Note 01: Business combinations and disposals

The following significant acquisitions and disposals have taken place in 2005 and 2004. Each business combination is recorded using the acquisition method of accounting. The summary does not include capital increases or other types of financing by Telenor.

Significant acquisitions in 2005          
NOK in millions
Company
Country Change in interest %   Business Purchase price
DTAC/UCOM Thailand 3.5%/61.3%   Mobil telecommunications 2 664
Bredbandsbolaget Sweden 100%   Broadband operation 4 452
Cybercity Denmark 100%   Broadband operation 1 313

Business combinations
Three significant business combinations have been effected in 2005, while one significant business combination was effected in the beginning of 2006.

Total Access Communication Ltd (DTAC) / United Communication Industy Pcl (UCOM)
Prior to 26 October 2005, Telenor owned 29.9% of the issued shares in DTAC. UCOM owned 41.6% of the issued shares in DTAC. On 26 October 2005 Telenor’s subsidiary Thai Telco Holding Ltd purchased shares in UCOM and increased Telenor’s economic stake in UCOM by 39.9 to 64.7% for a cash consideration of NOK 1.5 billion.

As of 31 December 2005, after the tender offers for DTAC and UCOM shares expired, Telenor’s direct and indirect economic stake in UCOM increased by 21.5% to 86.2% and the direct and indirect ownership in DTAC by 18.2% to 75%, for a total cash consideration of NOK 1.2 billion. The only operations in UCOM to be continued are the ownership in DTAC and the holding of interest bearing liabilities. The minority interests in DTAC as of 31 December 2005 were 25% directly and 5.7% indirectly through UCOM.

As of 31 December 2005 net interest-bearing debt in the companies was NOK 7.3 billion. The companies were consolidated from the date of acquisition, and the operations in UCOM, excluding the ownership in DTAC and the holding of interest bearing liabilities, were reported as a discontinued operations in the financial statements as of 31 December 2005.

DTAC is one of the leading mobile operators in Thailand and offers GSM mobile services. The value was set based on a fair value after negotiations between relevant parties and stock exchange regulations in Thailand and Singapore.

The initial purchase price allocation, which is performed by independent financial experts, has been determined to be provisional pending the completion of the final valuation of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary net assets acquired in the transactions, and the goodwill arising, are as follows:

Estimated fair values
Deferred tax assets 799
Customer Base 1 278
Consession Rights 6 118
Trademarks 1 030
Software 247
Roaming agreements 753
Property, plant & equipment 738
Non-current financial assets 147
Currents assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 1 639
Assets held for sale 531
Cash and cash equivalents 200
   
Deferred tax liability 43
Non-current liabilities 5 752
Current liabilities 3 473
Liabilities held for sale 285
Net assets 3 927
   
Goodwill 2 243
Total 6 170
   
Total consideration, satisfied by cash 2 664
Book value as associated companies at the date of consolidation 940
Increased values in business combination recorded against equity 1 274
Minorities at fair values 1 292
Total 6 170

Useful life of intangible assets at the date of consolidation were estimated on average to: customer base of 3 years, concession rights of 13 years, trademarks of 13 years, administrative software systems of 3 years and roaming-agreements of 13 years. The goodwill arising on the acquisition of DTAC is attributable to the anticipated profitability of its operations. DTAC is involved in several disputes, most of which commenced several years ago. Only insignificant values were attributed to these contingent liabilities in the purchase price allocation.

DTAC/UCOM contributed NOK 1,191 million in revenues and NOK 29 million to the Telenor Group’s profit from total operations for the period between the date of consolidation and 31 December 2005. This does not include Telenor’s interest expenses related to the financing of the acquisition.

In the period 1 January 2005 to the acquisition date, when DTAC/UCOM were accounted for as associated companies, they contributed to a profit from total operations of NOK 94 million.

Bredbandsbolaget, Sweden
On 8 July 2005, Telenor acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Bredbandsbolaget (Bredbandsbolaget Holding AB and its subsidiaries) for a cash consideration of NOK 4.5 billion. The value was set based on fair value after negotiations between the parties. The transaction has been accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting.

Bredbandsbolaget offers high-speed broadband for Internet access, telephony, digital-TV and add-on broadband services.

The initial purchase price allocation, which is performed by independent financial experts, has been determined to be provisional pending the completion of the final valuation of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary net assets acquired in the transaction, and the goodwill arising, are as follows:

NOK in millions Estimated fair values
Customer Base 313
Trademarks 140
Software/Other intangible assets 321
Property, plant & equipment 205
Currents assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 345
Cash and cash equivalents 239
   
Deferred tax liability 11
Non-current liabilities 1 050
Current liabilities 459
   
Net assets 43
Goodwill 4 409
Total consideration, satisfied by cash 4 452

Useful lives of intangible assets at the date of consolidation were estimated on average to: customer base of 5 years, trademark of 15 years and administrative software systems of 3 years.

