell Canada plan of arrangement providing for the exchange of Bell Canada preferred shares for BCE Inc. preferred shares received both shareholder and court approval on January 23, 2007. This arrangement is part of our corporate simplification initiative. The share exchange and declaration of a one-time special dividend of $0.20 per Bell Canada preferred share outstanding became effective on January 31, 2007 for holders of Bell Canada preferred shares of record at the close of business on that date.
Sale of Telesat
On December 18, 2006, BCE Inc. announced the sale of its satellite service subsidiary Telesat to a new company formed by Canadas Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) and Loral Space & Communications Inc. (Loral). Consistent with BCE Inc.s stated strategy of concentrating on its core communications business, the company had previously announced its intention to surface the value Telesat represents for its shareholders through an initial public offering or strategic sale. Net of Telesats debt, BCE Inc. will, at closing, realize total proceeds of $3.25 billion from the all cash transaction. The sale is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval both in Canada and the United States and the absence of a material adverse change affecting Telesats business. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2007. In conjunction with the sale, BCE Inc. has put into place a set of commercial arrangements between Telesat and Bell ExpressVu that guarantee Bell ExpressVu access to current and expanded satellite capacity, including services available after the launch of the Nimiq 5 satellite in 2009.
Privatization of Bell Nordiq Income Fund
On January 16, 2007, Bell Aliant announced that the unitholders of Bell Nordiq Income Fund (Bell Nordiq) voted in favour of the Bell Aliant proposal to take Bell Nordiq private. Bell Nordiq unitholders were paid a Special Distribution of $4.00 per unit in cash on January 29, 2007 and received 0.4113 of a Bell Aliant unit in exchange for each Bell Nordiq unit on January 30, 2007. Unitholders of record at the close of business on January 26, 2007 were entitled to the Special Distribution. Bell Nordiq units have ceased to trade on the TSX as of the close of business on January 29, 2007 and were de-listed effective at the close of business on January 30, 2007.
FINANCIAL RESULTS ANALYSISResidential Segment
Residential revenues increased 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2006 to $1,811 million, reflecting a higher number of wireless, video and high-speed Internet subscribers and higher ARPU across all our growth services. The year-over-year improvement was
tempered by lower wireline (local and access and long distance) revenues as a result of higher NAS losses brought about by increased cable telephony competition, continued wireless long distance and VoIP substitution, the impact of CRTC-mandated
local rate reductions, as well as ongoing aggressive price competition.
Local and access revenues declined this quarter compared with Q4 2005, due mainly to NAS erosion and CRTC-required price reductions for basic service and related SmartTouch features. NAS decreased this quarter primarily
as a result of customer losses to cable companies and competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), as well as to ongoing wireline to wireless substitution. The annualized NAS erosion rate increased in Q4 2006 as the major cable companies operating
in our Ontario and Québec markets continued to expand their service footprints and to vigorously market low-priced cable telephony offerings through bundled offers with other services.
Fourth quarter long distance revenues were also lower
year-over-year, reflecting a decrease in the overall volume of conversation minutes, and lower prepaid calling card sales. However, prudent price increases,
including an increase to our network access charge in Q2 2006 from $2.95 per month to $4.50 per month, higher overseas and calling card per-minute rates, as well as increases to some plan fees has enabled us to moderate the loss of residential long
distance revenues and to further slow down the year-over-year rate of erosion versus previous quarters.
Fourth quarter Residential wireless revenues increased
year-over-year, mainly as a result of a higher average number of customers, price increases over the past year for certain services and features, a shift in the
subscriber mix towards higher-value rate plans, and the increased number of higher-than-average ARPU Solo and Virgin Mobile customers in our prepaid subscriber base.
p. 10 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
Residential data revenues grew this quarter, fuelled by further growth in our high-speed Internet subscriber base and higher ARPU. The increase in ARPU has been driven by a number of price increases over the past year,
a reduction in customer credits, a 28% increase in revenues from our Sympatico.MSN.ca web portal and other value-added services such as security services and home networking. Higher year-over-year residential data revenues were moderated by the
impact of promotional offers on our Basic and High-Speed Edition products in Québec. During the quarter, we implemented usage thresholds on all new high-speed acquisition offers in Québec and Ontario, charging new high-speed customers
$1.50 per gigabyte (GB) above 30 GB of usage.
Double-digit revenue growth in our Video unit in Q4 2006 was driven by continued year-over-year subscriber growth and higher ARPU resulting from the impact of price increases implemented over the past year, customers
upgrading to enhanced programming packages, further growth of set-top box (STB) rentals, and higher pay-per-view revenues.
Our Residential segment reported operating income of $342 million this quarter, down 13.0% compared with Q4 2005. The decrease was due primarily to a higher rate of decline in our high-margin residential NAS wireline
customer base, increased marketing spend in our wireless unit, as well as increased amortization expense and net benefit plans cost. These factors were mitigated in part by higher revenues across all our growth services, a decrease in total wireless
and video subscriber acquisition expenses, lower contact centre costs driven largely by outsourcing of call volumes, the recovery from a labour dispute with technicians in Ontario that negatively impacted operating expenses in Q4 2005, as well as
ongoing savings from cost-reduction initiatives such as One Bill and more efficient scheduling of customer appointments and repairs.
Business segment revenues in Q4 2006 remained unchanged
year-over-year at $1,591 million, reflecting increased revenues from our SMB and Bell West units offset by weaker performance in Enterprise.
Revenues generated by our Enterprise unit in the quarter decreased when compared with a strong fourth quarter in 2005, primarily as a result of the timing of ICT solutions sales particularly in the financial services
sector in Ontario and the public sector in Quebec, a de-emphasis on less profitable hardware equipment sales, as well as a decline in long distance and legacy data services revenue stemming from competitive price reductions and the ongoing migration
of our customers voice and data traffic to IP-based systems. Higher IP connectivity revenues and increased wireless revenues, as well as the contribution to revenues from companies acquired over the past year to enhance our ICT product
portfolio and create cross-selling opportunities with our Enterprise customers, helped to partly offset the year-over-year decrease. In addition, our Enterprise unit had a number of multi-year contract wins and renewals in the quarter totalling
over $850 million in value.
Our SMB unit delivered its best quarter of the year in terms of revenue growth, resulting from higher data, wireless and local and access revenues. Lower long distance and other revenues moderated the growth in
fourth quarter revenues. Double-digit data revenue growth was the result of solid ICT sales driven by increased penetration of value-added services (VAS) and improved cross-selling opportunities made possible by companies acquired in the past few
years to enhance our virtual chief information officer (VCIO) strategy, as well as continued demand for high-speed Internet access service connections. Despite intensifying competition, total VAS/VCIO revenues increased by 18% this quarter. Local
and access revenues increased in the quarter, despite continued local line losses to alternative telephony providers, reflecting the favourable impact of price increases in the third quarter of 2006 for basic local access. Long distance revenues
decreased year-over-year largely as a result of lower overall minute volumes, increased local line losses, and the expected weakening of our pay-phone business brought about by ongoing wireless and Internet substitution, offset partly by the
positive impact of strategic product pricing. Lower other revenues can be attributed primarily to a reduction in legacy voice equipment sales.
Fourth quarter revenues at Bell West improved
year-over-year, mainly as a result of wireless subscriber and ARPU growth, increased data revenues generated from services on the Alberta SuperNet, higher data equipment
sales and continued growth in its SMB customer base. This was partly offset by a decrease in legacy data revenues due to increased migration of customer traffic to IP-based systems.
Business segment operating income in the fourth quarter increased 5.9% year-over-year to $235 million from $222 million in Q4 2005, mainly as a result of higher gross margins. Despite the continuing loss of
higher-margin legacy wireline voice and data business both to IP substitution and the competition, gross margin expansion was made possible by a reduction in the total amount of operating expenses needed to generate the same level of total revenues
year-over-year. Higher amortization expense and net benefit plans cost partly offset the year-over-year increase. In addition, ongoing productivity improvements and a continued de-emphasis of less profitable hardware equipment contracts contributed
to the improvement in fourth quarter operating income.
p. 11 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant revenues were $852 million in the quarter, reflecting an increase of $15 million, or 1.8%, compared with Q4 2005, as growth in data and other revenues more than offset declining revenues from local and access and long distance
services.
Local and access revenues decreased on a year-over-year basis in the quarter. This resulted mainly from a 2.0% decline in the NAS customer base, reflecting competitive losses mainly to cable telephony, the reduction in
second lines as dial-up Internet customers continued to migrate to high-speed services and the reduction in primary lines as customers adopt wireless and VoIP technologies. Long distance revenues also decreased
year-over-year, mainly as a result of
lower per-minute toll prices in the residential market and lower overall minutes of usage.
Data revenues grew solidly in the quarter and were attributable primarily to a significant increase in Internet revenues resulting from year-over-year subscriber growth of 24%. Subscriber growth in Q4 2006 resulted from
competitive marketing offers, proactive management of dial-up customer migration, expansion of the service area, success in marketing a new home business Internet service and the continued popularity of the PC purchase program.
Terminal sales and other revenues also increased this quarter compared with Q4 2005. The growth can be attributed to sizeable new contracts for systems integration, application services and managed outsourcing, as well
as to expansion of existing contracts resulting from our focus on key industry verticals in the enterprise market.
Operating income increased by 5.1% in Q4 2006 to $205 million from $195 million in the same quarter last year, due mainly to lower amortization despite stable EBITDA. Strength in IT revenues in the quarter was offset by
a consequent increase in associated expenses.
Other Bell Canada segment revenues in Q4 2006 were $402 million, representing a decrease of $20 million or 4.7% compared with the same quarter in 2005. The year-over-year decline was due mainly to weaker performance of our Wholesale unit as a result
of continued pressure on long distance from a reduction in switched minute volumes and competitive pricing, lower rates on cross-border exchange traffic, decreased data revenues from customers migrating services onto their own network facilities,
the non-recurrence of revenue from a contract secured in Q4 2005 to restore telecommunications service to the areas affected in the United States by Hurricane Katrina, as well as the negative revenue impact from certain regulatory decisions
including a ruling with respect to rates we charge for switching and aggregation services to long distance service providers and a ruling related to the fees we charge to competitive local service providers for co-location in Bell Canadas
switching offices. This year-over-year decrease in fourth quarter revenues was partly offset by an increase in wholesale demand for local access capacity in Western Canada.
Operating income for the Other Bell Canada segment was nil this quarter, down from $77 million in Q4 2005. The decrease was due mainly to restructuring and other charges, which included costs for the involuntary
departure of employees and the associated relocation of employees and closing of real estate facilities no longer required as a result of our reduced workforce, the formerly planned reorganization of the company into an income trust and
simplification of our corporate structure, as well as other costs. Excluding restructuring and other items, operating income decreased by 15% in Q4 2006 to $86 million, primarily reflecting lower revenues, higher operating costs due to a higher
volume of termination minutes from an increase in southbound traffic to the United States, as well as higher amortization and net benefit plans cost. Lower cost of goods sold from lower domestic and international long distance traffic, as well as
other cost reductions directly related to our workforce reduction and productivity initiatives, partly offset the negative year-over-year impacts on operating income.
Other BCE segment revenues were $142 million this quarter or 8.4% higher than the same three-month period in 2005, mainly reflecting higher revenues at our satellite services subsidiary Telesat.
Telesats revenues increased 8.5% to $128 million in the fourth quarter, due primarily to increased sales of its two-way broadband service using the Ka-band of the Anik F2 satellite, higher broadcast revenues, as
well as to the improved performance of its Infosat subsidiary. This was partly offset by reduced business activity in South America.
Operating income for the Other BCE segment decreased to negative $22 million this quarter from negative $6 million in Q4 2005. The year-over-year decrease was due to lower operating income at Telesat and higher
corporate expenses at BCE Inc.
