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Bear Stearns report on the up-side of telco retail-wholesale separation

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Sector Stance: Market Underweight

European Telecommunication Services

Wholesale Salvation'

Retail-wholesale separation offers upside

December 2006

Research Analysts:

Jonathan Dann William Main Fanos Hira Maurice Patrick

U.S. investors contact your Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. registered representative at 1-800-999-2000

Bear, Stearns International Limited, London Authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority

Bear Stearns does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the Firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Customers of Bear Stearns in the United States can receive independent, third-party research on the company or companies covered in this report, at no cost to them, where such research is available. Customers can access this independent research at www.bearstearns.com/independentresearch or can call (800) 517-2327 to request a copy of this research. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision. PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES AND ANALYST CERTIFICATION INFORMATION IN THE ADDENDUM SECTION OF 1THIS REPORT

Agenda

  1. Wireline continues to depress group earnings
  2. Structural separation – upside to valuations?
  3. Utility comparisons: gaswatertelecoms?
  4. Applying Openreach across Europe
  5. Selling Openreach
  6. Identifying the intrinsic value within retail'
  1. Wireline continues to depress group earnings

15.00 EU Telecoms: 6 month Absolute Performance (%)

European incumbents under increasing pressure

10.00

5.00 Competition continues unabated, while regulatory relief is slow

- Broadband penetration starting to mature – less scope to offset

-5.00 traditional declines

-10.00 IPTV will help slow line losses, but unlikely to be panacea

-15.00

-20.00

Mobile growth stunted as termination rate cuts continue

Ongoing rate cuts expected – Dutch regulator has set the EU floor

Absolute Performance - 6 Months

International roaming regulation set to negatively impact profitability

EU Telecoms: Revenue Breakdown by Division, 2006E (%)

100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market penetration >100% limits absolute upside

Maintaining Underweight sector stance

DT/FT/Swisscom 2Q profit warnings appear to validate position

Recovery in margins is likely to be cost driven, growth via M&A

No sign of positive earnings momentum in the medium term

Domestic fixed International fixed Domestic mobile International mobile Other

  1. Structural separation - upside to valuations?

PSTN Network and Openreach

Core network Central office Street cabinet Customer premises

¦---------------------Openreach-------------------¦

BT Group: Re-rating Openreach as a Utility, 2006E (p)

350

286 177

300 2

234 127

250

200

150

100

50

0

BT Current Share Back out Implied Add Openreach Additional Wholesale New BT Valuation

Price Openreach RAV-based Valuation

Valuation Valuation

Source: Company data; Bear, Stearns International Limited Estimates


Structural separation – what is it?

Distance between local exchange and customer premises

Equal access for all players to last-mile copper network

Separating last-mile from remaining businesses – accounting or operationally

BT Group and Ofcom precedent – EU likely to follow

Establishment of Openreach a key outcome of The Strategic Review

EU Commissioner Vivian Reding has highlighted the need for further investigation

Other examples adopting/likely to adopt include TI, eircom, Telstra, Telecom NZ and potentially Portugal Telecom

Utility re-rating opportunity

Via leverage, regulated assets should be valued in excess of assets

Regulated assets value (RAV) – definition critical to returns

BT's Openreach offers ca. 20% upside from utility-like valuation

4

  1. Utility comparisons: water, electricity, gastelecoms?

UK Utilities: Regulated Post Tax Nominal Returns (%)

9.0 8.0

8.0 7.0 7.1 7.3

7.0 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0 1.0 -

EU Telecoms: Utility Comparisons, 2006-07E

Net Debt /

  Enterprise  EBITDA  ----- EV/EBITDA -----  --- Price /Earnings -- Market Cap  Net Debt  Value  2006E  2006E  2007E  2006E  2007E

AWG  1,808  3,318  5,126  6.3  9.8  10.0  19.3  20.4 Kelda  3,174  1,841  5,015  4.1  11.1  10.2  18.3  17.5 Northumbrian  1,381  1,919  3,300  6.4  10.9  10.2  16.1  14.4 Pennon  1,687  1,156  2,843  4.7  11.5  10.7  17.9  18.7 Severn Trent  4,566  2,996  7,562  3.5  8.9  8.5  25.9  22.3 United Utilities  5,902  3,854  9,756  3.7  9.3  8.6  18.8  13.3 National Grid  22,793  16,333  39,126  3.6  8.6  8.2  11.5  11.4

Source: Company data; Thomson First Call Consensus Estimates.


