material change report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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For the month of: December 2008
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Commission File Number: 001-08481 |
BCE Inc.
(Translation of registrants name into English)
1000, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest, Bureau 3700, Montréal, Québec H3B 4Y7, (514) 870-8777
(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.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(1): o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T
Rule 101(b)(7): o
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Notwithstanding any reference to BCE Inc.s Web site on the World Wide Web in the documents
attached hereto, the information contained in BCE Inc.s site or any other site on the World Wide
Web referred to in BCE Inc.s site is not a part of this Form 6-K and, therefore, is not furnished
to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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.
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BCE Inc.
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Date: December 19, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Martine Turcotte
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Martine Turcotte |
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Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal
& Regulatory Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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1.
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Material Change Report December 19, 2008 |
MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT
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Item 1
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Name and Address of the Issuer |
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BCE Inc. (BCE)
1000 de La Gauchetière West, suite 3700
Montréal, Québec
H3B 4Y7 |
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Item 2
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Date of Material Change |
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December 11, 2008. |
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Item 3
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News Release |
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Press releases were disseminated by CNW Telbec on December 11, 2008
and on December 12, 2008. The English versions of those press
releases are annexed hereto and form an integral part hereof. |
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Item 4
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Summary of Material Change |
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BCE announced on December 11, 2008 that it received, in the evening
of December 10, 2008, from the Purchaser, a company formed by an
investor group led by Teachers Private Capital, the private
investment arm of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, and
affiliates of Providence Equity Partners Inc., Madison Dearborn
Partners, LLC, and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, a notice
purporting to terminate the Definitive Agreement dated June 29,
2007, as amended. BCE disputes that the Purchaser was entitled to
terminate the Definitive Agreement, as such notice was delivered
prematurely, prior to the outside date for closing of the
transaction, and therefore invalid. Given the Purchasers position,
BCE announced on December 11, 2008 that the privatization
transaction will not proceed. |
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BCE announced on December 12, 2008 that it had terminated the
Definitive Agreement in accordance with its terms. BCE further
announced on December 12, 2008 plans to return value to BCE
shareholders with a reinstated common share dividend and a new
Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) common share buyback program. |
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In addition, BCE and Bell Canada announced on December 12, 2008
that they had terminated their previously announced conditional
cash tender offers for outstanding BCE 7.35% Series C Notes due
October 30, 2009 (the BCE Notes), and outstanding Bell Canada
6.15% Debentures, Series M-2, due June 15, 2009 and 5.50%
Debentures, Series M-16, due August 12, 2010 (the Bell
Debentures). |
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Item 5
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Full Description of Material Change |
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5.1 Full Description of Material Change |
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BCE announced on December 11, 2008 that it received, in the evening
of December 10, 2008, from the Purchaser a notice purporting to
terminate the Definitive Agreement. BCE disputes that the Purchaser
was entitled to terminate the Definitive Agreement, as such notice
was delivered prematurely, prior to the outside date for closing of
the transaction, and therefore invalid. Given the Purchasers
position, BCE announced on December 11, 2008 that the privatization
transaction will not proceed. |
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As previously announced, the closing of the privatization
transaction was contingent upon the fulfillment of several closing
conditions, including, pursuant to Section 8.1(f) of the Definitive
Agreement, the receipt at the effective time of a positive solvency
opinion from KPMG. On the morning of December 11, 2008, KPMG
confirmed that it would not be able to deliver an opinion that BCE
would meet, post transaction, the solvency tests set out in the
Definitive Agreement. |
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In light of these developments, BCE announced on December 11, 2008
that it would be terminating the Definitive Agreement in accordance
with its terms, and would be demanding payment of the $1.2-billion
break-up fee from the Purchaser. All closing conditions by BCE had
been satisfied other than the solvency opinion, a condition to
closing that was to be satisfied by its nature at the effective
time. Under such circumstances, the Definitive Agreement provides
that the break up fee will be owed to BCE by the Purchaser. The
Purchaser has taken the position that it is not obligated to pay
the break-up fee. |
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BCE announced on December 12, 2008 that it had terminated the
Definitive Agreement in accordance with its terms. |
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BCE has advised Computershare Investor Services Inc. that the
privatization transaction will not proceed. As a result, holders of
BCE shares will maintain their status as BCE shareholders.
