Untitled Document



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of: August 2004
Commission File Number: 1-8481

 

BCE Inc.
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest, Bureau 3700, Montréal, Québec H3B 4Y7, (514) 397-7000
(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

Form 40-F
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-_____.

 

Only the BCE Inc. Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 and the BCE Inc. unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, included on pages 2 to 27 and 28 to 37, respectively, of the BCE Inc. 2004 Second Quarter Shareholder Report filed with this Form 6-K, and the document entitled "Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") to United States GAAP" filed with this Form 6-K as Appendix A, are incorporated by reference in the registration statements filed by BCE Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-12130), Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-12780), Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-12802) and Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-12804). Except for the foregoing, no other document or portion of document filed with this Form 6-K is incorporated by reference in BCE Inc.’s registration statements. Notwithstanding any reference to BCE’s Web site on the World Wide Web in the documents attached hereto, the information contained in BCE’s site or any other site on the World Wide Web referred to in BCE’s site is not a part of this Form 6-K and, therefore, is not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 


 

 

 

News Release

For immediate release

(All figures are in Cdn$, unless otherwise indicated)

 

BELL CANADA ENTERPRISES REPORTS SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

 

Montréal (Québec), August 4, 2004 — For the second quarter of 2004, BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE) reported revenue of $4.78 billion, up 2.3% and EBITDA(1) of $1.95 billion, up 3.1% when compared to the same period last year. Operating income reached $1.11 billion and earnings per share were $0.60, an increase of $0.10 (increase of $0.05 or 10% not including one-time items).

“We have completed another quarter of sound operating performance with solid growth in earnings per share,” said Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Canada Enterprises.

Mr. Sabia said the company’s earnings performance was predicated on two factors. First was growth in revenues and margins in areas such as Wireless, DSL and Video. Second, Bell has laid the foundation to deliver profitable medium-term growth in Enterprise IP Connectivity and Valued-Added Services and in the Medium and Small Business market.

“While revenue growth is a top priority for the company, we balance it against the need to ensure that our growth is profitable,” said Mr. Sabia, “by pursuing productivity initiatives, continued operational discipline and the exiting of low-margin businesses.”

Key Achievements
“Momentum continues to build across the company as we work to expand our business and broaden and enhance our offerings to customers,” said Mr. Sabia. “We are continuing to simplify our operations, partnering with world-class companies, adopting innovative approaches to reinventing our businesses, making strategic investments to augment our capabilities, and driving new technologies that enable us and our customers.”

In Consumer, Bell is actively building the “broadband home” for its customers. The introduction of a new billing system has brought wireless service into Bell’s simplified “One-Bill” concept. The company recently launched the powerful Sympatico-MSN portal and announced virtually unlimited long distance calling in North America for “Digital Bundle” customers.

In Small and Medium Business (SMB), where Bell’s goal is to become the technology advisor for customers, on-going strategic investments are expanding Bell’s product offerings and capabilities. For example, “ProConnect” allows small and medium-sized businesses to share information easily, securely and affordably over an IP-based network. SMB’s re-focused sales force is delivering increasing sales, in particular a ramp-up of growth in data services.

 


 

–2–

The ongoing pursuit of innovation in the Enterprise segment continues to drive Bell’s migration to Internet Protocol (IP) as part of its goal to provide value-added, leading-edge services to these customers. In the quarter, Bell launched its Managed IP Telephony service, which complements Canada’s most comprehensive suite of VoIP services for Enterprise customers. By June 30, 55% of the total traffic on Bell’s core network was IP-based.

Recognizing the opportunities for future improvements and efficiencies that IP enables, Bell Canada recently offered eligible employees a voluntary program to retire early. Should Bell’s recent offer to its unionized technicians be accepted, the same program will be available to eligible members of the union.

In Western Canada, Bell agreed to purchase the Canadian assets of 360networks and took full ownership of Bell West, honing its focus and service capabilities in Alberta and British Columbia.

At the BCE level, the company continued its strategic focus on its communications operations. The company sold its interest in BCE Emergis and the Yellow Pages Group and settled its outstanding claims with MTS to the advantage of BCE shareholders.

“We are in the fortunate position of being able to capitalize on our position in wireless, DSL and video products that provide solid revenue flows and maintain a profitable growth trajectory for the company,” said Mr. Sabia. “We also retain the financial strength and solid balance sheet needed to invest in new initiatives and opportunities to transform our business and make the company a solid competitor in a changing communications industry. We remain uniquely positioned in North America to offer our customers a broad range of integrated services at highly competitive prices.”

Wireless
Bell’s Wireless subscriber base grew 12% compared to the second quarter of 2003, driving a 15% increase in wireless revenues. Post-paid churn dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 1.1%. Wireless also recorded the best EBITDA margin ever.

As part of a billing system modernization program, the company migrated customers to a new Wireless and IP/Broadband billing platform in the quarter. To ensure an orderly migration during the period of system conversion while minimizing the impact to customers, the company reduced emphasis during the quarter on aggressive subscriber growth. Wireless still achieved strong gains, adding 95,000 net new customers.

The new billing system enables the inclusion of wireless service into Bell’s “One Bill” service. The “One Bill” initiative provides simplicity to customers, lowers Bell’s costs, and enhances product and services bundling capabilities. During the new system’s validation and stabilization period, the company intentionally delayed its normal billing cycles to ensure that the implementation would in no way adversely impact customers. This has resulted in higher levels of accounts receivable. The scheduled postponement in invoicing led to a decrease in working capital compared to the previous year. The company expects receivables to return to normal levels in the fall, 2004.

 


 

–3–

DSL
Sympatico DSL High-Speed Internet subscribers grew by 30% compared to the second quarter of 2003 to reach 1.7 million. Consumer DSL had the strongest second quarter ever. In total the company added 73,000 new customers. Subscriptions to value-added services, such as Desktop Anti-Virus and Desktop Firewall, increased by 86,000 in the quarter to reach 433,000.

The company built on its “Broadband Home” strategy and its leading Internet presence by launching the content and features rich Sympatico-MSN portal. Ten thousand customers per week are converting to the new platform. Additionally, the new portal has increased traffic forwarded to www.bell.ca by 20%. Starting in August, Sympatico customers can upgrade their e-mail in-boxes to two gigabytes of storage, at no extra cost.

Video
Video revenues were up 11%. Bell added 24,000 subscribers, a 33% higher activation rate compared to the second quarter of 2003. The company also reported increased Video Digital Subscriber Lines (VDSL) sales.

To further augment bundling capabilities in broadband, and as part of its Video strategy, Bell applied for a license to broadcast video services over terrestrial connections to single family homes.

Continued Strong Performance in Consumer Segment
Bell’s Consumer segment revenues increased to $1.86 billion, up 5.1% over the same period last year, due to growth in Wireless, DSL and Video. “Digital Bundles” attracted close to 70,000 new subscribers (to reach approximately 200,000), 44% of which signed up for at least one new service, further driving revenue growth.

Bell is now offering Québec and Ontario residential Digital Bundle customers 1,000 minutes of long distance calling within Canada and the U.S for $5 a month. This plan rewards existing customers for their loyalty, seeks to drive more growth in Bell’s Digital Bundle, and leverages the existing long distance business through other products that will drive growth.

Business Segment Accelerating Strategic Shift
On-going improvements to the Business segment structure are paying off: growth continued in wireless, in the small and medium business market overall, and IP connectivity and Value-Added Services in the enterprise market.

Business segment revenues experienced a marginal decline of 0.8% mainly due to an anticipated decrease in construction revenues from Bell West’s Government of Alberta SuperNet contract, which is nearing completion. As well, revenues from low-margin cabling declined as Bell phased out of this product line in the fourth quarter of 2003 with the completion of The Greater Toronto Airport Authority contract.

Bell’s SMB group continued to grow in the quarter, through increased revenues from DSL (up 15%). This group recently ramped-up its system integration capabilities for small and medium businesses. Combined with continuing sales force efficiency gains, Bell has greatly improved its ability to be the technology advisor to the SMB market.

 


 

–4–

Bell’s Enterprise group continues its progress in offering value-added services. Revenues from value-added services grew by 20%, with more than 50% penetration of the large customer base. During the quarter, the group enhanced its client contact centre offerings. Managed IP Telephony service was also launched to give customers a wide variety of IP applications. And, the group’s Security Risk Management portfolio was further enhanced. These added capabilities increase Bell’s ability to increase revenues from non-traditional sources in the Enterprise market.

A Focus on Profitability
BCE’s EBITDA grew by 3.1% to reach $1.95 billion through increased revenues and a sustained focus on productivity measures. This gain was based mainly on higher EBITDA in Bell’s Consumer and Business segments, along with solid growth in EBITDA at Bell Globemedia.

Bell’s EBITDA margin improved one percentage point over the same period last year to 43.6%. The margin increase was driven by cost containment efforts related to wireless acquisitions and the focus on more profitable contracts within the enterprise and wholesale markets.

HIGHLIGHTS
(Q2 2004 vs. Q2 2003, unless otherwise indicated)

Revenues by segment(2)
Effective January 1, 2004, BCE reports its results under five segments: Consumer, Business, Aliant, Other Bell Canada, which consists of all of Bell Canada’s other businesses, and Other BCE, which consists of BCE’s other businesses. These segments reflect the operational structure of BCE, which was realigned on June 1, 2003 to focus on the various markets in which the company operates.


 
(Cdn$ millions)
 
 
Second quarter
Six months
For the period ended June 30
2004
2003
2004
2003


Revenue
Consumer(3)
1,858
1,768
3,683
3,497
Business(4)
1,441
1,452
2,876
2,871
Aliant(5)
526
517
1,030
1,018
Other Bell Canada(6)
468
517
942
1,069
Inter-segment eliminations
(121
)
(124
)
(253
)
(242
)

Total Bell Canada revenue
4,172
4,130
8,278
8,213

Other BCE(7)
725
664
1,379
1,304
Inter-segment eliminations
(115
)
(121
)
(234
)
(225
)

Total BCE revenue
4,782
4,673
9,423
9,292


Consumer

Increased subscribers in key growth areas (Wireless, DSL High-Speed Internet and Video services) mainly drove the 5.1% or $90 million increase.
Local and access revenues decreased due primarily to lower lines in service, resulting from competition and substitutions for wireless and high-speed Internet.

 

 


 

–5–

 

Long distance revenues declined mainly from lower volume in conversation minutes, resulting from competition as well as pricing pressures.

Business

Business revenues decreased by 0.8% or $11 million.
Lower data, local and access and long distance revenues were partly countered by higher wireless and IP based revenues.
Business wireless revenues were driven by subscriber growth.
Data revenues declined due to data network rationalization in this sector, anticipated lower revenues from the SuperNet contract in Alberta, which is in its last year, the non-renewal of the Hydro Québec outsourcing contract, and exit from the cabling business.
Long distance revenues declined reflecting continued pressure on pricing and lower volume of conversation minutes.


Aliant

Aliant segment’s gross revenues increased $9 million or 1.7% versus the second quarter of 2003.
The ongoing labor disruption reduced gross revenues by an estimated $9 million, most of which is expected to be recovered following the strike’s conclusion.
Aliant’s wireless revenues grew 16%, driven by a 10.5% increase in wireless customers and higher ARPU.


Other Bell Canada

Other Bell Canada revenues decreased by $49 million or 9.5%, as a result of lower long distance and data revenues in Bell’s Wholesale business.
The rate of decline in revenues in Wholesale continued to slow in the quarter, with the trajectory improving over the last three quarters.
Wholesale long distance and data revenues were affected by competitive pricing pressures, the impact of customers migrating to their own networks, and the exit in 2003 from certain low margin contracts and promotional offers for international switched minutes.

 

Other BCE

As a result of completing the public sale of BCE’s investment in BCE Emergis, this investment has been classified as a discontinued operation.
Revenues from BCE’s other businesses increased by 9.2%.
Bell Globemedia’s revenues were up 3.9%. Television and print advertising revenues improved by 8.3% and 2.0% respectively.
Telesat’s revenues increased by 2.4% due to higher satellite services and international consulting revenues.
Telesat was successful in launching the largest commercial communications satellite in history, Anik F2. As the first company in the world to fully commercialize the Ka frequency band, Telesat will offer two way high-speed Internet access anywhere in North America.
CGI revenues increased by 19% and reflected CGI’s May, 2004 acquisition of American Management Systems Inc.

 


 

–6–

Revenue s and key metrics by product line
Bell Canada’s consolidated revenues and key metrics by product line are provided below for further insight into management’s view of the financial results of the company.


 
(Cdn$ millions)
 
 
Second quarter
Six months
For the period ended June 30
2004
2003
2004
2003


Revenue
Local and access
1,401
1,404
2,780
2,790
Long distance
572
615
1,178
1,301
Wireless
698
607
1,349
1,158
Data
870
936
1,762
1,856
Video
211
190
418
367
Terminal sales & other
420
378
791
741

Total Bell Canada revenue
4,172
4,130
8,278
8,213


Wireline (local and access, and long-distance)

Residential and business local access lines declined by 1.0% due to continued pressure from growth in High-Speed Internet access and losses to competition.
Local and access revenues were 0.2% lower compared to the second quarter of 2003.
Long distance revenues decreased by 7% due to the exit of certain international wholesale contracts and continued competitive pressures.


Wireless

Wireless revenues improved due to strong growth in subscribers and increases in usage and long distance and data services.
The cellular and PCS subscriber base increased by 12% or 500,000 compared to the second quarter of 2003 to reach 4,599,000 at June 30.
The more profitable wireless postpaid net additions in the second quarter were at 78,000 or 82% of the total net activations. Postpaid customers totaled 3,500,000 as at June 30.
Total postpaid wireless churn was at 1.1%, down from 1.3% last year, and continued to reflect Bell’s priority on customer service.
Blended churn was at 1.3%, down from the 1.4% noted last year.


Data

Data revenues decreased by 7.1%. Competitive pricing and volume pressures were partially offset by the increase in revenues from DSL High-Speed Internet.
Data revenues were also negatively affected by the anticipated decreased revenues from Bell West’s build-out of SuperNet in Alberta, which is in its last year, and the non-renewal of the Hydro-Québec contract.
High-Speed Internet (DSL) subscribers reached 1,670,000 by June 30, an increase of 30% compared to last year, driving DSL revenue growth of 21%.
The company reported 73,000 net new DSL subscribers in the second quarter, 2004. Consumer additions represented 73% of the total net additions.
High-Speed and dial-up Internet subscribers reached 2,477,000 as at June 30.
Bell’s DSL footprint in Ontario and Québec reached 81% of home and business lines compared to 78% for the same period last year.

 

 


 

–7–

 

Video Services

A 6.9% increase in the subscriber base and higher pricing contributed to an 11% improvement in revenues.
Total subscribers reached 1,427,000 as at June 30.


EBITDA

Total BCE EBITDA increased by 3.1% to $1.95 billion, largely resulting from the improved profitability in the Consumer and Business segments and financial and operational discipline throughout the company, partially offset by increased costs associated with the Aliant labor disruption.
As a percentage of revenues (EBITDA margin), BCE’s EBITDA was at 40.8%, a 0.2 percentage point increase compared to the second quarter of 2003.
Bell’s EBITDA margin was at 43.6% compared to 42.6% for the same period last year. There was notable margin improvement in the Consumer and Business segments, through the continued focus on productivity and a greater emphasis on more profitable contracts within the enterprise and wholesale markets.


Operating income and EPS


 
(Cdn$ millions)
 
 
Second quarter
Six months
For the period ended June 30
2004
2003
2004
2003


Revenue
Consumer
560
503
1,086
996
Business
227
199
468
389
Aliant
92
122
174
203
Other Bell Canada
138
144
249
306

Total Bell Canada Operating Income
1,017
968
1,977
1,894
Other BCE
88
110
139
165

Total BCE Operating Income
1,105
1,078
2,116
2,059

Other Income
24
2
 
60
 
47
 
Interest Expense
(253
)
(289
)
(505
)
(569
)
Income Taxes
(293
)
(268
)
(555
)
(506
)
Non-controlling interest
(39
)
(57
)
(87
)
(99
)
Discontinued operations
27
12
 
30
 
19
 
Dividends on preferred shares
(17
)
(17
)
(35
)
(32
)
Premium on redemption of preferred shares
-
-
 
-
 
(7
)

Net earnings applicable to common
 
 
 
 
shares
554
 
461
 
1,024
 
912
 

Net earnings per common shares
0.60
0.50
1.11
1.00

 

Operating income increased by 2.5% mainly due to increased revenues and productivity gains. Operating income was negatively affected by higher operating expense and net benefit plans cost.
Operating income for the Consumer segment grew 11%. The increased revenues combined with higher overall margins more than offset higher amortization expense and net benefit plans cost.

 

 


 

–8–

 

Operating Income for the Business segment increased by 14% due to lower operating expenses from increased productivity and the exit from non-profitable contracts within the Enterprise market, partially offset by the slight decrease in revenues and higher net benefits plans cost.
Aliant’s operating income was negatively impacted by the $21 million one-time cost of their labor disruption. Additional costs were incurred in conjunction with revenue growth and pension-related items.
Operating Income for the Other Bell Canada segment decreased by 4.2%.
Earnings per share increased by $0.10 to $0.60 for the quarter, mainly from increased operating income, gains from investments and lower interest expense due to lower average debt levels compared to 2003.
Not including one-time items, EPS increased by $0.05. One-time items included: an after-tax gain of $26 million from the sale of BCE Emergis in the second quarter, 2004; a net after-tax provision of $48 million relating to the construction of the Alberta SuperNet by Bell West; and after-tax income of $49 million on the successful settlement of our claims against MTS.


Capital Efficiency/Cash Flow

BCE’s second quarter 2004 capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues (CAPEX intensity) were at a planned level of 17.3%, compared to the 15.1% reported last year.
Bell’s CAPEX intensity for the second quarter was 17.1%, compared to 16.0% in the second quarter of 2003.
The higher CAPEX spending related primarily to investment in strategic areas including the migration to an IP network, Bell’s DSL footprint expansion, implementation of the VDSL strategy, and Telesat’s satellite build program. There was reduced spending in legacy areas.
For the second quarter, 2004 cash from operating activities of $1.1 billion decreased by $263 million compared to last year.
Free cash flow(8) (after capital expenditures and other investing activities) of $346 million for the second quarter, 2004 decreased by $222 million. This resulted from an anticipated temporary working capital impact associated with the introduction of the new wireless billing platform, and the higher capital spending.
Overall net debt levels were reduced by $370 million since the beginning of the year.
BCE’s net debt to capitalization ratio improved to 42.8% at June 30, 2004 from 44.0% at December 31, 2003. This reflected management’s success in driving free cash flow generation.


OUTLOOK

BCE confirmed its annual full year 2004 financial guidance of:

revenue growth comparable to 2003 growth
mid-to-high single-digit growth in earnings per share (before net investment gains/losses, impairment or restructuring charges)
free cash flow after dividend payments(8) of approximately $1 billion, mainly from recurring sources, and
Bell Canada capital intensity of 17% to 18%.

 

 


 

 

–9–

BELL CANADA STATUTORY RESULTS
Bell Canada “statutory” includes Bell Canada, and Bell Canada’s interests in Aliant, Bell ExpressVu (at 52%), and other Canadian telcos.

Bell Canada’s reported statutory revenue was $4.2 billion in the second quarter of 2004, up 1.0% compared to the same period last year. Net earnings applicable to common shares were $567 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $529 million for the same period last year.

On August 1, 2004, Bell Canada transferred to BCE 12,256,282 common shares and 1,379,556 Class A preference shares of Manitoba Telecom Services. BCE no longer considers its investment in MTS as strategic and, subject to any applicable regulatory approvals, intends to dispose of it.

ABOUT BCE

Bell Canada Enterprises is Canada’s largest communications company. Through its 26 million customer connections, BCE provides the most comprehensive and innovative suite of communication services to residential and business customers in Canada. Under the Bell brand, the company’s services include local, long distance and wireless phone services, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, value-added business solutions and direct-to-home satellite and VDSL television services. Other BCE businesses include Canada’s premier media company, Bell Globemedia, and Telesat, a pioneer and world leader in satellite operations and systems management. BCE shares are listed in Canada, the United States and Europe.

— 30 —


BCE 2004 Second Quarter Financial Information:

BCE’s 2004 Second Quarter Shareholder Report (which contains BCE’s 2004 second quarter MD&A and unaudited consolidated financial statements) and other relevant financial materials are available at www.bce.ca/en/investors, under “Investor Briefcase”. BCE’s 2004 Second Quarter Shareholder Report is also available on the Web sites maintained by the Canadian securities regulators at www.sedar.com and by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. It is also available upon request from BCE’s Investor Relations Department (e-mail: investor.relations@bce.ca, tel.: 1 800 339-6353; fax: (514) 786-3970).

BCE’s 2004 Second Quarter Shareholder Report will be sent to BCE’s shareholders who have requested to receive it on or about August 9, 2004.

Call with Financial Analysts:

BCE will hold a teleconference/Webcast (audio only) for financial analysts to discuss its second quarter results on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at 8:00 AM (Eastern). The media is welcome to participate on a listen only basis. Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive

 


 

–10–

Officer, Siim Vanaselja, Chief Financial Officer, and other senior executives of the company will be present for the teleconference.

Interested participants are asked to dial (416) 405-9310 or 1 877 211-7911 between 7:50 AM and 7:58 AM. If you are disconnected from the call, simply redial the number. If you need assistance during the teleconference, you can reach the operator by pressing “0". This teleconference will also be Webcast live (audio only) on our Web site at www.bce.ca.

Call with the Media:

BCE will hold a teleconference / Webcast (audio only) for media to discuss its second quarter results on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at 1:00 PM (Eastern). Michael Sabia will be present for this teleconference.

Interested participants are asked to dial 1 877 211-7911 between 12:50 PM and 12:58 PM. If you are disconnected from the call, simply redial the number. If you need assistance during the teleconference, you can reach the operator by pressing “0". This teleconference will also be Webcast live (audio only) on our Web site at www.bce.ca.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this press release, including, but not limited to, the statements appearing under the “Outlook” section, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. These statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring items or of any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or other transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date hereof. Other factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: our ability to implement our strategies and plans in order to produce the expected benefits and growth prospects, including meeting targets for revenue, earnings per share, free cash flow and capital intensity; our ability to complete on a timely basis, and the impact on our financial results of, the migration of our multiple service-specific networks to a single IP-based network; our ability to increase the number of customers who buy multiple products; our ability to implement the significant changes in processes, in how we approach our markets, and in products and services, required by our strategic direction; general economic and market conditions and the level of consumer confidence and spending, and the demand for, and prices of, our products and services; the intensity of competitive activity from both traditional and new competitors, Canadian or foreign, including cross-platform competition, which is anticipated to increase following the introduction of new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which have reduced barriers to entry that existed in the industry, and its resulting impact on the ability to retain existing, and attract, new customers, and on pricing strategies and financial results; the outcome of the review by the Canadian government of the foreign ownership restrictions that apply to telecommunications carriers and to broadcasting distribution undertakings; the ability to improve productivity and contain capital intensity while maintaining quality of services; the ability to anticipate, and respond to, changes in technology, industry standards and client needs and migrate to and deploy new technologies, including VoIP, and offer new products and services rapidly and achieve market acceptance thereof; the availability and cost of capital required to implement our financing plans and fund capital and other expenditures; our ability to retain major customers; our ability to find suitable companies to acquire or to partner with; the impact of pending or future litigation and of adverse changes in laws or regulations, including tax laws, or of adverse regulatory initiatives or proceedings, including decisions by the CRTC affecting our ability to compete effectively; the risk of litigation should BCE stop funding a subsidiary or change the nature of its investment, or dispose of all or part of its interest, in a subsidiary; the risk of low returns on pension plan assets; our ability to manage effectively labor relations, negotiate satisfactory labor agreements, including new agreements replacing expired labor agreements, while avoiding work stoppages, and maintain service to customers and minimize disruptions during strikes and other work stoppages; events affecting the functionality of our networks or of the networks of other telecommunications carriers on which we rely to provide our services; launch and in-orbit risks, including the ability to obtain appropriate insurance coverage at favorable rates, concerning Telesat’s satellites, certain of which are used by Bell ExpressVu to provide services; and stock market volatility.