Telesats operating income declined 5.9% this quarter to $32 million, mainly reflecting higher cost of network equipment sales and one-time special compensation costs related to senior executive changes made in
September 2006. This decrease was offset partly by lower amortization expense related to the Anik F1 satellite.
p. 12 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
Product Line Analysis
Local and Access
Local and access revenues this quarter decreased by 4.5% year-over-year to $1,288 million, compared with the same quarter in 2005, mainly as a result of higher NAS erosion and the consequent loss of SmartTouch features revenue, and to lower revenue
from wireline maintenance plans. Local and access revenues were negatively impacted in the quarter by a CRTC decision associated with the Price Caps deferral account that took effect on June 1, 2006 which mandated a reduction in local rates. This
regulatory ruling had an approximate $17 million impact on local and access revenues in Q4 2006.
NAS in service declined by 525,000, or 4.2%, since the beginning of the year, as a result of increased competition from cable operators for local telephone service, continuing losses to CLECs, and wireline to wireless
substitution. This rate reflected a higher level of local line losses than the previous year at both Bell Canada and at Bell Aliant, as the major cable operators in our incumbent territories sustained their intensive marketing efforts and further
expanded the footprint of their low-priced local telephony offerings across most of our Ontario and Québec markets. This was offset partly by higher
wholesale demand for local access lines in Western Canada and an
increase in customer winbacks.
Long distance revenues were $422 million in the quarter, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 12.3% compared with Q4 2005. Lower long distance revenues affected all Bell Canada segments, due mainly to the impact of escalating wireless substitution and continued NAS erosion. This year-over-year decrease was offset partly by an increase to the network charges for Residential and SMB customers implemented on April 15, 2006, as well as by higher overseas and calling card per-minute rates. Total minute volumes increased 1.0% this quarter to 4,595 million conversation minutes from 4,550 million in Q4 2005. As a result, ARPM decreased by $0.009 year-over-year to reach $0.088, reflecting competitive pricing pressures in all our markets and a decline in overseas minute volumes.
Wireless
Gross wireless activations decreased 14.3% this quarter to 390,000, down from a record fourth quarter performance of 455,000 gross activations in 2005, as a result of lower postpaid gross activations which was partly offset by higher prepaid gross
activations.
Postpaid gross activations in Q4 2006, which accounted for 57% or 224,000 of the total, represented a 27% decline over the 308,000 achieved in Q4 2005. The decrease can be attributed to our competitors relatively
more aggressive acquisition offers that featured gift incentives, discounted handset pricing and attractive new handsets, as well as to a noticeable decrease in consumer foot traffic in our retail channels when compared to the 2005 holiday season.
In addition, subscriber growth in the quarter was impacted by lower churn industry-wide. The relatively fewer number of customers switching service providers was expected as wireless service providers attempt to lock customers into long-term
contracts with handset upgrades and attractive rate-plan discounts ahead of the implementation of wireless number portability in March 2007.
The 13% year-over-year growth in prepaid gross activations, which comprised the remaining 43% or 166,000 gross activations in the quarter, was driven by the strong performance of the Solo and Virgin Mobile brands
particularly in the youth segment of the market. Prepaid activations are traditionally the highest in the fourth quarter due to the commitment-free, gift-giving nature of the product.
Our postpaid churn rate in Q4 improved on a year-over-year basis to 1.1% from 1.3%, reflecting the success of our customer retention activities and the strength of our value proposition, despite competitive market
pressures and tighter policies on the granting of customer discounts and hardware upgrades. Prepaid churn also decreased in the quarter, improving to 1.7% from 2.2% in Q4 2005 due to the deactivation of fewer inactive, non-revenue-generating
customer accounts. On a combined basis, as a result of both lower postpaid and prepaid churn, our blended churn rate for Q4 decreased to 1.3% this year compared to 1.5% for the same quarter in 2005.
As a result of lower postpaid gross activations, our total wireless net activations decreased to 169,000 in Q4 2006 from 210,000 in Q4 2005, despite lower overall customer churn. For the quarter, 40% or 67,000 of the
total net activations subscribed to postpaid rate plans, while the remaining 60% or 102,000 subscribers chose a prepaid service. This compares with a postpaid-to-prepaid net activations subscriber mix of 60%-to-40% in the fourth quarter of 2005. As
at the end of 2006, our total number of cellular and PCS subscribers reached 5,873,000, representing a 7.9% increase over the past year. Postpaid rate plans represented 74% of our total subscriber base at the end of 2006, unchanged when compared to
the end of the previous year.
p. 13 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
Wireless revenue growth of 14.5% in Q4 2006 was our best quarterly performance of the past two years. The increase in wireless revenues from $808 million in Q4 2005 to $925 million this quarter was driven by the
combined impact of higher ARPU and solid subscriber growth.
Postpaid ARPU reached its highest fourth quarter level ever, increasing by $2
year-over-year to $66. The improvement was achieved primarily as a result of strong growth in data usage and an increase in Bell
Mobilitys system access fee from $6.95 to $8.95 per month. Higher data usage reflected the continued growth of text and multimedia messaging services, wireless Internet access, downloadable ringtones, music and games, as well as the continued
popularity of our Fuel Me bundled data offers and 10-4 push-to-talk service. Increased penetration of BlackBerry customers and other heavy users subscribing to higher-priced rate plans also contributed to the year-over-year
growth in postpaid ARPU. Offsetting these positive impacts on postpaid ARPU were lower value-added service revenues and lower basic access fee revenue as a result of the considerable number of customers subscribing to our All-in-One
plans (which were discontinued in February 2006) where all service fees and a number of features are included as part of the monthly plan cost.
Prepaid ARPU also improved this quarter, increasing to $15 per month from $14 per month in Q4 2005. This result reflects increased penetration of Solo and Virgin Mobile customers in our prepaid subscriber base, who
generate a higher than average ARPU, the success of the Presidents ChoiceTM branded mobile service, as well as higher data usage.
As a result of both higher postpaid and prepaid ARPU, blended ARPU increased by $2 this quarter to $53, compared with $51 in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Wireless cost of acquisition (COA) increased 8.3% to $443 per gross activation in Q4 2006 from $409 per gross activation for the same quarter in 2005. Higher COA was primarily due to a lower number of total gross
activations year-over-year, an increase in marketing expenses associated with our Frank & Gordon campaign, and higher sales commissions from our continued focus on acquiring higher-value subscribers. These impacts were partly offset by decreased
handset subsidies stemming from volume rebates and rate reductions received from handset manufacturers, pricing discipline despite intense competition, and a higher number of prepaid gross activations year-over-year.
Wireless EBITDA increased by 29.3% to $402 million this quarter from $311 million in Q4 2005, driven by wireless revenue growth, decreased customer acquisition costs due to lower gross subscriber activations in the
fourth quarter of 2006, and reduced customer retention costs. Higher customer contact centre costs partly offset the year-over-year improvement in wireless EBITDA. These factors contributed to a significant expansion in wireless EBITDA margin, which
increased by 5.4 percentage points from 37.1% in Q4 2005 to 42.5% this quarter.
Overall data revenues in the quarter decreased by 0.3%, year-over-year, to $1,094 million. The decline reflected lower revenues from ICT sales to Enterprise customers due primarily to the timing of sales, further decreases in legacy data revenues in
our Business segment as a result of competitive pricing, as well as the ongoing rationalization of circuit networks by wholesale customers. This was largely offset by higher Internet revenues stemming from the combined impact of higher ARPU and an
increase in the number of high-speed Internet access service connections, the positive impact of Sympaticos hardware purchase program, incremental revenues from companies acquired over the past year to enhance our ICT product portfolio and
create cross-selling opportunities with our Enterprise customers, and Alberta SuperNet revenues.
The number of high-speed Internet subscribers increased by 59,000 this quarter, compared with 61,000 in Q4 2005, bringing the total subscriber count at the end of 2006 to 2,462,000. Overall subscriber growth was
affected by the impact of ongoing aggressive price discounting on multi-product bundle offers from the major cable operators in our markets, as well as by a decrease in demand for access service connections from SMB customers and wholesale channels.
This was partly offset by lower customer churn. A major upgrade of our order management system completed during the quarter, which affected the sales process both within our retail channels and at our contact centres, had an adverse effect on new
subscriber acquisition. Despite these negative impacts, total residential high-speed Internet net activations in the quarter increased year-over-year, due primarily to improved performance in our Québec market brought about by the results of
a targeted marketing campaign launched to address the competitive environment featuring special promotional rates on certain of our products for a limited time period. Residential subscriber growth in the quarter was also driven by the expanded use
of hardware offers, including our PC Fusion and LCD Monitor programs.
Our Video revenues grew by 11.2% this quarter to $298 million from $268 million in Q4 2005, driven by year-over-year subscriber growth and higher ARPU.
Our video subscriber base has grown by 5.4% over the past year to reach 1,820,000 at the end of 2006. In the quarter, we added 32,000 new net video subscribers compared with a strong fourth quarter performance of 50,000
in 2005, bringing the total number of new customers activated in 2006 to 93,000. The year-over-year decrease can be attributed mainly to weaker sales in our retail channels and increased focus on profitable growth. Despite lower than expected
volumes in our retail channels in Q4 2006, higher sales in our direct channels were supported by the success of our All-in-One Plans, which combine programming, equipment, installation and warranty into simple packages. Our video churn
rate in the quarter remained steady, year-over-year, at 1.0%, reflecting the success of our customer retention activities, despite a number of price increases introduced over the past year and aggressive hardware offers from our cable
competitors.
p. 14 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
Video ARPU increased to $55 per month this quarter from $52 per month in Q4 2005. The $3 increase resulted primarily from customers upgrading to higher-priced programming packages, higher pay-per-view revenues, and
price increases implemented over the past year. During 2006, we applied a $2 rate increase at the beginning of the year on our standard digital programming package for all existing customers without a contract and we increased the system access fee
by $3 per month for all our legacy subscribers in May. The year-over-year improvement in Q4 ARPU was partly offset by higher customer credits on STB rentals and programming as well as by higher retention discounts.
Video EBITDA increased 30% this quarter to $30 million from $23 million in Q4 2005, reflecting double-digit revenue growth and lower subscriber acquisition costs stemming from fewer gross activations, favourable STB
pricing, and lower distribution and installation costs. This improvement was partially offset by higher marketing and sales costs in Q4 2006.
Terminal sales and other revenues decreased 5.6% to $424 million this quarter from $449 million in Q4 2005. The year-over-year decrease was due primarily to the non-recurrence of revenues from a contract secured in Q4 2005 by Expertech Network Installation Inc. (a Bell Canada majority-owned provider of installation and network infrastructure services) to help restore telecommunications service to the areas in the United States affected by Hurricane Katrina. Decreased wireless equipment sales at Bell Mobility and lower video STB sales also contributed to the year-over-year decline in revenues. This was offset partly by higher IT service and product sales at Bell Aliants xwave division, higher telecommunications equipment sales associated with Bell Aliants PC purchase program, as well as by increased sales of legacy voice equipment to Enterprise customers.
About Forward-Looking StatementsThis Investor Briefing contains forward-looking statements about BCEs objectives, plans, strategies, results of operations and businesses. These statements are forward-looking because they are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions about the markets we operate in, the Canadian economic environment and our ability to attract and retain customers and to manage network assets and operating costs. Forward-looking statements may include words such as anticipate, assumption, believe, could, expect, goal, guidance, intend, may, objective, outlook, plan, seek, should, strive, target and will. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and of any applicable Canadian securities legislation, including the Securities Act of Ontario. It is important to know that:
A number of assumptions were made by BCE in making forward-looking statements in this Investor Briefing, such as certain Canadian economic assumptions, market assumptions, operational and financial assumptions, and assumptions about transactions.