Computershare is returning to depositing shareholders a share
certificate representing their deposited BCE common and preferred
shares and any ancillary documents it received from each such
shareholder by first class mail as soon as practicable. For more
information, investors may contact Computershare at 1-800-564-6253. |
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BCE announced on December 12, 2008 that it had reinstated its
common share dividend and declared on the morning of December 12,
2008 its fourth quarter of 2008 common dividend. For shareholders
of record as of December 23, 2008, a quarterly dividend per share
of $0.365 will be paid on January 15, 2009. |
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BCE also announced on December 12, 2008 that it will return capital
to shareholders in the form of a normal course issuer bid (NCIB).
To that end, BCE |
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will repurchase up to approximately 5% of
outstanding common shares, or about 40 million common shares. The
NCIB is subject to approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and
will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the TSX
and applicable laws. |
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BCE further announced on December 12, 2008 that the companys
shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday February 17, 2009 in
Montréal. |
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At this meeting, BCE will further outline Bells goal and 5
Strategic Imperatives and BCEs capital structure and shareholder
value initiatives, including its dividend payout policy. |
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In addition, BCE and Bell Canada announced on December 12, 2008
that they had terminated their previously announced conditional
cash tender offers for the BCE Notes and the Bell Debentures. |
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BCE and Bell Canada, respectively, have notified the depositaries
of the termination of the tender offers, that they will not accept
for payment or pay for any BCE Notes or Bell Debentures deposited
to the tender offers, and instructed the depositaries to promptly
return all BCE Notes and Bell Debentures deposited by the tendering
holders. |
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Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements |
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Certain statements made in this material change report, including,
but not limited to, statements relating to BCEs expected
operational and financial performance, as well as BCEs objectives
concerning the distribution of capital to shareholders, and other
statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking
statements and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, and our boards discretion in respect of the
declaration of dividends. |
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The results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements
may differ materially from actual results or events. As a result,
we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will
materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
contained in this material change report are made as of the date of
this report and, accordingly, are subject to change after such
date. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do
not undertake any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements contained in this material change
report, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Except as otherwise indicated by BCE, these statements
do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other
special 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. |
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Risks and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to
differ materially from current expectations include, among others: |
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general economic and credit |
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market conditions; failure to achieve
our business objectives; increased pension fund contributions; the
intensity of competitive activity and the increase in wireless
competitive activity that could result from Industry Canadas
licensing of AWS spectrum; our ability to respond to technological
changes and rapidly offer new products and services; events
affecting the functionality of, and our ability to protect,
maintain and replace, our networks, IT systems and software; labour
disruptions; the potential adverse effects on our Internet and
wireless businesses of the significant increase in broadband
demand; events affecting the operations of our service providers
operating outside Canada; our ability to raise the capital we need
to implement our business plan; our ability to discontinue certain
traditional services as necessary to improve capital and operating
efficiencies; regulatory initiatives or proceedings, litigation and
changes in laws or regulations; increased regulation banning the
use of wireless devices while driving; launch and in-orbit risks of
satellites used by Bell TV; competition from unregulated U.S.
direct-to-home satellite television services sold illegally in
Canada and the theft of our satellite television services; BCEs
dependence on its subsidiaries ability to pay dividends; delays in
completion of the high speed packet access overlay of our wireless
network; and health concerns about radio frequency emissions from
wireless devices. |
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For additional information with respect to certain of these and
other assumptions and risks and for additional information with
respect to the break-up fee obligations of the Purchaser and the
sponsors, please refer to the Definitive Agreement and the limited
guaranty agreement, each dated June 29, 2007, as amended, BCEs
management proxy circular dated August 7, 2007, BCEs 2007 annual
managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) dated March 5, 2008
included in the Bell Canada Enterprises 2007 Annual Report, BCEs
2008 First Quarter MD&A dated May 6, 2008, BCEs 2008 Second
Quarter MD&A dated August 5, 2008 and BCEs 2008 Third Quarter MD&A
dated October 28, 2008, all filed by BCE with the Canadian
securities commissions (available at www.sedar.com) and with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at
www.sec.gov).
