SWISSCOM 6-K
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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: April 30, 2004

Swisscom AG

(Translation of registrant’s 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):______

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):______

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-____________

 


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Press Release
SIGNATURES

(SWISSCOM LOGO)

Press Release

Swisscom sells debitel to the Permira Funds

Swisscom is selling its investment in the network-independent mobile company debitel to the funds advised by the private equity company Permira. The selling price for 95% of debitel shares, including those in respect of the 2% holding acquired beforehand from Electronic Partner, is EUR 640 million (equity value). For some time, Swisscom has been managing its interest in debitel as a financial investment.

As a network-independent telecommunications company, debitel provides mobile, fixed network and Internet services to over 10 million customers and employs some 3,100 staff in Europe. Swisscom acquired a 74.2% interest in debitel in summer 1999 on strategic grounds; this was later increased to a 93% interest. The expected synergies failed to materialise due to differences in the business models of Swisscom and debitel and the performance of European mobile communications markets following the auction of UMTS licences. As a result of this, Swisscom managed debitel as a purely financial investment. Swisscom has now decided to realise the value of its investment in debitel.

In the Permira Funds, Swisscom has found an investor who will continue to develop debitel’s business in line with the current ‘Enhanced Service Provider’ strategy. Swisscom is granting the buyer a vendor loan note of EUR 210 million for the purchase. After deduction of this loan, Swisscom will receive EUR 430 million in 2004 from the sale of its investment in debitel. The parties have agreed not to disclose any additional details regarding the transaction.

The takeover is subject to approval from antitrust authorities. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of June 2004.

Berne, 30 April 2004

             
Swisscom Ltd
           
Group Media Relations
  Phone   +41-31-342 91 93   www. swisscom.com
3050 Berne
  Fax   +41-31-342 06 70   media@swisscom.com


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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.

      

     
  Swisscom AG
 
   
 
   
Dated: April 30, 2004
  by: /s/ Stephan Wiederkehr
 
 
  Name: Stephan Wiederkehr
Title:   Senior Counsel
            Head of Corporate &
            Financial Law