 


 

 

–11–

For a more complete description of the risks that could affect our business, please see BCE Inc.‘s 2004 First Quarter Shareholder Report dated May 4, 2004 as updated by BCE Inc.‘s 2004 Second Quarter Shareholder Report dated August 3, 2004, both filed by BCE Inc. with the Canadian securities commissions (available at www.bce.ca or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under Form 6-K (available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of August 4, 2004 and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. However, we disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

For further information:

France Poulin
Communications
(514) 786-8033
Web site: www.bce.ca
Sophie Argiriou
Investor Relations
(514) 786-8145

 


   
(1)
The term, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is presented on a consistent basis from period to period. We use EBITDA, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the effects of amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items. We exclude amortization expense and net benefit plans cost because they largely depend on the accounting methods and assumptions a company uses, as well as non-operating factors, such as the historical cost of capital assets and the fund performance of a company’s pension plans. We exclude restructuring and other items because they are transitional in nature. EBITDA allows us to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that certain investors and analysts use EBITDA to measure a company’s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations, or as a common valuation measurement in the telecommunications industry. EBITDA should not be confused with net cash flows from operating activities. The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income. The table below is a reconciliation of BCE’s and Bell Canada’s EBITDA to operating income on a consolidated basis:

 

BCE:                

 
Q2 2004
 
Q2 2003
 
YTD 2004
 
YTD 2003
 

 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
1,953
 
1,895
 
3,797
 
3,668
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization expense
(769
)
(774
)
(1,536
)
(1,524
)
Net benefit plans cost
(65
)
(43
)
(128
)
(85
)
Restructuring and other items
(14
)
0
 
(17
)
0
 

 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
1,105
 
1,078
 
2,116
 
2,059
 

 

Bell Canada:                

 
Q2 2004
 
Q2 2003
 
YTD 2004
 
YTD 2003
 

 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
1,821
1,760
3,576
3,453
 
 

Amortization expense
(733
)
(747
)
(1,465
)
(1,470
)
Net benefit plans cost
(58
)
(45
)
(118
)
(89
)
Restructuring and other items
(13
)
-
 
(16
)
-
 

Operating income
1,017
 
968
 
1,977
 
1,894
 

 

(2)
BCE’s reporting structure is organized by the major customer segments it serves, and reflects how it classifies its operations for planning and measuring performance.

 

 


–12–

 

(3)
The Consumer segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, Internet access, video and other services to Bell Canada’s residential customers mainly in Ontario and Québec. It includes Bell Canada’s consumer wireline, wireless and Internet access business and Bell ExpressVu’s video services.
(4)
The Business segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data and other services to Bell Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and large enterprise customers in Ontario and Québec as well as SMB and large enterprise customers in Western Canada through Bell West.
(5)
The Aliant segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data, including Internet services and other services to residential and business customers in Atlantic Canada.
(6)
The Other Bell Canada segment includes Bell Canada’s wholesale business, and the financial results of Télébec, Northern Telephone and Northwestel. Télébec, Northern Telephone and Northwestel provide telecommunications services to less-populated areas in Ontario, Québec and Canada’s northern territories.
(7)
The Other BCE segment includes the financial results of our media, satellite, and information technology activities as well as the costs incurred by our corporate office. This segment includes Bell Globemedia, Telesat, CGI, and our corporate office.
(8)
We define free cash flow as cash from operating activities after capital expenditures, total dividends and other investing activities. The term, free cash flow, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Free cash flow is presented on a consistent basis from period to period. We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business because it shows how much cash is available to repay debt and to reinvest in our company. We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow when valuing a business and its underlying assets. The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is cash from operating activities. The following is a reconciliation of BCE’s free cash flow to cash from operating activities on a consolidated basis:

 


 
Q2 2004
 
Q2 2003
 
YTD 2004
 
YTD 2003
 

 
 
 
 
 
Cash from operating activities
1,124
 
1,387
 
2,384
 
2,552
 
Capital expenditures
(826
)
(706
)
(1,507
)
(1,297
)
Other investing activities
116
 
(44
)
135
 
(86
)
Preferred dividends
(21
)
(14
)
(43
)
(25
)
Dividends paid by subsidiaries to
 
 
 
 
   non-controlling interest
(47
)
(55
)
(89
)
(99
)

 
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow from operations,
 
 
 
 
   before common dividends
346
 
568
 
880
 
1,045
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common dividends
(277
)
(254
)
(554
)
(511
)

 
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow from operations,
 
 
 
 
   after common dividends
69
 
314
 
326
 
534
 

For 2004, we expect to generate approximately $1 billion in free cash flow. This amount reflects expected cash from operating activities of approximately $5.5 billion less capital expenditures, total dividends and other investing activities.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS    
     
MD&A   2
     

    About Our Business

  3

 

   

    The Quarter at a Glance

  4

 

   

    Financial Results Analysis

  9

 

   

    Financial and Capital Management

  19

 

   

    Risks That Could Affect Our Business

  24

 

   

    Our Accounting Policies

  27
     
Consolidated Financial Statements   28
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   31

 


 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis


In this MD&A, we, us, our and BCE mean BCE Inc., its subsidiaries and joint ventures.

All amounts in this MD&A are in millions of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted.

Please refer to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of 2004 when reading this MD&A. We also encourage you to read BCE Inc.’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2003 dated March 10, 2004 (BCE 2003 MD&A).

You will find more information about BCE, including BCE Inc.’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2003 (BCE 2003 AIF) and recent financial reports on BCE Inc.’s website at www.bce.ca, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.


A statement we make is forward-looking when it uses what we know today to make a statement about the future.

Forward-looking statements May include words such as anticipate, believe, could, expect, goal, intend, may, objective, outlook, plan, seek, strive, target and will.

 

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) comments on BCE’s operations, financial condition and cash flows for the three months (Q2) and six months (YTD) ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.

ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Securities laws encourage companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can get a better understanding of the company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions.
     Unless otherwise mentioned in this MD&A, the outlooks provided in the BCE 2003 MD&A dated March 10, 2004 remain unchanged.
     This MD&A contains forward-looking statements about BCE’s objectives, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and businesses. These statements are “forward-looking” because they are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions about the markets we operate in, the Canadian economic environment and our ability to attract and retain customers and to manage network assets and operating costs.

     It is important to know that:

  • forward-looking statements in this MD&A describe our expectations on August 3, 2004
  • our actual results could be materially different from what we expect if known or unknown risks affect our business, or if our estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and, accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
  • forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions or non-recurring items announced or occurring after the statements are made may have on our business. For example, they do not include the effect of sales of assets, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or transactions, asset write-downs or other charges announced or occurring after forward-looking statements are made.
  • we disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events or for any other reason.

     Risks that could cause our actual results to materially differ from our current expectations are discussed in this MD&A including, in particular, in Risks That Could Affect Our Business.







We define EBITDA as operating revenues less operating expenses, which means it represents operating income before amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items.


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

EBITDA

The term, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is presented on a consistent basis from period to period.
     We use EBITDA, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the effects of amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items. We exclude amortization expense and net benefit plans cost because they largely depend on the accounting methods and assumptions a company uses, as well as non-operating factors, such as the historical cost of capital assets and the fund performance of a company’s pension plans. We exclude restructuring and other items because they are transitional in nature.
     EBITDA allows us to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that certain investors and analysts use EBITDA to measure a company’s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations, or as a common valuation measurement in the telecommunications industry.

2     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

     EBITDA should not be confused with net cash flows from operating activities. The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income which is discussed in the Financial results analysis section of this MD&A. The tables below are reconciliations of EBITDA to operating income on a consolidated basis for BCE and Bell Canada.

BCE

Q2 2004   Q2 2003 YTD 2004   YTD 2003  

EBITDA 1,953   1,895   3,797   3,668  
Amortization expense (769 ) (774 ) (1,536 ) (1,524 )
Net benefit plans cost (65 ) (43 ) (128 ) (85 )
Restructuring and other items (14 )   (17 )  

Operating income

1,105   1,078   2,116   2,059  

                 

Bell Canada

Q2 2004   Q2 2003   YTD 2004   YTD 2003  

EBITDA 1,821   1,760   3,576   3,453  
Amortization expense (733 ) (747 ) (1,465 ) (1,470 )
Net benefit plans cost (58 ) (45 ) (118 ) (89 )
Restructuring and other items (13 )   (16 )  

Operating income

1,017   968   1,977   1,894  


We define free cash flow as cash from operating activities after capital expenditures, total dividends and other investing activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Video services are television services provided to customers through our direct-to-home (DTH) satellites or by very high-speed digital subscriber line (VDSL) equipment.

FREE CASH FLOW

The term, free cash flow, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Free cash flow is presented on a consistent basis from period to period.
     We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business because it shows how much cash is available to repay debt and to reinvest in our company. We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow when valuing a business and its underlying assets.
     The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is cash from operating activities. You will find a reconciliation of free cash flow to cash from operating activities on a consolidated basis in Financial and capital management.

About Our Business

BCE is Canada’s largest communications company. Starting in the first quarter of 2004, we report our results of operations under five segments: Consumer, Business, Aliant, Other Bell Canada and Other BCE.
     Our reporting structure reflects how we manage our business and how we classify our operations for planning and measuring performance. Therefore, in addition to discussing our consolidated operating results in this MD&A, we discuss the operating results of each of our segments. See Note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for information about our segments.
     The Consumer segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, Internet access, video and other services to Bell Canada’s residential customers mainly in Ontario and Québec. Wireless services are also offered in Western Canada and video services are provided nationwide.
     The Business segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data, including Internet access, and other services to Bell Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and large enterprise customers in Ontario and Québec, as well as business customers in Western Canada through Bell West Inc. (Bell West).
     The Aliant segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data, including Internet access and other services to residential and business customers in Atlantic Canada and represents the operations of our subsidiary, Aliant Inc. (Aliant).

 

3     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

     The Other Bell Canada segment includes Bell Canada’s wholesale business, and the financial results of Télébec Limited Partnership (Télébec), NorthernTel Limited Partnership (NorthernTel) and Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel). Our wholesale business provides local telephone, long distance, data and other services to competitors who resell these services. Télébec, NorthernTel and Northwestel provide telecommunications services to less populated areas in Québec, Ontario and Canada’s northern territories.
     The Other BCE segment includes the financial results of our media, satellite and information technology (IT) activities as well as the costs incurred by our corporate office. This segment includes Bell Globemedia Inc. (Bell Globemedia), Telesat Canada (Telesat) and CGI Group Inc. (CGI).
     In classifying our operations for planning and measuring performance, all restructuring and other items at Bell Canada and its subsidiaries (excluding Aliant) are included in the Other Bell Canada segment and not allocated to the Consumer and Business segments.
     In Q2 2004, we took another step forward in simplifying our operations by selling our 64% interest in BCE Emergis Inc. (Emergis) by way of a secondary public offering. Effective May 2004, we started presenting the financial results of Emergis as discontinued operations. Emergis was presented previously in the Other BCE segment.
     The products and services we provide and our objectives and strategy remain substantially unchanged from those described in the BCE 2003 MD&A.

 


This section reviews the key measures we use to assess our performance and how our results in Q2 2004 compare to our results in Q2 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Quarter at a Glance

Overall, this quarter we achieved solid operating performance which translated into steady growth in earnings per share. We also made significant advancements on our key strategic imperatives.
     In our Consumer segment, we continued to deliver the broadband home with another quarter of solid revenue growth driven by strong gains in wireless, high-speed Internet and video services. Our focus on profitability led to strong Consumer operating income performance. 
     In our Business segment, we continued to experience growth in the SMB market and a strengthening in the underlying IP-connectivity and Value-Added Solutions (VAS) performance within the enterprise market, as well as, solid wireless performance. These positive trends combined with continued operational improvements led to strong operating income growth. Revenues declined slightly mainly as a result of our exit from the low margin cabling business, the completion of the Hydro-Québec outsourcing contract and lower revenues from the Government of Alberta (GOA) contract at Bell West.
     Within the Other Bell Canada segment, our wholesale business continued to face market challenges reflecting year-over-year revenue and operating income declines. However, the rate of decline continued to slow in the quarter – in fact, the trajectory of the wholesale business has continued to improve.
     Bell Globemedia continues to perform well, driven by strong television ratings as CTV Inc. holds all of the top ten summer season shows.

CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS

  • Wireless – In the second quarter we achieved solid customer gains in wireless, while accomplishing a key operational initiative this quarter of migrating to a new billing platform for our wireless customers. The new platform will enable the consolidation of wireless into our single bill, providing simplified information to our customers, lower costs to Bell Canada, as well as enhancing our abilities to bundle our products and services. In total, our subscriber base reached 4,599,000, an increase of 12.2% over last year, reflecting solid gains this quarter. We added 95,000 customers this quarter, fewer than the 131,000 achieved in Q2 2003. However, in light of our new billing system introduction, our focus was to ensure service levels and orderly billing migration of existing customers, rather

4     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    than aggressively pursuing growth. In anticipation of the billing conversion we focussed on acquiring customers earlier in the year. Blended churn of 1.3% for the second quarter remained stable compared to the previous quarter and improved from 1.4% in the same period last year.
  • High-Speed Internet – Our digital subscriber line (DSL) high-speed Internet business added 73,000 subscribers this quarter growing our subscriber base to 1,670,000, an increase of 30% over Q2 2003. Consumer achieved the strongest Q2 ever with consumer DSL net additions this quarter representing 73% of the total net additions, while business and wholesale accounted for the balance. Subscriptions to Sympatico’s value-added services increased by 86,000 to reach a total of 433,000 at the end of the quarter.
  • Video – Our video business gained 24,000 customers this quarter, significantly outpacing growth in the first quarter of the year and increasing by more than 30% compared to net additions in Q2 2003. Total subscribers reached 1,427,000, 6.9% higher compared to the same period last year.
  • Network Access Services (NAS) – Our NAS in service declined by 79,000 this quarter reflecting seasonal trends typical of the province-wide Québec moving day in July and the student move during the second quarter. It also reflects losses to competition and substitution effects from both wireless and high-speed Internet services.

OPERATING REVENUES

Revenues reached $4,782 million for the second quarter of 2004 growing 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year, an improvement over Q1 of this year. This growth reflected higher revenue performance at Bell Canada and growth in the Other BCE segment, particularly higher revenues at Bell Globemedia and at CGI, stemming from CGI’s acquisition of American Management Systems Incorporated (AMS). Consumer revenues grew by 5.1% driven by strong wireless, Internet access and video services, partly offset by a 9.5% revenue decline in the Other Bell Canada segment due mainly from lower wholesale revenues and by a slight revenue decline of 0.8% in the Business segment.

OPERATING INCOME AND EBITDA

We achieved operating income of $1,105 million this quarter, reflecting growth of $27 million, or 2.5%, over the same period last year. Higher revenues and productivity savings more than offset increases in costs driven by volume increases, a higher net benefit plans cost and a number of restructuring and other items in Q2 2004. These consisted mainly of the following:

  • a provision of $110 million for the GOA SuperNet contract
  • a credit of $75 million for the payment by MTS to Bell Canada for unwinding various commercial agreements and settling its lawsuits against MTS and Allstream.

     Our EBITDA for the second quarter of 2004 grew to $1,953 million or 3.1 % higher than Q2 2003 EBITDA of $1,895 million. This increase was mainly driven by higher EBITDA in the Consumer and Business segments offset somewhat by decreases in the Aliant segment, reflecting the impact of its employee strike, as well as the Other Bell Canada segment. EBITDA growth at Bell Globemedia was driven by the increase in revenues and complemented by cost savings.
     Our EBITDA margin grew to 40.8% in the quarter, a 0.2 percentage point increase over Q2 2003, reflecting margin improvement in most of our segments. Bell Canada achieved an EBITDA margin improvement of 1.0 percentage point to 43.6% this quarter from 42.6% in Q2 2003. The margin improvement was driven by cost containment efforts resulting in better management of acquisition costs per gross activation in wireless, as well as a greater emphasis on more profitable contracts within the enterprise and wholesale markets.

5     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 


ROE (return on common shareholders’ equity) is calculated as net earnings applicable to common shares as a percentage of average common shareholders’ equity.

 

NET EARNINGS / EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings applicable to common shares for Q2 2004 were $554 million, or $0.60 per common share, compared to net earnings of $461 million, or $0.50 per common share for the same period last year reflecting an increase of $93 million or $0.10 per common share. This increase included $31 million or $0.03 per common share of net gains related mainly to the sale of Emergis during the quarter, as well as $16 million or $0.02 per common share of restructuring and other items. The remaining increase, which reflects 10% earnings growth, resulted mainly from improved operating performance and a decrease in interest expense stemming from lower debt levels. This contributed to the significant improvement reflected in our Return on Equity (ROE) of 18.0% for the quarter, up from 16.0% in Q2 2003.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

Capital expenditures for the quarter reached the planned levels of $826 million or 17.3% of revenues up from $706 million, or 15.1% of revenues, for the same period last year. This increase reflects a mix of higher spending in growth areas of the business and reduced spending in the legacy areas. About 40% of the year-to-date capital spending represented investments on our strategic initiatives such as the migration to a single IP-Multi-Protocol Label System (MPLS) network, our very high-speed digital subscriber line (VDSL) strategy, our DSL footprint expansion facilitated through the rollout of fibre-to-the-node, and productivity initiatives. In addition, the increase in capital expenditures for the quarter reflected the Telesat satellite builds.
     Capital expenditures for the Consumer segment increased over Q2 2003 to focus on growth projects such as DSL expansion and billing modernization and productivity initiatives, including contact centre tools aimed at improving customer service and reducing call times. Business segment capital expenditures also increased over Q2 2003 in-line with our goals of higher spending in the SMB business partly offset by reduced enterprise spending.

CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES AND FREE CASH FLOW

Cash from operating activities for Q2 2004 totalled $1,124 million, down $263 million compared to the same period last year due to working capital impacts primarily associated with the introduction of the new wireless billing platform in May of this year. As anticipated, a higher level of accounts receivable resulted from the expected billing delays associated with the billing migration process. These billing delays are expected to be normalized by October 2004 and accounts receivable balances are expected to return to normal levels in the fall.
     Free cash flow of $69 million for the second quarter of 2004 was down $245 million from the $314 million of free cash flow achieved in Q2 2003. This decline reflected mainly the negative working capital impact from the new billing migration for wireless customers and higher capital expenditures, partly offset by the receipt of $136 million of proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims by Telesat.
     Before the payment of common dividends, our free cash flow of $346 million this quarter was less than free cash flow of $568 million in the same period last year.
     Our net debt to total capitalization ratio improved to 42.8% at the end of the quarter from 44.0% at December 31, 2003, reflecting net debt reduction. The net debt improvement resulted primarily from year-to-date positive free cash flow of $326 million, the net cash proceeds of $315 million on the sale of Emergis, partly offset by business acquisitions, mainly at CGI.

EXECUTING ON OUR PRIORITIES

Setting the Standard in Internet Protocol (IP)
In the second quarter this year, we continued our advancement to set the IP standard. At the end of June 2004, 55% of the traffic on our core network was IP-based, on target for our objective of having 100% of our core traffic moving on a pervasive national IP-MPLS network by the end of 2006. We expect

6     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

that 60% of the traffic on our core network will be IP-based by the end of 2004. We also received CRTC approval to stop selling Megastream data services this quarter to customers who do not currently use these services which will facilitate our migration from legacy data networks.
     With respect to our objective of having 90% of customers able to access a full suite of IP services by the end of 2006, we continued to make significant advances.
  • Our DSL footprint in Ontario and Québec reached 81% of homes and business lines passed by the end of the quarter compared to 78% at the end of the second quarter of 2003. This increase was in part due to the deployment of new high-density DSL remotes which began in April 2004. 
  • On June 14, 2004, we announced the launch of our Managed IP Telephony service for enterprise customers. This service offers innovative features, including access to a wide variety of applications such as point-to-point video, integration with e-mail, click-to-call, find-me-follow-me, instant messaging and the ability to use multi-media functions across a business.

Simplicity and Service
In Q2, we made significant progress towards our overall objective of delivering simple and innovative integrated communication services to our customers.
     In our Consumer segment, the number of customers subscribing to The Bell Bundle (a combination of wireless, Internet and video services in one simple offer for customers taking Bell Canada’s long distance services) increased this quarter by 68,000. Since the launch of The Bell Bundle last September, approximately 200,000 customers have subscribed. During the quarter, 44% of new Bundle activations included the sale of at least one new service, a four percentage point improvement since the previous quarter.
     The Bell Bundle was enhanced this quarter with the launch of a $5/month long distance plan for 1,000 minutes of calls anywhere in Canada and the U.S. available only to The Bell Bundle subscribers. This offer will leverage our long distance customer base to drive sales of our growth services such as wireless, Internet and video, as well as capitalize now on the value of our long distance business, which is expected to decline over the long-term. Since its availability on June 22, 2004, activation levels and the take rate of new services have been strong, even though commercial advertising only began at the end of July.
     On June 9, 2004, we launched Sympatico.MSN.ca in partnership with Microsoft. Sympatico.MSN.ca is a single portal combining the best features and Internet tools of MSN Canada with the rich broadband content and innovative services of Sympatico.ca. At the same time, we introduced Sympatico with MSN premium, a custom-built version of the software featuring tools that enable a safer online experience, including pop-up ad blocking, spam filtering and parental controls. This announcement is another illustration of the benefits of our partnership with Microsoft, an industry leader in software innovation. To date, Sympatico.MSN.ca has become the most visited online destination in Canada, with total visits exceeding those of both of the previous sites combined.
     A key part of our strategy to win the broadband home was advanced this quarter with Bell Canada’s application to the CRTC for a broadcast licence to offer video services to single family homes in major centers in Ontario and Québec. If the licence is granted, it will allow us to deliver video services terrestrially, as well as by satellite as we do today. Our terrestrial offering will use fiber from the central office to the neighbourhood, our new high-density DSL remotes at the neighbourhood node, and higher speed DSL technologies from the neighbourhood node to the customers’ home.
     For enterprise customers, in addition to the launch of our Managed IP Telephony service, we also enhanced our portfolio of value-added services:

  • On June 8, 2004, we announced the purchase of Infostream Technologies Inc. (Infostream), a systems and storage technology firm, to address customer needs for secure reliable information storage and redundant back-up capabilities.

7     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

  • On June 15, 2004, we announced the launch of our Institutional Trade Management solution providing institutional investors with connectivity from their trading systems to counterparties locally and globally.
  • On June 30, 2004, we acquired Emergis’ Security business.