Monopoly industries

Parallels in water, gas, electricity and broadcast transmission networks

Returns consider gearing, inflation and tax assumptions

Regulated asset values, regulated returns

Price cap mechanism is determined by regulated returns and assets

Monopoly assets independently valued, outside IFRS/GAAP

Allowable returns set at 5 year intervals, embedded cost saving incentives add further upside

Utilities trade at a premium to telecoms

Stable, predictable returns

Pension contributions/deficit funding and capital investment are recoverable

Gearing potential increases upside

  1. Applying Openreach across Europe

EU Telecoms: Full ULL Rates, 2006 () 16.00

14.00 12.00 10.00

8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00

0.00

NOR BELG SWE SP AUS Germ UK NL FR PT GR IT

FULL rate Median

EU Telecoms: Creating European Openreach

Openreach Openreach BSIL

Implied Value  Regulated Incumbent

Per Access Line Returns Forecasts

What if Retail Margins

Number of RAV of  Incumbent Implied  Normalise? Incumbent  Incumbent "Openreach" Incumbent

Access Lines "Openreach" EBIT/EBITDA Retail EBITDA

Implied Valuation Uplift

Openreach From RAV Depreciation

Per Line


ULL access and rates underpin methodology

Monopoly on last mile network exists across European incumbents

Obligation to provide ULL access backs up conclusion

European incumbents face the same operating risks – similar FULL rates across operators supports assertion

Methodology

Regulated assets per lines deployed, not those just in service

10% regulated return on each incumbents' regulated assets value

Using Openreach data points to imply European Openreach'

Significance to group

Accounts for greater % of valuation than EBITDA across all incumbents due to monopolistic characteristics

Greatest exposure at less diversified operators – BT, OTE and BCOM

  1. Selling Openreach

EU Telecoms: Selling Openreach – Impact on Net Debt/EBITDA , 2006 (x)

1.0 0.5 0.0 -0.5 -1.0 -1.5 -2.0 -2.5 -3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Existing net debt/EBITDA New net debt/EBITDA

EU Telecoms: Selling Openreach – Impact on Market Capitalisation, 2006 (%) 35.0

30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0

5.0 0.0

BT DT FT OTE TI BCOM KPN PT TA SCOM TEF Telia Openreach equity as % of group market capitalisation


Sale/spin-off or securitisation

Could unlock considerable value

Operational separation is the first step to full deconsolidation

Infrastructure investors/private equity interest likely, given stable cashflow, regulated returns and gearing capacity

Assumptions

Sold at 1.25x regulated asset value (RAV)

Openreach geared to 70% of RAV, in line with other utilities

Benefits offered

Releases 123bn of capital across the sector (54bn equity, 69bn debt) to fund growth or boost shareholder returns

Lighter touch regulation for remaining retail business

Valuation and gearing multiples improve

7

  1. Identifying the intrinsic value within retail'

EU Telecoms: Retail' EBITDA and OFCF Margins, 2006E (%) 35.0

30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0

10.0 5.0 0.0

EBITDA margin (%) OFCF margin (%)

EU Telecoms: Implied Valuation of Retail' Wireline vs EBITDA Margin, 2006E 1.8

1.6 TEF

KPN

1.4

SCOM

1.2 TA PT TI

1.0 TNOR

BCOM

0.8 BT

0.6 DT R2 = 0.7622

0.4 OTE FT

Telia

0.2

0.0

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 EBITDA margin (%)


Methodology

With Openreach established, we imply the remaining wireline operations

Monopoly assets relatively alike, implied retail' units differ considerably

Exposure to group also varies, dependent on level of diversification

Implied retail margins – who's at risk

We consider a scenario where retail EBITDA margins normalise at 25%

Impact on EBITDA varies considerably across Europe

Southern EU operators (TEF, TI, PT) most exposed, KPN also at risk

Implied retail units – what are they worth?

