6-K 1 d6k.htm FRANCE TELECOM PRESS RELEASE France Telecom Press Release

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

May 4, 2004

 

Commission File No. 1-14712

 

 

FRANCE TELECOM


(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

6, place d’Alleray, 75505 Paris Cedex 15, France


(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     X        Form 40-F             

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is submitting the

Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

 

Yes                 No     X    

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is submitting the

Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

 

Yes                 No     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-            )

 

 

 

Enclosure:

   France Telecom first quarter 2004 consolidated revenues and other information.


This Report on Form 6-K is deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-13662 and Registration No. 333-114841) filed by France Telecom under the Securities Act of 1933, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed by France Telecom under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Paris, April 29, 2004

 

FRANCE TELECOM FIRST QUARTER 2004 CONSOLIDATED REVENUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

France Telecom Consolidated Revenues Q1 2004 / 2003

 

(in millions of euros)   

Q1

2004


  

Q1

2003

Historical


  

%

Change

2004/2003

Historical


  

Q1

2003

on a
comparable
basis*


  

%

Change

2004/2003

on a
comparable
basis*


              

Total revenues

   11,447    11,376    + 0.6    10,926    + 4.8

Revenues bysegment

                        

Orange

   4,678    4,255    + 9.9    4,172    + 12.1

Of which Orange France

   2,031    1,864    + 9.0    1,864    + 9.0

Orange UK

   1,500    1,429    + 4.9    1,408    + 6.5

Orange Rest of world

   1,187    1,002    + 18.5    940    + 26.3

Inter sub-segment eliminations

   -40    -40    + 0.7    -39    + 2.5

Wanadoo

   636    567    + 12.2    552    + 15.3

Of which Access, portals and e-Merchant

   455    393    + 15.7    389    + 16.9

Directories

   184    175    + 4.9    164    + 11.9

Inter sub-segment eliminations

   -2    -1    n.s.    -1    n.s.

Fixed Line, Distribution, Networks, Large Customers and Carriers

   5,409    5,449    - 0.7    5,442    - 0.6

Of which Consumer services

   2,736    2,825    - 3.2    2,825    - 3.1

Business services

   1,645    1,719    - 4.3    1,713    - 4.0

Carrier services

   926    824    + 12.3    823    + 12.4

Other revenues

   102    80    + 27.1    80    + 27.0

Equant

   563    685    - 17.8    588    - 4.2

TP Group

   963    1,070    - 10.0    938    + 2.7

Of which Fixed line services

   724    869    - 16.7    762    - 5.0

Wireless telephony

   272    232    + 17.2    203    + 33.7

Internet and other revenues

   13    12    + 6.1    11    + 18.2

Inter sub-segment eliminations

   -45    -43    + 4.9    -38    + 20.2

Other International operations

   327    435    - 24.8    306    + 7.0

Inter-segment eliminations

   -1,130    -1,085    + 4.2    -1,071    + 5.5

 

* Unaudited figures

Financial terms are defined on page 5.

 

1


TOP Program: improved operating performance and margins, coupled with increased investments in growth

 

The TOP indicator Operating income before depreciation and amortization less CAPEX (investments in tangible and intangible assets excluding licenses) increased by 10% on a historical basis and 14% on a comparable basis to 3.4 billion euros. This improvement reflects the ongoing deployment of the TOP program and substantial improvements in the Group’s processes.

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization reached 4.3 billion euros, an increase of 4.3% on a historical basis and of 8.3% on a comparable basis. Operating income increased 16.3% on a historical basis and 16.8% on a comparable basis, totaling 2.55 billion euros for Q1 2004.

 

CAPEX (investments in tangible and intangible assets excluding licenses) for Q1 2004 amounted to 882 million euros, a decrease of 13.2% on a historical basis and 9.2% on a comparable basis. This decrease was partly due to negotiations within the framework of the TOP Sourcing initiative, resulting in lower purchase prices. The CAPEX/revenues ratio was 7.7% for the period, compared to 8.9% for Q1 2003. Given seasonal variations in investments, which tend to be concentrated at the end of the year, France Telecom confirms its objective of 10 to 12% for full-year 2004.