The goodwill included deferred tax assets that did not meet recognition criteria to be capitalized in the balance sheet. In addition the goodwill arising on the acquisition of Bredbandsbolaget is attributable to the anticipated profitability of its operations and to the anticipated synergies.

Bredbandsbolaget contributed NOK 665 million in revenues and NOK 19 million to the Telenor Group’s profit from total operations for the period between the date of acquisition and 31 December 2005. This does not include Telenor’s interest expenses related to the financing of the acquisition.

Cybercity, Denmark
On 5 July, Telenor acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Esplanaden Holding A/S for a cash consideration of NOK 1.3 billion. The value was set based on fair value after negotiations between the parties. Esplanaden Holding A/S owns 100% of the shares in Cybercity A/S. The transaction has been accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting.

Cybercity develops, manages and sells broadband solutions and network-based products such as security and VPN products for residential and business customers in Denmark.

The initial purchase price allocation, which is performed by independent financial experts, has been determined to be provisional pending the completion of the final valuation of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary net assets acquired in the transaction, and the goodwill arising, are as follows:

NOK in millions Estimated fair values
Customer Base 235
Trademarks 90
Software 91
Property, plant & equipment 45
Currents Assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 186
Cash and cash equivalents 42
   
Deferred tax liability 78
Non-current liabilities 155
Current liabilities 200
   
Net assets 256
Goodwill 1 057
Total consideration, satisfied by cash 1 313

Useful lives of intangible assets at the date of consolidation were estimated on average to: customer base of 5 years, trademark of 15 years and administrative software systems of 3 years.

The goodwill included deferred tax assets that did not meet recognition criteria to be capitalized in the balance sheet. In addition the goodwill arising on the acquisition of Cybercity is attributable to the anticipated profitability of its operations and to the anticipated synergies.

Cybercity contributed NOK 306 million in revenues and NOK 26 million to the Telenor Group’s profit from total operations for the period between the date of acquisition and 31 December 2005. This does not include Telenor’s interest expenses related to the financing of the acquisition.

Vodafone, Sweden
On 5 January 2006, Telenor acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Vodafone AB Sweden for a cash consideration of approximately NOK7.5 billion. The value was set based on fair value after negotiations between the parties. The transaction is not included in the financial statement of 2005. The transaction will be accounted for by the acquisition method of accounting.

Vodafone offers mobile services to residential and business customers in Sweden.

The initial purchase price allocation, which is performed by independent financial experts, has been determined to be provisional pending the completion of the final valuation of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The preliminary net assets acquired in the transaction, and the goodwill arising, are as follows:

NOK in millions Estimated fair values
Deferred tax assets 41
Roaming agreements 584
Terminal supply contracts 337
Software 965
Property, plant & equipment 5 251
Non-current financial assets 148
Currents assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 1 808
Cash and cash equivalents 176
   
Deferred tax liabilities 1 075
Non-current liabilities 1 168
Current liabilities 1 142
   
Net assets 5 925
Goodwill 1 612
Total consideration, satisfied by cash 7 537

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of Vodafone is attributable to the anticipated profitability of its operations.

Disposals in 2005
At the end of 2005 the Group entered into agreements to sell 100% of the shares in Fixed Czech and Slovakia for a consideration of Euro 18.1 million in cash. The transactions were effected on 30 January 2006. Losses on disposal of NOK 63 million were recorded in 2005 due to reduction of the disposal group to fair value less costs to sell. The assets and liabilities are reported as current assets and liabilities held for sale as of 31 December 2005. The major classes of assets and liabilities comprising the disposal group classified as held for sale are as follows:

Intangible assets 34
Property, plant & equipment 71
Current assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 37
Cash and cash equivalents 23
Total assets 165
Non-current liabilities 29
Current liabilities 3
Total liabilities 32

As of 18 September 2005 the Group sold the remaining part of EDB Business Partner ASA’s Telecom business for a consideration of NOK 133 million. Gains on disposal of NOK 37 million before taxes were recorded in 2005.

None of these disposals are regarded as discontinued operations according to IFRS 5 as they do not, separately or in aggregate, represent a major line of business or geographical area of operations.

Discontinued Operations
At the same time as the Group increased its shareholding in UCOM, UCOM received irrevocable purchase offers for the company's core assets from parties external to the Group. These assets and liabilities are primarily organized in separate subsidiaries of the company, and are regarded as disposal groups that meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale and discontinued operations on acquisition according to IFRS 5. The disposals were approved by the General Meeting of UCOM in January and effected in February 2006.