Focus on Telecom
During the quarter, we sold our interest in Emergis for gross proceeds of $356 million. Emergis was no longer core to our strategy and with the sale of its U.S. Health business earlier this year, it was able to focus on its main e-finance and e-health businesses and it had the balance sheet strength to pursue its growth strategies.
     On May 26, 2004, we announced an agreement to purchase the Canadian assets of 360networks Corporation (360networks) for $275 million. The transaction will give Bell Canada an extensive fiber network that includes leading-edge local facilities in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton and other cities providing access to almost 200 additional office buildings. Combined with 100% ownership of Bell West, this transaction will represent a meaningful step in our strategy to accelerate the growth of our business in Western Canada. In addition, we have an agreement in place to sell significant portions of 360networks’ retail customer operations and certain assets in Eastern Canada to Call-Net Enterprises Inc. The transaction is expected to close late in Q3 2004 or early in Q4 2004, subject to all terms and conditions under the purchase contract being met.
     In addition, on August 3, 2004, we acquired full ownership of Bell West by completing the repurchase of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.’s (MTS) 40% interest in Bell West for $645 million in cash.
     On June 30, 2004, BCE Inc. settled its lawsuits for damages against MTS and Allstream Inc. (Allstream) for a cash payment of $75 million and certain other consideration. The lawsuits were launched as a result of MTS’s announcement to purchase Allstream, which caused MTS to be in breach of the rights Bell Canada had under various agreements in place between the companies. With this settlement and the resulting purchase of Allstream by MTS, we no longer consider our investment in MTS as strategic and have announced our intention to divest our remaining interest in MTS. Bell Canada and MTS will continue their commercial relationship, however, with Bell Canada being the preferred supplier of wholesale services to MTS/Allstream.

Labour negotiations
After an extended negotiation process with the representatives of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers’ Union of Canada (CEP) which represents Bell Canada’s approximately 7,100 technicians, Bell Canada made a final offer to the union on July 20, 2004. On July 22, 2004, the CEP informed Bell Canada that it will take this offer for settlement to a vote by its members. The union’s local leadership, however, narrowly voted to recommend that Bell Canada’s technicians reject the company’s offer. Our final offer represents an improvement over the previous offer that was narrowly rejected by 62% of the members on July 12, 2004. As indicated by the CEP, the vote will take place over the coming weeks with the results to be announced on August 16, 2004. Bell Canada remains fully prepared for a work stoppage and its highest business priority will be maintaining service to customers.

Voluntary employee departure program
In June 2004, Bell Canada announced a two-phase voluntary employee departure program. The first phase is a voluntary early retirement (VER) plan and the second phase is a voluntary departure plan. The details of the VER plan were announced in June and the details of the voluntary departure plan will be announced after the conclusion of the VER plan. Approximately 4,500 employees are eligible for the VER plan.
The plan will also be extended to 2,500 technicians who are members of the CEP, if our offer of July 20, 2004 for a new collective agreement is accepted.

8     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 



This section provides detailed information and analysis about our performance in Q2 2004 compared to Q2 2003. It focuses on our consolidated operating results and also provides financial information for each of our reportable operating segments.

 

Financial Results Analysis

OPERATING REVENUES


  Q2 2004  

Q2 2003

  % change   YTD 2004   YTD 2003   % change  

Consumer

1,858   1,768   5.1% 3,683   3,497   5.3%

Business

1,441   1,452   (0.8% ) 2,876   2,871   0.2%

Aliant

526   517   1.7% 1,030   1,018   1.2%

Other Bell Canada

468   517   (9.5% ) 942   1,069   (11.9% )

Inter-segment eliminations

(121 ) (124 ) 2.4% (253 ) (242 ) (4.5% )

Bell Canada

4,172   4,130   1.0% 8,278   8,213   0.8%

Other BCE

725   664   9.2% 1,379   1,304   5.8%

Inter-segment eliminations

(115 ) (121 ) 5.0% (234 ) (225 ) (4.0% )

Total operating revenues

4,782   4,673   2.3% 9,423   9,292   1.4%

BY SEGMENT

Consumer
Consumer revenues in the second quarter grew by 5.1% to $1,858 million and 5.3% to $3,683 million on a year-to-date basis driven by higher wireless, Internet access and video service revenues, as a result of continued subscriber growth for each of these services. These increases more than offset stable declines in long distance revenues.

Wireless
Consumer wireless revenues increased this quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year. This increase was achieved primarily from year-over-year growth in our subscriber base, including the strong sales programs initiated during Q1. The latter half of the second quarter was focused on achieving a key operational milestone of migrating the entire customer base to a new billing platform, while maintaining optimal service levels. This new billing platform will enable the consolidation of wireless into our single bill.
     Strong growth in wireless data continued as a result of our significant strategic partnerships. These partnerships, which included the NHL, Canadian Idol, Spider-Man 2, and the Olympics, allowed Bell Canada to deliver exclusive ringtones, screensavers, downloadable games and text messaging promotions and services. In addition, Bell Canada continued to lead in North America in Location-Based Services. These included e9-1-1 service, our MapMe application allowing customers to upload city maps directly to their handset, and the upcoming interactive location-based java games where changes to a customer’s physical location alter the gaming experience.

Data
Consumer data revenue growth of approximately 22% for both this quarter and on a year-to-date basis was driven by an approximate 30% increase in our High-Speed Internet customer base reflecting the benefits of our customer retention efforts which translated to a 0.1 percentage point improvement in churn. Consumer DSL net additions this quarter reflected the strongest Q2 ever. Bell Sympatico value-added services such as Desktop Anti-Virus and Desktop Firewall added 86,000 subscriptions this quarter and 146,000 for the first six months of 2004, for a total count of 433,000 as at June 30, 2004.
     On June 9, 2004, we launched the Sympatico.MSN.ca web portal in partnership with Microsoft. Sympatico.MSN.ca is a single super portal combining the best features and Internet tools of MSN Canada with the rich broadband content and innovative services of Sympatico.ca. At the same time, we introduced Sympatico with MSN premium, a custom-built version of the software featuring tools that enable a safer online experience, including pop-up ad blocking, spam filtering and parental controls. This announcement is just another illustration of the benefits of our partnership with Microsoft, the industry leader in software innovation.

9     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 





     Further enhancements for Sympatico customers were introduced more recently, including 2 GB of e-mail storage space and several key security features at no extra charge. We also launched the Sympatico Music Store during the quarter, which provides Canadians the choice to download music from a rapidly growing catalogue of more than 250,000 songs.

Video
Video service revenues for the second quarter of 2004 grew to $211 million and to $418 million on a year-to-date basis reflecting year-over-year increases of 11.1% and 13.9%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year driven by growth in our subscriber base and average revenue per subscriber (ARPS). Our total video customer base reached 1,427,000, up 6.9% compared to 1,335,000 customers at the end of Q2 2003.
     Video net additions totalled 24,000 for the quarter and 40,000 on a year-to-date basis, both up from the 18,000 and 31,000 achieved for the respective periods in 2003. The growth in net additions for the quarter reflected the positive customer response stimulated by our Two-TV bundle. In addition, growth in net additions on a year-to-date basis reflected higher advertising and marketing offers in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period last year. Over 85% of the customers added in the second quarter and since the beginning of the year committed to one or two-year contracts.
     ARPS per month increased by $2 for the quarter and by $4 on a year-to-date basis to $49 for each respective period compared to the same periods last year. Higher ARPS resulted from the introduction of the $2.99 system access charge effective April 28, 2003 and a higher number of customers paying the additional receiver charge fee. On a year-to-date basis ARPS was also impacted by the $2 to $3 rate increase on specific programming packages introduced on February 1, 2003. These increases were partly offset by lower pay-per-view revenues.
     We continued to make improvements on our industry leading levels of customer retention achieving churn per month of 1.0% for both the quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to 1.1% for each of the respective periods last year.

Wireline
Local and access revenues declined slightly for the quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year mainly due to lower revenues from network access services and lower sales of SmartTouch features, partly offset by higher revenues from wireline insurance and maintenance plans. The network access services (NAS) decline reflected the impacts of continued substitution of wireline with wireless telephone service, losses to competition, as well as growth in high-speed Internet access subscribers which reduces the need for second telephone lines. Lower NAS compared to Q1 2004 reflected seasonal trends typical of the July Québec move and the student move during the second quarter.
     Long distance revenues in Q2 2004 and year-to-date were down approximately 7% compared to the same periods in 2003 primarily as a result of volume declines in domestic, overseas and U.S. minutes reflecting competition from non-traditional long distance providers, as well as pricing pressures in domestic long distance rates. Overall, the average revenue per minute stayed relatively constant in Q2 2004 and on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year.

Bundles
In our Consumer segment, the number of customers subscribing to The Bell Bundle (a combination of wireless, Internet and video services in one simple offer for customers taking Bell Canada’s long distance services) increased this quarter by 68,000. Since the launch of The Bell Bundle last September, approximately 200,000 customers have subscribed. During the quarter, 44% of new Bundle activations included the sale of at least one new service, a four percentage point improvement over the previous quarter.

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     The Bell Bundle was enhanced this quarter with the launch of a $5/month long distance plan for 1,000 minutes of calls anywhere in Canada and the U.S. available only to The Bell Bundle subscribers. This offer will leverage our long distance customer base to drive sales of our growth services, such as wireless, Internet and video, as well as capitalize now on the value of our long distance business, which is expected to decline over the long term. Since its availability on June 22, 2004, activation levels and the take rate of new services have been strong, even though commercial advertising only began at the end of July.

Business
Business segment revenues this quarter were $1,441 million, or 0.8% lower than Q2 2003 and on a year-to-date basis were $2,876 million, or 0.2% higher than the same period last year. In both these cases, increases in wireless revenues and terminal sales and other revenue growth were offset by declines in data revenues and to a lesser degree, declines in long distance and local and access revenues.

Enterprise
Revenues from enterprise customers decreased this quarter and on a year-to-date basis, as declines in local and access, long distance and data revenues more than offset growth in wireless and terminal sales and other revenues. Data revenues declined reflecting the completion of the Hydro-Québec outsourcing contract and expected decreases from our exit from the cabling business, starting in the fourth quarter of last year.
     Despite the overall decline in enterprise data revenues, our IP-based connectivity and VAS revenues continue to grow significantly. We estimate that 40% of our enterprise data revenues are now IP-based. At the end of the quarter, well over half of our very large enterprise customers utilise some element of our VAS portfolio, which represents an increase of approximately 30% since December 2003. Key customer wins in the quarter demonstrate our success:

  • With the recent launch of our Global IP network services, we were able to secure an approximate $70 million, 3-year contract with options to renew for an additional 4 years, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Government of Canada. As the first major international win for the Bell/Infonet partnership, this demonstrates our ability to provide IP services on a global basis.
  • The win of the Enterprise Rent-a-Car contract of $12 million for 55 months to provide a nation-wide area network across 290 sites, which has been structured to allow migration from legacy frame to an IP core network, a good example of progress on our plans to migrate to IP.
  • The win of the CanPar contract for $2.8 million over 3 years to provide a total solution high speed IP service to its fleet of courier trucks highlights our capabilities to design wireless solutions that may also be sold to other fleet management companies. Furthermore, during the quarter, we expanded our capabilities to offer IP services.
  • We launched our Managed IP Telephony service for enterprise customers. This service offers innovative features, including access to a wide variety of applications such as point-to-point video, integration with e-mail, click-to-call, find-me-follow-me, instant messaging and the ability to use multi-media functions across the enterprise.
  • We acquired Infostream, a systems and storage technology firm, to address customer needs for secure and reliable information storage and redundant back-up capabilities.

SMB
Revenues from our SMB customers increased this quarter and on a year-to-date basis reflecting increases in wireless, data, and terminal and other revenues with just a slight decrease in long distance revenues and essentially flat local and access revenues. Terminal sales and other revenue increases reflected recent business acquisitions while data revenue growth was driven by continued strong growth in DSL

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high-speed Internet access services. Long distance revenues decreased only slightly as the network charge introduced in Q3 2003 largely offset declines in pricing and volumes related to competitive pressures. During the quarter we acquired Charon Systems Inc. (Charon), an IT solutions provider, as part of our strategy to become the “Technology Advisor” to SMB customers.

Bell West
Bell West continued to grow its customer base leading to increases in local and access revenues for both the quarter and year-to-date. Data revenues declined, however, as a result of lower GOA construction revenues in the amount of approximately $30 million this quarter and approximately $50 million on a year-to-date basis.

Aliant
Aliant segment revenues increased to $526 million or 1.7% higher for the second quarter and to $1,030 million or 1.2% higher on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year driven by growth in wireless, Internet services and an increase in IT fulfillment sales which more than offset revenue declines from long distance and data revenues. On April 23, 2004, Aliant’s unionized workforce of approximately 4,300 employees represented by the Council of Atlantic Telecommunication Unions began a labour disruption. The labour disruption has negatively impacted Q2 2004 operating revenues by an estimated $9 million related to lower service charges on new installations, product sales and consumer and business long distance pricing, as well as reduced data and Internet growth.
     Aliant wireless revenues grew 16% in the quarter and 17% on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year. This growth was driven by a 10.5% increase in Aliant’s wireless customer base, including a 36% increase in digital customers, reflecting the positive response to the extensive dealer supported network, pricing offers and the expansion of digital cellular service into new areas. In addition, average revenue per unit (ARPU) was up $3 for the quarter and $4 on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year reflecting the impacts of a higher percentage of customers subscribing to digital service, higher usage and increased customer adoption of features.
     The decrease in long distance revenues in the quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to last year reflected declines in long distance volumes and rates. Consumer minute volumes were down due to customer losses to competition and increased substitution of long distance calling with Internet and wireless options by customers. Business long distance minutes also declined due to competitive losses and a reduction of contact center activity.
     Data revenues for the quarter and on a year-to-date basis were essentially flat as higher Internet revenues were offset by data network rationalization by Aliant’s larger customers reducing the need for data circuits. Aliant’s increase in Internet revenues stemmed from subscriber growth reflecting the expansion of high-speed Internet service into new areas, the growing popularity of enhanced service features, targeted pricing action and the benefits of customer retention efforts translating to churn improvement.
     Terminal sales and other revenues were up this quarter compared to 2003 primarily from higher IT fulfillment sales revenues. On a year-to-date basis, however, IT service and fulfillment sales were down as a result of reduced government spending experienced in Q1 of this year.

Other Bell Canada
The Other Bell Canada segment revenues of $468 million in the quarter and $942 million year-to-date reflected decreases of $49 million or 9.5% and $127 million or 11.9%, respectively compared to the same periods last year. These declines resulted mainly from lower long distance and data revenues in our wholesale business reflecting the impacts of competitive pricing pressures, as well as customers migrating services to their own network facilities. Wholesale long distance revenues were also impacted by our

12     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


decision last year to exit certain contracts and promotional offers for international switched minutes that had minimal margins. As a result, the rate of decline continued to slow in the quarter and on a year-to-date basis and the trajectory of the wholesale business has been improving.

Other BCE


  Q2 2004   Q2 2003   % change   YTD 2004   YTD 2003   % change  

Bell Globemedia

371   357   3.9% 713   692   3.0%

Telesat

85   83   2.4% 169   162   4.3%

CGI

251   211   19.0% 468   427   9.6%

Other

18   13   38.5% 29   23   26.1%

Other BCE revenues

725   664   9.2% 1,379   1,304   5.8%

The Other BCE segment revenues grew this quarter by 9.2% to $725 million when compared to Q2 of 2003. On a year-to-date basis, this segment had revenues of $1,379 million, reflecting a 5.8% increase over the same period last year. In each case, revenue growth was driven by CGI’s acquisition of AMS in May 2004 as well as higher revenues at Bell Globemedia.
     Bell Globemedia’s revenues grew 3.9% to $371 million this quarter and 3.0% to $713 million on a year-to-date basis. Television advertising grew by 8.3% this quarter and by 9.0% year-to-date and print advertising grew 2.0% this quarter and 2.8% year-to-date offsetting lower production and sundry revenues as a result of the sale of 50% of Dome Productions Inc. in January 2004.
     Telesat’s revenues grew 2.4% to $85 million this quarter and 4.3% to $169 million year-to-date as a result of higher communications revenues and higher international consulting revenues. On July 17, 2004, Telesat’s Anik F2 satellite was launched successfully. Not only is Anik F2 the largest commercial communications satellite in history, but it is also the first satellite to make commercial use of the Ka frequency band, enabling two-way, high-speed Internet access anywhere in North America.
     Our share of CGI’s revenues was $251 million this quarter and $468 million year-to-date reflecting increases of 19.0% and 9.6% respectively driven by CGI’s acquisition of AMS in May 2004.

BY BELL CANADA CONSOLIDATED PRODUCT LINES

The following table shows Bell Canada’s consolidated revenues by product line. In addition to discussing our financial results by business segment, we believe that a separate discussion of Bell Canada’s consolidated revenues by product line provides further insight into management’s view of our financial results.


  Q2 2004   Q2 2003   % change   YTD 2004   YTD 2003   % change  

Local and access

1,401   1,404   (0.2% ) 2,780   2,790   (0.4% )

Long distance

572   615   (7.0% ) 1,178   1,301   (9.5% )

Wireless

698   607   15.0% 1,349   1,158   16.5%

Data

870   936   (7.1% ) 1,762   1,856   (5.1% )

Video

211   190   11.1% 418   367   13.9%

Terminal sales and other

420   378   11.1% 791   741   6.7%

Total Bell Canada Consolidated

4,172   4,130   1.0% 8,278   8,213   0.8%

Local and Access
Local and access revenues of $1,401 million for the quarter and $2,780 year-to-date, declined marginally compared to the respective periods last year mainly as a result of lower NAS, lower SmartTouch feature revenues, partly offset by gains from wireline insurance and maintenance plans.
     NAS in service declined by 130,000 or 1.0% over the second quarter of 2003 as a result of continued pressure from growth in high-speed Internet access which reduces the need for second telephone lines, losses resulting from competition and customers substituting wireline with wireless telephone service.

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Long Distance
Long distance revenues were $572 million for the quarter and $1,178 million year-to-date, reflecting year-over-year decreases of 7.0% and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2003. These declines were driven by our exit of certain international wholesale contracts with minimal margins, competitive pressures in business and consumer domestic, overseas and U.S. minute volumes, as well as, some pressure in consumer domestic rates.
     Overall, conversation minutes this quarter declined 8.4% to 4,498 million, and 7.2% to 9,076 million on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year. The decline in conversation minutes this quarter was accompanied by a stable average revenue per minute (ARPM) of $0.12. Year-to-date in 2004, ARPM remained relatively flat compared to the first half of 2003.

Wireless
Wireless service revenues for the quarter were $698 million, up 15.0% from Q2 2003. On a year-to-date basis, revenues increased 16.5% to $1,349 million over the same period last year. In each case, the increase was driven by a rise in the subscriber base and higher average revenue per unit.
     Our total cellular and PCS subscriber base reached 4,599,000 at the end of this quarter, an increase of 12.2% over last year, reflecting a greater focus on customer growth in Q1 of this year and solid gains this quarter. Including paging subscribers, our total wireless customer base totalled 5,068,000.
     We gained 95,000 new customers for the quarter and 187,000 on a year-to-date basis. This was anticipated to be lower than the 131,000 and 201,000 net additions achieved for the same respective periods in 2003, as we put less emphasis in the quarter on aggressive subscriber growth in order to focus on completing a key operational milestone in the quarter by migrating all our wireless customers onto our new billing platform and maintaining a strong focus on ensuring service levels during the migration.
     With 82% of net activations for the quarter, and 79% on a year-to-date basis, coming from post-paid rate plans, we ended the quarter with 76% of our total cellular and PCS customer base consisting of post-paid subscribers.
     Blended ARPU of $50 for the quarter and $48 on a year-to-date basis was up $2 for each respective period compared to last year, driven by an increase in post-paid ARPU and an increase in post-paid subscribers as a percentage of the total base. Higher revenues from data services, long distance, value-added services, and greater usage led to a $2 per month increase in post-paid ARPU for both the second quarter and on a year-to-date basis compared to the same periods last year. Prepaid ARPU of $11 this quarter was down $1 over Q2 2003 while remaining stable on a year-to-date basis over the last year.
     Our continued focus on churn management translated to a post-paid churn rate of 1.1% for the quarter and on a year-to-date basis, improving 0.2 percentage points over each of the respective periods last year. Blended churn of 1.3% for both this quarter and on a year-to-date basis improved by 0.1 percentage points over the same periods last year.

Data
Data revenues of $870 million in the second quarter and $1,762 million year-to-date reflected decreases of 7.1% and 5.1%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. In each case, growth from high-speed Internet services was more than offset by lower construction revenues from Bell West related to the GOA contract, declines resulting from competitive pricing and volume pressures including wholesale customers migrating their traffic onto their own networks, the completion of the Hydro-Québec contract, and our exit from the low margin cabling business starting in the fourth quarter of last year.
     The number of high-speed Internet subscribers increased by 73,000 this quarter and 188,000 on a year-to-date basis, bringing our total subscriber count to 1,670,000. Total dial-up customers amounted to 807,000 at the end of Q2 2004 compared to 911,000 at the end of Q2 2003.

 

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Video
See discussion under Consumer Segment

Terminal Sales and Other

Terminal sales and other revenues were $420 million this quarter or 11.1% higher than Q2 2003, and $791 million year-to-date or 6.7% higher than the same period last year. These increases reflected higher consumer equipment sale revenues (wireless handsets, satellite dishes and receivers) and the impact of several smaller business acquisitions (Infostream, Elix, Accutel and Charon).

OPERATING INCOME


 

Q2 2004   Q2 2003   % change   YTD 2004   YTD 2003   % change  

Consumer

560   503   11.3% 1,086   996   9.0%

Business

227   199   14.1% 468   389   20.3%

Aliant

92   122   (24.6% ) 174   203   (14.3% )

Other Bell Canada

138   144   (4.2% ) 249   306   (18.6% )

Bell Canada Consolidated

1,017   968   5.1% 1,977   1,894   4.4%

Other BCE

88   110   (20.0% ) 139   165   (15.8% )

Total operating income

1,105   1,078   2.5% 2,116   2,059   2.8%


CONSOLIDATED

Our operating income grew to $1,105 million for the quarter, up 2.5% over the same quarter in 2003. This increase was driven by revenue growth partly offset by higher operating expenses and a higher net benefit plans cost. The higher operating expenses in the second quarter reflected the negative impact from Aliant’s labour disruption, higher corporate expenses, higher costs of acquisition for video subscribers driven in part by stronger growth, as well as higher contact centre agent costs to support customer service levels in our growth businesses. These increases were partly offset by lower settlement expenses resulting from lower overseas and domestic rates and volumes, and lower contribution expense. On a year-to-date basis, operating expenses remained essentially flat despite the increase in revenues which more than offset higher net benefit plans cost and amortization. Wireless costs of acquisition (COA) of $413 per gross activation, improved by $22 over Q2 2003 and reflected the lowest COA per gross activation over the last four quarters, driven primarily from improved handset pricing. On a year-to-date basis COA of $434 per gross activation was up $20 compared to last year reflecting competitive pressure on handset pricing and higher sales of more feature-rich 1x handsets in Q1 2004. The COA for video services increased year-over-year by $37 to $570 per gross activation for the quarter and by $95 to $610 per gross activation on a year-to-date basis, reflecting higher hardware and marketing costs, partly offset by the purchasing power of a stronger Canadian dollar. Hardware costs increased as more customers purchased second receivers, while higher marketing costs reflected the free installation promotion for contract term offers.
     Amortization expense of $769 million for the quarter was essentially flat compared to Q2 2003 and $12 million higher on a year-to-date basis compared to the same period last year resulting mainly from an increase in our capital assets relating to prior year capital expenditures, partly offset by an increase in the usefull life of Bell Canada’s internal use software from 3 to 4 years, effective October 1, 2003.
     Net benefit plans cost totalled $65 million for the quarter and $128 million year-to-date, reflecting year-over-year increases of $22 million and $43 million compared to the same periods last year. These increases resulted primarily from a higher accrued benefit obligation based on our most recent actuarial valuation.

