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Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Dated: May 15, 2007
Swisscom AG
(Translation of registrants name into English)
Alte Tiefenaustrasse 6
3050 Bern, Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form
20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F þ Form 40-F
o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
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 o No
þ
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Swisscoms bid for Fastweb was successful
Swisscom is pleased to announce that its bid for Fastweb shares was successful. The
acceptance level of its offer is at 80.7%. Together with previously acquired 1.7% of Fastweb shares
Swisscom will own 82.4% of Fastweb. The total purchase price is EUR 3.1 billion. Together with the
assumed net debt of Fastweb of EUR 1.1 billion the total transaction amounts to EUR 4.2 billion or
CHF 6.9 billion. Swisscom plans to finance the transaction through new debt of around CHF 5.9
billion, the proceeds from the sale of Antenna Hungaria of CHF 0.5 billion and the placement of
treasury shares for an amount of up to CHF 0.5 billion. As now all conditions set in the offer
document have been fulfilled, settlement of the tender offer will take place on 22 May 2007.
We are very pleased that so many shareholders have accepted our offer, says Carsten Schloter, CEO
Swisscom. We can now start working on our vision of a successful Swiss-Italian partnership.
Swisscom thanks Fastweb shareholders, the board of directors and management team as well as Fastweb
employees for their cooperation and trust.
The offer period for Fastweb shares started on 10 April 2007 and finished on 15 May 2007.
Settlement date of the transaction will be 22 May 2007. Swisscom will pay to each shareholder
having tendered its Fastweb shares an amount of EUR 47 per share. In total, Fastweb shareholders
tendered 64.1 million shares equalling 80.7% of the share capital of Fastweb to Swisscom. The
purchase price for the tendered shares will be EUR 3.0 billion (CHF 5.0 billion). Together with 1.4
million shares previously acquired the ownership level stands at 82.4% and the total purchase price
will be EUR 3.1 billion (CHF 5.1 billion).
Conditions to the Offer fulfilled
All conditions set in the offer document have been fulfilled. First, Swisscom received green light
from the Swiss Competition Commission and the EU Commission as the contemplated acquisition would
neither create nor strengthen a market dominant position. Second, Swisscom has reached an
acceptance level of more than 50% of Fastweb share capital. Third, no actions which may hinder the
offer or trigger serious changes to the market situation having a material adverse effect on the
offer or Fastweb group business have occurred. Furthermore, there were no changes (or proposals of
changes officially issued by the Italian Parliament or Government) to the legal and regulatory
framework which may limit or however jeopardize the acquisition of Fastweb or the offerors rights
to vote and its other rights in connection with Fastweb shares or Fastweb group business.
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Financing of the transaction
The transaction, consisting of the purchase price of EUR 3.1 billion and the assumed net debt of
EUR 1.1 billion of Fastweb amounts to EUR 4.2 billion or CHF 6.9 billion. Swisscom plans to finance
the transaction with new debt of around CHF 5.9 billion, the proceeds from the sale of Antenna
Hungaria of CHF 0.5 billion and the sale of treasury shares for an amount of up to CHF 0.5 billion.
Swisscom currently owns 4.9 million treasury shares. Treasury shares not required will be earmarked
for deletion at the General Assembly in 2008.
Details of when and how monetisation should take place will follow later. The aim is to complete
the sale of the required treasury shares in 2007. A bridging facility has been put in place to
ensure completion of the transaction with Fastweb shareholders.
Swisscoms treasury shares will not be and have not been registered under the US Securities Act of
1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable
exemption from registration.
Financial policy and new pay out policy
Going forward, Swisscoms financial policy envisages to:
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limit its Net Debt to a maximum of around 2x EBITDA |
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pay out around 50% of annual OpFCF to Swisscom shareholders*) in the
form of dividends and possibly share buy backs, whereby it aims to pay at least
stable dividends going forward |
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review on an annual basis how much strategic flexibility (vs. the
limit of around 2x EBITDA) is needed. Funds not required for strategic flexibility
can then be returned to shareholders on top of 50% of OpFCF |
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make a special share buy back of CHF 500 million in 2008 |
*) Operating Free Cash Flow to Swisscom shareholders defined as EBITDA Capex +/- changes
in net working capital minorities
Cooperation will now start
Swisscom will now start to cooperate with Fastweb management to develop future business plans and
explore forms of cooperation in more detail. For Swisscom, the transaction is a logical step in the
implementation of its corporate strategy aimed at growing its core business and increase company
value through new activities. As a strategic partner committed to the long term, Swisscom is
investing in Fastweb with the clear objective of further exploiting the Fastweb competitive
advantages and technological lead as well as expanding its portfolio of offerings. Fastwebs
operational business will continue to be separately managed. Within the next few weeks a General
Assembly will be called and new members to the Board of Directors will be proposed.
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Swisscom intends to continue working with the existing successful management team and retain the
well-positioned Fastweb brand in Italy.
Berne, 15 May 2007
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SIGNATURES
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.
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Swisscom AG
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Dated: May 15, 2007 |
by: |
/s/ Rolf Zaugg
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Name: |
Rolf Zaugg |
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Title: |
Senior Counsel
Head of Capital Market &
Corporate Law |
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