Diverse set of implied valuations across Europe

Data set suggests 25% EBITDA margins, EV/sales should be 1.0x

In addition to Openreach re-rating as a utility, upside exists at OTE, BT, DT, FT and Telia from retail operations trading towards 1.0x EV/sales

8

6b. Identifying the intrinsic value within retail' (cont'd)

EU Telecoms: OFCF Impact on Retail' Margins Normalising at 15%

Margins at risk

80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 -20.0 -40.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We flex scenario where EBITDA and OFCF margins normalise to 25% and 15% respectively

OTE, BT and DT margins already depressed and hence benefit from normalising margins

Most incumbents indicate modest downside, but at group level <20%

Impact on domestic fixed OFCF (%) Impact on group OFCF (%)

EU Telecoms: Valuation Impact on EV/Sales Normalising at 1.0x, 2006E (%)

Valuation at risk

35.0 25.0 15.0 5.0 -5.0 -15.0 -25.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We consider a scenario where valuation of retail division ex-Openreach normalises to 1.0x EV/sales

FT, Telia and OTE standout performers, given already low valuations

TEF, KPN and TA at risk, given higher margins and higher valuations

Impact on Fixed EV (%) Impact on Group EV (%)

Reiterate Outperform on KPN

Retail margins and valuation high vs peers – indicates efficiency of retail operations despite cable threat

Q3 results: Another strong quarter led by E-Plus and KPN mobile NL, wireline losses continue

Investment thesis: Strong capital discipline: in-market consolidator (domestic mobile, domestic broadband), 1bn buyback in 2006

Reiterate Outperform on Telenor

Openreach is 5.2% of group valuation, Retail margins have mid-range exposure

Q3 results: Rebound in Nordic mobile continues, guidance upgraded, Norwegian fixed weak

Investment thesis: Strong emerging growth, Nordic mobile rebound strong, offsetting ongoing domestic fixed declines

Reiterate Outperform on Belgacom

Heavy investment in fibre is likely to increase regulated returns

Q3 results: Results ahead of expectation, mobile guidance increased

Investment thesis: Valuation remains attractive, early adopter of VDSL

Reiterate Outperform recommendation on TI

September 11 2006: TI announces it is adopting structural separation

Q3 results: Worst of termination rate cuts now over for TIM Italy, growth coming from outside Italy, deregulation of directories hurting fixed

Increasing clarity on strategy, dividend yield remains attractive (06E Ords: 6.1%, Savers: 7.8%)

Reiterate Outperform on TA

Broadly in line with sector – risks neutral

Q3 results: Strong results reported, led by domestic operations, net income and dividend guidance raised

Investment thesis: Low gearing, EMEA exposure, shares driven by capital redistribution, potential take-over candidate

Reiterate Outperform on PT

Defence document and acquirer looking at Openreach separation and spin-off

Q3 results: Better than expected results, led by Vivo margin rebound, raising pressure on Sonaecom to raise bid

Investment thesis: Sonaecom bid too low, will have to raise it or shareholders are likely to back PT management's own plan

Reiterate Peer Perform on Telefonica

Retail margins at risk but in longer term, concerns offset by diverse asset base and benign regulatory risk

Q3 results: Diversification demonstrated in strong group results

Investment thesis: Highly geared to operational underperformance in Spanish mobile should competitive intensity increase, M&A risk limited

Reiterate Peer Perform on BT Group

Most exposed to upside given no mobile assets, Ofcom also leading regulatory body on structural separation

Q2 results: Continuing momentum with underlying EBITDA increasing for the third quarter running

Investment thesis: Downgraded to Peer Perform as structural separation benefits now broadly reflected in price, ULL threat remains

Maintain Peer Perform recommendation on FT

Positively exposed due to low valuation of group, could provide catalyst to re-rate in line with sector

Q3 results: Revenues slightly ahead, underlying EBITDA fell by 3.5% however cashflow guidance reiterated 6.8bn, FULL threat looms

Investment thesis: Valuation remains attractive however as earnings downgrades continue

Maintain Peer Perform recommendation on TeliaSonera

Low margins on retail indicates upside, although impact at group level limited

Q3 results: Dividends increase materially, cost cutting initiatives led to robust margins in Sweden/Finland

Investment thesis: Emerging market exposure, but lacks growth profile to compensate for the additional risk, Spanish mobile concerns

Maintain Peer Perform recommendation on OTE

Beneficiary under structural separation, largely on account of low retail margins

Q3 results: Reported November 29

Investment thesis: Domestic wireline relatively benign with broadband growth continuing to support earnings, mobile risk at Cosmote