 

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     In 2001, we entered into a contract with the GOA to build a next generation network to bring high-speed internet and broadband capabilities to rural communities in Alberta. It is a fixed price contract that is accounted for using the percentage of completion method. During the second quarter of 2004, as part of our regular update of the estimated costs to complete construction of the network, potential cost overruns were identified. Construction is to be complete in late 2004 and individual provincial and municipal buildings now are being connected to the network. The costs of this last phase of construction are higher than previously estimated, due to changes necessitated in construction methods to connect these buildings to the network, and higher average construction costs. Based on our current cost estimates, we recorded a provision of $110 million for this contract. Bell Canada is pursuing a number of initiatives focused on both minimizing costs to complete the network and providing additional services to our small and medium enterprise customers that will generate additional revenues. In addition, some of Bell Canada’s existing wholesale traffic that currently travels on competitor networks will be rerouted onto this network.
     Bell Canada is also constructing and will own the portion of the network in the province of Alberta that will serve urban communities. Together, the two networks are known as the SuperNet. Although the cost of the rural portion of the project has escalated, the completion of the SuperNet, combined with our acquisition of 360networks, represent achievement of our strategic initiative to have a ubiquitous network in Western Canada.
     On June 30, 2004, BCE Inc. reached an agreement with MTS to settle BCE Inc.’s lawsuits against MTS and Allstream. The terms of the settlement included, amongst other things, a payment of $75 million by MTS to Bell Canada, which was recorded as a restructuring and other item in Q2 2004, and received on August 3, 2004, for unwinding the various commercial agreements. Please see the Financial and Capital Management section of this MD&A for more information on the terms of the settlement.
     We also recorded a credit of $23 million in Q2 2004 relating mainly to the reversal of previously recorded restructuring charges, which were no longer necessary given the introduction of a new voluntary employee departure program.
     In June 2004, Bell Canada announced a two-phase voluntary employee departure program. The first phase is a voluntary early retirement (VER) plan and the second phase is a voluntary departure plan. The details of the VER plan were announced in June and the details of the voluntary departure plan will be announced after the conclusion of the VER plan. Approximately 4,500 employees are eligible for the VER plan. The plan will also be extended to 2,500 technicians who are members of the CEP, if our offer of July 20, 2004, for a new collective agreement is accepted. We will record an expense in Q3 2004, as employees volunteer under the plans. The total expense will depend largely on the number of employees who volunteer under each plan, which is currently not determinable.

 

 

BY SEGMENT

Consumer
The Consumer segment achieved strong operating income growth of 11.3% this quarter to $560 million and 9.0% to $1,086 million year-to-date reflecting the increase in revenues combined with higher margins partly offset by higher amortization and net benefit plans cost compared to the same periods last year.
     Higher costs resulted from sales volume increases combined with higher COA for video services and a higher number of contact centre agents to support customer service levels in our growth businesses.
     These increases, however, were somewhat offset by lower settlement expenses resulting from lower overseas and domestic rates and volumes, reduced billing costs, lower contribution expense and our continued focus on productivity.

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Business
The Business segment achieved further operating income growth of 14.1% this quarter to $227 million and 20.3% to $468 million year-to-date as a result of our focus on improving profitability of this segment despite the 0.8% decline in revenues this quarter. Amortization expenses and net benefits plan cost were higher compared to last year both this quarter and year-to-date.
     In the enterprise unit, our continued focus on more profitable contracts, as well as overall productivity, led to reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses and costs of goods sold. Salary expenses were essentially unchanged as cost containment initiatives were largely offset by increased salary expense related to the business acquisitions (Infostream and Elix).
     Bell West incurred lower costs of goods sold related to the GOA SuperNet contract which more than offset higher salary expenses related to a growing workforce. Please see page 16 for a discussion of the $110 million provision related to the GOA contract.
     Our SMB unit had higher salary expenses and costs of goods sold related to its business acquisitions (Accutel and Charon).

Aliant
Aliant’s operating income for the second quarter was $92 million and $174 million on a year-to-date basis, reflecting year-over-year declines of $30 million or 24.6% and $29 million or 14.3%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.
     The estimated impact on operating income of the current labour disruption is approximately $21 million reflecting an estimated negative impact on revenue of $9 million and $12 million on operating expenses. Higher operating expenses from the labour disruption relate mainly to costs associated with security requirements and property repairs to enable operations to continue with relatively little interruption. These costs were at their highest in the first month of the disruption when equipping, repositioning and training of personnel was required. These costs were partially mitigated by salary expense savings from the strike.
     In addition, the year-over-year operating income declines reflected higher operating expenses from growth in wireless and Internet services which relate to commissions, subsidies, cellular phone and accessories and to actions in support of increased customer service levels, an increase in net benefits plan cost and a higher amortization expense resulting from a higher proportion of capital spending in broadband and wireless assets in recent years with overall shorter depreciable lives. These increases were partly offset by lower operating costs stemming from the Xwave restructuring in 2003 and reduced payments to the National Contribution Fund.

Other Bell Canada
Operating income for the Other Bell Canada segment decreased this quarter by 4.2% to $138 million and decreased by 18.6% year-to-date to $249 million. Operating expenses improved this quarter and year-to-date as a result of exiting non-profitable contracts within the wholesale market and our focus on productivity. As expected, operating income in Q2 reflected an improvement compared to the 31.5% decrease experienced in Q1 as the impact of exiting these non-profitable contracts lessens during the year. Operating expenses at Télébec, NorthernTel and Northwestel were essentially flat compared to Q2 2003 and on a year-to-date basis. In addition, operating income this quarter also reflected restructuring and other items of $12 million which consisted of a provision for loss of $110 million relating to the contract with the GOA, a $75 million credit relating to the settlement with MTS and the reversal of $23 million of restructuring charges recorded in 2002 which were no longer necessary.

Other BCE
Operating income for the Other BCE segment was $88 million this quarter and $139 million year-to-date or 20% and 15.8% lower than the respective periods last year. In each case, higher corporate expenses related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, business acquisitions, other corporate activities and higher costs

17     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

related to special projects, more than offset the higher operating income at Bell Globemedia, Telesat, and CGI. In addition, operating income this quarter and year-to-date reflects higher amortization expense related to the allocation of the purchase price for SBC’s 20% interest in Bell Canada Holdings which was completed in Q3 2003. The growth in operating income at Bell Globemedia was driven by the increase in revenues and complemented by cost savings.

OTHER ITEMS

The table below reconciles operating income to net earnings applicable to common shares.


  Q2 2004   Q2 2003   % change   YTD 2004   YTD 2003   % change  

Operating income

1,105   1,078   2.5% 2,116   2,059   2.8%

Other income

24   2   n.m.   60   47   27.7%

Interest expense

(253 ) (289 ) 12.5% (505 ) (569 ) 11.2%

Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations

876   791   10.7% 1,671   1,537   8.7%

Income taxes

(293 ) (268 ) (9.3% ) (555 ) (506 ) (9.7% )

Non-controlling interest

(39 ) (57 ) 31.6% (87 ) (99 ) 12.1%

Earnings from continuing operations

544   466   16.7% 1,029   932   10.4%

Discontinued operations

27   12   125.0%   30   19   57.9%

Net earnings

571   478   19.5% 1,059   951   11.4%

Dividends on preferred shares

(17 ) (17 )   (35 ) (32 ) (9.4% )

Premium on redemption of preferred shares

 –    –    –     (7 )  100.0%  

Net earnings applicable to common shares

554   461   20.2% 1,024   912   12.3%

EPS

0.60   0.50   20.0% 1.11   1.00   11.0%

n.m.: not meaningful                        

EPS improved by 20% to $0.60 in Q2 2004 and 11% to $1.11 on a year-to-date basis in 2004. The increases were mainly due to an improvement in operating income, gains on investments, and a decline in interest expense.

OTHER INCOME

Other income of $24 million in Q2 2004 and $60 million on a year-to-date basis in 2004 represent significant increases compared to the same periods last year. The increases were mainly due to higher equity earnings from our investment in MTS, a write-off of deferred credit facility costs made in Q2 2003 and higher miscellaneous income, partly offset by unfavourable foreign exchange variances.
     In April 2003, we entered into forward contracts to hedge U.S.$200 million of long-term debt at Bell Canada that had not been hedged previously. This removed the foreign currency risk on the principal amount of that debt, which has since minimized the effect of foreign exchange.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Interest expense of $253 million in Q2 2004 and $505 million on a year-to-date basis in 2004 represent a 12.5% and an 11.2% decline, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. This resulted from $1.7 billion of debt repayments (net of issues) year-over-year. The decline in average debt levels was driven by positive free cash flows. The average interest rate in Q2 2004 and on a year-to-date basis in 2004 was 7.1%, which is comparable to the same periods last year.

18     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

INCOME TAXES

Income taxes of $293 million in Q2 2004 and $555 million on a year-to-date basis in 2004 represent a 9.3% and a 9.7% increase, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The increases were mainly from higher pre-tax earnings, partly offset by the reduction in the statutory income tax rate to 34.3% in 2004 from 35.4% in 2003.

NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

Non-controlling interest of $39 million in Q2 2004 and $87 million on a year-to-date basis in 2004 represent a 32% and a 12.1% decrease, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The decreases were due to lower earnings at Bell West, which included the loss on the GOA SuperNet contract, and lower earnings at Aliant, partly offset by higher earnings at Bell Globemedia.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In June 2004, we completed the sale of our interest in Emergis which resulted in a net gain of $26 million. The gain on the sale of our interest in Emergis was $62 million which was offset by operating losses that included a future income tax asset impairment charge of $56 million ($36 million after non-controlling interest). Emergis recorded this impairment charge before the sale as a result of the unwinding of tax loss utilization strategies between Emergis, 4122780 Canada Inc. and Bell Canada.
     In Q1 2004, Emergis completed the sales of its U.S. Health operations and National Health Services Inc. (NHS). As a result, we recorded a gain of $6 million in Q1 2004, which essentially reflects an adjustment to the expected loss of $160 million recorded in Q4 2003.

 



This section tells you how we manage our cash and capital resources to carry out our strategy and deliver financial results. It provides an analysis of our financial condition, cash flows and liquidity on a consolidated basis.

Financial and Capital Management

CAPITAL STRUCTURE


  Q2 2004   Q4 2003  

Debt due within one year 1,030   1,519  
Long-term debt 12,492   12,381  
Less: Cash and cash equivalents (577 ) (585 )

Total net debt 12,945   13,315  
Non-controlling interest 3,203   3,403  
Total shareholders’ equity 14,071   13,573  

Total capitalization 30,219   30,291  

Net debt to capitalization 42.8 % 44.0 %

Outstanding share data (in millions)

Common shares at end of period

924.5 924.0

Stock options at end of period

30.0 25.8

Restricted share units at end of period

1.8

Our net debt to capitalization ratio was 42.8% at the end of Q2 2004, an improvement from 44.0% at the end of Q4 2003. This reflected lower net debt and higher total shareholders’ equity.
     Net debt was reduced by $370 million to $12,945 million in the first six months of 2004. This was driven mainly by $326 million of free cash flow in the first six months of 2004 and net cash proceeds of $315 million on the sale of our investment in Emergis. These were partly offset by $306 million invested in business acquisitions.
     Total shareholders’ equity increased $498 million to $14,071 million in the first six months of 2004. This was mainly a result of $469 million of net earnings in excess of the dividends declared on common and preferred shares in the first six months of 2004.

19     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

CHANGE IN COMPENSATION STRATEGY FOR 2004 AND IN THE FUTURE

Starting in 2004, the executive compensation policy has been redesigned to ensure close alignment and support with the company’s new direction and strategic objectives. Fundamentally, the new executive compensation policy is designed to drive a shift in culture toward greater individual accountability and higher levels of performance.
     The underlying philosophy is to remain conservative with regards to fixed compensation (such as base salary) while placing more emphasis on variable (at risk) compensation, through the use of short-term, mid-term and long-term incentive plans, which contain specific performance targets that must be met in order to trigger any payments.
     This will reinforce further the importance of meeting the annual financial drivers and the fashion in which they are delivered and provide us with the ability to attract and retain the type of executives needed to deliver at required performance levels.
     Changes to the key features in our stock-based compensation plans included:

  • transferring approximately 50% of the value of the long-term incentive plan, where stock options had previously been granted, into a new mid-term plan under which restricted share units (RSUs) are used
  • reducing the value of stock options granted in the long-term incentive plan by approximately 50% and changing the key design features.
SUMMARY OF CASH FLOWS

  Q2 2004   Q2 2003   YTD 2004   YTD 2003  

Cash from operating activities

1,124   1,387   2,384   2,552  

Capital expenditures

(826 ) (706 ) (1,507 ) (1,297 )

Other investing activities

116   (44 ) 135   (86 )

Preferred dividends

(21 ) (14 ) (43 ) (25 )

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(47 ) (55 ) (89 ) (99 )

Free cash flow from operations, before common dividends

346   568   880   1,045  

Common dividends

(277 ) (254 ) (554 ) (511 )

Free cash flow from operations, after common dividends

69   314   326   534  

Business acquisitions

(247 ) (7 ) (306 ) (70 )

Business dispositions

    16    

Change in investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods

(8 ) (1 ) (2 ) 6  

Net issuance of equity instruments

4   4   8   162  

Net repayment of debt instruments

(713 ) (1,440 ) (302 ) (122 )

Financing activities of subsidiaries with third parties

(17 )   (53 ) 54  

Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

(54 ) (3 ) 184   (13 )

Other

32   (59 ) (16 ) (61 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(934 ) (1,192 ) (145 ) 490  

CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Cash from operating activities decreased 19% or $263 million to $1,124 million in Q2 2004, compared to Q2 2003 and 6.6% or $168 million to $2,384 million in the first six months of 2004, compared to 2003. This was the result of the negative effect of changes in working capital as the May launch of a new billing platform resulted in significant but anticipated delays in invoicing. The impact was partly offset by improved operating performance.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

We continue to make investments to expand and update our networks and to meet customer demand for new services. Capital expenditures were $826 million in Q2 2004, or 17.3% of revenues, up from $706 million, or 15.1% of revenues, for the same period last year. In the first six months of 2004, capital

20     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

expenditures were $1.5 billion, or 16.0% of revenues, up from $1.3 billion, or 14.0% of revenues, for the same period last year. These increases reflect a mix of higher spending towards growth areas of the business and reduced spending in the legacy areas. In addition, the increase in capital expenditures for the quarter reflected the Telesat satellite build.
     Bell Canada’s consolidated capital intensity ratio increased to 17.1% in Q2 2004 (15.8% in the first six months of 2004), compared to 16.0% in Q2 2003 (14.5% in the first six months of 2003). Bell Canada’s consolidated capital expenditures accounted for over 85% of our consolidated capital expenditures in the first six months of 2004 and over 90% of our consolidated capital expenditures in the first six months of 2003.

OTHER INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Cash from other investing activities of $135 million in the first six months of 2004 included $179 million of insurance proceeds that Telesat received for the malfunction on the Anik F1 satellite ($136 million received in Q2 2004 and $43 million received in Q1 2004).

COMMON DIVIDENDS

We paid a dividend of $0.30 per common share in Q2 2004. This was the same as the dividend we paid in Q2 2003.
     We realized a cash benefit of $21 million in Q2 2003 ($39 million in the first six months of 2003) because we issued treasury shares to fund BCE Inc.’s dividend reinvestment plan instead of buying shares on the open market. Effective Q1 2004, we started buying all of the shares needed for the dividend reinvestment plan on the open market to avoid dilution. This removed any further cash benefits related to issuing treasury shares. As a result, total dividends paid on common shares increased 9.1% or $23 million to $277 million in Q2 2004, compared to Q2 2003 and 8.4% or $43
 million to $554 million in the first six months of 2004, compared to 2003.

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

We invested $247 million in business acquisitions in Q2 2004. This consisted mainly of:

  • Business acquisitions at Bell Canada of $99 million in Q2 2004, which included:

— The purchase of a 100% interest in Infostream 

— The purchase of 100% of the assets required to carry on the business of Charon. 

  • Our 28.9% proportionate share of the cash paid for CGI’s acquisition of AMS of $168 million. 

     Investments of $59 million in Q1 2004 consisted of:

  • Bell Canada’s purchase of a 100% interest in Accutel Conferencing Systems Inc. (Canada) and Accutel Conferencing Systems Corp (U.S.) (collectively Accutel) 
  • Bell Canada’s purchase of a 75.8% interest in Elix Inc. (Elix).

     We invested $70 million in business acquisitions during the first six months of 2003. This consisted mainly of our proportionate share of the cash paid for CGI’s acquisition of Cognicase Inc.

EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

During the first six months of 2003, BCE Inc. issued 20 million Series AC preferred shares for $510 million and redeemed 14 million Series U preferred shares for $357 million, which included a $7 million premium on redemption.

DEBT INSTRUMENTS

We made $713 million of debt repayments (net of issues) in Q2 2004. The repayments were mainly at

21     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

Bell Canada and included the Series M-15 debentures for $500 million and $114 million of our shared service entity debt. In the first six months of 2004, we made $302 million of debt repayments (net of issues).

CASH RELATING TO DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Cash used in discontinued operations was $54 million in Q2 2004. This consisted mainly of net cash proceeds of $315 million on the sale of our investment in Emergis which were more than offset by the deconsolidation of Emergis’ cash on hand of $375 million at March 31, 2004.
     In the first six months of 2004, cash provided by discontinued operations of $184 million consisted mainly of the net cash proceeds of $315 million on the sale of our investment in Emergis which were partly offset by the deconsolidation of Emergis’ cash on hand of $137 million at December 31, 2003.

CREDIT RATINGS

On June 14, 2004, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgraded BCE Inc.’s preferred shares rating. The table below lists BCE Inc.’s and Bell Canada’s key credit ratings at August 3, 2004.


    BCE Inc.     Bell Canada  

  S&P DBRS Moody’s S&P DBRS

Moody’s


Commercial paper

A-1 (mid) / stable

R-1 (low) / stable

P-2 / stable

A-1 (mid) / stable

R-1 (mid) / stable

P-2 / stable

Extendable commercial notes

A-1 (mid) / stable

R-1 (low) / stable

A-1 (mid) / stable

R-1 (mid) / stable

Long-term debt

A- / stable

A / stable

Baa-1 / stable

A / stable

A (high) / stable

A-3 / stable

Preferred shares

P-2 (high) / stable

Pfd-2 / stable

P-2 (high) / stable

Pfd-2 (high) /stable


LIQUIDITY

Our ability to generate cash in the short term and in the long term, when needed, and to provide for planned growth and to fund development activities, depends on our sources of liquidity and on our cash requirements.
     Our sources of liquidity and cash requirements remain substantially unchanged from those described in the BCE 2003 MD&A, except for those listed below.

Settlement with MTS
On May 20, 2004, Bell Canada filed a lawsuit against MTS seeking damages from MTS and an injunction to prevent MTS from breaching the terms and conditions of the commercial agreements between the two companies as a result of the announcement by MTS to purchase Allstream. On June 3, 2004, Bell Canada also filed a lawsuit against Allstream seeking damages in connection with the same announcement.
     On June 30, 2004, BCE Inc. reached an agreement with MTS to settle the lawsuits. The terms of the settlement included:

  • a payment of $75 million by MTS to Bell Canada, recorded in Q2 2004 and received on August 3, 2004, for unwinding various commercial agreements
  • the removal of contractual competitive restrictions thereby allowing Bell Canada and MTS to compete freely with each other, effective June 30, 2004
  • the orderly disposition of our interest in MTS. Our voting interest in MTS has been waived after the receipt of the $75 million payment
  • a premium payment by MTS to us, in the event a change of control of MTS occurs before 2006, in an amount equal to the appreciation in MTS’s share price from the time of our divestiture to the time of any takeover transaction
  • the provision of wholesale services between Bell Canada and MTS on a preferred supplier basis. 

22     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

     Effective June 2004, we account for our investment in MTS using the cost method, since we no longer have significant influence over the strategic decisions of MTS. As a result of this change, income from MTS will reflect dividends received rather than our interest in MTS’s net earnings. On June 30, 2004, the carrying value of our investment in MTS was $365 million and the fair market value based on the closing price of the common shares of MTS on the TSX was $618 million.
     On August 1, 2004, as a result of certain corporate reorganization steps, the MTS shares were transferred from Bell Canada to BCE Inc. The purpose of these transactions was to ensure that gains expected to be realized on the sale of the MTS shares will be sheltered by available capital loss carryforwards at BCE Inc.

Agreement to purchase Canadian assets of 360networks
In May 2004, Bell Canada announced an agreement to purchase the Canadian assets of 360networks for $275 million in cash. Bell Canada plans to retain all of 360networks’ business, facilities and customer base in Western Canada, and has an agreement to sell the retail customer operations and certain assets in Eastern Canada to Call-Net Enterprises Inc. while continuing to provide network and other services to this Eastern customer base for a share of future revenues. The transaction is expected to close late in Q3 2004 or early in Q4 2004, subject to all terms and conditions under the purchase contract being met.

Sale of remaining interest in the directories business
On July 21, 2004, Bell Canada sold its remaining 3.24% interest in the directories business for net cash proceeds of $123 million. This resulted in a gain on sale of $108 million. The taxes payable on this transaction will be sheltered by available capital loss carryforwards.

Acquisition of 40% interest in Bell West
On August 3, 2004, Bell Canada completed the acquisition of MTS’s 40% interest in Bell West for $645 million in cash. Bell Canada now owns 100% of Bell West.

Voluntary employee departure program
In June 2004, Bell Canada announced a voluntary employee departure program. The program consists of two phases, the first being a voluntary early retirement plan and the second, a voluntary departure plan. Under both plans, employees who volunteer can elect to receive cash benefits. The total cash requirements, most of which are expected to be incurred in Q4 2004 and Q1 2005, will depend largely on the number of employees who will volunteer under each plan, which is currently not determinable.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

This section provides a description of recent developments in certain of the legal proceedings involving BCE described in the BCE 2003 AIF as subsequently updated in BCE Inc.’s 2004 First Quarter MD&A dated May 4, 2004 (BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A).

LAWSUITS RELATED TO TELEGLOBE

Teleglobe unsecured creditor lawsuit
On May 26, 2004, a lawsuit was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware against BCE Inc. and ten former directors and officers of Teleglobe Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs are comprised of Teleglobe Communications Corporation, certain of its affiliated debtors and debtors in possession, and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of these debtors.
     The lawsuit alleges breach of an alleged funding commitment of BCE Inc. towards the debtors, misrepresentation by BCE Inc. and breach, and aiding and abetting breaches, of fiduciary duty by the defendants. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages against the defendants.
     While no one can predict the outcome of any legal proceeding, based on information currently available, BCE Inc. believes that it has strong defences and it intends to vigorously defend its position.