Pro forma Information (unaudited)
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents results as if the acquisition of DTAC, Bredbandsbolaget and Cybercity had occurred at the beginning of the respective periods

NOK in millions, except per share data 2005 2004
Pro forma revenues 75 532 68 435
Pro forma profit before taxes and minority interest 12 563 9 460
Pro forma net income 7 473 5 900
Pro forma net income per share in NOK 4.37 3.37

The pro forma results are adjusted for Telenor’s interest expenses and the results in the period prior to acquisition. These pro forma figures have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the result of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions been in effect in the respective periods or of future results.

Significant acquisitions in 2004          
NOK in millions
Company
Country Change in interest %   Business Purchase price
Sonofon Holding A/S Denmark 46.5   Mobile Communication 3 639
European Telecom Luxemburg SA. (ProMonte) Montenegro 55.9   Mobile Communication 541
GrameenPhone Ltd. Bangladesh 11.0   Mobile Communication 298
CBB A/S Denmark 100.0   Mobile Communication 147
GMPCS Personal Communication Inc USA 100.0   Satellite Mobile Communications 85
Utfors AB 1) Sweden 8.3   Telecommunication 70
IT-operation 2) Norway/Sweden 100.0   Operation and application services 738
1) Telenor owned 100% of the shares in the company as of 31 December 2004.
2) Asset purchased by EDB Business Partner ASA.

Acquisition of Sonofon Holding A/S in 2004
On 12 February 2004, Telenor acquired the remaining 46.5% of the outstanding common shares in Sonofon Holding A/S that we did not already own. Prior to the acquisition Sonofon was regarded as a joint venture with BellSouth and was accounted for using the equity method. After completion of the acquisition, Telenor owns 100% of the outstanding common shares and the result of operations has been included in the consolidated financial statements from that date. Sonofon Holding A/S is one of the leading mobile operators in Denmark and offers GSM voice and data communication services on 900 and 1800 MHz frequency in addition to fixed line telephony and Internet access primarily to the business market based on “Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Technology”. This acquisition was part of Telenor's strategy to gain control of operations to take advantage of synergies stemming from coordinated activities in a number of markets. The aggregate cost of the business combination was approximately NOK 4.4 billion of which NOK 3.6 billion was paid in cash and liabilities of NOK 0.8 billion assumed from the former owner of the remaining 46.5% shares. The value was set based on a fair value after negotiations between the parties. The allocation of the purchase price has been based on independent financial experts’ estimates of the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of consolidation 1):

NOK in millions Estimated fair values
Property, plant & equipment 2 717
Customer base 1 158
Licences 48
Trademarks 801
Software 1 130
Roaming agreements 534
Currents assets excluding cash and cash equivalents 1 137
Cash and cash equivalents 52
   
Deferred tax liability 990
Non-current liabilities 3 041
Current liabilities 1 825
   
Net assets 1 721
Goodwill 6 512
Total 8 233
   
Total consideration, satisfied by cash 2) 3 639
Book value as an associated company at the date of consolidation 3 985
Increased values in business combination recorded against equity 609
Total 8 233
1) These figures include consideration for the last acquisition and the carrying value for the prior investment, when the company was accounted for using the equity method. They reflect the final purchase price allocation that differs in some respects from the preliminary allocation.
2) Does not include assumed liabilities of NOK 0.8 billion from the former owner of the shares.

Useful life of intangible assets at the date of consolidation were estimated on average to: customer base of 4 years, roaming-agreements of 8 years, trademarks of 15 years, licenses of 8 years and administrative software systems of 5 years.

The goodwill arising on the acquisition of Sonofon is attributable to the anticipated profitability of its operations and to the anticipated synergies. See note 17 for information regarding the write-down of goodwill in Sonofon in 2004.

Pro forma information (unaudited)
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents results as if the acquisition of Sonofon Holding A/S, European Telecom Luxemburg SA (ProMonte GSM D.O.O.), CBB A/S, GMPCS Communication Inc and IT operations had occurred at the beginning of 2004:

NOK in millions, except per share data 2004
Pro forma revenues 62 407
Pro forma profit before taxes and minority interests 9 674
Pro forma net income 5 964
Pro forma net income per share in NOK 3.41

The pro forma results are adjusted for Telenor's interest expenses and the results in the period prior to the acquisitions. These pro forma figures have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions been in effect in the respective periods or of future results.

Disposals in 2004
Telenor sold 100% of its shares in Securinet AS, which was owned by Telenor Venture III AS, and at the end of 2004, Telenor sold 100% of its shares in Telenor Venture III AS. Total consideration was NOK 394 million. A gain of NOK 135 million before taxes was recorded. Telenor sold 100% of its shares in Transacty Slovakia j.s.c for a consideration of NOK 133 million and recorded a gain before taxes of NOK 71 million. Telenor’s subsidiary EDB Business Partner ASA sold part of its telecom business during 2004 for NOK 400 million and recorded a gain of NOK 295 million.

None of these disposals are regarded as discontinued operations as they do not, separately or in aggregate, represent a major line of business or geographical area of operations.

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