Retain Underperform stance on DT

Large capital expenditure in fibre offers investment upside

Q3 results: Domestic operations continuing to suffer from termination and competition, UK margins rebound

Numbers still at risk, running the business on cashflow generation and likely to under-invest going forward in order to meet targets

Retain Underperform stance on Swisscom

No ULL in Switzerland, making Openreach more valuable

Q3 results: Moderately ahead of expectations with fixed still benign and mobile still taking share

Stock remains expensive vs sector peers, regulatory threat accelerating (ULL, interconnect rates) and competition increasing

European Telecoms: Capitalisation

European Telecoms: Capitalisation

(a)  (b)  (c)  (a)+(b)-(c)

Fully  Mkt Cap.  Free- EOY Net  EOY  Enterprise  Net  Dividend Price  Diluted  Free  Float  Debt  Other  Valuation  Debt/EBITDA  Yield

Price  Target  Shares  (Local  Float  (Local  (Local  (Local  ( Local  05  06 Rating  Currency  (Local)  (Local)  (mn)  mn)  (%)  mn)  mn)  mn)  mn)  05  06  (%)  (%)

Integrated

Belgacom  O  Euro  32.71  34.96  340  11,135  44.7  4,978  (268)  (2,427)  13,295  -0.2  -0.1  4.6  4.8 BT Group1  P  Sterling  2.92  NA  8,328  24,319  100.0  24,319  7,416  (764)  32,500  1.4  1.3  4.1  4.7 Deutsche Telekom  U  Euro  13.37  NA  4,260  56,956  67.5  38,445  38,479  (3,659)  99,094  1.9  2.0  5.4  5.7 France Telecom  P  Euro  19.6  NA  2,603  51,020  65.1  33,214  37,562  (15,677)  104,259  2.7  2.2  5.1  6.1 KPN  O  Euro  10.49  12.50  2,036  21,359  100.0  21,359  9,707  (63)  31,130  1.9  1.9  4.3  5.0 Telecom Italia (Blended)[1]  O  Euro  2.71  41,680  100.0  41,680  33,931  (3,640)  79,251  3.2  2.8  6.7  7.0 Telefonica  P  Euro  15.87  NA  4,784  75,924  100.0  75,924  51,882  (8,977)  136,783  2.0  2.6  3.2  3.8 Portugal Telecom  O  Euro  9.76  10.5  1,129  11,018  100.0  11,018  4,090  (2,888)  17,996  1.5  1.8  4.9  5.0 OTE  P  Euro  21.9  NA  491  10,746  61.5  6,609  2,112  (3,669)  16,528  1.8  1.3  0.0  2.1 Telekom Austria  O  Euro  20.42  25.5  466  9,516  69.7  6,633  3,240  0  12,756  1.8  1.6  2.7  3.8 Telenor  O  NOK  117.25  126  1,712  200,713  47.0  94,335  34,963  (15,794)  251,470  1.3  1.3  1.7  2.6 TeliaSonera  P  SEK  52.75  NA  4,490  236,872  39.3  93,091  20,577  23,763  233,686  0.3  0.6  2.4  3.2 Swisscom  U  CHF  442.5  NA  52  22,922  37.3  8,550  334  (4,359)  27,614  -0.4  0.1  3.6  3.8 Integrated Average  1.8  1.6  4.1  4.7 Wireless

Vodafone  U  Sterling  1.3825  NA  52,658  72,800  100.0  72,800  24,234  987  96,047  1.5  1.8  4.4  4.6 Mobistar  U  Euro  63.35  NA  63  3,980  49.4  1,966  (183)  81  3,716  -0.1  -0.2  6.3  5.5 Cosmote  O  Euro  21.70  23.8  334  7,241  41.2  2,983  2,232  0  9,474  1.3  2.6  3.0  3.5 Wireless Average  1.3  1.8  4.4  4.6

Other

Carphone Warehouse  O  Sterling  2.93  4.44  883  2,588  37.2  963  581  0  3,170  1.2  2.1  0.9  0.9 Bouygues  O  Euro  46.79  50.60  337  15,757  74.2  11,692  3,312  (3,671)  22,741  0.7  0.9  1.9  2.6 Cable & Wireless  O  Sterling  1.60  1.77  2,307  3,680  100.0  3,680  72  (119)  3,871  -0.8  -0.1  2.8  3.4 Other Average  0.4  1.0  1.9  2.3