23     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

LAWSUITS RELATED TO BELL CANADA INTERNATIONAL

BCI common shareholders lawsuits
As indicated in the BCE 2003 AIF, an appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal was filed in March 2004 by the plaintiffs in two lawsuits seeking damages from BCE Inc. and Bell Canada International Inc. (BCI) in connection with the issue of BCI common shares under BCI’s recapitalization plan and the implementation of BCI’s plan of arrangement. These lawsuits had been dismissed on January 5, 2004 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice as failing to disclose a reasonable cause of action against BCE Inc. or BCI, and abused the process of the court, and ordering that neither of the two plaintiffs may amend his statement of claim to bring these lawsuits before the court again. The appeal was heard on July 12, 2004, and on July 23, 2004 the Ontario Court of Appeal issued its decision and reasons, upholding the lower court’s decision and dismissing the lawsuits as failing to disclose a reasonable cause of action. Thus, the appeals were dismissed (with costs against plaintiffs). Any further appeal, which would go to the Supreme Court of Canada, requires the permission of the Supreme Court. Plaintiffs have 60 days from August 1, 2004 to seek leave to appeal.

Risks That Could Affect Our Business

A risk is the possibility that an event might happen in the future that could have a negative effect on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or business of one or more BCE group companies. Part of managing our business is to understand what these potential risks could be and to minimize them where we can.
     Because no one can predict whether an event will happen or its consequences, the actual effect of any event on our business could be materially different from what we currently anticipate. In addition, the risks described below and elsewhere in this MD&A do not include all possible risks, and there may be other risks that we are currently not aware of.
     In the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A, we provided a detailed review of the risks that could affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or business and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. These risks include risks associated with:

  • our ability to implement our strategies and plans in order to produce the expected benefits and growth prospects, including meeting targets for revenue, earnings per share, free cash flow and capital intensity;
  • our ability to complete on a timely basis, and the impact on our financial results of, the migration of our multiple service-specific networks to a single IP-based network;
  • our ability to increase the number of customers who buy multiple products;
  • our ability to implement the significant changes in processes, in how we approach our markets, and in products and services, required by our strategic direction;
  • general economic and market conditions and the level of consumer confidence and spending, and the demand for, and prices of, our products and services;
  • the intensity of competitive activity from both traditional and new competitors, Canadian or foreign, including cross-platform competition, which is anticipated to increase following the introduction of new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which have reduced barriers to entry that existed in the industry, and its resulting impact on the ability to retain existing, and attract new, customers, and on pricing strategies and financial results;
  • the outcome of the review by the Canadian government of the foreign ownership restrictions that apply to telecommunications carriers and to broadcasting distribution undertakings;

24     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

  • the ability to improve productivity and contain capital intensity while maintaining quality of services;
  • the ability to anticipate, and respond to, changes in technology, industry standards and client needs and migrate to and deploy new technologies, including VoIP, and offer new products and services rapidly and achieve market acceptance thereof;
  • the availability and cost of capital required to implement our financing plans and fund capital and other expenditures;
  • our ability to retain major customers;
  • our ability to find suitable companies to acquire or to partner with;
  • the impact of pending or future litigation and of adverse changes in laws or regulations, including tax laws, or of adverse regulatory initiatives or proceedings, including decisions by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) affecting our ability to compete effectively;
  • the risk of litigation should BCE stop funding a subsidiary or change the nature of its investment, or dispose of all or part of its interest, in a subsidiary;
  • the risk of low returns on pension plan assets;
  • our ability to manage effectively labour relations, negotiate satisfactory labour agreements, including new agreements replacing expired labour agreements, while avoiding work stoppages, and maintain service to customers and minimize disruptions during strikes and other work stoppages;
  • events affecting the functionality of our networks or of the networks of other telecommunications carriers on which we rely to provide our services;
  • launch and in-orbit risks, including the ability to obtain appropriate insurance coverage at favourable rates, concerning Telesat’s satellites, certain of which are used by Bell ExpressVu to provide services; and
  • stock market volatility.

     For a more complete description of the risks that could affect our business, please see the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A filed by BCE Inc. with the Canadian securities commissions (available on BCE Inc.’s site at www.bce.ca and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Form 6-K (available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov).
     Please refer to the BCE 2003 AIF filed by BCE Inc. with the Canadian securities commissions and with the SEC under Form 40-F for a detailed description of:

  • the principal legal proceedings involving BCE;
  • certain regulatory initiatives and proceedings concerning the Bell Canada companies.

     Please see Recent Developments in Legal Proceedings in this MD&A and in the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A for a description of recent developments, since the BCE 2003 AIF, in the principal legal proceedings involving us.
     In addition, please see Updates to the Description of Risks below and Risks that could affect certain BCE group companies – Bell Canada companies – Changes to wireline regulations in the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A for a description of recent developments, since the BCE 2003 AIF, in the principal regulatory initiatives and proceedings concerning the Bell Canada companies.

UPDATES TO THE DESCRIPTION OF RISKS

The following are updates to the description of risks contained in the section entitled Risks That Could Affect Our Business set out on pages 18 to 31 of the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A. For ease of reference, the updates to the description of risks below have been presented under the same headings and in the same order contained in the section entitled Risks That Could Affect Our Business set out in the BCE 2004 First Quarter MD&A.

25     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

RISKS THAT COULD AFFECT ALL BCE GROUP COMPANIES

INCREASING COMPETITION

On June 4, 2004, MTS, an established incumbent local exchange carrier, merged with Allstream creating a larger integrated and a new national competitor potentially leading to increased competition in our markets.

RENEGOTIATING LABOUR AGREEMENTS

The collective agreement between Bell Canada and the CEP, representing approximately 7,100 technicians, is expired. On July 12, 2004, the CEP informed Bell Canada that its technicians rejected Bell Canada’s offer of June 17, 2004 to renew the collective agreement. On July 20, 2004, Bell Canada tabled a revised offer and on July 22, 2004 the CEP informed Bell Canada that it would submit Bell Canada’s revised offer to a vote by its members. Although the CEP leadership recommended rejection of Bell Canada’s revised offer, the members will vote on this offer between July 26 and August 12, 2004. The results of the vote will be announced on August 16, 2004. Should the members reject Bell Canada’s July 20 offer, a strike could ensue. Although Bell Canada has implemented a number of measures seeking to minimize disruptions and ensure that customers continue to receive normal service during labour disruptions, there can be no assurance that service to Bell Canada’s customers would not be adversely affected should a strike occur. A strike by Bell Canada’s technicians could negatively impact Bell Canada’s financial results.
     On April 23, 2004, the unionized workforce of approximately 4,300 employees of Aliant Telecom Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aliant) represented by the Council of Atlantic Telecommunication Unions started a strike. It is not currently possible to determine the duration of the strike. Should the strike continue for a longer period, even though Aliant has implemented a number of measures seeking to minimize disruptions and ensure that customers continue to receive normal service during labour disruptions, there can be no assurance that service to Aliant’s customers will not be adversely affected during the strike. The labour disruption at Aliant has already negatively impacted its 2004 second quarter financial results and may, depending on the strike’s duration, continue to adversely affect Aliant’s financial results.

RISKS THAT COULD AFFECT CERTAIN BCE GROUP COMPANIES

BELL CANADA COMPANIES

Changes to Wireline Regulations
Second Price Cap decision
On May 19, 2004, Bell Canada filed its proposal, as part of the public proceeding initiated by the CRTC on March 24, 2004, asking for approval to use some of the funds in its deferral account to implement the following initiatives:

  1. expansion of its broadband services to certain areas;
  2. rate reductions for certain optional local services; and
  3. implementation of the network upgrades required to support Bell Canada’s High Probability of Call Completion feature that would allow designated calls on the Bell Canada network to have a higher probability of completion under normal network loads as well as when the Public Switched Telephone Network is busy and experiencing call blocking conditions.

     Should the CRTC not accept Bell Canada’s proposals, there is a risk that the funds in the deferral account could be used in a way that could have a negative financial effect on Bell Canada.

Licences for Broadcasting
Bell Canada has applied to the CRTC for licences to operate broadcasting distribution undertakings, using its wireline facilities, to serve large cities in Southern Ontario and Québec. Bell Canada has proposed that it be licensed under the same terms and conditions as apply to major cable operators. Under the

26     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

Broadcasting Act, the CRTC must hold a public hearing prior to issuance of a broadcasting licence. The hearing is currently scheduled to take place on August 9, 2004. Cable operators are seeking delays to the licensing and other conditions that would inhibit Bell Canada’s ability to compete with them.

TELESAT

Anik F2
On July 17, 2004, Telesat successfully launched Anik F2, which is expected to enter commercial service, following commissioning and testing, in October 2004. Telesat is currently leasing a satellite to cover a number of delays related to the satellite’s construction and launch and a potential delay in commissioning. In addition, Telesat is making arrangements for the use of another satellite to cover a potential further delay in commissioning or a potential failure of Anik F2 during the commissioning and testing phase. Such a delay or failure could require Telesat to refund prepayments to customers ($223 million at June 30, 2004) and result in additional costs. Telesat currently has three years of in-orbit insurance coverage for approximately 70% of Anik F2’s book value. In the event of a failure of the satellite, the after-tax accounting loss is estimated at $105-$110 million.

Anik F3
Telesat has signed a contract with EADS Astrium, SAS, a European satellite manufacturer, for construction of the Anik F3 satellite. Anik F3 is expected to be available for service in the second half of 2006. There is no assurance that Telesat will be able to obtain launch and in-orbit insurance coverage for the Anik F3 satellite, or that if it does obtain coverage, that it will be for the full value of the satellite or at a favourable rate.

BCE Emergis
In June 2004, BCE Inc. completed the sale of its entire interest in Emergis and, accordingly, Emergis’ operating risks are no longer relevant.

Our Accounting Policies

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements according to Canadian GAAP. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for more information about the accounting principles we used to prepare our financial statements.
     The key estimates and assumptions that management has made under these principles and their impact on the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes remain substantially unchanged from those described in the BCE 2003 MD&A.
     We have not had any changes in the accounting standards or our accounting policies other than those described in the BCE 2003 MD&A.

27     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the period ended June 30

Three months

 

Six months

(in $ millions, except share amounts) (unaudited)

2004   2003   2004   2003  

Operating revenues

4,782   4,673   9,423   9,292  

Operating expenses

(2,829 ) (2,778 ) (5,626 ) (5,624 )

Amortization expense

(769 ) (774 ) (1,536 ) (1,524 )

Net benefit plans cost (Note 4)

(65 ) (43 ) (128 ) (85 )

Restructuring and other items (Note 5)

(14 )   (17 )  

Total operating expenses

(3,677 ) (3,595 ) (7,307 ) (7,233 )

Operating income

1,105   1,078   2,116   2,059  

Other income

24   2   60   47  

Interest expense

(253 ) (289 ) (505 ) (569 )

Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations

876   791   1,671   1,537  

Income taxes

(293 ) (268 ) (555 ) (506 )

Non-controlling interest

(39 ) (57 ) (87 ) (99 )

Earnings from continuing operations

544   466   1,029   932  

Discontinued operations (Note 6)

27   12   30   19  

Net earnings

571   478   1,059   951  

Dividends on preferred shares

(17 ) (17 ) (35 ) (32 )

Premium on redemption of preferred shares

      (7 )

Net earnings applicable to common shares

554   461   1,024   912  

Net earnings per common share – basic

               

Continuing operations

0.57   0.49   1.08   0.98  

Discontinued operations

0.03   0.01   0.03   0.02  

Net earnings

0.60   0.50   1.11   1.00  
Net earnings per common share – diluted                

Continuing operations

0.57   0.49   1.08   0.98  

Discontinued operations

0.03   0.01   0.03   0.02  

Net earnings

0.60   0.50   1.11   1.00  

Dividends per common share

0.30   0.30   0.60   0.60  

Average number of common shares outstanding – basic (millions)

924.3   919.3   924.2   918.2  

Consolidated Statements of Deficit

For the period ended June 30

Three months

 

Six months

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2004   2003   2004   2003  

Balance at beginning of period, as previously reported

(5,645 ) (6,258 ) (5,830 ) (6,435 )

Accounting policy change for asset retirement obligations (Note 1)

  (7 ) (7 ) (7 )

Balance at beginning of period, as restated

(5,645 ) (6,265 ) (5,837 ) (6,442 )

Net earnings

571   478   1,059   951  

Dividends declared on common shares

(278 ) (276 ) (555 ) (551 )

Dividends declared on preferred shares

(17 ) (17 ) (35 ) (32 )

Premium on redemption of preferred shares

      (7 )

Other

1   (6 )   (5 )

Balance at end of period

(5,368 ) (6,086 ) (5,368 ) (6,086 )

28     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

June 30   December 31  

(in $ millions) (unaudited)

2004   2003  

ASSETS

       

Current assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

577   585  

Accounts receivable

2,292   2,061  

Other current assets

900   739  

Current assets of discontinued operations

8   280  

Total current assets

3,777   3,665  

Capital assets

20,995   21,114  

Other long-term assets

3,609   3,459  

Indefinite-life intangible assets

2,910   2,910  

Goodwill

7,987   7,761  

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

50   511  

Total assets

39,328   39,420  

LIABILITIES

       

Current liabilities

       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

3,648   3,534  

Debt due within one year

1,030   1,519  

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

  285  

Total current liabilities

4,678   5,338  

Long-term debt

12,492   12,381  

Other long-term liabilities

4,884   4,705  

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

  20  

Total liabilities

22,054   22,444  

Non-controlling interest

3,203   3,403  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Preferred shares

1,670   1,670  

Common shareholders’ equity

       

Common shares

16,757   16,749  

Contributed surplus

1,043   1,037  

Deficit

(5,368 ) (5,837 )

Currency translation adjustment

(31 ) (46 )

Total common shareholders’ equity

12,401   11,903  

Total shareholders’ equity

14,071   13,573  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

39,328   39,420  

29     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the period ended June 30

Three months

 

Six months

 
(in $ millions) (unaudited) 2004   2003   2004   2003  

Cash flows from operating activities

               

Earnings from continuing operations

544   466   1,029   932  

Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing

               

operations to cash flows from operating activities:

               

Amortization expense

769   774   1,536   1,524  

Net benefit plans cost

65   43   128   85  

Future income taxes

33   99   87   77  

Non-controlling interest

39   57   87   99  

Contributions to employee pension plans

(27 ) (21 ) (56 ) (27 )

Other employee benefit plan payments

(22 ) (21 ) (46 ) (42 )

Other

(20 ) (85 ) 21   (36 )

Changes in non-cash working capital

(257 ) 75   (402 ) (60 )

1,124   1,387   2,384   2,552  

Cash flows from investing activities

               

Capital expenditures

(826 ) (706 ) (1,507 ) (1,297 )

Business acquisitions

(247 ) (7 ) (306 ) (70 )

Business dispositions

    16    

Decrease (increase) in investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods

(8 ) (1 ) (2 ) 6  

Other

116   (44 ) 135   (86 )

(965 ) (758 ) (1,664 ) (1,447 )

Cash flows from financing activities

               

Decrease in notes payable and bank advances

(69 ) (55 ) (50 ) (169 )

Issue of long-term debt

74   72   1,400   1,864  

Repayment of long-term debt

(718 ) (1,457 ) (1,652 ) (1,817 )

Issue of common shares

4   4   8   9  

Issue of preferred shares

      510  

Redemption of preferred shares

      (357 )

Issue of equity securities by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

  16   7   89  

Redemption of equity securities by subsidiaries from non-controlling interest

(17 ) (16 ) (60 ) (35 )

Cash dividends paid on common shares

(277 ) (254 ) (554 ) (511 )

Cash dividends paid on preferred shares

(21 ) (14 ) (43 ) (25 )

Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest

(47 ) (55 ) (89 ) (99 )

Other

32   (59 ) (16 ) (61 )

(1,039 ) (1,818 ) (1,049 ) (602 )

Cash provided by (used in) continuing operations

(880 ) (1,189 ) (329 ) 503  

Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

(54 ) (3 ) 184   (13 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(934 ) (1,192 ) (145 ) 490  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

1,511   1,988   722   306  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

577   796   577   796  

Consists of:

               

Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations

577   684   577   684  

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations

  112     112  

Total 577   796   577   796  

30     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 



The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with BCE Inc.’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, on pages 64 to 101 of BCE Inc.’s 2003 annual report.

These notes are unaudited.

All amounts are in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted.

We, us, our and BCE mean BCE Inc., its subsidiaries and joint ventures.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) using the same basis of presentation and accounting policies as outlined in Note 1 to the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, except as noted below.

Comparative figures
We have reclassified some of the figures for the comparative period in the consolidated financial statements to make them consistent with the current period’s presentation.
     We have restated financial information for previous periods to reflect:

  • the adoption of section 3110 of the CICA Handbook, Asset retirement obligations, effective January 2004, as described below
  • the change in classification to discontinued operations for BCE Emergis Inc. (Emergis) and other minor business dispositions.

Change in accounting policy
Effective January 1, 2004, we retroactively adopted section 3110 of the CICA Handbook, Asset retirement obligations. The impact on our consolidated statements of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 and the comparative periods was negligible. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, this resulted in:

  • an increase of $6 million in capital assets
  • an increase of $17 million in other long-term liabilities
  • a decrease of $4 million in future income tax liabilities
  • an increase of $7 million in the deficit.

Stock-based compensation plans
Starting in 2004, we made a number of prospective changes to the key features in our stock-based compensation plans, which included transferring approximately 50% of the value of the long-term incentive plan, where stock options are granted, into a new mid-term plan under which restricted share units (RSUs) are used. We record compensation expense for each RSU granted equal to the market value of a BCE Inc. common share at the date of grant prorated over the vesting period. The compensation expense is adjusted for future changes in the market value of BCE Inc. common shares until the vesting date. The cumulative effect of the change will be recognized in the period of the change. Subject to compliance with individual share ownership requirements, vested RSUs will be paid in BCE Inc. common shares purchased on the open market or in cash at the option of the holder.

NOTE 2. SEGMENTED INFORMATION

Starting in the first quarter of 2004, we report our results of operations under five segments: Consumer, Business, Aliant, Other Bell Canada and Other BCE. Our reporting structure reflects how we manage our business and how we classify our operations for planning and measuring performance.
     The Consumer segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, Internet access, video and other services to Bell Canada’s residential customers mainly in Ontario and Québec. Wireless services are also offered in Western Canada and video services are provided nationwide.
     The Business segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data, including Internet access, and other services to Bell Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) and large enterprise customers in Ontario and Québec, as well as business customers in Western Canada through Bell West Inc. (Bell West).
     The Aliant segment provides local telephone, long distance, wireless, data, including Internet access and other services to residential and business customers in Atlantic Canada and represents the operations of our subsidiary, Aliant Inc. (Aliant).
     The Other Bell Canada segment includes Bell Canada’s wholesale business, and the financial results of Télébec Limited Partnership (Télébec), NorthernTel Limited Partnership (NorthernTel) and Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel). Our wholesale business provides local telephone, long distance, data and other services to competitors who resell these services. Télébec, NorthernTel and Northwestel provide telecommunications services to less populated areas in Québec, Ontario and Canada’s northern territories.
     The Other BCE segment includes the financial results of our media, satellite and information technology (IT) activities as well as the costs incurred by our corporate office. This segment includes Bell Globemedia Inc. (Bell Globemedia), Telesat Canada (Telesat) and CGI Group Inc. (CGI).
     In classifying our operations for planning and measuring performance, all restructuring and other items at Bell Canada and its subsidiaries (excluding Aliant) are included in the Other Bell Canada segment and not allocated to the Consumer and Business segments.

31     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

NOTE 2. SEGMENTED INFORMATION (continued)

    Three months   Six months  
For the period ended June 30   2004   2003   2004   2003  

Operating revenues                  
Consumer External 1,846   1,757   3,659   3,475  
  Inter-segment 12   11   24   22  

    1,858   1,768   3,683   3,497  

Business External 1,385   1,374   2,739   2,726  
  Inter-segment 56   78   137   145  

    1,441   1,452   2,876   2,871  

Aliant External 490   480   954   944  
  Inter-segment 36   37   76   74  

    526   517   1,030   1,018  

Other Bell Canada External 421   477   859   997  
  Inter-segment 47   40   83   72  

    468   517   942   1,069  

Inter-segment eliminations – Bell Canada (121 ) (124 ) (253 ) (242 )

Bell Canada   4,172   4,130   8,278   8,213  

Other BCE External 640   585   1,212   1,150  
  Inter-segment 85   79   167   154  

    725   664   1,379   1,304  

Inter-segment eliminations – Other (115 ) (121 ) (234 ) (225 )

Total operating revenues   4,782   4,673   9,423   9,292  

                   
Operating income                  
Consumer   560   503   1,086   996  
Business   227   199   468   389  
Aliant   92   122   174   203  
Other Bell Canada   138   144   249   306  

Bell Canada   1,017   968   1,977   1,894  
Other BCE   88   110   139   165  

Total operating income   1,105   1,078   2,116   2,059  
Other income   24   2   60   47  
Interest expense   (253 ) (289 ) (505 ) (569 )
Income taxes   (293 ) (268 ) (555 ) (506 )
Non-controlling interest   (39 ) (57 ) (87 ) (99 )

Earnings from continuing operations 544   466   1,029   932  

32     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 


The consolidated statements of operations include the results of acquired businesses from the day they were acquired.

 

NOTE 3. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

During the first six months of 2004, we made a number of business acquisitions, which included:

  • Infostream Technologies Inc. (Infostream) – In May 2004, Bell Canada acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Infostream, which is a systems and storage technology firm providing networking solutions for VoIP, storage area networks and network management.
  • Charon Systems Inc. (Charon) – In May 2004, Bell Canada acquired 100% of the assets required to carry on the business of Charon which is a full-service information technology (IT) solutions provider specializing in server based computing, systems integration, IT security, software development and IT consulting.
  • Our 28.9% proportionate share of CGI’s acquisition of American Management Systems Incorporated (AMS) – In May 2004, CGI acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of AMS. AMS is a business and technology consulting firm to government, healthcare, financial services and telecommunications industries.
  • Elix Inc. (Elix) – In March 2004, Bell Canada acquired 75.8% of the outstanding shares of Elix which offers technology consulting, integration and implementation service of call routing and management systems, IT application integration and design and implementation of electronic voice-driven response systems.
  • Accutel Conferencing Systems Inc. (Canada) and Accutel Conferencing Systems Corp (U.S.) (collectively Accutel) – In February 2004, Bell Canada acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Accutel, which provides teleconferencing services.

     The table below provides a summary of the consideration received and the consideration given for all business acquisitions made during the first six months of 2004. In all cases, the purchase price allocation was based on estimates. The final purchase price allocation for each business acquisition is expected to be completed within twelve months from the acquisition date. Of the goodwill acquired:

  • $120 million relates to the Business segment and $137 million relates to the Other BCE segment
  • $18 million is deductible for tax purposes.