Certain factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from our current expectations include, among others, our ability to implement our strategies and plans, the intensity of competitive activity, the availability and cost of
capital and the ability to achieve customer service improvement while reducing costs in accordance with our expectations.
For additional information with respect to certain of these and other assumptions and risk factors, please refer to the Safe Harbor Notice Concerning Forward-Looking Statements dated December 12, 2006 filed by BCE Inc.
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, under Form 6-K, and with the Canadian securities commissions.
The Safe Harbor Notice Concerning Forward-Looking Statements is also available on BCE Inc.s website at
www.bce.ca.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This section describes the non-GAAP financial measures we use in this Q4 2006 Investor Briefing to explain our financial results. It also provides reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measures. |
p. 15 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
THE QUARTER AT A GLANCE
EBITDAWe define EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) as operating revenues less operating expenses, meaning it represents operating income before amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items. |
The term EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning according to Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
EBITDA is presented on a consistent basis from period to period.
We use EBITDA, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the effects of amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items. We exclude these
items because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. We exclude amortization expense and net benefit plans cost because they largely depend on the
accounting methods and assumptions a company uses, as well as non-operating factors such as the historical cost of capital assets and the fund performance of a companys pension plans. Excluding restructuring and other items does not imply they
are necessarily non-recurring.
EBITDA allows us to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that certain investors and analysts use EBITDA to measure a companys ability to service debt and to meet other payment
obligations, or as a common measurement to value companies in the telecommunications industry.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income. The following tables are reconciliations of operating income to EBITDA on a consolidated basis for BCE and Bell Canada.
BCE |
Q4 2006 | Q4 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income |
760 | 881 | 3,332 | 3,759 | ||||
Amortization expense |
797 | 776 | 3,129 | 3,061 | ||||
Net benefit plans cost |
125 | 59 | 513 | 359 | ||||
Restructuring and other items |
91 | 24 | 355 | 55 | ||||
|
||||||||
EBITDA |
1,773 | 1,740 | 7,329 | 7,234 | ||||
|
BELL CANADA |
Q4 2006 | Q4 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income |
782 | 887 | 3,353 | 3,755 | ||||
Amortization expense |
784 | 756 | 3,073 | 2,989 | ||||
Net benefit plans cost |
127 | 65 | 531 | 389 | ||||
Restructuring and other items |
86 | 24 | 332 | 54 | ||||
|
||||||||
EBITDA |
1,779 | 1,732 | 7,289 | 7,187 | ||||
|
OPERATING INCOME BEFORE RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS
The term operating income before restructuring and other items does not have any standardized meaning according to Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
We use operating income before restructuring and other items, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the effects of restructuring and other items. We exclude these
items because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding restructuring and other items does not imply they are necessarily non-recurring.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income. The following tables are reconciliations of operating income to operating income before restructuring and other items on a consolidated basis for
BCE and Bell Canada.
BCE |
Q4 2006 | Q4 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income |
760 | 881 | 3,332 | 3,759 | ||||
Restructuring and other items |
91 | 24 | 355 | 55 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income before restructuring and other items |
851 | 905 | 3,687 | 3,814 | ||||
|
BELL CANADA |
Q4 2006 | Q4 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income |
782 | 887 | 3,353 | 3,755 | ||||
Restructuring and other items |
86 | 24 | 332 | 54 | ||||
|
||||||||
Operating income before restructuring and other items |
868 | 911 | 3,685 | 3,809 | ||||
|
p. 16 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
NET EARNINGS BEFORE RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS, NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS, AND COSTS INCURRED TO FORM BELL ALIANT
The term net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant does not have any standardized meaning according to Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies.
We use net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the
effects of after-tax restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant. We exclude these items because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of
trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply they are necessarily non-recurring.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is net earnings applicable to common shares. The following table is a reconciliation of net earnings applicable to common shares to net earnings before restructuring
and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant on a consolidated basis and per BCE Inc. common share.
|
Q4 2006 |
Q4 2005 |
2006 |
2005 |
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
PER | PER | PER | PER | ||||||||||||
|
TOTAL | SHARE | TOTAL | SHARE | TOTAL | SHARE | TOTAL | SHARE | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings applicable to common shares |
699 | 0.84 | 413 | 0.44 | 1,937 | 2.25 | 1,891 | 2.04 | ||||||||
Restructuring and other items(1) |
66 | 0.08 | 16 | 0.02 | 222 | 0.26 | 37 | 0.04 | ||||||||
Net gains on investments(2) |
(412 | ) | (0.48 | ) | | | (525 | ) | (0.61 | ) | (27 | ) | (0.03 | ) | ||
Other costs incurred to form Bell Aliant(3) |
| | | | 42 | 0.05 | | | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant |
353 | 0.44 | 429 | 0.46 | 1,676 | 1.95 | 1,901 | 2.05 | ||||||||
|
(1) Includes transactions costs associated with the formation of Bell Aliant. These costs relate mainly to investment banking, professional and consulting fees. In 2006, we incurred $138 million ($77 million after tax and non-controlling
interest).
(2) Amounts for 2006 include the recognition of a future tax asset of $434 million for approximately $2,341 million of previously unrecognized capital loss carryforwards due to the anticipated gain on the sale of Telesat.
(3) Includes premium costs incurred by Bell Aliant on early redemption of long-term debt as a result of the formation of Bell Aliant. In 2006, we incurred $122 million ($42 million after tax and non-controlling interest).
FREE CASH FLOW
We define free cash flow as cash from operating activities after capital expenditures, total dividends and other investing activities. |
The term free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning according to Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business because it shows how much cash is available to repay debt and reinvest in our company. We present free
cash flow consistently from period-to-period, which allows us to compare our financial performance on a consistent basis.
We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow to value a business and its underlying assets.
The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is cash from operating activities. The following table is a reconciliation of cash from operating activities to free cash flow on a consolidated basis.
|
Q4 2006 | Q4 2005 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||
|
||||||||
Cash from operating activities |
1,527 | 1,559 | 5,389 | 5,337 | ||||
Capital expenditures |
(935 | ) | (792 | ) | (3,133 | ) | (3,357 | ) |
Total dividends paid |
(398 | ) | (354 | ) | (1,546 | ) | (1,450 | ) |
Other investing activities |
12 | 36 | (2 | ) | 39 | |||
|
||||||||
Free cash flow |
206 | 449 | 708 | 569 | ||||
|
p. 17 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Consolidated Operational Data
|
Q4 | Q4 | $ | % | TOTAL | TOTAL | $ | % | ||||||||
($ millions, except per share amounts) (unaudited) |
2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | 2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
4,547 | 4,539 | 8 | 0.2% | 17,713 | 17,605 | 108 | 0.6% | ||||||||
Operating expenses |
(2,774 | ) | (2,799 | ) | 25 | 0.9% | (10,384 |
) |
(10,371) | (13 | ) | (0.1% | ) | |||
|
||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(2) |
1,773 | 1,740 | 33 | 1.9% | 7,329 | 7,234 | 95 | 1.3% | ||||||||
EBITDA margin(3) |
39.0% | 38.3% | 0.7 pts | 41.4% | 41.1% | 0.3 pts | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
(797 | ) | (776 | ) | (21 | ) | (2.7% | ) | (3,129 | ) | (3,061 | ) | (68 | ) | (2.2% | ) |
Net benefit plans cost |
(125 | ) | (59 | ) | (66 | ) | n.m. | (513 | ) | (359 | ) | (154 | ) | (42.9% | ) | |
Restructuring and other items |
(91 | ) | (24 | ) | (67 | ) | n.m. | (355 | ) | (55 | ) | (300 | ) | n.m. | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
760 | 881 | (121 | ) | (13.7% | ) | 3,332 | 3,759 | (427 | ) | (11.4% | ) | ||||
Other (expense) income |
(27 | ) | (4 | ) | (23 | ) | n.m. | (176 | ) | 28 | (204 | ) | n.m. | |||
Interest expense |
(239 | ) | (239 | ) | | 0.0% | (952 | ) | (949 | ) | (3 | ) | (0.3% | ) | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations |
494 | 638 | (144 | ) | (22.6% | ) | 2,204 | 2,838 | (634 | ) | (22.3% | ) | ||||
Income taxes |
327 | (196 | ) | 523 | n.m. | (85 | ) | (803 | ) | 718 | 89.4% | |||||
Non-controlling interest |
(104 | ) | (52 | ) | (52 | ) | (100.0% | ) | (228 | ) | (201 | ) | (27 | ) | (13.4% | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
717 | 390 | 327 | 83.8% | 1,891 | 1,834 | 57 | 3.1% | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
| 40 | (40 | ) | (100.0% | ) | 116 | 127 | (11 | ) | (8.7% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
717 | 430 | 287 | 66.7% | 2,007 | 1,961 | 46 | 2.3% | ||||||||
Dividends on preferred shares |
(18 | ) | (17 | ) | (1 | ) | (5.9% | ) | (70 | ) | (70 | ) | | 0.0% | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings applicable to common shares |