These documents are also available on BCEs website at
www.bce.ca. |
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5.2 Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions |
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N/A |
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Item 6
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Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) or (3) of National Instrument 51-102 |
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This report is not being filed on a confidential basis. |
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Item 7
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Omitted Information |
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None. |
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Item 8
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Executive Officer |
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Martine Turcotte
Executive Vice-President and Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer
(514) 786-3891 |
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Item 9
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Date of Report |
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December 19, 2008. |
For Immediate Release
December 11, 2008
BCE privatization transaction will not proceed
MONTRÉAL, Québec BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE) today announced that it received
last evening from the Purchaser, a company formed by an investor group led by
Teachers Private Capital, the private investment arm of the Ontario Teachers Pension
Plan, and affiliates of Providence Equity Partners Inc., Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC,
and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, a notice purporting to terminate the Definitive
Agreement dated June 29, 2007, as amended. BCE disputes that the Purchaser was
entitled to terminate the Definitive Agreement, as such notice was delivered prematurely,
prior to the outside date for closing of the transaction, and therefore invalid. Given the
Purchasers position, the BCE privatization transaction will not proceed.
As previously announced, the closing of the privatization transaction is contingent upon
the fulfillment of several closing conditions, including, pursuant to Section 8.1(f) of the
Definitive Agreement, the receipt at the effective time of a positive solvency opinion from
KPMG. Earlier this morning, KPMG confirmed that it would not be able to deliver an
opinion that BCE would meet, post transaction, the solvency tests set out in the
Definitive Agreement.
In light of these developments, BCE will be terminating the Definitive Agreement in
accordance with its terms, and will be demanding payment of the $1.2-billion break-up
fee from the Purchaser. All closing conditions have been satisfied by BCE, other than
the solvency opinion, a condition to closing that was to be satisfied by its nature at the
effective time. Under such circumstances, the agreement provides that the break up fee
will be owed to BCE by the Purchaser. The Purchaser has taken the position that it is not
obligated to pay the break-up fee.
In addition, the BCE Board intends that immediately following termination of the
Definitive Agreement in accordance with its terms, it will address a reinstatement of its
common share dividend beginning with its fourth quarter common share dividend
payable on January 15, 2009, and that it will return capital to its shareholders through a
Normal Course Issuer Bid.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are
not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements 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. As a result, we cannot
guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and you are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date
of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may
be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. For additional information with
respect to the break-up fee obligations of the Purchaser and the sponsors, and certain of
the underlying assumptions and risks that could affect our forward-looking statements,
please refer to the Definitive Agreement and the limited guaranty agreement, each dated
June 29, 2007, as amended, BCEs management proxy circular dated August 7, 2007,
BCEs 2007 annual managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) dated March 5,
2008 included in the Bell Canada Enterprises 2007 Annual Report, BCEs 2008 First Quarter MD&A dated May 6, 2008, BCEs 2008 Second Quarter MD&A dated August 5,
2008 and BCEs 2008 Third Quarter MD&A dated October 28, 2008, all filed by BCE
with the Canadian securities commissions (available at www.sedar.com) and with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). These
documents are also available on BCEs website at www.bce.ca.
About BCE
BCE is Canadas largest communications company, providing the most comprehensive
and innovative suite of communication services to residential and business customers in
Canada. Under the Bell brand, the Companys services include local, long distance and
wireless phone services, high-speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband
services, information and communications technology services (or value-added services)
and direct-to-home satellite and VDSL television services. BCE also holds an interest in
CTVglobemedia, Canadas premier media company. BCE shares are listed in Canada
and the United States. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.