  BCE’s proportionate share of AMS   All other business acquisitions   Total  
       
       

Consideration received:            
   Non-cash working capital (76 ) 9   (67 )
   Capital assets 97   15   112  
   Other long-term assets 10     10  
   Goodwill 137   120   257  
   Long-term debt   (2
(2 )

  168   142   310  
Cash and cash equivalents (bank indebtedness) at acquisition 20   (3 ) 17  

Net assets acquired 188   139   327  

             
Consideration given:            
   Cash 182   134   316  
   Acquisition costs 6   1   7  
   Future cash payment   4   4  

  188   139   327  

33     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

NOTE 4. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The table below shows the components of the net benefit plans cost.


      Three months           Six months       
  Pension benefits   Other benefits   Pension benefits   Other benefits  

For the period ended June 30

2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003  

Current service cost

64   55   8   7   124   111   16   15  

Interest cost on accrued benefit obligation

202   190   26   26   403   378   52   52  

Expected return on plan assets

(240 ) (233 ) (3 ) (3 ) (477 ) (468 ) (5 ) (5 )

Amortization of past service costs

3   3       5   5      

Amortization of net actuarial losses

8   5       16   11      

Amortization of transitional (asset) obligation

(11 ) (11 ) 8   8   (22 ) (22 ) 15   15  

Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance

  (3 )     1   (6 )    

Other

  (1 )       (1 )    

Net benefit plans cost

26   5   39   38   50   8   78   77  

The table below shows the amounts we contributed to the pension plans and the payments made to beneficiaries under other employee benefit plans.

      Three months           Six months      
  Pension benefits   Other benefits   Pension benefits   Other benefits  

For the period ended June 30

2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003   2004   2003  

Aliant

19   14   1   1   38   17   2   2  

Bell Canada

4   4   21   20   9   5   44   40  

Bell Globemedia

2   1       5   2      

BCE Inc.

2   2       4   3      

Total

27   21   22   21   56   27   46   42  

NOTE 5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS

 

Three months

 

Six months

 
For the period ended June 30 2004   2003   2004   2003  

Settlement with MTS 75     75    
Provision for contract loss (110 )   (110 )  
Restructuring charges 21     18    

Restructuring and other items (14 )   (17 )  

Settlement with Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS)
On May 20, 2004, Bell Canada filed a lawsuit against MTS seeking damages from MTS and an injunction to prevent MTS from breaching the terms and conditions of the commercial agreements between the two companies as a result of the announcement by MTS to purchase Allstream Inc. (Allstream). On June 3, 2004, Bell Canada also filed a lawsuit against Allstream seeking damages in connection with the same announcement.
     On June 30, 2004, BCE Inc. reached an agreement with MTS to settle the lawsuits. The terms of the settlement included:

  • a payment of $75 million by MTS to Bell Canada, recorded in the second quarter of 2004 and received on August 3, 2004, for unwinding various commercial agreements
  • the removal of contractual competitive restrictions thereby allowing Bell Canada and MTS to compete freely with each other, effective June 30, 2004
  • the orderly disposition of our interest in MTS. Our voting interest in MTS has been waived after the receipt of the $75 million payment
  • a premium payment by MTS to us, in the event a change of control of MTS occurs before 2006, in an amount equal to the appreciation in MTS’s share price from the time of our divestiture to the time of any takeover transaction
  • the provision of wholesale services between Bell Canada and MTS on a preferred supplier basis.

34     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

NOTE 5. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS (continued)

     Effective June 2004, we account for our investment in MTS using the cost method, since we no longer have significant influence over the strategic decisions of MTS. As a result of this change, income from MTS will reflect dividends received rather than our interest in MTS’s net earnings. On June 30, 2004, the carrying value of our investment in MTS was $365 million and the fair market value based on the closing price of the common shares of MTS on the TSX was $618 million.
     On August 1, 2004, as a result of certain corporate reorganization steps, the MTS shares were transferred from Bell Canada to BCE Inc. The purpose of these transactions was to ensure that gains expected to be realized on the sale of the MTS shares will be sheltered by available capital loss carryforwards at BCE Inc.

Provision for contract loss
In 2001, we entered into a contract with the Government of Alberta to build a next generation network to bring high-speed internet and broadband capabilities to rural communities in Alberta. This contract is accounted for using the percentage of completion method. During the second quarter of 2004, as part of our regular update of the estimated costs to complete construction of the network, potential cost overruns were identified. Construction is to be complete in late 2004. The costs of this last phase of construction are higher than previously estimated, due to changes necessitated in construction methods to connect individual government buildings to the network and higher average costs of construction. Based on our current cost estimates, we recorded a provision of $110 million for this contract.

Restructuring charges
The credit relates primarily to the reversal of previously recorded restructuring charges, which were no longer necessary given the introduction of a new voluntary employee departure program.

 

NOTE 6. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS


 

Three months

 

Six months

 
For the period ended June 30 2004   2003   2004   2003  

Emergis 24   7   27   13  
Other 3   5   3   6  

Net gain from discontinued operations 27   12   30   19  

The table below provides a summarized statement of operations for the discontinued operations.

 

Three months

 

Six months

 
For the period ended June 30 2004   2003   2004   2003  

                 
Revenue 41   263   128   521  

Operating gain (loss) from discontinued operations, before tax

(55 ) 23   (52 ) 43  
Gain from discontinued operations, before tax 68   11   74   11  
Income tax expense on operating gain (4 ) (4 ) (11 ) (11 )
Income tax expense on gain (3 ) (3 ) (3 ) (3 )
Non-controlling interest 21   (15 ) 22   (21 )

Net gain from discontinued operations 27   12   30   19  


Emergis provides eBusiness solutions to the financial services industry in North America and the health industry in Canada. It automates transactions between companies and allows them to interact and transact electronically.

The Security business provides organizations with the security infrastructure for their electronic service delivery.

Sale of Emergis
In May 2004, our board of directors approved the sale of our 63.9% interest in Emergis. In June 2004, BCE completed the sale of its interest in Emergis by way of a public secondary offering.
     In June 2004, Bell Canada paid $49 million to Emergis for the purchase of Emergis’ Security business and the early termination of the Bell Legacy Contract on June 30, 2004 rather than December 31, 2004 as well as the transfer of related intellectual property to Bell Canada.
     These transactions were recorded on a net basis. The net proceeds from the sale of Emergis were $285 million (net of $22 million of selling costs and $49 million consideration given to Emergis). The gain on the transaction was $62 million.
     The operating loss in the second quarter of 2004 includes a future income tax asset impairment charge of $56 million ($36 million after non-controlling interest), which Emergis recorded before the sale as a result of the unwinding of tax loss utilization strategies between Emergis, 4122780 Canada Inc. and Bell Canada.
     Emergis was presented previously in the Other BCE segment.

35     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

NOTE 7. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
RSUs    

  Number of RSUs  

Outstanding, January 1, 2004

 

Granted

1,850,249  

Expired/forfeited

(30,182 )

Outstanding, June 30, 2004

1,820,067  

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004, we recorded compensation expense of $4 million and $10 million, respectively.

BCE Inc. stock options
The table below is a summary of the status of BCE Inc.’s stock option programs.


  Number of shares   Weighted average exercise price  

Outstanding, January 1, 2004 24,795,545   $32  
Granted 5,449,776   $30  
Exercised (432,833 ) $15  
Expired/forfeited (722,402 ) $34  

Outstanding, June 30, 2004 29,090,086   $32  

Exercisable, June 30, 2004 14,634,190   $33  

     
Teleglobe stock options      
The table below is a summary of the status of Teleglobe’s stock option programs.      

  Number of BCE Inc. shares    Weighted average exercise price  

Outstanding, January 1, 2004 955,175   $21  
Exercised (50,572 ) $18  
Expired/forfeited (17,860 ) $43  

Outstanding and exercisable, June 30, 2004 886,743   $22  

Assumptions used in stock option pricing model
The table below shows the assumptions used to determine the stock-based compensation expense using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.


 

Three months 

 

Six months

 

For the period ended June 30

2004   2003   2004   2003  

Compensation expense ($ millions)

8   4   14   12  

Number of stock options granted

55,000   167,000   5,449,776   5,518,051  

Weighted average fair value per option granted ($)

3   6   3   6  

Weighted average assumptions

               

Dividend yield

4.3 % 3.7 % 4.0 % 3.6 %

Expected volatility

26 % 30 % 27 % 30 %

Risk-free interest rate

3.3 % 3.5 % 3.1 % 4.1 %

Expected life (years)

3.5   4.5   3.5   4.5  

Starting in 2004, all stock options granted contain specific performance targets that must be met in order to trigger any payments. This is reflected in the calculation of the weighted average fair value per option granted.

36     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


 

NOTE 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Agreement to purchase Canadian assets of 360networks Corporation
In May 2004, Bell Canada announced an agreement to purchase the Canadian assets of 360networks Corporation for $275 million in cash. The purchase includes the assets of 360networks’ subsidiary GT Group Telecom Services Corporation, and certain related U.S. interconnect assets. Bell Canada plans to retain all of 360networks’ business, facilities and customer base in Western Canada, and has an agreement to sell the retail customer operations and certain assets in Eastern Canada to Call-Net Enterprises Inc. while continuing to provide network and other services to this Eastern customer base for a share of future revenues. The transaction is expected to close late in the third quarter of 2004 or early in the fourth quarter of 2004, subject to all terms and conditions under the purchase contract being met.

Litigation

Teleglobe unsecured creditors lawsuit
On May 26, 2004, a lawsuit was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware against BCE Inc. and ten former directors and officers of Teleglobe Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. The plaintiffs are comprised of Teleglobe Communications Corporation, certain of its affiliated debtors and debtors in possession, and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of these debtors.
     The lawsuit alleges breach of an alleged funding commitment of BCE Inc. towards the debtors, misrepresentation by BCE Inc. and breach, and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty by the defendants. The plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages against the defendants.
     While no one can predict the outcome of any legal proceeding, based on information currently available, BCE Inc. believes that it has strong defences, and it intends to vigorously defend its position.

NOTE 9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Sale of remaining interest in the directories business
On July 21, 2004, Bell Canada sold its remaining 3.24% interest in the directories business for net cash proceeds of $123 million. This resulted in a gain on sale of $108 million. The taxes payable on this transaction will be sheltered by available capital loss carryforwards.

Acquisition of 40% interest in Bell West
On August 3, 2004, Bell Canada completed the acquisition of MTS’s 40% interest in Bell West for $645 million in cash. Bell Canada now owns 100% of Bell West. The carrying value of the non-controlling interest in Bell West is approximately $270 million. The excess of the purchase price over the carrying value will be allocated to goodwill, subject to completion of the purchase price allocation. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes and will be included in the Business segment. We expect to complete the final purchase price allocation within twelve months from the acquisition date.

Voluntary employee departure program
In June 2004, Bell Canada announced a two-phase voluntary employee departure program. The first phase is a voluntary early retirement plan, whereby eligible employees can elect to receive a package that includes a cash allowance, immediate pension, additional guaranteed temporary pension payable up to 65 years of age, career transition services and post-retirement benefits. The second phase is a voluntary departure plan, whereby employees can elect to receive a special cash allowance. We will record an expense in the third quarter of 2004, as employees volunteer under the plans. The total expense will depend largely on the number of employees who will volunteer under each plan, which is currently not determinable.

37     2004 Quarterly Report     Bell Canada Enterprises


BCE Inc.
1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest 
Bureau 3700 
Montréal (Québec) 
H3B 4Y7 
www.bce.ca

Communications
e-mail: bcecomms@bce.ca
tel:1 888 932-6666
fax: (514) 870-4385

This document has been filed by BCE Inc. with Canadian securities commissions and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It can be found on BCE Inc.’s Web site at www.bce.ca, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov or is available upon request from:

Investor Relations
e-mail: investor.relations@bce.ca
tel: 1 800 339-6353
fax: (514) 786-3970
  For further information concerning the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (DRP), direct deposit of dividend payments, the elimination of multiple mailings or the receipt of quarterly reports, please contact:

Computershare Trust
Company of Canada

100 University Avenue, 9th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
tel: (514) 982-7555
or 1 800 561-0934
fax: (416) 263-9394
or 1 888 453-0330
e-mail: bce@computershare.com

PRINTED IN CANADA 
04-08 BCE-2E

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information, contact
BCE Investor Relations

Sophie Argiriou
514-786-8145
sophie.argiriou@bell.ca
George Walker
514-870-2488
george.walker@bell.ca
Roland Ribotti
514-870-9034
roland.ribotti@bell.ca

 


 

BCE Consolidated(1)
Consolidated Operational Data

 
($ millions, except per share amounts)
Q2 2004
 
Q2
2003
 
$ change
 
% change
 
 
 
YTD
June
2004

 
YTD
June
2003
 
 
 
$ change
 
% change
 


 
 
  
 
 
Operating revenues
4,782
 
4,673
 
109
 
2.3%
 
 
9,423
 
9,292
 
 
 
131
 
1.4%
Operating expenses
(2,829
)
(2,778
)
(51
)
(1.8%
)
 
 
(5,626
)
(5,624
)
 
 
(2
)
(0.0%
)
 

 
 
EBITDA(2)
1,953
 
1,895
 
58
 
3.1%
 
 
 
3,797
 
3,668
 
 
 
129
 
3.5%
 
EBITDA margin
40.8%
 
40.6%
0.2 pts
 
40.3%
39.5%
 
0.8 pts
 
Amortization expense
 (769
)
  (774
)
 5
 
 0.6%
 
 
 
(1,536
)
  (1,524
)
 
 
 (12
)
  (0.8%
)  
Net benefit plans cost
 (65
)
 
  (43
)
 
 (22
)
  (51.2%
)  
 
 
 (128
)
 (85
)
 
 
 (43
)
 (50.6%
)
Restructuring and other items
  (14
)
 
  -
 
 (14
)
  n.m.
 
 
 
 (17
)
  -
 
 
 
 (17
)
  n.m.
 
 

 
 
Operating income
 1,105
 
 1,078
 
 27
 
 2.5%
 
 
 
 2,116
 
 2,059
 
 
 
 57
 
 2.8%
 
Other income
  24
 
 2
 
  22
 
  n.m.
 
 
 
 60
 
 47
 
 
 
  13
 
 27.7%
 
Interest expense
 (253
)
 
  (289
)
 
  36
 
  12.5%
 
 
 
  (505
)
 (569
)
 
 
  64
 
  11.2%
 
 

 
 
Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
 876
 
 791
 
  85
 
 10.7%
 
 
 
 1,671
 
 1,537
 
 
 
 134
 
  8.7%
 
Income taxes
  (293
)
 
  (268
)
 
 (25
)
 (9.3%
)
 
 
 (555
)
 (506
)  
 
 
 (49
)
 (9.7%
)
Non-controlling interest
 (39
)
 
 (57
)
 
 18
 
  31.6%
 
 
 
 (87
)
 (99
 
 
  12
 
 12.1%
 
 

 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 544
 
466  
 
 78
 
 16.7%
 
 
 
 1,029
 
 932
 
 
 
  97
 
 10.4%
 
Discontinued operations
  27
 
  12
 
  15
 
 n.m.
 
 
 
  30
 
 19
 
 
 
 11
 
  57.9%
 
 

 
 
Net earnings
  571
 
 478
 
  93
 
 19.5%
 
 
 
 1,059
 
 951
 
 
 
 108
 
 11.4%
 
Dividends on preferred shares
 (17
)
 
 (17
)
 
  -
 
 0.0%
 
 
 
 (35
)
  (32
)
 
 
  (3
)
  (9.4%
)
Premium on redemption of preferred shares
 -
 
 -
 
 -
 
 n.m.
 
 
 
 -
 
 (7
)
 
 
  7
 
  n.m.
 
 

 
 
Net earnings applicable to common shares
 554
 
  461
 
 93
 
 20.2%
 
 
 
 1,024
 
  912
 
 
 
 112
 
 12.3%
 


 

 

Net earnings per common share - basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Continuing operations
$
0.57
$
0.49
$
0.08
16.3%
 
$
1.08
$
0.98
 
$
0.10
10.2%
  Discontinued operations
$
0.03
$
0.01
$
0.02
n.m.
 
$
0.03
$
0.02
 
$
0.01
50.0%
  Net earnings
$
0.60
$
0.50
$
0.10
20.0%
 
$
1.11
 $
1.00
 
$
0.11
11.0%
Net earnings per common share - diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Continuing operations
$
0.57
$
0.49
$
0.08
16.3%
 
$
1.08
$
0.98
 
$
0.10
10.2%
  Discontinued operations
$
0.03
$
 0.01
$
0.02
n.m.
 
$
0.03
$
0.02
 
$
0.01
50.0%
  Net earnings
$
0.60
$
0.50
$
0.10
20.0%
 
$
1.11
 $
1.00
 
$
0.11
11.0%
Dividends per common share
$
0.30
$
0.30
$
-
0.0% 
 
$
0.60
$
0.60
 
$
-
0.0%
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic (millions)
924.3
919.3
 
924.2
918.2
 



 

 


 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following items are included in net earnings:
 
             
             
  Net gains on sale of investments and dilution gains
 
             
             
            Discontinued operations
31
 
             
38
             
  Restructuring and other items
16
 
             
15
             
 
 
           

             
Total
47
 
             
53
             
Impact on net earnings per share
$
0.05
 
$
             
$
0.06
$
             

           

             

n.m. : not meaningful

 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 2

 


 

BCE Consolidated(1)
Consolidated Operational Data - Historical Trend

 

($ millions, except per share amounts)

YTD
2004

Q2 04
Q1 04
Total
2003
Q4 03
Q3 03
Q2 03
Q1 03


 

 

Operating revenues
9,423
4,782
4,641
 
18,737
 
4,818
4,627
4,673
4,619
Operating expenses
(5,626
)
(2,829
)
(2,797
)
 
(11,327
)
 
(2,971
)
(2,732
)
(2,778
)
(2,846
)
 


 

 

EBITDA (2)
3,797
1,953
1,844
 
7,410
 
1,847
1,895
1,895
1,773
EBITDA margin
40.3%
40.8%
39.7%
 
39.5%
 
38.3%
41.0%
40.6%
38.4%
Amortization expense
(1,536
)
(769
)
(767
)
 
(3,100
)
 
(775
)
(801
)
(774
)
(750
)
Net benefit plans cost
(128
)
(65
)
(63
)
 
(175
)
 
(46
)
(44
)
(43
)
(42
)
Restructuring and other items
(17
)
(14
)
(3
)
 
(14
)
 
(13
)
(1
)
-
-
 


 

 

Operating income
2,116
1,105
1,011
 
4,121
 
1,013
1,049
1,078
981
Other income
60
24
36
 
175
 
127
1
2
45
Interest expense
(505
)
(253
)
(252
)
 
(1,105
)
 
(266
)
(270
)
(289
)
(280
)
 


 

 

Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
1,671
876
795
 
3,191
 
874
780
791
746
Income taxes
(555
)
(293
)
(262
)
 
(1,119
)
 
(331
)
(282
)
(268
)
(238
)
Non-controlling interest
(87
)
(39
)
(48
)
 
(201
)
 
(57
)
(45
)
(57
)
(42
)
 


 

 

Earnings from continuing operations
1,029
544
485
 
1,871
 
486
453
466
466
Discontinued operations
30
27
3
 
(56
)
 
(86
)
11
12
7
 


 

 

Net earnings
1,059
571
488
 
1,815
 
400
464
478
473
Dividends on preferred shares
(35
)
(17
)
(18
)
 
(64
)
 
(14
)
(18
)
(17
)
(15
)
Premium on redemption of preferred shares
-
-
-
 
(7
)
 
-
-
-
(7
)
 


 

 

Net earnings applicable to common shares
1,024
554
470
 
1,744
 
386
446
461
451


 

 

Net earnings per common share - basic
 
 
     Continuing operations
$
1.08
$
0.57
$
0.51
 
$
1.96
 
$
0.50
$
0.48
$
0.49
$
0.49
     Discontinued operations
$
0.03
$
0.03
$
-
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.01
$
0.01
$
0.01
     Net earnings
$
1.11
$
0.60
$
0.51
 
$
1.90
 
$
0.41
$
0.49
$
0.50
$
0.50
Net earnings per common share - diluted
 
 
     Continuing operations
$
1.08
$
0.57
$
0.51
 
$
1.95
 
$
0.50
$
0.47
$
0.49
$
0.49
     Discontinued operations
$
0.03
$
0.03
$
-
 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.01
$
0.01
$
0.01
     Net earnings
$
1.11
$
0.60
$
0.51
 
$
1.89
 
$
0.41
$
0.48
$
0.50
$
0.50
Dividends per common share
$
0.60
$
0.30
$
0.30
 
$
1.20
 
$
0.30
$
0.30
$
0.30
$
0.30
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic (millions)
924.2
924.3
924.1
 
920.3
 
923.4
921.5
919.3
917.1


 

 

                                                     
                                                     


 
 
The following items are included in net earnings:
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
     Net gains on sale of investments and
     dilution gains
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
          Continuing operations
-
 
-
 
-
   
84
   
84
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
          Discontinued operations
38
 
31
 
7
   
(86)
   
(94)
 
8
 
-
 
-
 
     Restructuring and other items
15
 
16
 
(1)
   
(3)
   
(9)
 
6
 
-
 
-
 
 


 

 

Total
53
 
47
 
6
   
(5)
   
(19)
 
14
 
-
 
-
 
Impact on net earnings per share
$
0.06
 
$
0.05
 
$
0.01
   
$
-
   
$
(0.01)
 
$
0.01
 
$
-
 
$
-
 


 
 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 3

 


 

 

BCE Consolidated(1)
Segmented Data

 


($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
Q2
2004
Q2
2003

$ change

% change
YTD
June
2004

YTD
June
2003


$ change

% change




   
Revenues
Consumer
1,858
1,768
90
5.1%
3,683
3,497
186
5.3%
Business
1,441
1,452
(11
)
(0.8%
)
2,876
2,871
5
0.2%
Aliant
526
517
9
1.7%
1,030
1,018
12
1.2%
Other Bell Canada
468
517
(49
)
(9.5%
)
942
1,069
(127
)
(11.9%
)
  Inter-segment eliminations
(121
)
(124
)
3
2.4%
(253
)
(242
)
(11
)
(4.5%
)
   




  Total Bell Canada
4,172
4,130
42
1.0%
8,278
8,213
65
0.8%
Other BCE
  Bell Globemedia
371
357
14
3.9%
713
692
21
3.0%
  Advertising
277
259
18
6.9%
526
494
32
6.5%
  Subscriber
74
75
(1
)
(1.3%
)
148
149
(1
)
(0.7%
)
  Production and Sundry
20
23
(3
)
(13.0%
)
39
49
(10
)
(20.4%
)
  Telesat
85
83
2
2.4%
169
162
7
4.3%
  CGI
251
211
40
19.0%
468
427
41
9.6%
  Other
18
13
5
38.5%
29
23
6
26.1%
   




  Total Other BCE
725
664
61
9.2%
1,379
1,304
75
5.8%
  Inter-segment eliminations
(115
)
(121
)
6
5.0%
(234
)
(225
)
(9
)
(4.0%
)
   




Total revenues
4,782
4,673
109
2.3%
9,423
9,292
131
1.4%
   




   




   
Operating income                              
Consumer
560
503
57
11.3%
1,086
996
90
9.0%
 
Business
227
199
28
14.1%
468
389
79
20.3%
Aliant
92
122
(30
)
(24.6%
)
174
203
(29
)
(14.3%
)
Other Bell Canada
138
144
(6
)
(4.2%
)
249
306
(57
)
(18.6%
)
   




  Total Bell Canada
1,017
968
49
5.1%
1,977
1,894
83
4.4%
Other BCE
  Bell Globemedia
74
62
12
19.4%
114
81
33
40.7%
  Telesat
34
31
3
9.7%
65
63
2
3.2%
  CGI
25
24
1
4.2%
46
46
-
0.0%
  Other
(45
)
(7
)
(38
)
n.m.
(86
)
(25
)
(61
)
n.m.
   