699 | 413 | 286 | 69.2% | 1,937 | 1,891 | 46 | 2.4% | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings per common share basic |
||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ 0.84 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.45 | n.m. | $ 2.12 | $ 1.90 | $ 0.22 | 11.6% | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | $ 0.05 | $(0.05 | ) | (100.0% | ) | $ 0.13 | $ 0.14 | $(0.01 | ) | (7.1% | ) | ||||
Net earnings |
$ 0.84 | $ 0.44 | $ 0.40 | 90.9% | $ 2.25 | $ 2.04 | $ 0.21 | 10.3% | ||||||||
Net earnings per common share diluted |
||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ 0.84 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.45 | n.m. | $ 2.12 | $ 1.90 | $ 0.22 | 11.6% | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | $ 0.05 | $(0.05 | ) | (100.0% | ) | $ 0.13 | $ 0.14 | $(0.01 | ) | (7.1% | ) | ||||
Net earnings |
$ 0.84 | $ 0.44 | $ 0.40 | 90.9% | $ 2.25 | $ 2.04 | $ 0.21 | 10.3% | ||||||||
Dividends per common share |
$ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ | 0.0% | $ 1.32 | $ 1.32 | $ | 0.0% | ||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding basic (millions) |
811.6 | 927.3 | 861.4 | 926.8 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
The following items are included in net earnings: |
||||||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on investments |
||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
410 | | 419 | 33 | ||||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
2 | | 106 | (6 | ) | |||||||||||
Restructuring and other items |
(66 | ) | (16 | ) | (222 | ) | (37 | ) | ||||||||
Cost incurred to form the Bell Aliant Regional Communication Income Fund |
||||||||||||||||
(Bell Aliant) |
| | (42 | ) | | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total |
346 | (16 | ) | 261 | (10 | ) | ||||||||||
Impact on net earnings per share |
$ 0.40 | $(0.02 | ) | $ 0.30 | $(0.01 | ) | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
EPS before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant(2) |
$ 0.44 | $ 0.46 | $(0.02 | ) | (4.3% | ) | $ 1.95 | $ 2.05 | $(0.10 | ) | (4.9% | ) | ||||
|
n.m.: not meaningful
P. 18 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Consolidated Operational Data Historical Trend
|
TOTAL | TOTAL | ||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except per share amounts) (unaudited) |
2006 | Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | 2005 | Q4 05 | Q3 05 | Q2 05 | Q1 05 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating revenues |
17,713 | 4,547 | 4,422 | 4,388 | 4,356 | 17,605 | 4,539 | 4,408 | 4,368 | 4,290 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(10,384 |
) |
(2,774 |
) |
(2,582 | ) | (2,513 |
) |
(2,515 |
) |
(10,371 | ) | (2,799 | ) | (2,591 |
) |
(2,512 |
) |
(2,469 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(2) |
7,329 | 1,773 | 1,840 | 1,875 | 1,841 | 7,234 | 1,740 | 1,817 | 1,856 | 1,821 | ||||||||||
EBITDA margin(3) |
41.4% | 39.0% | 41.6% | 42.7% | 42.3% | 41.1% | 38.3% | 41.2% | 42.5% | 42.4% | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
(3,129 | ) | (797 | ) | (786 | ) | (790 | ) |
(756 |
) |
(3,061 |
) | (776 | ) | (774 | ) | (763 | ) | (748 | ) |
Net benefit plans cost |
(513 | ) | (125 | ) | (118 | ) | (134 | ) | (136 | ) | (359 | ) | (59 | ) | (103 | ) | (99 | ) | (98 | ) |
Restructuring and other items |
(355 | ) | (91 | ) | (126 | ) | (50 | ) | (88 | ) | (55 | ) | (24 | ) | (31 | ) | (5 | ) | 5 | |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
3,332 | 760 | 810 | 901 | 861 | 3,759 | 881 | 909 | 989 | 980 | ||||||||||
Other (expense) income |
(176 | ) | (27 | ) | (113 | ) | (32 | ) | (4 | ) | 28 | (4 | ) | 1 | 25 | 6 | ||||
Interest expense |
(952 | ) | (239 | ) | (247 | ) | (231 | ) | (235 | ) | (949 | ) | (239 | ) | (238 | ) | (236 | ) | (236 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations |
2,204 | 494 | 450 | 638 | 622 | 2,838 | 638 | 672 | 778 | 750 | ||||||||||
Income taxes |
(85 | ) | 327 | (85 | ) | (155 | ) | (172 | ) | (803 | ) | (196 | ) | (179 | ) | (185 | ) | (243 | ) | |
Non-controlling interest |
(228 | ) | (104 | ) | (41 | ) | (39 | ) | (44 | ) | (201 | ) | (52 | ) | (49 | ) | (52 | ) | (48 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
1,891 | 717 | 324 | 444 | 406 | 1,834 | 390 | 444 | 541 | 459 | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
116 | | (22 | ) | 50 | 88 | 127 | 40 | 15 | 40 | 32 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
2,007 | 717 | 302 | 494 | 494 | 1,961 | 430 | 459 | 581 | 491 | ||||||||||
Dividends on preferred shares |
(70 | ) | (18 | ) | (17 | ) | (18 | ) | (17 | ) | (70 | ) | (17 | ) | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | (17 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings applicable to common shares |
1,937 | 699 | 285 | 476 | 477 | 1,891 | 413 | 441 | 563 | 474 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings per common share basic |
||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ 2.12 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.47 | $ 0.42 | $ 1.90 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.48 | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ 0.13 | $ | $(0.03 | ) | $ 0.06 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.14 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.02 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.03 | |||||||||
Net earnings |
$ 2.25 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.36 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.52 | $ 2.04 | $ 0.44 | $ 0.48 | $ 0.61 | $ 0.51 | ||||||||||
Net earnings per common share diluted |
||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ 2.12 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.47 | $ 0.42 | $ 1.90 | $ 0.39 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.48 | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ 0.13 | $ | $(0.03 | ) | $ 0.06 | $ 0.10 | $ 0.14 | $ 0.05 | $ 0.02 | $ 0.04 | $ 0.03 | |||||||||
Net earnings |
$ 2.25 | $ 0.84 | $ 0.36 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.52 | $ 2.04 | $ 0.44 | $ 0.48 | $ 0.61 | $ 0.51 | ||||||||||
Dividends per common share |
$ 1.32 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ 1.32 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | $ 0.33 | ||||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding basic (millions) |
861.4 | 811.6 | 818.8 | 896.4 | 920.5 | 926.8 | 927.3 | 927.0 | 926.6 | 926.2 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
The following items are included in net earnings: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on investments |
||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
419 | 410 | 8 | | 1 | 33 | | | 33 | | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
106 | 2 | (11 | ) | 35 | 80 | (6 | ) | | | (5 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||
Restructuring and other items |
(222 | ) | (66 | ) | (71 | ) | (27 | ) | (58 | ) | (37 | ) | (16 | ) | (21 | ) | (3 | ) | 3 | |
Cost incurred to form Bell Aliant |
(42 | ) | | (28 | ) | (14 | ) | | | | | | | |||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
261 | 346 | (102 | ) | (6 | ) | 23 | (10 | ) | (16 | ) | (21 | ) | 25 | 2 | |||||
Impact on net earnings per share |
$ 0.30 | $ 0.40 | $(0.12 | ) | $(0.01 | ) | $ 0.03 | $(0.01 | ) | $(0.02 | ) | $(0.02 | ) | $ 0.03 | $ | |||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
EPS before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments, and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant(2) |
$ 1.95 | $ 0.44 | $ 0.48 | $ 0.54 | $ 0.49 | $ 2.05 | $ 0.46 | $ 0.50 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.51 | ||||||||||
|
P. 19 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Segmented Data
|
Q4 | Q4 | $ | % | TOTAL | TOTAL | $ | % | ||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | 2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Residential |
1,811 | 1,787 | 24 | 1.3% | 7,099 | 7,016 | 83 | 1.2% | ||||||||
Business |
1,591 | 1,591 | | 0.0% | 6,057 | 5,966 | 91 | 1.5% | ||||||||
Bell Aliant |
852 | 837 | 15 | 1.8% | 3,358 | 3,320 | 38 | 1.1% | ||||||||
Other Bell Canada |
402 | 422 | (20 | ) | (4.7% | ) | 1,592 | 1,651 | (59 | ) | (3.6% | ) | ||||
Inter-segment eliminations |
(205 | ) | (186 | ) | (19 | ) | (10.2% | ) | (758 | ) | (719 | ) | (39 | ) | (5.4% | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
4,451 | 4,451 | | 0.0% | 17,348 | 17,234 | 114 | 0.7% | ||||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
128 | 118 | 10 | 8.5% | 479 | 475 | 4 | 0.8% | ||||||||
Other |
14 | 13 | 1 | 7.7% | 56 | 63 | (7 | ) | (11.1% | ) | ||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Other BCE |
142 | 131 | 11 | 8.4% | 535 | 538 | (3 | ) | (0.6% | ) | ||||||
Inter-segment eliminations |
(46 | ) | (43 | ) | (3 | ) | (7.0% | ) | (170 | ) | (167 | ) | (3 | ) | (1.8% | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
4,547 | 4,539 | 8 | 0.2% | 17,713 | 17,605 | 108 | 0.6% | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
||||||||||||||||
Residential |
342 | 393 | (51 | ) | (13.0% | ) | 1,649 | 1,772 | (123 | ) | (6.9% | ) | ||||
Business |
235 | 222 | 13 | 5.9% | 811 | 863 | (52 | ) | (6.0% | ) | ||||||
Bell Aliant |
205 | 195 | 10 | 5.1% | 777 | 768 | 9 | 1.2% | ||||||||
Other Bell Canada |
| 77 | (77 | ) | (100.0% | ) | 116 | 352 | (236 | ) | (67.0% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
782 | 887 | (105 | ) | (11.8% | ) | 3,353 | 3,755 | (402 | ) | (10.7% | ) | ||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
32 | 34 | (2 | ) | (5.9% | ) | 142 | 157 | (15 | ) | (9.6% | ) | ||||
Other |
(54 | ) | (40 | ) | (14 | ) | (35.0% | ) | (163 | ) | (153 | ) | (10 | ) | (6.5% | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Other BCE |
(22 | ) | (6 | ) | (16 | ) | n.m. | (21 | ) | 4 | (25 | ) | n.m. | |||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total operating income |
760 | 881 | (121 | ) | (13.7% | ) | 3,332 | 3,759 | (427 | ) | (11.4% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures(4) |
||||||||||||||||
Residential |
417 | 322 | (95 | ) | (29.5% | ) | 1,299 | 1,417 | 118 | 8.3% | ||||||
Business |
253 | 197 | (56 | ) | (28.4% | ) | 767 | 867 | 100 | 11.5% | ||||||
Bell Aliant |
131 | 130 | (1 | ) | (0.8% | ) | 517 | 525 | 8 | 1.5% | ||||||
Other Bell Canada |
100 | 84 | (16 | ) | (19.0% | ) | 338 | 310 | (28 | ) | (9.0% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
901 | 733 | (168 | ) | (22.9% | ) | 2,921 | 3,119 | 198 | 6.3% | ||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
32 | 62 | 30 | 48.4% | 205 | 260 | 55 | 21.2% | ||||||||