For inquiries, please contact:
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Mark Langton
Bell Media Relations
416 581-4339
mark.langton@bell.ca
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Thane Fotopoulos
BCE Investor Relations
514 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca |
For Immediate Release
December 12, 2008
BCE announces plan to return value to its shareholders
Reinstates common share dividend, announces 5% NCIB share buyback
Bell continues move forward as a competitive, customer-focused service provider
MONTRÉAL, Québec Following the termination of the proposed privatization
agreement by BCE in accordance with its terms, BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE) today
announced plans to return value to BCE shareholders with a reinstated common share
dividend and a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) common share buyback program.
Bell Canada will also continue its move forward as a re-energized company with a clear
goal to be recognized by customers as Canadas leading communications company
and the customer-focused strategy and structure required to achieve it.
Our enhanced operational performance in recent months confirms that Bell is
competing as a cost-effective and customer-focused communications company. The Bell
team has implemented a range of programs to deliver a better customer experience, and
we are eager to build on the clear progress weve already made, said George Cope,
President and CEO of Bell and BCE. Given this steadily improving business trajectory,
we view the dividend and share buyback initiatives announced by BCE today as very
attractive to our shareholders now and going forward.
The BCE Board of Directors is in full support of the operational and investment strategy
and capital market approach implemented by our CEO George Cope and his executive
team, said Richard J. Currie, BCE and Bell Canada Board Chair.
Bells move forward
In July 2008, Bell instituted a new strategy and a 100-day plan to enhance its customer
service capability, competitiveness and cost efficiency. With a strict focus on its core
business as a communications service provider, Bell is executing on 5 Strategic
Imperatives Improve Customer Service, Accelerate Wireless, Leverage Wireline
Momentum, Invest in Broadband Networks & Services, and Achieve a Competitive Cost
Structure in order to deliver a better customer experience.
Beginning in July, Bell announced several significant operational initiatives supporting its
Strategic Imperatives, including an organizational restructuring that reduced the number
of management layers at Bell, bringing all team members closer to the customer, while
reducing the number of management positions by 15%; ambitious new service programs
such as Same Day Next Day service and Express Install; major investments in its
wireless and IP fibre networks, as well as its service infrastructure; and a bold new brand
that highlights Bells move forward in the business and consumer marketplaces.
Bells cost reduction initiatives will result in savings of approximately $400 million, an
enhanced competitive position and, as evidenced by the progress shown in the
Companys third-quarter (Q3) results, steadily improving operational and financial
performance supporting Bells future as a public company, and the shareholder value
initiatives announced today.
Strong balance sheet and liquidity
Maintaining a public company capital structure, underpinned by strong investment grade
credit metrics, BCE is retaining high levels of financial liquidity to fund its maturing debt
obligations given todays market environment. The Company also today announced new
initiatives a reinstated common share dividend and an NCIB program dedicated to
returning value to its shareholders.
Reinstated common share dividend
BCE has reinstated its common share dividend and declared this morning its fourth
quarter of 2008 common dividend. For shareholders of record as of December 23, 2008,
a quarterly dividend per share of $0.365 will be paid on January 15, 2009.
NCIB share buyback program
BCE will return capital to shareholders in the form of a Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB).
To that end, BCE will repurchase up to approximately 5% of outstanding common
shares, or about 40 million common shares. The NCIB is subject to approval by the
Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and will be carried out in accordance with the
requirements of the TSX and applicable laws.
A share buyback is the most efficient method of distributing capital to our shareholders,
particularly given the current valuation metrics of the Company, said Siim Vanaselja,
Chief Financial Officer of BCE. The share buyback will be accretive to earnings per
share and cash flow. Our improving operational progress provides the Company with
confidence in our ability to return value to shareholders now and into the future.
Annual Shareholder Meeting
The Companys shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday February 17, 2009 in
Montréal.
At this meeting, the Company will further outline Bells goal and 5 Strategic Imperatives
and BCEs capital structure and shareholder value initiatives, including its dividend
payout policy.