 

Group profile at March 31, 2004

 

The France Telecom Group had a total of 118.6 million customers worldwide at March 31, 2004, broken down as follows:

 

     Customers (in millions)

   Countries

Wireless Communications

   57.4    20

Fixed Line Telephony

   49.4    9

Internet Access (active customers)

   10.9    11

Cable Networks

   0.9    1

 

2


ORANGE

 

    

Q1

2004


   

Q1

2003


   

Change

(in %)


      

Customer base (in thousands)

                

Orange France

   20,371     19,231     + 5.9

of which contract (in %)

   58.6 %   56.2 %    

Orange UK

   13,820     13,313     + 3.8

of which contract (in%)

   32.6 %   32.2 %    

Orange Rest of World

   15,891     12,380     + 28.4

of which contract (in %)

   32.9 %   33.1 %    

TOTAL Orange

   50,082     44,924     + 11.5

Total ARPU (contract and prepay services)

                

Orange France (in €)

   382     375     + 1.9

Orange UK (in £)

   273     263     + 3.8

Total AUPU (in minutes)

                

Orange France

   163     146     + 11.6

Orange UK

   146     142     + 2.8

Share of non-voice services in network revenues (in %)

                

Orange France

   14.0 %   11.3 %    

Orange UK

   17.2 %   15.8 %    

TOTAL Orange

   14.7 %   12.6 %    

 

Other significant developments in Q1 2004

 

In Romania, the buyout of one of the minority shareholders in Orange Romania increased Orange’s ownership of the company to more than 73%, compared to 67.8% at the end of 2003.

 

In Denmark, Orange enhanced its flexibility by buying out minority shareholders in Orange Denmark and signing an agreement terminating all litigation in progress. Orange now owns 100% of the company, compared to 67,2% at the end of 2003.

 

(See Appendix 2 for key commercial indicators )

 

WANADOO

 

Internet Access

 

(in thousands)   

Q1

2004


  

Q1

2003


  

Change

(in %)


Total customers in France

   4,664    4,130    + 12.9

including broadband customers

   2,123    1,240    + 71.1

Total customers

   9,348    8,786    + 6.5

including broadband customers

   2,868    1,612    + 77.9

 

3


FIXED LINE, DISTRIBUTION, NETWORKS, LARGE CUSTOMERS AND CARRIERS:

 

    

Q1

2004


   

Q1

2003


   

%

Change


ADSL installed base

                

ADSL accesses (in thousands)

   4,116     1,854     + 122.0

Of which Wanadoo accesses

   2,042     1,174     + 73.9

Of which third-party ISP accesses

   1,618     663     + 144.1

Of which unbundled telephone lines

   456     17     n.s.

Consumer services

                

Consumer “voice” traffic (in billions of minutes)

   14.7     15.9     -  7.3

Subscriptions to inclusive call time contracts (in millions)

   9.3     7.3     + 27.3

in % of total customers

   37,0 %   28,8 %    

Business services

                

Business service “voice” traffic (in billion of minutes)

   5.4     5.7     -  6.7

Number of business service data network accesses (in thousands)

   229.6     211.4     + 8.6

Networks & Carriers

                

Domestic interconnection “voice” traffic (in billions of minutes)

   12.3     10.9     + 13.4

 

 

 

 

 

TP GROUP

 

    

Q1

2004


   

Q1

2003


   

Change

(in %)


Total fixed line customers (in thousands)

   11,278     10,879     + 3.7

Total wireless customers (in thousands)

   6,011     4,739     + 26.8

of which contract (in %)

   45.9 %   40.0 %    
    

 

   

TP Group share of wireless market (PTK Centertel)

   32.5 %   32.0 %    
    

 

   

 

4


APPENDIX 1 – Definition of financial terms used

 

 

Figures on a comparable basis: figures for the 3 months ended March 31, 2003. In order to provide a basis of comparison with the results for the 3 months ended March 31, 2004, figures on a comparable basis with constant exchange rates and scope of consolidation are presented for the first quarter of 2003. To this end, the results for the 3 months ended March 31, 2003 have been adjusted to reflect the same scope of consolidation and exchange rates as used for the first quarter of 2004.