Other |
2 | (3 | ) | (5 | ) | n.m. | 7 | (22 | ) | (29 | ) | n.m. | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total capital expenditures |
935 | 792 | (143 | ) | (18.1% | ) | 3,133 | 3,357 | 224 |
6.7% |
||||||
|
n.m.: not meaningful
P. 20 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Segmented Data Historical Trend
|
TOTAL 2006 |
TOTAL 2005 |
||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | Q4 05 | Q3 05 | Q2 05 | Q1 05 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential |
7,099 | 1,811 | 1,799 | 1,758 | 1,731 | 7,016 | 1,787 | 1,770 | 1,750 | 1,709 | ||||||||||
Business |
6,057 | 1,591 | 1,495 | 1,496 | 1,475 | 5,966 | 1,591 | 1,473 | 1,459 | 1,443 | ||||||||||
Bell Aliant |
3,358 | 852 | 841 | 829 | 836 | 3,320 | 837 | 826 | 820 | 837 | ||||||||||
Other Bell Canada |
1,592 | 402 | 393 | 392 | 405 | 1,651 | 422 | 436 | 397 | 396 | ||||||||||
Inter-segment eliminations |
(758 | ) | (205 | ) | (189 | ) | (183 | ) | (181 | ) | (719 | ) | (186 | ) | (183 | ) | (174 | ) | (176 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
17,348 | 4,451 | 4,339 | 4,292 | 4,266 | 17,234 | 4,451 | 4,322 | 4,252 | 4,209 | ||||||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
479 | 128 | 113 | 120 | 118 | 475 | 118 | 112 | 137 | 108 | ||||||||||
Other |
56 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 12 | 63 | 13 | 15 | 23 | 12 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Other BCE |
535 | 142 | 125 | 138 | 130 | 538 | 131 | 127 | 160 | 120 | ||||||||||
Inter-segment eliminations |
(170 | ) | (46 | ) | (42 | ) | (42 | ) | (40 | ) | (167 | ) | (43 | ) | (41 | ) | (44 | ) | (39 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
17,713 | 4,547 | 4,422 | 4,388 | 4,356 | 17,605 | 4,539 | 4,408 | 4,368 | 4,290 | ||||||||||
|
Operating income |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential |
1,649 | 342 | 400 | 452 | 455 | 1,772 | 393 | 430 | 472 | 477 | ||||||||||
Business |
811 | 235 | 223 | 174 | 179 | 863 | 222 | 203 | 206 | 232 | ||||||||||
Bell Aliant |
777 | 205 | 204 | 188 | 180 | 768 | 195 | 194 | 189 | 190 | ||||||||||
Other Bell Canada |
116 | | | 80 | 36 | 352 | 77 | 78 | 114 | 83 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
3,353 | 782 | 827 | 894 | 850 | 3,755 | 887 | 905 | 981 | 982 | ||||||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
142 | 32 | 32 | 39 | 39 | 157 | 34 | 43 | 43 | 37 | ||||||||||
Other |
(163 | ) | (54 | ) | (49 | ) | (32 | ) | (28 | ) | (153 | ) | (40 | ) | (39 | ) | (35 | ) | (39 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Other BCE |
(21 | ) | (22 | ) | (17 | ) | 7 | 11 | 4 | (6 | ) | 4 | 8 | (2 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating income |
3,332 | 760 | 810 | 901 | 861 | 3,759 | 881 | 909 | 989 | 980 | ||||||||||
|
Capital expenditures(4) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential |
1,299 | 417 | 316 | 329 | 237 | 1,417 | 322 | 405 | 374 | 316 | ||||||||||
Business |
767 | 253 | 202 | 185 | 127 | 867 | 197 | 245 | 234 | 191 | ||||||||||
Bell Aliant |
517 | 131 | 131 | 143 | 112 | 525 | 130 | 143 | 137 | 115 | ||||||||||
Other Bell Canada |
338 | 100 | 66 | 110 | 62 | 310 | 84 | 80 | 102 | 44 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada |
2,921 | 901 | 715 | 767 | 538 | 3,119 | 733 | 873 | 847 | 666 | ||||||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
205 | 32 | 44 | 86 | 43 | 260 | 62 | 91 | 53 | 54 | ||||||||||
Other |
7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | | (22 | ) | (3 | ) | (6 | ) | (10 | ) | (3 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total capital expenditures |
3,133 | 935 | 760 | 857 | 581 | 3,357 | 792 | 958 | 890 | 717 | ||||||||||
|
P. 21 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
|
DECEMBER 31 | SEPTEMBER 30 | JUNE 30 | MARCH 31 | DECEMBER 31 | |||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||
|
||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
581 | 2,293 | 135 | 879 | 349 | |||||
Accounts receivable |
1,868 | 1,964 | 1,765 | 1,547 | 1,525 | |||||
Other current assets |
1,233 | 704 | 921 | 939 | 915 | |||||
Current assets of discontinued operations |
2 | 2 | 466 | 436 | 894 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total current assets |
3,684 | 4,963 | 3,287 | 3,801 | 3,683 | |||||
Capital assets |
22,079 | 21,887 | 21,877 | 21,772 | 21,772 | |||||
Other long-term assets |
2,816 | 2,733 | 2,158 | 2,164 | 2,306 | |||||
Indefinite-life intangible assets |
2,902 | 2,903 | 2,903 | 2,899 | 2,899 | |||||
Goodwill |
5,475 | 5,484 | 6,001 | 5,982 | 5,966 | |||||
Non-current assets of discontinued operations |
1 | 49 | 2,986 | 3,111 | 3,856 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total assets |
36,957 | 38,019 | 39,212 | 39,729 | 40,482 | |||||
|
||||||||||
LIABILITIES |
||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
3,236 | 3,045 | 2,896 | 2,783 | 3,085 | |||||
Interest payable |
165 | 231 | 167 | 263 | 170 | |||||
Dividends payable |
315 | 310 | 313 | 322 | 343 | |||||
Debt due within one year |
986 | 1,365 | 1,262 | 1,169 | 1,161 | |||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations |
| 1 | 286 | 371 | 828 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total current liabilities |
4,702 | 4,952 | 4,924 | 4,908 | 5,587 | |||||
Long-term debt |
11,867 | 13,109 | 11,614 | 11,629 | 11,855 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities |
4,841 | 4,665 | 4,659 | 4,754 | 4,807 | |||||
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations |
| | 1,423 | 1,442 | 614 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total liabilities |
21,410 | 22,726 | 22,620 | 22,733 | 22,863 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
2,180 | 2,222 | 2,453 | 2,633 | 2,898 | |||||
|
||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||||
Preferred shares |
1,670 | 1,670 | 1,670 | 1,670 | 1,670 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Common shareholders equity |
||||||||||
Common shares |
13,487 | 13,555 | 16,159 | 16,467 | 16,806 | |||||
Treasury stock |
| | | (62 | ) | | ||||
Contributed surplus |
2,555 | 2,574 | 1,019 | 1,036 | 1,081 | |||||
Deficit |
(4,343 | ) | (4,726 | ) | (4,706 | ) | (4,747 | ) | (4,763 | ) |
Currency translation adjustment |
(2 | ) | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | (1 | ) | (73 | ) |
|
||||||||||
Total common shareholders equity |
11,697 | 11,401 | 12,469 | 12,693 | 13,051 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
13,367 | 13,071 | 14,139 | 14,363 | 14,721 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
36,957 | 38,019 | 39,212 | 39,729 | 40,482 | |||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Number of common shares outstanding(A) (B) |
807.6 | 812.0 | 891.4 | 906.2 | 927.3 | |||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Total Net Debt |
12,272 | 12,181 | 12,741 | 11,919 | 12,667 | |||||
Total Capitalization |
27,819 | 27,474 | 29,333 | 28,915 | 30,286 | |||||
|
||||||||||
Key ratios |
||||||||||
Net debt: Total Capitalization |
44.1% |
44.3% |
|
43.4% |
|
41.2% |
|
41.8% |
|
|
Net debt: Trailing 12-month EBITDA |
1.67 | 1.67 | 1.75 | 1.64 | 1.75 | |||||
EBITDA: Interest (trailing 12-month) |
7.70 | 7.66 | 7.71 | 7.65 | 7.62 | |||||
|
(A) Excludes 2.2 million of treasury stock in the March 31, 2006 balance.
(B) As a result of the BCE Inc. Plan of Arrangement on July 10, 2006, the total number of BCE Inc. common shares issued and outstanding on that date was 815.6 million.
P. 22 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BCE CONSOLIDATED NET DEBT AND PREFERREDS
Proportionate Net Debt, Preferreds and EBITDA
|
BELL CANADA | BCE | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
At December 31, 2006 ($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
BELL CANADA (EXCL. BELL ALIANT) | BELL ALIANT | BELL CANADA CONSOLI- DATED | INTER- COMPANY ELIMI- NATIONS |
TOTAL BELL CANADA |
BELL
CANADA
(EXCL. BELL ALIANT) LESS ELIMS. |
BELL ALIANT | TELESAT |
BCE CORPO- RATE & OTHER |
BCE CONSOLI- DATED | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
(833 | ) | (139 | ) | (972 | ) | (972 | ) | (833 | ) | (139 | ) | (39 | ) | 430 | (581 | ) | |||
Debt due within one year |
908 | 118 | 1,026 | (724 | ) | 302 | 184 | 118 | 29 | 655 | 986 | |||||||||
Long-term debt |
8,472 | 2,702 | 11,174 | (281 | ) | 10,893 | 8,191 | 2,702 | 246 | 728 | 11,867 | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net debt(A) (B) |
8,547 | 2,681 | 11,228 | (1,005 | ) | 10,223 | 7,542 | 2,681 | 236 | 1,813 | 12,272 | |||||||||
Preferred shares Bell Canada (8) |
1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | |||||||||||||||
Perpetual Preferred shares BCE |
1,670 | 1,670 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net debt and preferreds |
9,647 | 2,681 | 12,328 | (1,005 | ) | 11,323 | 8,642 | 2,681 | 236 | 3,483 | 15,042 | |||||||||
|
Proportionate Net Debt and Preferreds, Trailing EBITDA
For the quarter ended December 31, 2006 |
TOTAL EBITDA | PROPORTIONATE EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
% OWNED BY BCE |
PROPOR-TIONATE NET DEBT AND PRE- FERREDS | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | TRAILING | Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | TRAILING | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bell Canada (excl. Bell Aliant) less elims. |
100% | 8,642 | 1,405 | 1,459 | 1,486 | 1,458 | 5,808 | 1,405 | 1,459 | 1,486 | 1,458 | 5,808 | ||||||||||||
Bell Aliant |
44.7% | 1,198 | 374 | 376 | 371 | 360 | 1,481 | 167 | 168 | 166 | 161 | 662 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bell Canada Consolidated |
9,840 | 1,779 | 1,835 | 1,857 | 1,818 | 7,289 | 1,572 | 1,627 | 1,652 | 1,619 | 6,470 | |||||||||||||
Other BCE |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Telesat |
100% | 236 | 66 | 62 | 70 | 70 | 268 | 66 | 62 | 70 | 70 | 268 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other (B) |
100% | 3,483 | (48 | ) | (33 | ) | (28 | ) | (26 | ) | (135 | ) | (48 | ) | (33 | ) | (28 | ) | (26 | ) | (135 | ) | ||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Other BCE |
3,719 | 18 | 29 | 42 | 44 | 133 | 18 | 29 | 42 | 44 | 133 | |||||||||||||
Inter-segment eliminations |
| (24 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | (21 | ) | (93 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | (21 | ) | (93 | ) | |||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
13,559 | 1,773 | 1,840 | 1,875 | 1,841 | 7,329 | 1,566 | 1,632 | 1,670 | 1,642 | 6,510 | |||||||||||||
|
(A) Includes 100% of subsidiary debt.
(B) BCE Corporate & Other total net debt includes a PPA(7)
fair value increment of $87 million.