  Total Other BCE
88
110
(22
)
(20.0%
)
139
165
(26
)
(15.8%
)
   




Total Operating income
1,105
1,078
27
2.5%
2,116
2,059
57
2.8%
   




   




   
Capital expenditures(3)
Consumer
354
287
(67
)
(23.3%
)
616
495
(121
)
(24.4%
)
Business
258
229
(29
)
(12.7%
)
455
422
(33
)
(7.8%
)
Aliant
45
73
28
38.4%
130
144
14
9.7%
Other Bell Canada
58
70
12
17.1%
104
132
28
21.2%
   




  Total Bell Canada
715
659
(56
)
(8.5%
)
1,305
1,193
(112
)
(9.4%
)
Other BCE
  Telesat
88
16
(72
)
n.m.
153
52
(101
)
n.m.
  Other
23
31
8
25.8%
49
52
3
5.8%
   




Total capital expenditures
826
706
(120
)
(17.0%
)
1,507
1,297
(210
)
(16.2%
)
   




   




 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 4

 


 

BCE Consolidated(1)
Segmented Data — Historical Trend

 

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
YTD
2004
Q2 04
Q1 04
Total
2003
Q4 03
Q3 03
Q2 03
Q1 03




   
Revenues Consumer
3,683
1,858
1,825
7,203
1,868
1,838
1,768
1,729
Business
2,876
1,441
1,435
5,827
1,516
1,440
1,452
1,419
Aliant
1,030
526
504
2,059
527
514
517
501
Other Bell Canada
942
468
474
2,015
468
478
517
552
  Inter-segment eliminations
(253
)
(121
)
(132
)
(490
)
(133
)
(115
)
(124
)
(118
)
   




  Total Bell Canada
8,278
4,172
4,106
16,614
4,246
4,155
4,130
4,083
Other BCE
  Bell Globemedia
713
371
342
1,363
375
296
357
335
  Advertising
526
277
249
978
283
201
259
235
  Subscriber
148
74
74
291
69
73
75
74
  Production and Sundry
39
20
19
94
23
22
23
26
  Telesat
169
85
84
345
99
84
83
79
  CGI
468
251
217
838
208
203
211
216
  Other
29
18
11
51
15
13
13
10
   




  Total Other BCE
1,379
725
654
2,597
697
596
664
640
  Inter-segment eliminations
(234
)
(115
)
(119
)
(474
)
(125
)
(124
)
(121
)
(104
)
   




Total revenues
9,423
4,782
4,641
18,737
4,818
4,627
4,673
4,619
   




   




   

Operating income

Consumer
1,086
560
526
2,019
471
552
503
493
Business
468
227
241
781
199
193
199
190
Aliant
174
92
82
415
108
104
122
81
Other Bell Canada
249
138
111
621
152
163
144
162
   




  Total Bell Canada
1,977
1,017
960
3,836
930
1,012
968
926
Other BCE
  Bell Globemedia
114
74
40
167
66
20
62
19
  Telesat
65
34
31
124
33
28
31
32
  CGI
46
25
21
91
22
23
24
22
  Other
(86
)
(45
)
(41
)
(97
)
(38
)
(34
)
(7
)
(18
)
   




  Total Other BCE
139
88
51
285
83
37
110
55
   




Total Operating Income
2,116
1,105
1,011
4,121
1,013
1,049
1,078
981
   




   




   
Capital expenditures (3)
Consumer
616
354
262
1,287
485
307
287
208
Business
455
258
197
936
286
228
229
193
Aliant
130
45
85
333
97
92
73
71
Other Bell Canada
104
58
46
336
123
81
70
62
   




  Total Bell Canada
1,305
715
590
2,892
991
708
659
534
Other BCE
  Telesat
153
88
65
159
43
64
16
36
  Other
49
23
26
116
45
19
31
21
   




Total capital expenditures
1,507
826
681
3,167
1,079
791
706
591
   




   




 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 5

 


 

 

BCE Consolidated(1)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

 

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
June 30
2004
March 31
2004
December 31
2003



 
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
577
1,135
585
Accounts receivable
2,292
2,267
2,061
Other current assets
900
869
739
Current assets of discontinued operations
8
447
280
 



Total current assets
3,777
4,718
3,665
Capital assets
20,995
20,833
21,114
Other long-term assets
3,609
3,475
3,459
Indefinite-life intangible assets
2,910
2,910
2,910
Goodwill
7,987
7,803
7,761
Non-current assets of discontinued operations
50
310
511
 



Total assets
39,328
40,049
39,420

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
3,648
3,602
3,534
Debt due within one year
1,030
1,156
1,519
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
-
214
285
 



Total current liabilities
4,678
4,972
5,338
Long-term debt
12,492
13,112
12,381
Other long-term liabilities
4,884
4,768
4,705
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations
-
20
20
 



Total liabilities
22,054
22,872
22,444
 



Non-controlling interest
3,203
3,385
3,403
 



SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred shares
1,670
1,670
1,670
 



Common shareholders' equity
Common shares
16,757
16,753
16,749
Contributed surplus
1,043
1,045
1,037
Deficit
(5,368
)
(5,645
)
(5,837
)
Currency translation adjustment
(31
)
(31
)
(46
)
 



Total common shareholders' equity
12,401
12,122
11,903
 



Total shareholders' equity
14,071
13,792
13,573
 



Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
39,328
40,049
39,420



 
Number of common shares outstanding
924.5
924.2
924.0



             
             
 
 

Key ratios
 
Net debt : Total Capitalization
42.8%
43.3%
44.0%
Net debt : Trailing 12 month EBITDA
1.72
1.76
1.80
EBITDA : Interest (trailing 12 month)
7.24
6.95
6.71

 

 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 6

 


 

 

BCE Consolidated
Consolidated Cash Flow Data

 

 
Q1
Q1
($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
2004
2003
$ change


Cash flows from operating activities
     Earnings from continuing operations
479
464
15
     Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing
        operations to cash flows from operating activities:
 
        Amortization expense
775
762
13
        Net benefit plans cost
63
42
21
        Future income taxes
61
(20
)
81
        Non-controlling interest
44
38
6
        Contributions to employee benefit plans and other benefit plan payments
(53
)
(27
)
(26
)
        Other
40
44
(4
)
        Change in non-cash working capital
(166
)
(146
)
(20
)
 



 
1,243
1,157
86


     Capital expenditures
(688
)
(594
)
(94
)
     Other investing items
20
(40
)
60
     Cash preferred dividends and cash dividends paid by subsidiaries
        to non-controlling interest
(64
)
(55
)
(9
)


 
Free Cash Flow from operations, before common dividends(2)
511
468
43
     Cash common dividends
(277
)
(257
)
(20
)
   
 
 
Free Cash Flow from operations, after common dividends(2)
234
211
23
     Business acquisitions
(81
)
(63
)
(18
)
     Business dispositions
16
-
16
     Decrease in investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods
6
7
(1
)
   
 
 
Free Cash Flow after investments and divestitures
175
155
20
   
 
 
 
Other financing activities                  
       Increase (decrease) in notes payable and bank advances
19
(113
)
132
       Issue of long-term debt
1,326
1,792
(466
)
       Repayment of long-term debt
(939
)
(366
)
(573
)
       Issue of common shares
4
5
(1
)
       Issue of preferred shares
-
510
(510
)
       Redemption of preferred shares
-
(357
)
357
       Issue of equity securities by subsidiaries to non-controlling interest
7
73
(66
)
       Redemption of equity securities by subsidiaries from non-controlling interest
(43
)
(19
)
(24
)
       Other
(48
)
(2
)
(46
)
 



326
1,523
(1,197
)


Cash provided by continuing operations
501
1,678
(1,177
)
Cash provided by discontinued operations
288
4
284
   
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
789
1,682
(893
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
722
306
416
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
1,511
1,988
(477
)
     Consists of:



       Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
1,511
1,941
(430
)
       Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
-
47
(47
)
 



     Total
1,511
1,988
(477
)

 
                   
                   
 

Other information
 
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues
14.6%
12.7%
(1.9) pts
Cash flow per share(4)
$
0.60
$
0.61
$
(0.01
)
Annualized cash flow yield(5)
8.0%
7.6%
0.4 pts
Common dividend payout
58.9%
57.0%
1.9 pts

 

 

 

BCE Inc.     Supplementary Financial Information - First Quarter 2004     Page 7

 


 

 

BCE Consolidated
Consolidated Cash Flow Data — Historical Trend

 

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
YTD
2004
Q2 04
Q1 04
 
Total
2003
Q4 03
Q3 03
Q2 03
Q1 03




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Earnings from continuing operations
1,029
544
485
1,871
486
453
466
466

     Adjustments to reconcile earnings from continuing
          operations to cash flows from operating activities:

          Amortization expense
1,536
769
767
3,100
775
801
774
750
          Net benefit plans cost
128
65
63
175
46
44
43
42
          Restructuring and other items (non-cash portion)
-
-
-
6
10
(4
)
-
-
          Net gains on investments
-
-
-
(68
)
(100
)
32
-
-
          Future income taxes
87
33
54
418
207
134
99
(22
)
          Non-controlling interest
87
39
48
201
57
45
57
42
          Contributions to employee benefit plans and other
          benefit plan payments
(102
)
(49
)
(53
)
(247
)
(110
)
(68
)
(42
)
(27
)
          Other
21
(20
)
41
(60
)
(18
)
(6
)
(85
)
49
          Change in non-cash working capital
(402
)
(257
)
(145
)
572
245
387
75
(135
)
 




 
2,384
1,124
1,260
5,968
1,598
1,818
1,387
1,165




     Capital expenditures
(1,507
)
(826
)
(681
)
(3,167
)
(1,079
)
(791
)
(706
)
(591
)
     Other investing items
135
116
19
62
(7
)
155
(44
)
(42
)
     Cash preferred dividends and cash dividends paid by
          subsidiaries to non-controlling interest
(132
)
(68
)
(64
)
(245
)
(69
)
(52
)
(69
)
(55
)




 
Free Cash Flow from operations, before common dividends(2)
880
346
534
2,618
443
1,130
568
477
     Cash common dividends
(554
)
(277
)
(277
)
(1,029
)
(259
)
(259
)
(254
)
(257
)
 




Free Cash Flow from operations, after common dividends(2)
326
69
257
1,589
184
871
314
220
     Business acquisitions
(306
)
(247
)
(59
)
(115
)
(42
)
(3
)
(7
)
(63
)
     Business dispositions
16
-
16
55
-
55
-
-
     Decrease (increase) in investments accounted for under
          the cost and equity methods
(2
)
(8
)
6
163
156
1
(1
)
7
 




Free Cash Flow after investments and divestitures
34
(186
)
220
1,692
298
924
306
164
 




 
Other financing activities
     Increase (decrease) in notes payable and bank advances
(50
)
(69
)
19
(295
)
(53
)
(73
)
(55
)
(114
)
     Issue of long-term debt
1,400
74
1,326
1,986
105
17
72
1,792
     Repayment of long-term debt
(1,652
)
(718
)
(934
)
(3,472
)
(1,532
)
(123
)
(1,457
)
(360
)
     Issue of common shares
8
4
4
19
5
5
4
5
     Issue of preferred shares
-
-
-
510
-
-
-
510
     Redemption of preferred shares
-
-
-
(357
)
-
-
-
(357
)
     Issue of equity securities and convertible debentures by
          subsidiaries to non-controlling interest
7
-
7
132
19
24
16
73
     Redemption of equity securities by subsidiaries from
          non-controlling interest
(60
)
(17
)
(43
)
(108
)
(34
)
(39
)
(16
)
(19
)
     Other
(16
)
32
(48
)
(46
)
(41
)
56
(59
)
(2
)
 




 
(363
)
(694
)
331
(1,631
)
(1,531
)
(133
)
(1,495
)
1,528




Cash provided by (used in) continuing operations
(329
)
(880
)
551
61
(1,233
)
791
(1,189
)
1,692
Cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
184
(54
)
238
355
338
30
(3
)
(10
)
 




Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(145
)
(934
)
789
416
(895
)
821
(1,192
)
1,682
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
722
1,511
722
306
1,617
796
1,988
306
 




Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
577
577
1,511
722
722
1,617
796
1,988
 




     Consists of:
          Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations
577
577
1,135
585
585
1,476
684
1,855
          Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
-
-
376
137
137
141
112
133
 




     Total
577
577
1,511
722
722
1,617
796
1,988




 
 
 

Other information
 
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues
16.0%
17.3%
14.7%
16.9%
22.4%
17.1%
15.1%
12.8%
Cash flow per share(4)
$
0.95
$
0.32
$
0.63
$
3.04
$
0.56
$
1.11
$
0.74
$
0.63
Annualized cash flow yield(5)
7.2%
5.6%
8.4%
9.8%
6.8%
16.8%
8.0%
7.6%
Common dividend payout
54.1%
50.0%
58.9%
59.0%
67.1%
58.1%
55.1%
57.0%

 

 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004 Page 8

 


 

Proportionate Net Debt, Preferreds and EBITDA

 

BCE Corporate and Bell Canada Net debt and preferreds
                             
At June 30, 2004


($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
 
Bell Canada
(excl. Aliant)
Aliant
Bell
Canada
Statutory
Inter-company
eliminations
Total
Bell
Canada
BCE Inc.
Corporate


Bank indebtedness / (cash and cash equivalents)  
(115
)
(307
)
(422
)
-
(422
)
-
Long-term debt  
8,785
889
9,674
(375
)
9,299
2,000
Debt due within one year  
1,163
106
1,269
(226
)
1,043
-
Long-term note receivable from BCH  
(498
)
-
(498
)
498
-
-
PPA fair value increment (6)  
-
-
-
-
128
-
   
 
Net debt  
9,335
688
10,023
(103
)
10,048
2,000
Preferred shares - Bell Canada (7)  
1,100
-
1,100
-
1,100
-
Preferred shares - Aliant (7)  
-
172
172
-
172
-
Perpetual Preferred shares - BCE  
-
-
-
-
-
1,670
Nortel common shares at market  
-
-
-
-
-
(94
)
   


Net debt and preferreds  
10,435
860
11,295
(103
)
11,320
3,576


 

Proportionate net debt and preferreds, Trailing EBITDA
                                                         

For the quarter ended June 30, 2004

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)

 
%
owned
by BCE
Propor-
tionate
net debt
and
preferreds
TOTAL EBITDA

PROPORTIONATE EBITDA
Q2 04   Q1 04   Q4 03   Q3 03   Trailing     Q 04   Q1 04   Q4 03   Q3 2003   Trailing  

 


   
 
Bell Canada (excluding Aliant)  
100%
10,460
*
   
1,612
1,549
1,514
1,584
6,259
1,612
1,549
1,514
1,584
6,259
Aliant  
53.5%
460
   
209
206
217
233
865
112
110
116
125
463
   

   


Total Bell Canada Consolidated
 
10,920
   
1,821
1,755
1,731
1,817
7,124
1,724
1,659
1,630
1,709
6,722
Other BCE  
   
Bell Globemedia  
68.5%
396
   
93
56
83
36
268
54
34
50
18
156
Telesat  
100%
258
   
54
54
55
51
214
54
54
55
51
214
CGI  
28.9%
98
   
37
31
32
32
132
37
31
32
32
132
Corporate and other  
100%
3,590
   
(31
)
(32
)
(35
)
(22
)
(120
)
(31
)
(32
)
(35
)
(22
)
(120
)
   

   




Total Other BCE  
100%
4,342
   
153
109
135
97
494
114
87
102
79
382
Inter-segment eliminations  
   
(21
)
(20
)
(19
)
(19
)
(79
)
(21
)
(20
)
(19
)
(19
)
(79
)
   

   


Total  
15,262
   
1,953
1,844
1,847
1,895
7,539
1,817
1,726
1,713
1,769
7,025



 

* Calculated the following way: Bell Canada (excl. Aliant) net debt and preferred of $10,435 million minus $103 million of inter-company eliminations plus $128 million PPA fair value increment.

 

 

BCE inc.    Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004    Page 9


Bell Canada Consolidated (1)
Operational Data

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
Q2
2004
Q2
2003

$ change

% change
YTD
June
2004
YTD
June
2003
$ change
% change




 
Revenues
Local and access
1,401
1,404
(3
)
(0.2
%)
2,780
2,790
(10
)
(0.4
%)
Long distance
572
615
(43
)
(7.0
%)
1,178
1,301
(123
)
(9.5
%)
Wireless
698
607
91
15.0
%
1,349
1,158
191
16.5
%
Data
870
936
(66
)
(7.1
%)
1,762
1,856
(94
)
(5.1
%)
Video
211
190
21
11.1
%
418
367
51
13.9
%
Terminal sales and other
420
378
42
11.1
%
791
741
50
6.7
%
 




Total operating revenues
4,172
4,130
42
1.0
%
8,278
8,213
65
0.8
%
Operating expenses
(2,351
)
(2,370
)
19
0.8
%
(4,702
)
(4,760
)
58
1.2
%
 




EBITDA
1,821
1,760
61
3.5
%
3,576
3,453
123
3.6
%
 




EBITDA margin (%)
43.6
%
42.6
%
1.0 pts
43.2
%
42.0
%
1.2 pts
 




Amortization expense
(733
)
(747
)
14
1.9
%
(1,465
)
(1,470
)
5
0.3
%
Net benefit plans cost
(58
)
(45
)
(13
)
(28.9
%)
(118
)
(89
)
(29
)
(32.6
%)
Restructuring and other items
(13
)
-
(13
)
n.m.
(16
)
-
(16
)
n.m.
 




Operating income
1,017
968
49
5.1
%
1,977
1,894
83
4.4
%
Other income
19
35
(16
)
(45.7
%)
49
79
(30
)
(38.0
%)
Interest expense
(216
)
(232
)
16
6.9
%
(436
)
(475
)
39
8.2
%
 




Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
820
771
49
6.4
%
1,590
1,498
92
6.1
%
Income taxes
(245
)
(199
)
(46
)
(23.1
%)
(441
)
(382
)
(59
)
(15.4
%)
Non-controlling interest
9
(22
)
31
n.m.
(1
)
(41
)
40
97.6
%
 




Earnings from continuing operations
584
550
34
6.2
%
1,148
1,075
73
6.8
%
Discontinued operations
-
5
(5
)
n.m.
-
6
(6
)
n.m.
 




Net earnings
584
555
29
5.2
%
1,148
1,081
67
6.2
%
Dividends on preferred shares
(17
)
(16
)
(1
)
(6.3
%)
(33
)
(32
)
(1)
(3.1
%)
Interest on equity-settled notes
-
(10
)
10
n.m.
-
(25
)
25
n.m.
 




Net earnings applicable to common shares
567
529
38
7.2
%
1,115
1,024
91
8.9
%
 




                       
Other information                      
                       
Cash flow information
 
Free Cash Flow (FCF)
  Cash from operating activities
1,089
1,229
(140
)
(11.4
%)
2,284
2,091
193
9.2
%
  Capital expenditures
(715
)
(659
)
(56
)
(8.5
%)
(1,305
)
(1,193
)
(112
)
(9.4
%)
  Dividends and distributions
(437
)
(704
)
267
 
37.9
%
(940
)
(1,093
)
153
14.0
%
  Interest on equity-settled notes
-
 
(24
)
24
 
n.m.
-
 
(47
)
47
n.m.
  Other investing items
(1
)
(5
)
4
 
80.0
%
(8
)
(8
)
-
0.0
%
   




Total
(64
)
(163
)
99
 
60.7
%
31
 
(250
)
281
n.m.
 