Telecom Average  1.4  1.6  3.6  3.8

European Telecom: Valuation

European Telecom: Valuation

P/E Multiple  Equity/FCF Multiple  EV/Operating FCF Multiple  EV/EBITDA Multiple Currency  2006  2007  2008  2006  2007  2008  2006  2007  2008  2006  2007  2008

Integrated

Belgacom  Euro  13.6  14.1  14.1  13.0  16.2  16.8  9.0  9.5  9.3  6.3  6.5  6.5 BT Group  Sterling  13.0  12.8  12.1  18.5  17.6  14.7  13.1  12.3  11.8  5.8  5.7  5.7 Deutsche Telekom  Euro  14.5  16.0  15.1  27.7  11.0  11.7  11.9  9.0  9.2  5.2  5.3  5.2 France Telecom  Euro  11.2  12.2  12.1  7.4  7.6  7.2  8.9  9.1  9.0  5.6  5.6  5.6 KPN  Euro  13.8  13.8  13.0  8.6  10.4  14.1  9.9  10.9  11.0  6.4  6.4  6.4 Telecom Italia (Blended)  Euro  13.9  13.3  12.0  8.0  7.2  8.3  9.8  8.9  8.6  6.1  5.9  5.9 Telefonica  Euro  16.0  13.9  11.0  12.0  10.8  8.9  10.9  9.9  8.8  7.0  6.6  6.2 Portugal Telecom  Euro  17.1  19.1  19.6  38.7  34.6  20.8  13.5  12.4  11.7  7.9  7.6  7.5 OTE  Euro  23.8  18.1  15.9  25.1  15.6  11.6  14.4  11.6  9.7  7.5  6.9  6.4 Telecom Austria  Euro  17.2  17.9  14.8  9.1  12.3  10.9  10.1  11.9  10.9  6.6  6.9  6.6 Telenor  NOK  18.7  15.2  12.8  20.4  16.6  12.2  16.7  11.9  9.7  7.4  6.7  6.1 TeliaSonera  SEK  14.3  14.1  13.7  15.7  15.2  12.8  12.9  12.5  11.5  7.5  7.1  6.9 Swisscom  CHF  15.2  13.9  14.0  15.7  16.4  15.4  11.4  10.9  11.3  7.4  7.0  7.1 Integrated Average  14.5  14.1  13.7  15.7  15.2  12.2  11.4  10.9  9.7  6.6  6.6  6.4 Wireless

Vodafone (Consol)  Sterling  14.0  13.8  13.1  19.1  30.3  14.2  12.7  12.2  11.6  8.1  8.2  8.0 Vodafone (Prop)  Sterling  14.0  13.8  13.1  19.1  30.3  14.2  8.9  8.5  8.1  5.7  5.7  5.6 Mobistar  Euro  13.6  14.2  14.3  13.4  13.8  14.1  8.3  9.1  9.3  6.1  6.4  6.5 Cosmote (Consol)  Euro  21.2  16.2  13.2  NM  19.9  13.2  24.6  15.5  12.1  10.8  9.0  8.0 Cosmote (Prop)  Euro  21.2  16.2  13.2  NM  19.9  13.2  26.4  17.3  13.6  11.3  10.0  9.0 Wireless Average Proportionate  14.0  14.2  13.2  16.3  19.9  14.1  8.9  9.1  9.3  6.1  6.4  6.5 Wireless Average Consolidated  14.0  14.2  13.2  16.3  19.9  14.1  8.9  9.1  9.3  6.1  6.4  6.5 Other

Carphone Warehouse  Sterling  27.4  11.8  9.4  NM  20.9  12.2  28.1  9.0  7.8  11.3  6.4  5.7 Bouygues  Euro  13.7  12.6  11.8  NM  12.9  12.2  10.1  8.6  8.4  6.5  5.7  5.6 Cable & Wireless  Sterling  37.0  18.8  13.8  NM  126.3  26.5  NM  16.3  11.3  8.4  6.2  5.3 Other Average  26.0  14.4  11.7  NM  53.4  17.0  19.1  11.3  9.2  8.7  6.1  5.5

Telecom Average  14.5  14.1  13.2  15.7  15.6  12.8  11.1  10.9  9.7  6.6  6.4  6.2 Source: Bear, Stearns International Limited estimates.