P. 23 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Consolidated Cash Flow Data
|
Q4 | Q4 | $ | TOTAL | TOTAL | $ | ||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | 2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
717 | 390 | 327 | 1,891 | 1,834 | 57 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
797 | 776 | 21 | 3,129 | 3,061 | 68 | ||||||
Net benefit plans cost |
125 | 59 | 66 | 513 | 359 | 154 | ||||||
Restructuring and other items |
91 | 24 | 67 | 355 | 55 | 300 | ||||||
Net losses (gains) on investments |
36 | 1 | 35 | 26 | (38 | ) | 64 | |||||
Future income taxes |
(359 | ) | 459 | (818 | ) | (13 | ) | 719 | (732 | ) | ||
Non-controlling interest |
104 | 52 | 52 | 228 | 201 | 27 | ||||||
Contributions to employee pension plans |
(51 | ) | (59 | ) | 8 | (172 | ) | (206 | ) | 34 | ||
Other employee future benefit plan payments |
(24 | ) | (24 | ) | | (96 | ) | (93 | ) | (3 | ) | |
Payments of restructuring and other items |
(31 | ) | (22 | ) | (9 | ) | (225 | ) | (171 | ) | (54 | ) |
Operating assets and liabilities |
122 | (97 | ) | 219 | (247 | ) | (384 | ) | 137 | |||
|
||||||||||||
|
1,527 | 1,559 | (32 | ) | 5,389 | 5,337 | 52 | |||||
|
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(935 | ) | (792 | ) | (143 | ) | (3,133 | ) | (3,357 | ) | 224 | |
Other investing activities |
12 | 36 | (24 | ) | (2 | ) | 39 | (41 | ) | |||
Cash dividends paid on preferred shares |
(22 | ) | (22 | ) | | (84 | ) | (86 | ) | 2 | ||
Cash dividends/distributions paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest |
(108 | ) | (26 | ) | (82 | ) | (293 | ) | (169 | ) | (124 | ) |
|
||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow from operations, before common dividends(2) |
474 | 755 | (281 | ) | 1,877 | 1,764 | 113 | |||||
Cash dividends paid on common shares |
(268 | ) | (306 | ) | 38 | (1,169 | ) | (1,195 | ) | 26 | ||
|
||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow from operations, after common dividends(2) |
206 | 449 | (243 | ) | 708 | 569 | 139 | |||||
Business acquisitions |
(5 | ) | (51 | ) | 46 | (71 | ) | (228 | ) | 157 | ||
Bell Aliant |
(30 | ) | | (30 | ) | (255 | ) | | (255 | ) | ||
Increase in investments |
(24 | ) | (17 | ) | (7 | ) | (304 | ) | (233 | ) | (71 | ) |
Decrease in investments |
| 12 | (12 | ) | 64 | 17 | 47 | |||||
|
||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow after investments and divestitures |
147 | 393 | (246 | ) | 142 | 125 | 17 | |||||
|
||||||||||||
Other financing activities |
||||||||||||
Decrease in notes payable and bank advances |
(302 | ) | (195 | ) | (107 | ) | (57 | ) | (69 | ) | 12 | |
Issue of long-term debt |
675 | | 675 | 4,392 | 1,095 | 3,297 | ||||||
Repayment of long-term debt |
(2,016 | ) | (180 | ) | (1,836 | ) | (4,767 | ) | (1,073 | ) | (3,694 | ) |
Issue of common shares |
11 | | 11 | 29 | 25 | 4 | ||||||
Repurchase of common shares |
(133 | ) | | (133 | ) | (1,241 | ) | | (1,241 | ) | ||
Issue of equity securities by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest |
| | | 13 | 1 | 12 | ||||||
Redemption of equity securities by subsidiaries from non-controlling interest |
(50 | ) | (18 | ) | (32 | ) | (305 | ) | (78 | ) | (227 | ) |
Other financing activities |
(36 | ) | (17 | ) | (19 | ) | (157 | ) | (64 | ) | (93 | ) |
|
||||||||||||
|
(1,851 | ) | (410 | ) | (1,441 | ) | (2,093 | ) | (163 | ) | (1,930 | ) |
|
||||||||||||
Cash used in continuing operations |
(1,704 | ) | (17 | ) | (1,687 | ) | (1,951 | ) | (38 | ) | (1,913 | ) |
Cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations |
(8 | ) | (13 | ) | 5 | 2,087 | 103 | 1,984 | ||||
|
||||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,712 | ) | (30 | ) | (1,682 | ) | 136 | 65 | 71 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
2,293 | 475 | 1,818 | 445 | 380 | 65 | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
581 | 445 | 136 | 581 | 445 | 136 | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Consists of: |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations |
581 | 349 | 232 | 581 | 349 | 232 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations |
| 96 | (96 | ) | | 96 | (96 | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||
Total |
581 | 445 | 136 | 581 | 445 | 136 | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Other information |
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues |
20.6% | 17.4% | (3.2) pts | 17.7% | 19.1% | 1.4 pts | ||||||
Cash flow per share(5) |
$0.73 | $0.83 | $(0.10 | ) | $2.62 | $2.14 | $0.48 | |||||
Annualized cash flow yield(6) |
7.5% | 11.7% | (4.2) pts | 7.4% | 6.8% | 0.6 pts | ||||||
Common dividend payout |
38.3% | 74.1% | (35.8) pts | 60.4% | 63.2% | (2.8) pts |
P. 24 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BCE CONSOLIDATED(1)
Consolidated Cash Flow Data Historical Trend
|
TOTAL 2006 |
TOTAL 2005 |
||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | Q4 05 | Q3 05 | Q2 05 | Q1 05 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
1,891 | 717 | 324 | 444 | 406 | 1,834 | 390 | 444 | 541 | 459 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing operations to cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense |
3,129 | 797 | 786 | 790 | 756 | 3,061 | 776 | 774 | 763 | 748 | ||||||||||
Net benefit plans cost |
513 | 125 | 118 | 134 | 136 | 359 | 59 | 103 | 99 | 98 | ||||||||||
Restructuring and other items |
355 | 91 | 126 | 50 | 88 | 55 | 24 | 31 | 5 | (5 | ) | |||||||||
Net losses (gains) on investments |
26 | 36 | (8 | ) | | (2 | ) | (38 | ) | 1 | | (39 | ) | | ||||||
Future income taxes |
(13 | ) | (359 | ) | 43 | 105 | 198 | 719 | 459 | 110 | 50 | 100 | ||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
228 | 104 | 41 | 39 | 44 | 201 | 52 | 49 | 52 | 48 | ||||||||||
Contributions to employee pension plans |
(172 | ) | (51 | ) | (49 | ) | (41 | ) | (31 | ) | (206 | ) | (59 | ) | (28 | ) | (30 | ) | (89 | ) |
Other employee future benefit plan payments |
(96 | ) | (24 | ) | (25 | ) | (22 | ) | (25 | ) | (93 | ) | (24 | ) | (24 | ) | (21 | ) | (24 | ) |
Payments of restructuring and other items |
(225 | ) | (31 | ) | (124 | ) | (34 | ) | (36 | ) | (171 | ) | (22 | ) | (23 | ) | (26 | ) | (100 | ) |
Operating assets and liabilities |
(247 | ) | 122 | 370 | (159 | ) | (580 | ) | (384 | ) | (97 | ) | 133 | (40 | ) | (380 | ) | |||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
5,389 | 1,527 | 1,602 | 1,306 | 954 | 5,337 | 1,559 | 1,569 | 1,354 | 855 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(3,133 | ) | (935 | ) | (760 | ) | (857 | ) | (581 | ) | (3,357 | ) | (792 | ) | (958 | ) | (890 | ) | (717 | ) |
Other investing activities |
(2 | ) | 12 | (3 | ) | (9 | ) | (2 | ) | 39 | 36 | 4 | 4 | (5 | ) | |||||
Cash dividends paid on preferred shares |
(84 | ) | (22 | ) | (21 | ) | (20 | ) | (21 | ) | (86 | ) | (22 | ) | (21 | ) | (22 | ) | (21 | ) |
Cash dividends/distributions paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest |
(293 | ) | (108 | ) | (75 | ) | (49 | ) | (61 | ) | (169 | ) | (26 | ) | (46 | ) | (48 | ) | (49 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow from operations, before common dividends(2) |
1,877 | 474 | 743 | 371 | 289 | 1,764 | 755 | 548 | 398 | 63 | ||||||||||
Cash dividends paid on common shares |
(1,169 | ) | (268 | ) | (294 | ) | (302 | ) | (305 | ) | (1,195 | ) | (306 | ) | (306 | ) | (305 | ) | (278 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow from operations, after common dividends(2) |
708 | 206 | 449 | 69 | (16 | ) | 569 | 449 | 242 | 93 | (215 | ) | ||||||||
Business acquisitions |
(71 | ) | (5 | ) | (27 | ) | (12 | ) | (27 | ) | (228 | ) | (51 | ) | (55 | ) | (36 | ) | (86 | ) |
Bell Aliant |
(255 | ) | (30 | ) | (152 | ) | (51 | ) | (22 | ) | | | | | | |||||
Increase in investments |
(304 | ) | (24 | ) | (161 | ) | (105 | ) | (14 | ) | (233 | ) | (17 | ) | (75 | ) | (12 | ) | (129 | ) |
Decrease in investments |
64 | | | 13 | 51 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow after investments and divestitures |
142 | 147 | 109 | (86 | ) | (28 | ) | 125 | 393 | 113 | 48 | (429 | ) | |||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Other financing activities |
||||||||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in notes payable and bank advances |
(57 | ) | (302 | ) | 80 | 232 | (67 | ) | (69 | ) | (195 | ) | (55 | ) | 319 | (138 | ) | |||
Issue of long-term debt |
4,392 | 675 | 3,419 | 298 | | 1,095 | | 200 | 195 | 700 | ||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt |
(4,767 | ) | (2,016 | ) | (1,925 | ) | (529 | ) | (297 | ) | (1,073 | ) | (180 | ) | (185 | ) | (674 | ) | (34 | ) |
Issue of common shares |
29 | 11 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 25 | | 12 | 4 | 9 | ||||||||||
Repurchase of common shares |
(1,241 | ) | (133 | ) | (114 | ) | (469 | ) | (525 | ) | | | | | | |||||
Issue of equity securities by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest |
13 | | | 10 | 3 | 1 | | 1 | | | ||||||||||
Redemption of equity securities by subsidiaries from non-controlling interest |
(305 | ) | (50 | ) | | (255 | ) | | (78 | ) | (18 | ) | (22 | ) | (21 | ) | (17 | ) | ||
Other financing activities |
(157 | ) | (36 | ) | (92 | ) | (15 | ) | (14 | ) | (64 | ) | (17 | ) | (15 | ) | (17 | ) | (15 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
(2,093 | ) | (1,851 | ) | 1,384 | (727 | ) | (899 | ) | (163 | ) | (410 | ) | (64 | ) | (194 | ) | 505 | ||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash (used in) provided by continuing operations |
(1,951 | ) | (1,704 | ) | 1,493 | (813 | ) | (927 | ) | (38 | ) | (17 | ) | 49 | (146 | ) | 76 | |||
Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations |
2,087 | (8 | ) | 688 | 47 | 1,360 | 103 | (13 | ) | 46 | | 70 | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
136 | (1,712 | ) | 2,181 | (766 | ) | 433 | 65 | (30 | ) | 95 | (146 | ) | 146 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
445 | 2,293 | 112 | 878 | 445 | 380 | 475 | 380 | 526 | 380 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
581 | 581 | 2,293 | 112 | 878 | 445 | 445 | 475 | 380 | 526 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Consists of: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations |
581 | 581 | 2,293 | 135 | 879 | 349 | 349 | 372 | 323 | 469 | ||||||||||
(Bank indebtedness) cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations |
| | | (23 | ) | (1 | ) | 96 | 96 | 103 | 57 | 57 | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
581 | 581 | 2,293 | 112 | 878 | 445 | 445 | 475 | 380 | 526 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Other information |
||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues |
17.7% | 20.6% | 17.2% | 19.5% | 13.3% | 19.1% | 17.4% | 21.7% | 20.4% | 16.7% | ||||||||||
Cash flow per share (5) |
$2.62 | $0.73 | $1.03 | $0.50 | $0.41 | $2.14 | $0.83 | $0.66 | $0.50 | $0.15 | ||||||||||
Annualized cash flow yield (6) |
7.4% | 7.5% | 12.1% | 6.3% | 4.5% | 6.8% | 11.7% | 7.4% | 5.9% | 0.9% | ||||||||||
Common dividend payout |
60.4% | 38.3% | 103.2% | 63.4% | 63.9% | 63.2% | 74.1% | 69.4% | 54.2% | 58.6% |
P. 25 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BELL CANADA CONSOLIDATED(1)
Operational Data
|
Q4 | Q4 | $ | % | TOTAL | TOTAL | $ | % | ||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | 2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | CHANGE | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Local and access |
1,288 | 1,348 | (60 | ) | (4.5% | ) | 5,212 | 5,465 | (253 | ) | (4.6% | ) | ||||
Long distance |
422 | 481 | (59 | ) | (12.3% | ) | 1,798 | 2,055 | (257 | ) | (12.5% | ) | ||||
Wireless |