 
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues (%)
17.1
%
16.0
%
 
(1.1) pts
15.8
%
14.5
%
(1.3) pts
 
Balance Sheet Information
June 30
December 31
   
     
 
Capital Structure
2004
 
2003
 
   
     
 

Net Debt
  Long-term debt
9,674
 
10,024
 
   
     
  Debt due within one year
1,269
 
1,165
 
   
     
  Less: Cash and cash equivalents
(422
)
(398
)
   
     
 

Total Net Debt
10,521
 
10,791
 
   
     
Non-controlling interest
1,559
 
1,627
 
   
     
Total shareholders' equity
9,851
 
9,520
 
   
     
 

Total Capitalization
21,931
 
21,938
 
   
     
 


 
Net Debt: Total Capitalization
48.0
%
49.2
%
   
     
Net Debt: Trailing 12 month EBITDA
1.48
 
1.54
 
   
     
EBITDA : Interest (trailing 12 month)
7.86
 
7.41
 
   
     
                       

 

BCE Inc.    Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004    Page 10


 

Bell Canada Consolidated (1)
Operational Data - Historical Trend

($ millions, except where otherwise indicated)
YTD
2004
Q2 04
Q1 04
Total
2003
Q4 03
Q3 03
Q2 03
Q1 03




 
Revenues
Local and access
2,780
1,401
1,379
5,601
1,401
1,410
1,404
1,386
Long distance
1,178
572
606
2,544
602
641
615
686
Wireless
1,349
698
651
2,461
658
645
607
551
Data
1,762
870
892
3,717
955
906
936
920
Video
418
211
207
759
200
192
190
177
Terminal sales and other
791
420
371
1,532
430
361
378
363
 




Total revenues
8,278
4,172
4,106
16,614
4,246
4,155
4,130
4,083
Operating expenses
(4,702
)
(2,351
)
(2,351
)
(9,613
)
(2,515
)
(2,338
)
(2,370
)
(2,390
)
 




EBITDA
3,576
1,821
1,755
7,001
1,731
1,817
1,760
1,693
 
EBITDA margin (%)
43.2
%
43.6
%
42.7
%
42.1
%
40.8
%
43.7
%
42.6
%
41.5
%
 
Amortization expense
(1,465
)
(733
)
(732
)
(2,970
)
(742
)
(758
)
(747
)
(723
)
Net benefit plans cost
(118
)
(58
)
(60
)
(181
)
(46
)
(46
)
(45
)
(44
)
Restructuring and other items
(16
)
(13
)
(3
)
(14
)
(13
)
(1
)
-
-
 




Operating income
1,977
1,017
960
3,836
930
1,012
968
926
Other income
49
19
30
217
135
3
35
44
Interest expense
(436
)
(216
)
(220
)
(945
)
(231
)
(239
)
(232
)
(243
)
 




Pre-tax earnings from continuing operations
1,590
820
770
3,108
834
776
771
727
Income taxes
(441
)
(245
)
(196
)
(787
)
(209
)
(196
)
(199
)
(183
)
Non-controlling interest
(1
)
9
(10
)
(53
)
1
(13
)
(22
)
(19
)
 




Earnings from continuing operations
1,148
584
564
2,268
626
567
550
525
Discontinued operations
-
-
-
59
53
-
5
1
 




Net earnings
1,148
584
564
2,327
679
567
555
526
Dividends on preferred shares
(33
)
(17
)
(16
)
(58
)
(9
)
(17
)
(16
)
(16
)
Interest on equity-settled notes
-
-
-
(25
)
-
-
(10
)
(15
)
 




Net earnings applicable to common shares
1,115
567
548
2,244
670
550
529
495
 




 
Other information
 
Cash flow information
   
Free Cash Flow (FCF)
  Cash from operating activities
2,284
1,089
1,195
5,366
1,547
1,728
1,229
862
  Capital expenditures
(1,305
)
(715
)
(590
)
(2,892
)
(991
)
(708
)
(659
)
(534
)
  Dividends and distributions
(940
)
(437
)
(503
)
(2,081
)
(523
)
(465
)
(704
)
(389
)
  Interest on equity-settled notes
-
-
-
(47
)
-
-
(24
)
(23
)
  Other investing items
(8
)
(1
)
(7
)
47
3
52
(5
)
(3
)
 




Total
31
(64
)
95
393
36
607
(163
)
(87
)
 




 
Capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues (%)
15.8
%
17.1
%
14.4
%
17.4
%
23.3
%
17.0
%
16.0
%
13.1
%
 
 
Balance Sheet Information
June 30
March 31
December 31
Capital Structure
2004
2004
2003
 


Net Debt
  Long-term debt
9,674
10,331
10,024
  Debt due within one year
1,269
1,111
1,165
  Less: Cash and cash equivalents
(422
)
(1,112
)
(398
)
 


Total Net Debt
10,521
10,330
10,791
Non-controlling interest
1,559
1,608
1,627
Total shareholders' equity
9,851
9,682
9,520
 


Total Capitalization
21,931
21,620
21,938
 


 
Net Debt: Total Capitalization
48.0
%
47.8
%
49.2
%
Net Debt : Trailing 12 month EBITDA
1.48
1.46
1.54
EBITDA : Interest (trailing 12 month)
7.86
7.66
7.41

 

BCE Inc.    Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004    Page 11


 

Bell Canada Consolidated (1)
Statistical Data

 

 
Q2 2004
Q2 2003
% change
YTD
June
2004
YTD
June
2003
% change




Wireline
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Local
 
 
 
 
 
Network access services (k)
 
 
 
 
 
  Residential
 
 
 
8,390
 
8,504
 
(1.3
%)
  Business
 
 
 
4,548
 
4,564
 
(0.4
%)
 
 
 
 



  Total
 
 
 
12,938
 
13,068
 
(1.0
%)
                       
SmartTouch feature revenues ($M)
235
239
(1.7
%)
472
476
(0.8
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long Distance (LD)
 
 
 
 
 
Conversation minutes (M)
4,498
 
4,911
 
(8.4
%)
9,076
 
9,783
 
(7.2
%)
Average revenue per minute ($)
0.118
 
0.120
 
(1.7
%)
0.119
 
0.122
 
(2.5
%)

Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equivalent access lines (8) (k) - Ontario and Quebec
 
 
 
 
 
  Digital equivalent access lines (k)
 
 
 
4,083
 
3,708
 
10.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internet subscribers (9) (k)
 
 
 
 
 
  DSL High Speed Internet net activations (k)
73
 
81
 
(9.9
%)
188
 
177
 
6.2
%
  DSL High Speed Internet subscribers (k)
 
 
 
1,670
 
1,287
 
29.8
%
  Dial-up Internet subscribers (k)
 
 
 
807
 
911
 
(11.4
%)
 
 
 
 

 


 
 
 
 
2,477
 
2,198
 
12.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wireless
 
 
 
 
 
Cellular & PCS Net activations (k)
 
 
 
 
 
  Pre-paid
17
 
27
 
(37.0
%)
40
 
45
 
(11.1
%)
  Post-paid
78
 
104
 
(25.0
%)
147
 
156
 
(5.8
%)
 




 
95
 
131
 
(27.5
%) 
187
 
201
 
(7.0
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cellular & PCS subscribers (k)
 
 
 
 
 
  Pre-paid
 
 
 
1,099
 
1,003
 
9.6
%
  Post-paid
 
 
 
3,500
 
3,096
 
13.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,599
 
4,099
 
12.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average revenue per unit ($/month)
50
 
48
 
4.2
48
 
46
 
4.3
%
  Pre-paid
11
 
12
 
(8.3
%) 
11
 
11
 
0.0
%
  Post-paid
62
 
60
 
3.3
60
 
58
 
3.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Churn (%) (average per month)
1.3
 %
1.4
%
0.1
pts 
1.3
%
1.4
%
0.1
pts
  Pre-paid
1.9
 %
1.9
%
0
pts
1.8
% 
1.9
0.1
pts
  Post-paid
1.1
 %
1.3
0.2
pts 
1.1
%
1.3
0.2
pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Usage per subscriber (min/month)
n/a
 
237
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
219
 
n/a
 
Cost of acquisition (10) ($/sub)
413
 
435
 
5.1
%
434
 
414
 
(4.8
%)
Wireless EBITDA ($ millions)
317
 
219
 
44.7
579
 
438
 
32.2
%
Wireless EBITDA margin (11)
44.9
% 
35.3
%
9.6
pts 
42.3
%
36.8
5.5
pts
Wireless capital expenditures ($ millions)
77
 
81
 
4.9
%
142
 
151
 
6.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paging subscribers (k)
 
 
 
469
 
581
 
(19.3
%)
Paging average revenue per unit ($/month)
10
 
10
 
0.0
%
10
 
10
 
0.0
%

Video (DTH and VDSL)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total subscribers (k)
 
 
 
1,427
 
1,335
 
6.9
%
Net subscriber activations (k)
24
 
18
 
33.3
%
40
 
31
 
29.0
%
Average revenue per subscriber ($/month)
49
 
47
 
4.3
49
 
45
 
8.9
%
Cost of acquisition ($/sub)
570
 
533
 
(6.9
%) 
610
 
515
 
(18.4
%)
Video EBITDA ($ millions)
-
 
(9
n.m.
 
1
 
(15
n.m
 
Churn (%) (average per month)
1.0
% 
1.1
0.1
pts 
1.0
% 
1.1
0.1
pts

 

BCE Inc    Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004    Page 12


 

Bell Canada Consolidated (1)
Statistical Data — Historical Trend

 

 
YTD
2004
Q2 04
Q1 04
Total 2003
Q4 03
Q3 03
Q2 03
Q1 03




Wireline
 
Local
 
Network access services (k)
  Residential
8,390
8,476
8,511
8,539
8,504
8,566
  Business
4,548
4,541
4,540
4,549
4,564
4,577
 


  Total
12,938
13,017
13,051
13,088
13,068
13,143
 
SmartTouch feature revenues (SM)
472
235
237
955
240
239
239
237
 
                                 
Long Distance (LD)
Conversation minutes (M)
9,076
4,498
4,578
19,132
4,685
4,664
4,911
4,872
Average revenue per minute ($)
0.119
0.118
0.120
0.124
0.122
0.128
0.120
0.124
 
Data
 
Equivalent access lines (8) (k) - Ontario and Quebec
Digital equivalent access lines (k)
4,083
3,983
3,867
3,771
3,708
3,704
 
Internet subscribers (9) (k)
  DSL High Speed Internet net activations (k)
188
73
115
372
91
104
81
96
 
  DSL High Speed Internet subscribers (k)
1,670
1,597
1,482
1,391
1,287
1,206
  Dial-up Internet subscribers (k)
807
836
869
892
911
940
 


 
2,477
2,433
2,351
2,283
2,198
2,146
 
Wireless
 
Cellular & PCS Net activations (k)
  Pre-paid
40
17
23
101
33
23
27
18
  Post-paid
147
78
69
413
156
101
104
52
 



 
187
95
92
514
189
124
131
70
 
Cellular & PCS subscribers (k)
  Pre-paid
1,099
1,082
1,059
1,026
1,003
976
  Post-paid
3,500
3,422
3,353
3,197
3,096
2,992
 


 
4,599
4,504
4,412
4,223
4,099
3,968
 
Average revenue per unit ($/month)
48
50
47
48
50
50
48
45
  Pre-paid
11
11
11
12
12
13
12
11
  Post-paid
60
62
59
60
62
62
60
56
 
Churn (%) (average per month)
1.3
%
1.3
%
1.3
%
1.4
%
1.4
%
1.4
%
1.4
%
1.4
%
  Pre-paid
1.8
%
1.9
%
1.7
%
1.9
%
1.8
%
1.8
%
1.9
%
1.9
%
  Post-paid
1.1
%
1.1
%
1.1
%
1.3
%
1.2
%
1.3
%
1.3
%
1.3
%
 
Usage per subscriber (min/month)
n/a
n/a
223
228
240
231
237
203
Cost of acquisition (10) ($/sub)
434
413
455
426
445
425
435
387
Wireless EBITDA ($ millions)
579
317
262
918
229
251
219
219
Wireless EBITDA margin (11)
42.3
%
44.9
%
39.6
%
36.3
%
34.0
%
38.0
%
35.3
%
38.4
%
Wireless capital expenditures ($ millions)
142
77
65
408
169
88
81
70
 
Paging subscribers (k)
469
493
524
549
581
606
Paging average revenue per unit ($/month)
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Video (DTH and VDSL)
 
Total subscribers (k)
1,427
1,403
1,387
1,352
1,335
1,317
Net subscriber activations (k)
40
24
16
83
35
17
18
13
Average revenue per subscriber ($/month)
49
49
48
46
48
47
47
44
Cost of acquisition ($/sub)
610
570
661
532
581
507
533
493
Video EBITDA ($ millions)
1
-
1
(45
)
(21
)
(9
)
(9
)
(6
)
Churn (%) (average per month)
1.0
%
1.0
%
0.9
%
1.1
%
1.0
%
1.4
%
1.1
%
1.0
%

BCE Inc.     Supplementary Financial Information - Second Quarter 2004    Page 13


 

 

Accompanying Notes

 

(1)   We have reclassified some of the figures for the comparative period to make them consistent with the current period’s presentation.
     
(2)   Non-GAAP Financial Measures
     
    EBITDA
    The term, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is presented on a consistent basis from period to period.
     
    We define EBITDA as operating revenues less operating expenses, which means it represents operating income before amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items.
     
    We use EBITDA, among other measures, to assess the operating performance of our ongoing businesses without the effects of amortization expense, net benefit plans cost, and restructuring and other items. We exclude amortization expense and net benefit plans cost because they largely depend on the accounting methods and assumptions a company uses, as well as non-operating factors, such as the historical cost of capital assets and the fund performance of a company’s pension plans. We exclude restructuring and other items because they are transitional in nature.
     
    EBITDA allows us to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis. We believe that certain investors and analysts use EBITDA to measure a company’s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations, or as a common valuation measurement in the telecommunications industry.
     
    EBITDA should not be confused with net cash flows from operating activities. The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is operating income.
     
    FREE CASH FLOW
    The term, free cash flow, does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP. It is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Free cash flow is presented on a consistent basis from period to period.
     
    We define free cash flow as cash from operating activities after capital expenditures, total dividends and other investing activities.
     
    We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our business because it shows how much cash is available to repay debt and to reinvest in our company. We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow when valuing a business and its underlying assets.
     
    The most comparable Canadian GAAP financial measure is cash from operating activities.
     
(3)   Total Wireless capital expenditures are included in the Consumer segment.
     
(4)   Cash flow per share is calculated as follows:
     
    Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures
    Average number of common shares outstanding during the period
     
(5)   Annualized cash flow yield is calculated as follows:
     
    Free cash flow before common dividends
    Number of common shares outstanding at end of period multiplied by share price at end of period
     

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information – Second Quarter 2004    Page 14


Accompanying Notes (continued)

 

(6)   Reflects an increase in the total Bell Canada debt as a result of the completion of the purchase price allocation (PPA) relating to the repurchase of SBC’s 20% interest in Bell Canada, which resulted in an increase in long-term debt of $165 million. This increase in long-term debt will be applied against interest expense ($4 million in Q2 2004) over the remaining terms of the related long-term debt.
     
(7)   At the BCE Consolidated level, 3rd Party Preferred Shares reflected in the financial statements of subsidiaries are included in non-controlling interest on the balance sheet.
     
(8)   Digital equivalent access lines are derived by converting low capacity data lines (DS-3 and lower) to the equivalent number of voice grade access lines. Broadband equivalent access lines are derived by converting high capacity data lines (higher than DS-3) to the equivalent number of voice grade access lines.
     
     

Conversion factors

 
      DS-0
1
 
      Basic ISDN
2
 
      Primary ISDN
23
 
      DS-1, DEA
24
 
      DS-3
672
 
      OC-3
2,016
 
      OC-12
8,064
 
      OC-48
32,256
 
      OC-192
129,024
 
      10 Base T
155
 
      100 Base T
1,554
 
      Gigabit E
15,554
 
     
(9)   DSL High Speed Internet subscribers include consumer, business and wholesale. Dial-up Internet subscribers include consumer and business.
     
(10)   Includes allocation of selling costs from Bell Canada and excludes costs of migrating from analog to digital. Cost of Acquisition (COA) per subscriber is reflected on a consolidated basis.
     
(11)   Wireless EBITDA margins are calculated based on total Wireless operating revenues (i.e. external revenues as shown on pages 10 and 11 plus inter-company revenues).
     

 

 

BCE Inc. Supplementary Financial Information – Second Quarter 2004    Page 15


Appendix A Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  (GAAP) to United States GAAP
 
We have prepared the interim consolidated financial statements according to Canadian GAAP. The tables that follow are a reconciliation of significant differences relating to the statement of operations and total shareholders’ equity reported according to Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP.
 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


 

For the period ended June 30



($ million, except share amounts) (unaudited)

Three months
Six months


2004
2003
2004
2003





 
Canadian GAAP - Earnings from continuing operations
544
466
1,029
932
Adjustments
  Deferred costs (a)
2
(3
)
6
1
  Employee future benefits (b)
(21
)
(31
)
(41
)
(63
)
  Derivative instruments (k)
-
19
-
4
  Other
-
(1
)
-
1
   




 
United States GAAP - Earnings from continuing operations
525
450
994
875
  Discontinued operations - United States GAAP (h)
84
13
88
20
   




 
United States GAAP - Net earnings
609
463
1,082
895
  Dividends on preferred shares (k)
(22
)
(17
)
(46
)
(32
)
  Premium on redemption of preferred shares
-
-
-
(7)
 




 
United States GAAP- Net earnings applicable to common shares
587
446
1,036
856





 
Other comprehensive earnings items
  Change in currency translation adjustment
-
(43
)
15
(71
)
  Change in unrealized gain on investments (i)
195
-
213
3
   




 
  Comprehensive earnings
782
403
1,264
788





 
Net earnings per common share - basic
  Continuing operations
0.54
0.47
1.02
0.91
  Discontinued operations
0.10
0.02
0.11
0.03
  Net earnings
0.64
0.49
1.13
0.94
Net earnings per common share - diluted
  Continuing operations
0.54
0.47
1.02
0.91
  Discontinued operations
0.09
0.01
0.09
0.02
  Net earnings
0.63
0.48
1.11
0.93
Dividends per common share
0.30
0.30
0.60
0.60
Average number of common shares
  outstanding (millions)
924.3
919.3
924.2
918.2

 


Appendix A — Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  (GAAP) to United States GAAP
   
STATEMENTS OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS


($ millions) (unaudited)
June 30
2004
December 31
2003



Currency translation adjustment
(31
)
(46
)
Additional minimum pension liability (b)
(121
)
(121
)
Unrealized gain on investments (i)
229
16



Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss
77
 
(151
)

RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY


 
($ millions) (unaudited)
June 30
2004
December 31
2003



 
Canadian GAAP
14,071
13,573
 
Adjustments
  Deferred costs (a)
(68
)
(77
)
  Employee future benefits (b)
(335
)
(260
)
  Gain on disposal of investments and on reduction
    of ownership in subsidiary companies (c)
163
163
Other
121
132
  Tax effect of the above adjustments (f)
11
(16
)
  Non-controlling interest effect of the above adjustments (g)
59
55
  Discontinued operations (h)
-
(58
)
  Unrealized gain on investments (i)
229
16



 
 United States GAAP
14,251
13,528


(a) Deferred costs
Under Canadian GAAP, certain expenses can be deferred and amortized if they meet certain criteria. Under United States GAAP, these costs are expensed as incurred.
 
(b) Future benefits for employees
The accounting for future benefits for employees under Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP is essentially the same, except for the recognition of certain unrealized gains and losses.
 
Canadian GAAP requires companies to recognize a pension valuation allowance for any excess of the accrued benefit asset over the expected future benefit. Changes in the pension valuation allowance are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. United States GAAP does not specifically address pension valuation allowances. The United States regulators have recently interpreted this to be a difference between Canadian and United States GAAP.

 

 

2


 

Appendix A — Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  (GAAP) to United States GAAP
   
The table below shows the components of the net benefit plans cost before taxes and non-controlling interest under United States GAAP:


For the period ended June 30
Three months
Six months


Pension benefits
Other benefits
Pension benefits
Other benefits




2004
2003
2004
2003
2004
2003
2004
2003









Current service cost
64
55
8
7
124
111
16
15
Interest cost on accrued benefit obligation
202
190
26
26
403
378
52
52
Expected return on plan assets
(230
)
(217
)
(3
)
(3
)
(458
)
(436
)
(5
)
(5
)
Amortization of past service costs
3
3
-
-
5
5
-
-
Amortization of net actuarial losses
36
41
-
-
73
84
-
-
Amortization of transitional (asset) obligation
(11
)
(11
)
8
8
(22
)
(22
)
15
15
Other
-
-
-
-
-
(1
)
-
-

Net benefit plans cost
64
61
39
38
125
119
78
77


Under United States GAAP, an additional minimum liability is recorded for the excess of the unfunded accumulated benefit obligation over the recorded pension benefits liability. An offsetting intangible asset equal to the unrecognized prior service costs is recorded. Any difference is recorded as a reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
(c) Gains or losses on investments
Under Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP, gains or losses on investments are calculated in a similar manner. Differences in Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP, however, will cause the underlying carrying value of the investment to be different. This will cause the resulting gain or loss to be different.
 
(d) Equity income
Under Canadian GAAP, we account for our joint venture investment in CGI using the proportionate consolidation method. Effective July 2003, as a result of the new agreement with CGI, we present CGI as an equity investment under United States GAAP. Our proportionate share of CGI’ s operating results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2004 were:
 
operating revenues of $250 million and $468 million, respectively, of which $38 million and $74 million, respectively was with subsidiaries of BCE Inc.
operating expenses of $213 million and $400 million, respectively of which $8 million and $14 million, respectively was to subsidiaries of BCE Inc.
amortization expense of $12 million and $22 million, respectively
interest expense of $1 million and $2 million, respectively
other income of $1 million and $2 million, respectively
income tax expense of $9 million and $17 million, respectively
discontinued operations of $3 million.
 
(e) Interest expense
Under Canadian GAAP, convertible debentures are separated into a debt component and an equity component. Over time, the debt component is increased to reach its original face value at maturity by recognizing an accretion expense as part of interest expense. Under United States GAAP, convertible debentures that do not have certain characteristics are recorded as long-term debt and no accretion expense is recognized.
 
(f) Income taxes
The income tax adjustment reflects the impact on income taxes of all of the United States GAAP adjustments that we describe above. The accounting for income taxes under Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP is essentially the same, except that:
income tax rates of enacted or substantively enacted tax law are used to calculate future income tax assets and liabilities under Canadian GAAP
only income tax rates of enacted tax law can be used under United States GAAP.

3


 

Appendix A — Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  (GAAP) to United States GAAP
   
(g) Non-controlling interest
The non-controlling interest adjustment represents the impact of all of the United States GAAP adjustments on non-controlling interest.
 
(h) Discontinued operations
Differences between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP will cause the historical carrying values of then net assets of discontinued operations to be different.
 
(i) Change in unrealized gain on investments
Our portfolio investments are recorded at cost under Canadian GAAP. They would be classified as “available-for-sale” under United States GAAP and would be carried at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive loss, net of tax.
 
(j) Accounting for stock-based compensation
In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure. It applies to fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. It amends the transitional provisions of SFAS No. 123 for companies that choose to recognize stock-based compensation under the fair value-based method of SFAS No. 123, instead of choosing to continue following the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25.
 
We adopted the fair value-based method of accounting on a prospective basis, effective January 1, 2002.
 
Under SFAS No. 123, however, we are required to make pro forma disclosures of net earnings, and basic and diluted earnings per share, assuming that the fair value-based method of accounting had been applied from the date that SFAS No. 123 was adopted.
 
The table below shows the estimated fair value of each option grant on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model.


For the period ended June 30 (unaudited)
Three months
Six months


2004
2003
2004
2003





Net earnings, as reported
609
463
1,082
895
Compensation cost included in net earnings
14
6
24
14
Total compensation cost
(17
)
(11
)
(29
)
(25
)





Pro forma net earnings
606
458
1,077
884
 



Pro forma net earnings per common share - basic
0.63
0.47
1.11
0.91
Pro forma net earnings per common share - diluted
0.63
0.47
1.11
0.91

 

4


 

Appendix A — Reconciliation of Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

  (GAAP) to United States GAAP
   
(k) Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (SFAS 133)
On January 1, 2001, we adopted SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS 138. Under this standard, all derivatives must be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value under United States GAAP. In addition, certain economic hedging strategies, such as using dividend rate swaps to hedge preferred share dividends and hedging SCPs, no longer qualify for hedge accounting under United States GAAP.
 
The change in the fair value of derivative contracts that no longer qualify for hedge accounting under United States GAAP is reported in net earnings.
 
We elected to settle the dividend rate swaps used to hedge $510 million of BCE Inc. Series AA preferred shares and $510 million of BCE Inc. Series AC preferred shares in the third quarter of 2003. These dividend rate swaps, in effect, converted the fixed-rate dividends on these preferred shares to floating-rate dividends. They were to mature in 2007. As a result of the early settlement, we received total proceeds of $83 million in cash. After the settlement, all of our derivative contracts qualify for hedge accounting.
 
Under Canadian GAAP, the proceeds are being deferred and amortized against the dividends on these preferred shares over the remaining original terms of the swaps. Under United States GAAP, these dividend rate swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting and were recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. As a result, the amortization of the deferred gain under Canadian GAAP is reversed for United States GAAP purposes.

 

5

 


 

 

 

 

 

Certification of Interim Filings
during Transition Period

 

          I, Michael J. Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of BCE Inc., certify that:

1.
I have reviewed the interim filings (as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings) of BCE Inc. (the issuer) for the interim period ending June 30, 2004;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings; and
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the interim financial statements together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

Dated: August 4, 2004
By:
(signed) Michael J. Sabia
   
    Michael J. Sabia
President and Chief Executive Officer
BCE Inc.


 

 

 

 

Certification of Interim Filings
during Transition Period

 

          I, Siim A. Vanaselja, Chief Financial Officer of BCE Inc., certify that:

1.
I have reviewed the interim filings (as this term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings) of BCE Inc. (the issuer) for the interim period ending June 30, 2004;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings; and
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the interim financial statements together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date and for the periods presented in the interim filings.

 

Dated: August 4, 2004
By:
(signed) Siim A. Vanaselja
   
    Siim A. Vanaselja
Chief Financial Officer
BCE Inc.

 

 


 

 

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.

 

  BCE Inc.
   
   
   
  (signed) Michael T. Boychuk
 
  Michael T. Boychuk
  Senior Vice-President and Treasurer
   
   
  Date: August 4, 2004