Fiscal Benefits – Impact on Multiples

Adjusted FCF Multiple Comparison, 2005-09E

2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 Belgacom  13.2  15.0  16.0  15.1  14.9 BT Group  16.8  20.0  18.9  15.2  15.8 Deutsche Telekom  12.6  25.5  13.0  13.1  10.1 France Telecom  8.1  8.6  8.7  8.2  8.1 KPN  18.0  13.6  14.4  12.5  11.6 Telecom Italia (Blended)  11.3  9.6  9.0  8.5  8.6 Telefonica  14.5  22.7  12.2  10.2  9.6 Portugal Telecom  34.2  48.3  30.7  20.4  18.9 OTE  29.5  21.1  15.0  11.6  10.0 Telekom Austria  10.7  10.8  13.2  11.9  9.9 Telenor  29.8  23.0  15.7  12.1  10.8 TeliaSonera  19.0  18.6  17.5  15.0  13.5 Swisscom  11.8  15.1  15.3  14.8  14.0 Mean  17.6  19.4  15.3  12.9  12.0 Median  14.5  18.6  15.0  12.5  10.8

Vodafone  9.8  12.4  11.3  10.5  10.1 Mobistar  13.5  13.8  14.2  14.4  13.9 Cosmote  NM  NM  19.4  14.5  12.1 Mean  11.6  13.1  14.9  13.2  12.0 Median  11.6  13.1  14.2  14.4  12.1

Carphone Warehouse  NM  NM  22.2  13.6  10.1 Bouygues  19.9  NM  13.5  12.7  11.8 Cable & Wireless  NM  NM  49.2  23.6  15.4 Mean  19.9  NM  28.3  16.6  12.4 Median  19.9  NM  22.2  13.6  11.8

Sector Mean  17.0  18.5  17.3  13.6  12.1 Sector Median  14.0  15.1  15.0  13.1  11.6

Source: Bear, Stearns International Limited estimates.


Reported FCF Multiple Comparison, 2005-09E

2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 Belgacom  11.2  13.0  16.2  16.8  16.5 BT Group  14.7  18.5  17.6  14.7  15.8 Deutsche Telekom  9.9  27.7  11.0  11.7  9.2 France Telecom  6.9  7.4  7.6  7.2  7.2 KPN  8.8  8.6  10.4  14.1  13.7 Telecom Italia (Blended)  8.8  8.0  7.2  8.3  9.0 Telefonica  12.2  17.6  10.8  8.9  8.9 Portugal Telecom  27.2  38.7  34.6  20.8  21.2 OTE  21.7  25.1  15.6  11.6  9.8 Telekom Austria  9.1  9.1  12.3  10.9  9.0 Telenor  25.1  20.4  16.6  12.2  10.8 TeliaSonera  15.8  15.7  15.2  12.8  11.6 Swisscom  16.4  16.4  16.4  16.4  - Mean  14.5  17.4  14.7  12.8  11.0 Median  12.2  16.4  15.2  12.2  9.8

Vodafone  8.0  14.8  23.4  10.9  9.7 Mobistar  12.5  13.4  13.8  14.1  13.6 Cosmote  NM  NM  19.9  13.2  10.7 Mean  10.2  14.1  19.0  12.7  11.3 Median  8.0  13.4  16.9  12.1  10.2

Carphone Warehouse  NM  NM  20.9  12.2  8.8 Bouygues  20.4  NM  12.9  12.2  11.3 Cable & Wireless  NM  NM  126.3  26.5  14.8 Mean  20.4  NM  53.4  17.0  11.6 Median  20.4  NM  20.9  12.2  11.3

Sector Mean  14.3  17.0  21.5  13.4  11.1 Sector Median  12.3  15.7  15.6  12.2  10.7

Source: Bear, Stearns International Limited estimates.

