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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: Dezember 19, 2006
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.
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.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Swisscom to increase stake in Swisscom Mobile to 100% and enter into long-term partnership
with Vodafone
Swisscom is to buy back Vodafones 25% stake in Swisscom Mobile for a total price of CHF
4.25 billion. The purchase price is made up of an enterprise value of CHF 4.05 billion and net cash
amounting to CHF 200 million. The move is aimed at enabling Swisscom to improve its position in
terms of realising its convergence strategy while at the same time raising shareholder payouts. The
successful partnership between Swisscom and Vodafone will continue unchanged, in the form of a
long-term exclusivity agreement which will continue to provide benefits for Swisscom customers.
Swisscom will pay a total of CHF 4.25 billion in cash for Vodafones 25% stake in Swisscom Mobile.
The purchase price comprises the proportionate share of the enterprise value of Swisscom Mobile to
the tune of CHF 4.05 billion and the amount of CHF 200 million in respect of Vodafones share of
the net cash at the time of the acquisition. The transaction will be fully debt financed and is
expected to be completed on 20 December 2006.
Greater flexibility with convergence offerings will benefit customers
The successful partnership between Swisscom Mobile and Vodafone is to continue on the basis of a
comprehensive, exclusive co-operation agreement and in line with the hitherto agreements with
Vodafone. Swisscom will pay licence fees to Vodafone, at a similar level as those to date. The
cooperation agreement will run for five years and contains an option allowing it to be extended by
two-year periods. This means that Swisscom Mobile will continue to benefit from preferential
purchase terms as well as access to the Vodafone product portfolio. As before, Swisscom will
continue to offer products such as Vodafone live! and Vodafone World which provide attractive
international calling rates.
The transaction will bring Swisscom customers several advantages: the current range of offerings
will remain unchanged and the company will enjoy greater flexibility in terms of the structuring of
its convergent offerings. Swisscom will offer one-shop shopping for products that allow convergence
between fixed telephony, mobile telephony, Internet and television. This will enable the company to
respond even better to customers all-round needs.
Immediate waiver of dividend payments to Vodafone
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Swisscom AG |
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Group Media Relations
3050 Bern
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Phone +41-31-342 91 93
Fax +41-31-342 07 30
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www. swisscom.com
media@swisscom.com |
The repurchase of Vodafones shareholding in Swisscom Mobile makes sense both strategically and
financially. Since under the terms of the agreement Vodafone will no longer receive a dividend
payment for 2006, Swisscom expects to increase net income and equity free cash flow annually from
2007 by around CHF 180 million net, after deduction of financing costs. The financing of the
buyback using debt funding will also create a more balanced capital structure.
Vodafone acquired the 25% holding in Swisscom Mobile in March 2001 for CHF 4.5 billion. In November
of this year Swisscom initiated negotiations with Vodafone to buy back the 25% stake. The Federal
Council had agreed beforehand that the purchase price would not be taken into account in the
net-debt limit stipulated in its strategic goals for Swisscom. Following completion of the
transaction, Swisscoms net-debt limit will remain unchanged at one and half times EBITDA, thus
ensuring a high level of strategic flexibility also in the future.
Swisscoms payout policy will remain unchanged. No amortisation of borrowings in connection with
the transaction is envisaged. For 2007, Swisscom expects to post EBITDA of CHF 3.9 billion, with
Swisscom Mobile accounting for CHF 1.8 billion.
Berne, 19 December 2006
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Swisscom AG |
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Group Media Relations
3050 Bern
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Phone +41-31-342 91 93
Fax +41-31-342 07 30
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www. swisscom.com
media@swisscom.com |
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: Dezember 19, 2006 |
by: |
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Name: |
Rolf Zaugg |
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Title: |
Senior Counsel
Head of Capital Market & Corporate Law |
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