925 | 808 | 117 | 14.5% | 3,491 | 3,085 | 406 | 13.2% | ||||||||
Data |
1,094 | 1,097 | (3 | ) | (0.3% | ) | 4,120 | 4,016 | 104 | 2.6% | ||||||
Video |
298 | 268 | 30 | 11.2% | 1,150 | 976 | 174 | 17.8% | ||||||||
Terminal sales and other |
424 | 449 | (25 | ) | (5.6% | ) | 1,577 | 1,637 | (60 | ) | (3.7% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
4,451 | 4,451 | | 0.0% | 17,348 | 17,234 | 114 | 0.7% | ||||||||
Operating expenses |
(2,672 | ) | (2,719 | ) | 47 | 1.7% | (10,059 | ) | (10,047 | ) | (12 | ) | (0.1% | ) | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(2) |
1,779 | 1,732 | 47 | 2.7% | 7,289 | 7,187 | 102 | 1.4% | ||||||||
EBITDA margin (%) (3) |
40.0% | 38.9% | 1.1 pts | 42.0% | 41.7% | 0.3 pts | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
(784 | ) | (756 | ) | (28 | ) | (3.7% | ) | (3,073 | ) | (2,989 | ) | (84 | ) | (2.8% | ) |
Net benefit plans cost |
(127 | ) | (65 | ) | (62 | ) | (95.4% | ) | (531 | ) | (389 | ) | (142 | ) | (36.5% | ) |
Restructuring and other items |
(86 | ) | (24 | ) | (62 | ) | n.m. | (332 | ) | (54 | ) | (278 | ) | n.m. | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
782 | 887 | (105 | ) | (11.8% | ) | 3,353 | 3,755 | (402 | ) | (10.7% | ) | ||||
Other (expense) income |
44 | (1 | ) | 45 | n.m. | (71 | ) | 40 | (111 | ) | n.m. | |||||
Interest expense |
(214 | ) | (207 | ) | (7 | ) | (3.4% | ) | (832 | ) | (827 | ) | (5 | ) | (0.6% | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings |
612 | 679 | (67 | ) | (9.9% | ) | 2,450 | 2,968 | (518 | ) | (17.5% | ) | ||||
Income taxes |
(138 | ) | (139 | ) | 1 | 0.7% | (571 | ) | (743 | ) | 172 | 23.1% | ||||
Non-controlling interest |
(89 | ) | (22 | ) | (67 | ) | n.m. | (166 | ) | (70 | ) | (96 | ) | n.m. | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
385 | 518 | (133 | ) | (25.7% | ) | 1,713 | 2,155 | (442 | ) | (20.5% | ) | ||||
Discontinued operations |
(7 | ) | (2 | ) | (5 | ) | n.m. | (7 | ) | (2 | ) | (5 | ) | n.m. | ||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
378 | 516 | (138 | ) | (26.7% | ) | 1,706 | 2,153 | (447 | ) | (20.8% | ) | ||||
Dividends on preferred shares |
(13 | ) | (14 | ) | 1 | 7.1% | (52 | ) | (55 | ) | 3 | 5.5% | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net earnings applicable to common shares |
365 | 502 | (137 | ) | (27.3% | ) | 1,654 | 2,098 | (444 | ) | (21.2% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Other information |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Cash flow information |
||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow (FCF) (2) |
||||||||||||||||
Cash from operating activities |
1,610 | 1,638 | (28 | ) | (1.7% | ) | 5,522 | 5,509 | 13 | 0.2% | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
(901 | ) | (733 | ) | (168 | ) | (22.9% | ) | (2,921 | ) | (3,119 | ) | 198 | 6.3% | ||
Dividends and distributions |
(494 | ) | (405 | ) | (89 | ) | (22.0% | ) | (1,899 | ) | (1,747 | ) | (152 | ) | (8.7% | ) |
Other investing items |
10 | 2 | 8 | n.m. | (4 | ) | 5 | (9 | ) | n.m. | ||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total |
225 | 502 | (277 | ) | (55.2% | ) | 698 | 648 | 50 | 7.7% | ||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues (%) |
20.2% | 16.5% | (3.7) pts | 16.8% | 18.1% | 1.3 pts | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Information |
DEC. 31 | DEC. 31 | ||||||||||||||
|
2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Debt |
||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
11,174 | 10,213 | ||||||||||||||
Debt due within one year |
1,026 | 800 | ||||||||||||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
(972 | ) | (231 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Net Debt |
11,228 | 10,782 | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
1,310 | 1,212 | ||||||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
9,862 | 10,135 | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Capitalization |
22,400 | 22,129 | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net Debt: Total Capitalization |
50.1% | 48.7% | ||||||||||||||
Net Debt: Trailing 12-month EBITDA |
1.54 | 1.50 | ||||||||||||||
EBITDA : Interest (trailing 12-month) |
8.76 | 8.69 |
n.m.: not meaningful
P. 26 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BELL CANADA CONSOLIDATED(1)
Operational Data Historical Trend
|
TOTAL 2006 |
TOTAL 2005 |
||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated) (unaudited) |
Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | Q4 05 | Q3 05 | Q2 05 | Q1 05 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Local and access |
5,212 | 1,288 | 1,292 | 1,317 | 1,315 | 5,465 | 1,348 | 1,371 | 1,374 | 1,372 | ||||||||||
Long distance |
1,798 | 422 | 458 | 459 | 459 | 2,055 | 481 | 513 | 520 | 541 | ||||||||||
Wireless |
3,491 | 925 | 912 | 853 | 801 | 3,085 | 808 | 798 | 769 | 710 | ||||||||||
Data |
4,120 | 1,094 | 1,022 | 1,003 | 1,001 | 4,016 | 1,097 | 1,001 | 966 | 952 | ||||||||||
Video |
1,150 | 298 | 289 | 286 | 277 | 976 | 268 | 251 | 236 | 221 | ||||||||||
Terminal sales and other |
1,577 | 424 | 366 | 374 | 413 | 1,637 | 449 | 388 | 387 | 413 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total operating revenues |
17,348 | 4,451 | 4,339 | 4,292 | 4,266 | 17,234 | 4,451 | 4,322 | 4,252 | 4,209 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(10,059 |
) |
(2,672 |
) |
(2,504 |
) |
(2,435 |
) |
(2,448 |
) |
(10,047 |
) |
(2,719 | ) | (2,520 |
) |
(2,414 |
) |
(2,394 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA(2) |
7,289 | 1,779 | 1,835 | 1,857 | 1,818 | 7,187 | 1,732 | 1,802 | 1,838 | 1,815 | ||||||||||
EBITDA margin (%)(3) |
42.0% | 40.0% | 42.3% | 43.3% | 42.6% | 41.7% | 38.9% | 41.7% | 43.2% | 43.1% | ||||||||||
Amortization expense |
(3,073 | ) | (784 | ) | (772 | ) | (778 | ) |
(739 |
) |
(2,989 |
) | (756 | ) | (756 | ) | (745 | ) | (732 | ) |
Net benefit plans cost |
(531 | ) | (127 | ) | (125 | ) | (137 | ) | (142 | ) | (389 | ) | (65 | ) | (111 | ) | (107 | ) | (106 | ) |
Restructuring and other items |
(332 | ) | (86 | ) | (111 | ) | (48 | ) | (87 | ) | (54 | ) | (24 | ) | (30 | ) | (5 | ) | 5 | |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating income |
3,353 | 782 | 827 | 894 | 850 | 3,755 | 887 | 905 | 981 | 982 | ||||||||||
Other (expense) income |
(71 | ) | 44 | (83 | ) | (31 | ) | (1 | ) | 40 | (1 | ) | 19 | 11 | 11 | |||||
Interest expense |
(832 | ) | (214 | ) | (215 | ) | (199 | ) | (204 | ) | (827 | ) | (207 | ) | (208 | ) | (206 | ) | (206 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax earnings |
2,450 | 612 | 529 | 664 | 645 | 2,968 | 679 | 716 | 786 | 787 | ||||||||||
Income taxes |
(571 | ) | (138 | ) | (137 | ) | (165 | ) | (131 | ) | (743 | ) | (139 | ) | (198 | ) | (177 | ) | (229 | ) |
Non-controlling interest |
(166 | ) | (89 | ) | (25 | ) | (26 | ) | (26 | ) | (70 | ) | (22 | ) | (16 | ) | (16 | ) | (16 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
1,713 | 385 | 367 | 473 | 488 | 2,155 | 518 | 502 | 593 | 542 | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations |
(7 | ) | (7 | ) | | | | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | | | | ||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
1,706 | 378 | 367 | 473 | 488 | 2,153 | 516 | 502 | 593 | 542 | ||||||||||
Dividends on preferred shares |
(52 | ) | (13 | ) | (12 | ) | (13 | ) | (14 | ) | (55 | ) | (14 | ) | (14 | ) | (13 | ) | (14 | ) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings applicable to common shares |
1,654 | 365 | 355 | 460 | 474 | 2,098 | 502 | 488 | 580 | 528 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Other information |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow information | ||||||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow (FCF) (2) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash from operating activities |
5,522 | 1,610 | 1,552 | 1,401 | 959 | 5,509 | 1,638 | 1,545 | 1,466 | 860 | ||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(2,921 | ) | (901 | ) | (715 | ) | (767 | ) |
(538 |
) |
(3,119 |
) | (733 | ) | (873 | ) | (847 | ) | (666 | ) |
Dividends and distributions |
(1,899 | ) | (494 | ) | (453 | ) | (454 | ) |
(498 |
) |
(1,747 |
) | (405 | ) | (468 | ) | (452 | ) | (422 | ) |
Other investing items |
(4 | ) | 10 | (4 | ) | (9 | ) | (1 | ) | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 | (5 | ) | |||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
698 | 225 | 380 | 171 | (78 | ) | 648 | 502 | 208 | 171 | (233 | ) | ||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues (%) |
16.8% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 17.9% | 12.6% | 18.1% | 16.5% | 20.2% | 19.9% | 15.8% | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Information |
DEC. 31 | SEPT. 30 | JUNE 30 | MARCH 31 | DEC. 31 | |||||||||||||||
|
2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | |||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Debt |
||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt |
11,174 | 11,433 | 9,941 | 9,991 | 10,213 | |||||||||||||||
Debt due within one year |
1,026 | 2,168 | 1,454 | 1,770 | 800 | |||||||||||||||
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
(972 |
) |
(2,265 |
) | (97 | ) | (685 | ) | (231 | ) | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Net Debt |
11,228 | 11,336 | 11,298 | 11,076 | 10,782 | |||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interest |
1,310 | 1,261 | 1,028 | 1,214 | 1,212 | |||||||||||||||
Total shareholders equity |
9,862 | 9,773 | 10,280 | 10,191 | 10,135 | |||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total Capitalization |
22,400 | 22,370 | 22,606 | 22,481 | 22,129 | |||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Debt: Total Capitalization |
50.1% | 50.7% | 50.0% | 49.3% | 48.7% | |||||||||||||||
Net Debt: Trailing 12-month EBITDA |
1.54 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.54 | 1.50 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA: Interest (trailing 12-month) |
8.76 | 8.78 | 8.81 | 8.72 | 8.69 |
P. 27 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BELL CANADA CONSOLIDATED
Statistical Data
|
Q4 | Q4 | % | TOTAL | TOTAL | % | ||||||
(unaudited) |
2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | 2006 | 2005 | CHANGE | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Wireline |
||||||||||||
Local |
||||||||||||
Network access services (k) |
||||||||||||
Residential |
7,386 | 7,985 | (7.5% | ) | 7,386 | 7,985 | (7.5% | ) | ||||
Business |
4,670 | 4,596 | 1.6% | 4,670 | 4,596 | 1.6% | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Total |
12,056 | 12,581 | (4.2% | ) | 12,056 | 12,581 | (4.2% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||
Long Distance (LD) |
||||||||||||
Conversation minutes (M) |
4,595 | 4,550 | 1.0% | 18,222 | 18,243 | (0.1% | ) | |||||
Average revenue per minute ($) |
0.088 | 0.097 | (9.3% | ) | 0.093 | 0.103 | (9.7% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Data |
||||||||||||
Internet subscribers (9) (k) |
||||||||||||
High-Speed Internet net activations (k) |
59 | 61 | (3.3% | ) | 267 | 387 | (31.0% | ) | ||||
High-Speed Internet subscribers (k) |
2,462 | 2,195 | 12.2% | 2,462 | 2,195 | 12.2% | ||||||
Dial-up Internet subscribers (k) |
511 | 586 | (12.8% | ) | 511 | 586 | (12.8% | ) | ||||
|
||||||||||||
|
2,973 | 2,781 | 6.9% | 2,973 | 2,781 | 6.9% | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Wireless |
||||||||||||
Cellular and PCS net activations (k) |
||||||||||||
Prepaid |
102 | 83 | 22.9% | 127 | 227 | (44.1% | ) | |||||
Postpaid |
67 | 127 | (47.2% | ) | 305 | 289 | 5.5% | |||||
|
||||||||||||
|
169 | 210 | (19.5% | ) | 432 | 516 | (16.3% | ) | ||||
Cellular and PCS subscribers (k) |
