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333-13662 and Registration No. 333-114841) filed by France Telecom under the Securities Act of 1933, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed by France Telecom under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.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 |
% Change 2004/2003 on a | |||||
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 |
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 | ||
(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 | |||
(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 |