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Companies Mentioned

European Telecom Coverage

Latest  Target  Methodology

Company Name  Ticker   Price  Rating   Price  (If target is included)  Investment Risks Belgacom  BELG.BR  32.71  O  34.96  DCF based SOP Increasing competitive pressures in domestic fixed line, mobile

competition continuing. M&A risk

BT Group  BT.L  £2.92  P  NA  NA

Deutsche Telekom  DTEGn.DE  13.37  U  NA  NA

France Telecom  FTE.PA  19.60  P  NA  NA

KPN  KPN.AS  10.49  O  12.50  DCF based SOP German wireless competition intensifies, domestic wireline declines

accelerate, M&A risk

Telecom Italia (Ords)  TLIT.MI  2.25  O  2.71 DCF Based SOP / RAB Acceleration in wireline and wireless competition, political and economic

multiples risk

Telefonica  TEF.MC  15.87  P  NA  NA

Portugal Telecom  PTCO.IN  9.76  O  10.50  Achievable bid offer Political and M&A risk

OTE  OTEr.AT  21.90  P  NA  NA

Telekom Austria  TELA.VI  20.42  O  25.5  DCF based SOP Margin erosion in Bulgaria due to new entrants, increased unbundling

and cable threat to domestic fixed, and Hutchison could destabilise the Austrian wireless market

Telenor  TEL.OL  Nkr 117.25  O  NKr 126  DCF based SOP Conflict with Alfa group regarding Kyivstar and Vimpelcom, emerging

market and forex risk, deterioration in domestic fixed line market continues

TeliaSonera  TLSN.ST  SEK 52.75  P  NA  NA

Swisscom  SCMN.VX  SFr. 443  U  NA  NA

Vodafone  VOD.L  £1.38  U  NA  NA

Mobistar  MSTAR.BR  63.35  U  NA  NA

Cosmote  COSr.AT  21.70  O  23.8  DCF based SOP Execution risk of Germanos integration and termination exposure in

Greece and Bulgaria

Carphone Warehouse  CPW.L  £2.93  O  £4.44  DCF based SOP Threat of disintermediation by operators, stock overhang, stability of

TalkTalk margins

Bouygues  BOUY.PA  46.79  O  50.60  DCF based SOP High exposure to wireless termination rate cuts, increasing MVNO

threat, slowing group growth and rising capex

Cable & Wireless  CW.L  £1.60  O  £1.77  DCF based SOP UK business turnaround fails, re-acceleration of competition in

Caribbean

Price d at Market close December 08 2006

Source: Company data; Bear, Stearns International Ltd. estimates.

Addendum – Important Disclosures

Analyst Certification

The Research Analyst(s) who prepared the research report hereby certify that the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the analyst(s) personal views about the subject companies and their securities. The Research Analyst(s) also certify that the Analyst(s) have not been, are not, and will not be receiving direct or indirect compensation for expressing the specific recommendation(s) or view(s) in this report. Jonathan Dann

Portugal Telecom[PTCO.IN]: Within the past twelve (12) months, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. or one of its affiliates has received non-investment banking compensation from this company. Portugal Telecom[PTCO.IN]: The subject company is or during the past twelve (12) months has been a non-investment banking client (securities related services) of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.

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This publication and any recommendation contained herein speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Bear Stearns and its affiliated companies and employees shall have no obligation to update or amend any information or opinion contained herein, and the frequency of subsequent publications, if any, remain in the discretion of the author and the Firm.

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. Equity Research Rating System:

Ratings for Stocks (vs. analyst coverage universe):

Outperform (O) - Stock is projected to outperform analyst's industry coverage universe over the next 12 months.

Peer Perform (P) - Stock is projected to perform approximately in line with analyst's industry coverage universe over the next 12 months. Underperform (U) - Stock is projected to underperform analyst's industry coverage universe over the next 12 months.

Ratings for Sectors (vs. regional broader market index):

Market Overweight (MO) - Expect the industry to perform better than the primary market index for the region (S&P 500 in the US) over the next 12 months.

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Market Underweight (MU) - Expect the industry to underperform the primary market index for the region (S&P 500 in the US) over the next 12 months.

Jonathan Dann, European Telecom - Wireline: BT Group, BT Group ADR, Deutsch Telekom, Deutsche Telekom ADR, France Telecom, France Telecom ADR, Hellenic Telecommunications, Hellenic Telecommunications ADR, KPN, KPN ADR, Portugal Telecom, Portugal Telecom ADR, Swisscom AG, Swisscom AG ADR, Telenor, Telecom Italia,Telecom Italia ADR,Telecom Italia S.p.A.RNC, Telefonica de Espana ADS, Telefonica de Espana S.A.,Telenor ADR, TeliaSonera

Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. Ratings Distribution as of September 30, 2006: Outperform (Buy): 43.3 / 4.6

Peer Perform (Neutral): 47.7 / 3.3

Underperform (Sell): 9.1 / 0.0

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