||||||||||||
Prepaid |
1,555 | 1,428 | 8.9% | 1,555 | 1,428 | 8.9% | ||||||
Postpaid |
4,318 | 4,013 | 7.6% | 4,318 | 4,013 | 7.6% | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
5,873 | 5,441 | 7.9% | 5,873 | 5,441 | 7.9% | ||||||
|
||||||||||||
Average revenue per unit (ARPU) ($/month) |
53 | 51 | 3.9% | 51 | 49 | 4.1% | ||||||
Prepaid |
15 | 14 | 7.1% | 14 | 14 | 0.0% | ||||||
Postpaid |
66 | 64 | 3.1% | 64 | 61 | 4.9% | ||||||
Churn (%) (average per month) |
1.3% | 1.5% | 0.2 pts | 1.5% | 1.6% | 0.1 pts | ||||||
Prepaid |
1.7% | 2.2% | 0.5 pts | 2.6% | 1.9% | (0.7) pts | ||||||
Postpaid |
1.1% | 1.3% | 0.2 pts | 1.1% | 1.4% | 0.3 pts | ||||||
Usage per subscriber (min/month) |
290 | 261 | 11.1% | 273 | 255 | 7.1% | ||||||
Cost of acquisition (COA) (10) ($/sub) |
443 | 409 | (8.3% | ) | 419 | 406 | (3.2% | ) | ||||
Wireless EBITDA ($ millions) |
402 | 311 | 29.3% | 1,535 | 1,307 | 17.4% | ||||||
Wireless EBITDA margin (11) |
42.5% | 37.1% | 5.4 pts | 42.8% | 41.2% | 1.6 pts | ||||||
Wireless capital expenditures ($ millions) |
126 | 58 | n.m. | 403 | 343 | (17.5% | ) | |||||
Wireless capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue |
13.6% | 7.2% | (6.4) pts | 11.5% | 11.1% | (0.4) pts | ||||||
Paging subscribers (k) |
281 | 347 | (19.0% | ) | 281 | 347 | (19.0% | ) | ||||
Paging average revenue per unit ($/month) |
10 | 10 | 0.0% | 10 | 11 | (9.1% | ) | |||||
|
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Video (DTH and VDSL) |
||||||||||||
Total subscribers (k) |
1,820 | 1,727 | 5.4% | 1,820 | 1,727 | 5.4% | ||||||
Net subscriber activations (k) |
32 | 50 | (36.0% | ) | 93 | 224 | (58.5% | ) | ||||
ARPU ($/month) |
55 | 52 | 5.8% | 54 | 50 | 8.0% | ||||||
Video EBITDA ($ millions) |
30 | 23 | 30.4% | 181 | 45 | n.m. | ||||||
Churn (%) (average per month) |
1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0 pts | 1.0% | 0.9% | (0.1) pts | ||||||
|
n.m.: not meaningful
P. 28 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BELL CANADA CONSOLIDATED
Statistical Data Historical Trend
|
TOTAL | TOTAL | ||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) |
2006 | Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | Q1 06 | 2005 | Q4 05 | Q3 05 | Q2 05 | Q1 05 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Wireline |
||||||||||||||||||||
Local |
||||||||||||||||||||
Network access services (k) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Residential |
7,386 | 7,569 | 7,673 | 7,842 | 7,985 | 8,133 | 8,189 | 8,332 | ||||||||||||
Business |
4,670 | 4,668 | 4,635 | 4,600 | 4,596 | 4,570 | 4,538 | 4,518 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
12,056 | 12,237 | 12,308 | 12,442 | 12,581 | 12,703 | 12,727 | 12,850 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Long Distance (LD) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Conversation minutes (M) |
18,222 | 4,595 | 4,484 | 4,576 | 4,567 | 18,243 | 4,550 | 4,466 | 4,649 | 4,578 | ||||||||||
Average revenue per minute ($) |
0.093 | 0.088 | 0.097 | 0.094 | 0.094 | 0.103 | 0.097 | 0.106 | 0.103 | 0.109 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
Internet subscribers (9) (k) |
||||||||||||||||||||
High-Speed Internet net activations (k) |
267 | 59 | 90 | 47 | 71 | 387 | 61 | 106 | 92 | 128 | ||||||||||
High-Speed Internet subscribers (k) |
2,462 | 2,403 | 2,313 | 2,266 | 2,195 | 2,134 | 2,028 | 1,936 | ||||||||||||
Dial-up Internet subscribers (k) |
511 | 531 | 552 | 564 | 586 | 621 | 666 | 696 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2,973 | 2,934 | 2,865 | 2,830 | 2,781 | 2,755 | 2,694 | 2,632 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Wireless |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cellular and PCS net activations (k) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid |
127 | 102 | 20 | (16 | ) | 21 | 227 | 83 | 73 | 29 | 42 | |||||||||
Postpaid |
305 | 67 | 94 | 106 | 38 | 289 | 127 | 50 | 117 | (5 | ) | |||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
432 | 169 | 114 | 90 | 59 | 516 | 210 | 123 | 146 | 37 | ||||||||||
Cellular and PCS subscribers (k) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid |
1,555 | 1,453 | 1,433 | 1,449 | 1,428 | 1,345 | 1,272 | 1,243 | ||||||||||||
Postpaid |
4,318 | 4,251 | 4,157 | 4,051 | 4,013 | 3,886 | 3,836 | 3,719 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
5,873 | 5,704 | 5,590 | 5,500 | 5,441 | 5,231 | 5,108 | 4,962 | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Average revenue per unit (ARPU) ($/month) |
51 | 53 | 53 | 51 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 51 | 50 | 46 | ||||||||||
Prepaid |
14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 11 | ||||||||||
Postpaid |
64 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 61 | 61 | 64 | 63 | 61 | 57 | ||||||||||
Churn (%) (average per month) |
1.5% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.6% | ||||||||||
Prepaid |
2.6% | 1.7% | 2.8% | 3.2% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 1.6% | 2.1% | 1.8% | ||||||||||
Postpaid |
1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.6% | ||||||||||
Usage per subscriber (min/month) |
273 | 290 | 277 | 270 | 249 | 255 | 261 | 265 | 262 | 232 | ||||||||||
Cost of acquisition (COA) (10) ($/sub) |
419 | 443 | 415 | 419 | 394 | 406 | 409 | 432 | 401 | 373 | ||||||||||
Wireless EBITDA ($ millions) |
1,535 | 402 | 411 | 367 | 355 | 1,307 | 311 | 363 | 333 | 300 | ||||||||||
Wireless EBITDA margin (11) |
42.8% | 42.5% | 43.7% | 41.8% | 43.0% | 41.2% | 37.1% | 44.0% | 42.4% | 41.4% | ||||||||||
Wireless capital expenditures ($ millions) |
403 | 126 | 110 | 98 | 69 | 343 | 58 | 103 | 118 | 64 | ||||||||||
Wireless capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue |
11.5% | 13.6% | 12.1% | 11.4% | 8.6% | 11.1% | 7.2% | 12.9% | 15.3% | 9.0% | ||||||||||
Paging subscribers (k) |
281 | 298 | 314 | 328 | 347 | 364 | 385 | 404 | ||||||||||||
Paging average revenue per unit ($/month) |
10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Video (DTH and VDSL) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total subscribers (k) |
1,820 | 1,788 | 1,758 | 1,739 | 1,727 | 1,677 | 1,595 | 1,532 | ||||||||||||
Net subscriber activations (k) |
93 | 32 | 30 | 19 | 12 | 224 | 50 | 82 | 63 | 29 | ||||||||||
ARPU ($/month) |
54 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 53 | 50 | 52 | 51 | 50 | 48 | ||||||||||
Video EBITDA ($ millions) |
181 | 30 | 41 | 64 | 46 | 45 | 23 | 12 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||
Churn (%) (average per month) |
1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.9% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.8% | ||||||||||
|
P. 29 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
ACCOMPANYING NOTES
(1) | We have reclassified some of
the figures for the comparative period to make them consistent with the
current periods presentation. Starting in the third quarter of 2006,
our segment reporting reflects the formation of Bell Aliant and it is
reported as a separate segment. Since Bell Aliant includes the
operations of Bell Canadas former regional wireline operations and Bell
Nordiq, the results of our other segments have been restated to reflect
the sale of these operations. Additionally, the results of our other
segments have been restated to reflect the sale of the operations to
Bell Canada of Aliant wireless and the DownEast Mobility Limited retail
stores, which are now reported in our Residential and Business segments.
|
(2)
|
Non-GAAP Financial Measures EBITDA
The term, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is presented on a consistent basis from period-to-period. EPS before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form the Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (Bell Aliant)
The term, EPS (earnings per share) before restructuring and other items, net gains on investments and costs incurred to form Bell Aliant, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar
measures presented by other companies. FREE CASH FLOW
The term, free cash flow, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Free cash flow is presented on a consistent basis from
period-to-period, which allows us to compare our financial performance on a consistent basis.
|
(3) | EBITDA margin is calculated as follows: |
EBITDA |
Operating revenues |
(4) | Effective Q2 2005 the total Wireless capital expenditures are segregated between the Residential and Business segments. Prior quarters have been restated accordingly. |
P. 30 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
(5) | Cash flow per share is calculated as follows: |
Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures |
Average number of common shares outstanding during the period |
(6) | Annualized cash flow yield is calculated as follows: |
Free cash flow from operations before common dividends |
Number of common shares outstanding at end of period multiplied by share price at end of period |
Note: to annualize, multiply the most recent quarters resultant by 4.
|
|
(7) | Reflects an increase in the total Bell Canada debt as a result of the completion of the purchase price allocation (PPA) relating to the repurchase of SBCs 20% interest in Bell Canada, which resulted in an increase in long-term debt of $165
million. This increase in long-term debt will be applied against interest expense ($3 million in Q4 2006) over the remaining terms of the related long-term debt.
|
(8) | At the Bell Canada Consolidated and BCE Consolidated level, Third Party Preferred Shares reflected in the financial statements of subsidiaries are included in non-controlling interest on the balance sheet.
|
(9) | High-Speed Internet subscribers include Residential, Business and Wholesale. Dial-up Internet subscribers include Residential and Business.
|
(10) | Includes allocation of selling costs from Bell Canada and excludes costs of migrating from analog to digital. Cost of Acquisition (COA) per subscriber is reflected on a consolidated basis.
|
(11) | Wireless EBITDA margins are calculated based on total Wireless operating revenues (i.e. external revenues as shown on pages 26 and 27 plus inter-company revenues). |
P. 31 BCE INC. 2006 INVESTOR BRIEFING
BCE Inc. | For further information concerning the Dividend | |||
1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest | Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRP), | |||
Bureau 3700 | direct deposit of dividend payments, the elimination | |||
Montréal (Québec) | of multiple mailings or the receipt of quarterly reports, | |||
H3B 4Y7 | please contact: | |||
www.bce.ca | ||||
Computershare Trust | ||||
Communications | Company of Canada | |||
e-mail: bcecomms@bce.ca | 100 University Avenue, | |||
tel: 1 888 932-6666 | 9th Floor, | |||
fax: (514) 870-4385 | Toronto, Ontario | |||
M5J 2Y1 | ||||
This document has been filed by BCE Inc. | tel: (514) 982-7555 | |||
with Canadian securities commissions and | or 1 800 561-0934 | |||
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. | fax: (416) 263-9394 | |||
It can be found on BCE Inc.s website at | or 1 888 453-0330 | |||
www.bce.ca, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com | e-mail: bce@computershare.com | |||
and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov | ||||
or is available upon request from: | PRINTED IN CANADA | |||
07-02 BCE-4E | ||||
Investor Relations | ||||
e-mail: investor.relations@bce.ca | ||||
tel: 1 800 339-6353 | ||||
fax: (514) 786-3970 | ||||
For additional copies of these | ||||
statements, please call | ||||
1 888 932-6666. | ||||
Pour obtenir un exemplaire | ||||
de la version française de ce document, | ||||
composez le 1 888 932-6666. |