 

ARPU – for Orange: the annual average revenue per user is calculated by dividing network revenues for the previous 12 months by the weighted average number of customers during the same period. Network revenues include outgoing traffic, incoming traffic, connection fees, visitor roaming and value-added services. The weighted average number of customers during a period is the average of the monthly average customer bases for the period. The monthly average customer base is calculated as the sum of the opening and closing customer bases for the month divided by two. ARPU is quoted on a revenue per customer per year basis. Orange France (mainland) does not currently receive revenues from other French wireless network operators for voice calls from their networks that terminate on Orange France’s mainland network as in some other markets, in particular the United Kingdom. As a consequence, French and UK ARPUs are not directly comparable.

 

AUPU – for Orange: average monthly usage per user, calculated by dividing the total minutes used over the preceding 12 months (outgoing calls, ingoing calls and roaming) by the average subscriber base of Orange for the same period. AUPU is quoted on a monthly basis per customer.

 

CAPEX: investments in tangible and intangible assets, excluding GSM and UMTS licenses, and investments financed through capital leases.

 

Operating income before depreciation and amortization: operating income before depreciation and amortization and before amortization of actuarial adjustments in the early retirement plan.

 

5


APPENDIX 2 – Selected information for the three months ended 31 March 2004 and 2003

 

     Three months ended 31 March

 

(millions of €)


   2004

   

2003

Comparable
Basis


   

2003

Reported


 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Total revenues

                  

Orange France

   2,031     1,864     1,864  

Orange UK

   1,500     1,408     1,429  

Rest of World

   1,187     940     1,002  

Inter segment eliminations

   (40 )   (40 )   (40 )

Total

   4,678     4,172     4,255  

of which:

                  

Network revenues

                  

Orange France

   1,921     1,745     1,745  

Orange UK

   1,354     1,275     1,295  

Rest of World

   1,064     848     905  

Inter segment eliminations

   (36 )   (25 )   (26 )

Total

   4,303     3,843     3,919  

 

     As at 31 March

(in thousands)


   2004

  

2003

Comparable
Basis


     (unaudited)    (unaudited)

Customer base

         

Orange France

   20,371    19,231

Orange UK

   13,820    13,313

Rest of World

   15,891    12,380

Total

   50,082    44,924

 

6


Key business indicators for France and the UK are set out below. ARPU numbers are stated on a rolling 12-month basis.

 

 

    

Three months

ended 31 March


     2004

  

2003

Comparable
Basis


     (unaudited)    (unaudited)

France

         

Customers (in thousands) (period end)

   20,371    19,231

Contract

   11,935    10,802

Prepay

   8,436    8,429

Recurring network revenues (€ in millions)

   1,921    1,745

Equipment and other revenues (€ in millions)

   110    119

Total revenues (€ in millions)

   2,031    1,864

Annual average revenue per user (€)

   382    375

Contract

   546    552

Prepay

   163    162

UK

   13,820    13,313

Customers (in thousands) (period end)

   4,508    4,292

Contract

   9,312    9,021

Prepay

         

Recurring network revenues (€ in millions)

   1,354    1,275

Equipment and other revenues (€ in millions)

   146    133

Total revenues (€ in millions)

   1,500    1,408

Annual average revenue per user (£)

   273    263

Contract

   574    563

Prepay

   128    125

 

 

 

 

 

 

This document contains “forward-looking statements” about France Telecom. Such statements are not actual facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs, opportunities, technology and market conditions. Although France Telecom believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. These statements should not be regarded as a representation that anticipated events will occur or that expected objectives will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, the success of the announced Ambition FT 2005 plan and the TOP and TOP Line programs, France Telecom’s other strategic, financial and operating initiatives, changes in economic, business and competitive markets, risks and uncertainties attendant upon international operations, technological trends, exchange rate fluctuations and market regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of France Telecom is contained in the Document de Référence submitted to the COB on March 9, 2004 and its filing on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 16, 2004. The forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of the date hereof and France Telecom does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

7


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.

 

     FRANCE TELECOM

Date:  May 4, 2004

   By:   

/S/    PIERRE HILAIRE


     Name:   

Pierre Hilaire

     Title:   

Director of Financial Information