Return of share certificates
BCE has advised Computershare Investor Services Inc. that the privatization transaction
will not proceed. As a result, holders of BCE shares will maintain their status as BCE
shareholders. Computershare will return to depositing shareholders a share certificate
representing their deposited BCE common and preferred shares and any ancillary
documents it received from each such shareholder by first class mail as soon as
practicable. For more information, investors may contact
Computershare
at 1-800-564-6253.
Termination of cash tender offers for certain outstanding debt securities
In addition, BCE and Bell Canada announced today that they have terminated their
previously announced conditional cash tender offers for outstanding BCE 7.35% Series
C Notes due October 30, 2009 (the BCE Notes), and outstanding Bell Canada 6.15%
Debentures, Series M-2, due June 15, 2009 and 5.50% Debentures, Series M-16, due
August 12, 2010 (the Bell Debentures).
BCE and Bell Canada, respectively, have notified the depositaries of the termination of
the tender offers, that they will not accept for payment or pay for any BCE Notes or Bell
Debentures deposited to the tender offers, and instructed the depositaries to promptly
return all BCE Notes and Bell Debentures deposited by the tendering holders.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this news release, including, but not limited to, statements
relating to BCEs expected operational and financial performance, as well as BCEs
objectives concerning the distribution of capital to shareholders, and other statements
that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements and are subject to important
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and our boards discretion in respect of the
declaration of dividends.
The results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially
from actual results or events. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking
statement will materialize and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news
release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change
after such date. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, we do not
undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained
in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Except as otherwise indicated by BCE, these statements do not reflect the potential
impact of any non-recurring or other special 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.
Risks and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
current expectations include, among others: general economic and credit market
conditions; failure to achieve our business objectives; increased pension fund
contributions; the intensity of competitive activity and the increase in wireless
competitive activity that could result from Industry Canadas licensing of AWS spectrum;
our ability to respond to technological changes and rapidly offer new products and
services; events affecting the functionality of, and our ability to protect, maintain and
replace, our networks, IT systems and software; labour disruptions; the potential adverse
effects on our Internet and wireless businesses of the significant increase in broadband
demand; events affecting the operations of our service providers operating outside
Canada; our ability to raise the capital we need to implement our business plan; our
ability to discontinue certain traditional services as necessary to improve capital and
operating efficiencies; regulatory initiatives or proceedings, litigation and changes in laws
or regulations; increased regulation banning the use of wireless devices while driving;
launch and in-orbit risks of satellites used by Bell TV; competition from unregulated U.S.
direct-to-home satellite television services sold illegally in Canada and the theft of our
satellite television services; BCEs dependence on its subsidiaries ability to pay
dividends; delays in completion of the high speed packet access overlay of our wireless
network; and health concerns about radio frequency emissions from wireless devices.
For additional information with respect to certain of these and other assumptions and
risks, please refer to BCEs 2007 annual managements discussion and analysis
(MD&A) dated March 5, 2008 included in the Bell Canada Enterprises 2007 Annual
Report, BCEs 2008 First Quarter MD&A dated May 6, 2008, BCEs 2008 Second
Quarter MD&A dated August 5, 2008 and BCEs 2008 Third Quarter MD&A dated
October 28, 2008, all filed by BCE with the Canadian securities commissions (available
at www.sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at
www.sec.gov). These documents are also available on BCEs website at www.bce.ca.
About BCE
BCE is Canadas largest communications company, providing the most comprehensive
and innovative suite of communication services to residential and business customers in
Canada. Under the Bell brand, the Companys services include local, long distance and
wireless phone services, high-speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband
services, information and communications technology services (or value-added services)
and direct-to-home satellite and VDSL television services. BCE also holds an interest in
CTVglobemedia, Canadas premier media company. BCE shares are listed in Canada
and the United States. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca.
For inquiries, please contact:
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Mark Langton
Bell Media Relations
416 581-4339
mark.langton@bell.ca
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Thane Fotopoulos
BCE Investor Relations
514 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca |