UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
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¨
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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OR
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x
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
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¨
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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OR
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¨
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of event requiring this shell company report:
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-32309
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(Jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
20/F, Hutchison Telecom Tower
99 Cheung Fai Road
Tsing Yi
Hong Kong
(Address of principal
executive offices)
Edith Shih
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited
22nd Floor, Hutchison House
10 Harcourt Road
Hong Kong
Telephone: 852 2128 1188
Facsimile: 852 2128 1178
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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American Depositary Shares, each representing 15 Ordinary Shares of nominal value HK$0.25 each; and Ordinary Shares, nominal value HK$0.25 each
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New York Stock Exchange
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
New York Stock Exchange*
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities
for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the
annual report.
Ordinary Shares, nominal value HK$0.25 each 4,814,346,208
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes
¨
No
x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes
¨
No
x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
x
No
¨
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
x
Yes
¨
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See
definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act of 1934. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statement included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP
¨
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by
the International Accounting Standards Board
x
Other
¨
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to
follow. Item 17
¨
Item 18
¨
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes
¨
No
x
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ii
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
In this annual report on Form 20-F, references to “our company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited and, unless the context otherwise requires, to its past and present subsidiaries and associated companies (which includes jointly-controlled entities).
Unless indicated otherwise, the financial information in this annual report has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IFRS, and is presented in Hong Kong dollars. IFRS differs in some material respects from United States generally accepted accounting principles, or US GAAP.
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references to “Ghanaian Cedi” or “GHC” are to the currency of Ghana;
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references to “Hong Kong dollars” or “HK$” are to the currency of Hong Kong;
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references to “Indonesian Rupiah” or “IDR” are to the currency of Indonesia;
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references to “New Israeli Shekel” or “NIS” are to the currency of Israel;
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references to “Sri Lankan Rupee” or “LKR” are to the currency of Sri Lanka;
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references to “Thai Baht” or “THB” are to the currency of Thailand;
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references to “U.S. dollars,” “USD” or “US$” are to United States dollars; and
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references to “Vietnamese Dong” or “VND” are to the currency of Vietnam.
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Discrepancies between totals and the sums of the amounts contained in any table may be as a result of rounding.
For your convenience, this annual report contains translations of certain Hong Kong dollar amounts into U.S. dollars at the rate of HK$7.7499 = US$1.00,
which was the rate in effect on December 31, 2008. In addition, this annual report contains translations of New Israeli Shekel, Indonesian Rupiah, Thai Baht, Vietnamese Dong, Sri Lankan Rupee and Ghanaian Cedi into Hong Kong dollars at the rates of
NIS 1.00 = HK$2.05, IDR1.00 = HK$0.0007, THB1.00 = HK$0.2241, VND1.00 = HK$0.00046, LKR1.00 = HK$0.0692 and GHC1.00 = HK$0.00063, respectively. This does not mean that the currencies have been or could be converted at any of these rates.
- 1 -
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand
a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This annual report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
We use words such as “will,”
“aim,” “will likely result,” “will continue,” “contemplate,” “seek to,” “future,” “objective,” “goal,” “should,” “will pursue,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and words and terms of similar substance to identify forward-looking statements, but they are not the
only way we identify such statements. All forward-looking statements are management’s present expectations of future events and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements. In addition to the risks related to our business discussed under “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors,” other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described
in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to:
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our ability to successfully implement our business strategy;
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the impact of existing and new competitors in the markets in which we compete, including competitors that may offer less expensive products and services, more
desirable or innovative products or technological substitutes, or have more extensive resources or better financing;
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the effects of rapid technological changes and vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate, which may cause prices charged to decline, increase movement
of customers among providers of mobile telecommunications services, known as churn, or change our customer mix, profitability or average revenue per user;
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the risks associated with the implementation of new networks, including risks relating to the operation of new systems and technologies, substantial expenditures
required and potential unanticipated costs, uncertainties regarding the adequacy of suppliers on whom we must rely to provide both network and consumer equipment and consumer acceptance of the products and services to be offered;
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uncertainties about the degree of growth in the number of consumers in the markets in which we operate using mobile personal communications services and the growth
in the population in those areas;
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other factors or trends affecting the telecommunications industry generally and our financial condition in particular; and
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the effects of the higher degree of regulation in the markets in which we operate.
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By their nature, certain disclosures relating to these and other risks are only estimates and could be materially different from what actually occurs in
the future. As a result, actual future gains, losses or the impact on our financial condition and results of operations could differ materially from those that have been estimated.
In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this
annual report which are beyond our control include, but are not limited to:
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general social, economic and political conditions in the countries in which we operate or other countries which have an impact on our business activities or
investments;
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the monetary and interest rate policies of the countries in which we operate;
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inflation or deflation;
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- 2 -
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foreign exchange rates;
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the performance of the financial markets in the countries in which we operate and globally;
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changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations and taxes;
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changes in competition and the pricing environments in the countries in which we operate; and
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regional or general changes in asset valuations.
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For further discussion of the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see the discussion under “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors” contained in this annual report on Form 20-F. We
caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this annual report. Except as required by law, we are not under any obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
All subsequent forward-looking
statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.
- 3 -
PART I
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ITEM 1.
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IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
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Not applicable.
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ITEM 2.
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OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
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Not
applicable.
A. Summary
Consolidated Financial Data
The following tables set forth summary consolidated financial data about our company. We have derived the
summary consolidated financial data as at December 31, 2007 and 2008 and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 from our audited financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F. The summary consolidated
financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, these financial statements, including the related notes. These financial statements have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Hong Kong,
independent registered public accounting firm.
Our financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRS.
You should read the following summary consolidated financial data in conjunction with the rest of this annual report, including our financial statements
and the related notes and the more detailed information contained in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” For a description of the basis of presentation of these financial statements, see note 2 to our financial
statements in “Item 18. Financial Statements” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements.”
- 4 -
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Year ended December 31,
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2006
HK$
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2007
HK$
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2008
HK$
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2008
US$
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(in millions, except per share data)
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Consolidated income statement:
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Continuing operations:
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Turnover
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17,923
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20,401
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23,725
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3,061
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Cost of inventories sold
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(2,164
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)
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(2,671
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)
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(2,785
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)
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(359
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)
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Staff costs
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(1,897
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)
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(2,295
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)
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(2,511
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)
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(324
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)
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Depreciation and amortization
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(3,804
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)
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(4,226
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)
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(4,531
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)
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(585
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Other operating expenses
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(8,685
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)
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(10,182
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)
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(12,291
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)
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(1,586
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Impairment charge for Thailand segment
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—
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(3,854
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)
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—
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—
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Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
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44
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8
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2,453
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317
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Operating profit/(loss)
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1,417
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(2,819
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)
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4,060
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524
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Interest income
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66
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1,619
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1,074
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139
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Interest and other finance costs
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(1,652
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)
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(1,335
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(1,330
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)
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(172
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)
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Share of results of associates
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(1
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—
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—
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—
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Share of results of jointly-controlled entities
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—
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—
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(11
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(1
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(Loss)/Profit before taxation
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(170
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)
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(2,535
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)
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3,793
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490
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Taxation
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(653
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(191
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(874
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(113
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(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations
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(823
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(2,726
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)
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2,919
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377
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Discontinued operations:
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Profit from discontinued operations
(1)
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2,399
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70,502
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—
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—
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Profit for the year
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1,576
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67,776
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2,919
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377
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Attributable to:
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Equity holders of the Company:
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- continuing operations
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(1,191
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)
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(3,147
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)
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1,883
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243
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- discontinued operations
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1,392
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70,031
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—
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—
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Total profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
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201
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66,884
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1,883
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243
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Minority interest:
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- continuing operations
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368
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421
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1,036
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134
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- discontinued operations
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1,007
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471
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—
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—
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Total profit attributable to minority interest
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1,375
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892
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1,036
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134
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Profit for the year
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1,576
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67,776
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2,919
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377
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Dividends
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Special cash dividend
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—
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32,234
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33,700
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4,348
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Conditional interim dividend in specie
(2)
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—
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—
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10,061
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1,298
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Basic and diluted (loss) / earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders
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(0.25
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)
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(0.66
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)
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0.39
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0.05
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Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders
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0.04
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|
|
14.01
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0.39
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0.05
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(1)
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The HK$70,502 million profit from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 was a result of the disposal of our entire interest in CGP Investments (Holdings)
Limited.
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(2)
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Details of the conditional interim dividend in specie are set out in note 14(b) to our financial statements in “Item 18. Financial Statements.”
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- 5 -
Consolidated balance sheet
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As at December 31,
|
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2007
HK$
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2008
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HK$
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US$
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(in millions)
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Assets
|
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Cash and cash equivalents
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36,611
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2,525
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|
326
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|
Other current assets
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5,242
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|
5,583
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|
720
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|
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Total current assets
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41,853
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|
8,108
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|
1,046
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Assets held for sale
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—
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174
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|
22
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Total non-current assets
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34,570
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35,493
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|
4,580
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|
|
|
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Total assets
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76,423
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43,775
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|
5,648
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|
|
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Liabilities
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|
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|
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Current borrowings
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|
5,083
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|
7,652
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|
987
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Other current liabilities
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|
8,132
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|
8,131
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|
1,049
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total current liabilities
|
|
13,215
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|
15,783
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|
2,036
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Non-current borrowings
|
|
5,937
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|
3,348
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|
432
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
584
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|
457
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|
59
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|
Other non-current liabilities
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|
2,551
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|
2,458
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|
317
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total non-current liabilities
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|
9,072
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|
6,263
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|
808
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total liabilities
|
|
22,287
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|
22,046
|
|
2,844
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Capital and reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
1,195
|
|
1,204
|
|
155
|
|
Reserves
|
|
50,089
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|
17,909
|
|
2,311
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Shareholders’ equity
|
|
51,284
|
|
19,113
|
|
2,466
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
2,852
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|
2,616
|
|
338
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total equity
|
|
54,136
|
|
21,729
|
|
2,804
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total liabilities and equity
|
|
76,423
|
|
43,775
|
|
5,648
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 6 -
Exchange Rate Information
On May 8, 2009, the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the U.S. dollar (in HK$ per US$) was HK$7.7500 per US$1.00. The following table sets out the high and low exchange rates in effect for each of the
months indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange Rates
|
|
Month
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
|
|
(HK$ per US$1.00)
|
|
November 2008
|
|
7.7560
|
|
7.7497
|
|
December 2008
|
|
7.7522
|
|
7.7497
|
|
January 2009
|
|
7.7618
|
|
7.7504
|
|
February 2009
|
|
7.7551
|
|
7.7511
|
|
March 2009
|
|
7.7593
|
|
7.7497
|
|
April 2009
|
|
7.7508
|
|
7.7495
|
|
May 2009 (through May 8)
|
|
7.7500
|
|
7.7500
|
The following table sets forth the average exchange rates calculated by using the average of the
exchange rates on the last day of each month for each of the years indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Average
Exchange Rate
|
|
|
|
(HK$ per US$1.00)
|
|
2004
|
|
7.7899
|
|
2005
|
|
7.7755
|
|
2006
|
|
7.7685
|
|
2007
|
|
7.8008
|
|
2008
|
|
7.7814
|
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for
the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Our Business
We face significant competition in our markets, which could affect current and potential customers, revenues and profitability
We face significant competition in our markets. In particular, we expect competition among providers of mobile telecommunications services, including new
entrants (such as mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs, which are providers of mobile telecommunications services that do not own their own allocation of radio frequency spectrum), to continue to drive prices lower for services and handsets
(which we subsidize in some markets). In addition, number portability requirements, which enable customers to switch their providers of mobile telecommunications services without changing their mobile phone numbers, have been introduced in some of
the markets in which we operate, including our largest market, Israel, and may be introduced in other markets in the future. These developments could lead to greater movement of customers among providers of mobile telecommunications services, known
as churn, which could increase our marketing, distribution and administrative costs, slow growth in the number of our customers and reduce our revenues.
Our market position will also depend on effective marketing initiatives and our ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the industry, including new services, pricing strategies by
competitors and changes in consumer preferences and economic, political and social conditions in the countries in which we operate. Any failure by us to compete
- 7 -
effectively, including in terms of pricing of services, anticipating and developing new technologies and services, acquisition of new customers and retention
of existing customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Israel operations
account for a high percentage of our total turnover, operating profits and customers
Following the spin-off of Hutchison
Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited, or HTHKH, in May 2009, our Israel operations account for a high percentage of our turnover, operating profits and customers. For the year ended December 31, 2008, our Israel operations represented,
excluding Hong Kong and Macau operations, approximately 88.4% of our total turnover and 90.5% of our total operating profit. Our Israel operations accounted for approximately 31.0% of our total customers, excluding Hong Kong and Macau operations, as
at December 31, 2008. Changes in demand, economic and political developments, regulatory changes and operational difficulties in the Israel market will have a significantly greater effect on our results than when our results included HTHKH,
which held our Hong Kong and Macau operations. If our turnover and operating profits from the Israel market declines or we are not able to generate a comparable amount of turnover and operating profits from our other market areas, our business,
financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, fluctuations in the exchange rate
between New Israeli Shekels and Hong Kong dollars may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, after translation into Hong Kong dollars, that is disproportionate to the actual change in operating
performance of our Israel operations.
Our Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand operations have a significantly greater effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations
Our Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand operations have a significantly
greater effect, following the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Each of our Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand operations has incurred operating losses in 2007 or 2008. For the
year ended December 31, 2008, operating loss from our Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka operations was HK$1,342 million (US$173.2 million), HK$520 million (US$67.1 million) and HK$7 million (US$0.9 million), respectively. For the year ended
December 31, 2007, operating loss from our Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand operations was HK$626 million, HK$279 million and HK$4,462 million (after impairment charge), respectively. There can be no assurance that the operating results from
these markets will improve, which will have a greater effect on our results of operations than when our results included HTHKH.
We may have
financial exposure as a result of warranty, indemnity or other obligations assumed in connection with the sale of CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited, or CGP Investments Holdings, and may also be subject to Indian taxes payable in relation to this
sale
We may be subject to claims or have to make payments as a result of warranty, indemnity or other obligations assumed in
connection with the sale of interests relating to CGP Investments Holdings to a subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc, or Vodafone, in May 2007.
In addition, the Indian tax authorities may consider the gain arising from this sale to be taxable in India. The Indian tax authorities have initiated an investigation into Vodafone’s obligations to withhold tax from the acquisition
proceeds. Vodafone disputed the jurisdiction of the Indian tax authorities in this matter. The Indian Supreme Court ruled, in proceedings initiated by Vodafone, that the question of jurisdiction should be determined by the Indian tax authorities in
the first instance, and in the event the authorities make a determination against Vodafone, it may appeal to the Indian High Court.
We
have received legal advice and believe that the sale is not taxable in India, and therefore, no Indian tax is payable by us. Accordingly, we have not provided for any claims or Indian tax liabilities in connection with the sale. However, there can
be no assurance what the final outcome will be. If we eventually make any such payments or suffer any Indian tax on this sale, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
- 8 -
We may not realize the benefits we expect from our capital expenditures, which may materially and adversely impact
our business
We have made significant capital expenditures on our network infrastructure and information technology systems to
provide the services we offer. Our capital expenditures in 2008 were HK$5,148 million (US$664.3 million), compared to HK$5,436 million in 2007, comprised mainly of expenditures on telecommunications and network equipment. In order to continue to
develop our business and offer new services, we intend to continue to invest in networks in new service areas as well as new technologies, which we expect will result in substantial capital expenditures. Our estimated capital expenditure for 2009,
excluding Hong Kong and Macau operations, is approximately HK$7 billion (US$0.9 billion), the majority of which we expect to be used for network build-out in our operations in Indonesia and Vietnam.
We may not be successful in marketing these new services to consumers, thus impairing the return from our expenditures. We cannot assure you that
services enabled by new technologies we implement will generate an acceptable rate of return. In addition, we face the risk of unforeseen complications in the deployment of new service areas and new technologies, and we cannot assure you that our
estimate of the necessary capital expenditures will not be exceeded. If we do not realize the anticipated benefits of our capital expenditures, or if our required expenditures exceed our estimates, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
We require substantial amounts of capital for our business operations and we currently rely
on a credit facility provided by a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited, or Hutchison Whampoa, to provide us with financing
We
require substantial amounts of capital to build, maintain and operate our telecommunications networks. We also require substantial amounts of capital to market and distribute our services and products, to develop new services and products, to
develop and implement new mobile telecommunications technologies and, potentially, to acquire and invest in other telecommunications companies and spectrum rights. We anticipate that our capital expenditures in 2009, excluding Hong Kong and Macau
operations, will be approximately HK$7 billion (US$0.9 billion), the majority of which we expect to be used for network build-out in our operations in Indonesia and Vietnam. To the extent our expenditures exceed our cash resources, we will be
required to seek additional debt or equity financing.
We currently rely on a credit facility provided by a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa
to provide us with financing. Pursuant to a facility agreement dated November 25, 2008 and amended and restated on April 17, 2009, or the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa agreed to make available
to us a senior secured term loan/revolving credit facility of a maximum aggregate amount of US$1,790 million (approximately HK$13,872.5 million), subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement. In May 2009, an aggregate amount
of US$290 million was advanced to our company. We refer you to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions with the Hutchison Whampoa group – Credit
Facility” for more information. Although we are not obliged to draw additional funds from this facility and may choose not to utilize it if financing on better terms can be obtained from other sources, other sources of debt or equity financing
may not be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, and this facility may be our only source of financing. Our ability to obtain financing from other sources will depend on a number of factors, including:
|
|
•
|
|
our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;
|
|
|
•
|
|
general market conditions for financing activities by mobile telecommunications companies; and
|
|
|
•
|
|
economic, political and other conditions affecting the markets where we operate.
|
There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Even if we are
able to obtain additional financing, there can be no assurance that any proceeds we receive from additional debt or equity financing will satisfy our capital needs. We may require additional capital to address unanticipated expenses. The
unavailability of adequate financing on commercially acceptable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
- 9 -
Our major shareholder may take actions that are not in, or may conflict with, our other shareholders’ best
interests. In addition, if our major shareholder’s equity interest falls below certain specified thresholds, certain adverse events may occur
Our largest shareholder is Hutchison Whampoa, which as at May 8, 2009 held approximately 60.4% of our shares through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, which gives it the ability to control actions that require
majority shareholders’ approval. In addition, Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, or Cheung Kong Holdings, which as at the same date held 49.97% of Hutchison Whampoa through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, held 1.1% of our shares through its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. Also, as at the same date, Mr. Li Ka-shing, Chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, held 5.5% of our shares through companies wholly-owned by him. Cheung Kong Holdings has, pursuant to Rule 13d-4 under the Exchange Act,
expressly disclaimed beneficial ownership of those of our shares held by Hutchison Whampoa.
If the interests of our major shareholder
conflict with the interests of our other shareholders, or if our major shareholder chooses to cause our business to pursue strategic objectives that conflict with the interests of our other shareholders, those other shareholders could be
disadvantaged by the actions that Hutchison Whampoa chooses to pursue. Hutchison Whampoa is not obligated to exercise its rights as a shareholder in our best interests or in the best interests of our minority shareholders.
Furthermore, certain adverse events may occur if Hutchison Whampoa’s equity interest in our company falls below specified thresholds, which is an
event that would be beyond our control. For example, certain of our financing and license agreements may be terminated if Hutchison Whampoa’s equity interest falls below specified levels. We cannot assure you that alternative arrangements will
be available on commercially acceptable terms or at all. If Hutchison Whampoa’s equity interest were to fall below levels specified in certain of our financing and licensing agreements, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Any decline in the earnings of our operating companies or restrictions on our ability to
convert or transfer currencies from the countries in which our operating companies are located could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
We currently conduct all our operations through our operating companies. Our sources of cash flows include interest income, dividends paid and shareholder
loans repaid to us by our operating companies. The ability of our operating companies to generate earnings is important to our business. If earnings from our operating companies were to decline or if our operating companies were unable to repay the
interest and principal amounts on their shareholder loans, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, disruptions to international foreign exchange markets may restrict our ability to transfer or to convert currencies from the countries in which our operating companies are located into Hong Kong dollars
and other currencies. Furthermore, the governments of certain countries in which we operate have instituted, and other countries may in the future institute, restrictive exchange rate policies that limit or restrict our ability to convert currencies
into their respective currencies or to convert their respective currencies into other currencies or to transfer other currencies out of their jurisdictions. These restrictions on currency conversion and transfer are beyond our control and we cannot
assure you that these restrictions would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
current liabilities exceed, and will continue to exceed, our current assets, which may constrain our operational flexibility
Our
current liabilities exceed, and will continue to exceed, our current assets. We had net current liabilities of HK$17,268 million and HK$7,675 million (US$990.3 million) as of December 31, 2006 and 2008, respectively, and net current assets of
HK$28,638 million as of December 31, 2007. A high level of net current liabilities could constrain our operational flexibility as well as adversely affect our ability to expand our business.
- 10 -
We do not own all of the intellectual property rights necessary to operate our business, and if any of these
intellectual property rights become unavailable to us, we could face disruptions in our operations
We do not own all of the
intellectual property rights in the brand names that we use to market our services. We have arrangements with the Hutchison Whampoa group pursuant to which we have rights to use “
3
,” “
Hutch
” and “
Hutchison
Telecom
” and other trademarks that include the word “
Hutchison
” or derivations thereof royalty-free until the relevant change of control provisions as agreed between the relevant members of our group and the Hutchison
Whampoa group are triggered. We use the “
3
” brand in Indonesia, and the “
Hutch
” brand in Thailand and Sri Lanka. We also have been granted licenses to use certain trademarks from non-Hutchison Whampoa entities,
notably the “
orange
™” brand, which we license from a subsidiary of Orange SA. We use the “
orange™
” brand for our mobile telecommunications operations in Israel. In addition, the
“
Vietnamobile
” trademark, under which our Vietnam operations have launched its GSM services in April 2009, is owned by Hanoi Telecommunications Joint Stock Company, or Hanoi Telecom, our partner in Vietnam.
Hutchison Whampoa has the right to terminate its brand license agreements with our operating companies if its indirect interest in those licensee
operating companies falls below specified thresholds. If these ownership thresholds are breached, which is an event that would be beyond our control, or if we breach the terms of our licenses with non-Hutchison Whampoa entities, we may have to
renegotiate the terms of these trademark arrangements and/or pay royalties for the use of the relevant trademarks and domain names, or could lose the use of such trademarks and domain names altogether. We cannot assure you that the fees and terms of
use will be commercially acceptable to us if we have to renegotiate these arrangements or if we have to enter into alternate arrangements with third parties. If any of the brands under which we operate become unavailable to us, we could face a loss
of brand recognition in the markets in which we operate, as well as disruptions in our operations while new, alternate licensing arrangements are secured. As a consequence, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially and adversely affected due to the importance of the trademarks and domain names to the branding of our business operations.
We may face
risks associated with acquisitions, investments, strategic partnerships or other ventures
We may be presented with opportunities in
telecommunications markets that we believe can create long-term value for our shareholders. Suitable acquisition, investment or strategic partnership candidates may or may not arise. If such opportunities arise, we may incur indebtedness to pay for
any acquisition or investment. Such acquisitions and investments involve other risks, such as:
|
|
•
|
|
the diversion of our management’s attention and other resources from other business concerns;
|
|
|
•
|
|
expenses, delays and difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, technologies, products and personnel of the acquired company;
|
|
|
•
|
|
not realizing the anticipated benefits of any acquisition or investment;
|
|
|
•
|
|
adversely affecting our financial condition due to the timing of the acquisition or investment; and
|
|
|
•
|
|
potentially acquiring undisclosed or underestimated liabilities.
|
If any of these risks are realized, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, we may acquire investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. A change in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the
U.S. dollar may have an adverse impact on returns on any of these non-U.S. dollar denominated investments. Although we may choose to hedge our foreign currency risk, we may not be able to do so successfully and may incur losses on these investments
as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. Investments in foreign countries also subject us to risks of multiple and conflicting laws and regulations and political and economic instability abroad, which could adversely affect our return on these
investments.
- 11 -
We cannot assure you that we will make any dividend payments in the future
We cannot assure you that we will make any dividend payments in the future. We paid a special cash dividend on December 2, 2008, which was
discretionary, and our board of directors did not recommend a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2008. We refer you to “Item 8. Financial Information – A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information –
Dividend Distributions” and “Item 10. Additional Information – Memorandum and Articles of Association – Dividends” for more information. We also completed the payment of an interim dividend which was satisfied by way of a
distribution in specie of the entire share capital of HTHKH on May 7, 2009, which was discretionary. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off” for more
information.
Any asset impairment could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations
We have non-current assets such as property, plant and equipment, other intangible assets, goodwill and investments in associates (which includes
jointly-controlled entities), and we are required to review these assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount of an asset is
the greater of its fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use. If the value of an asset as reflected in our balance sheet is higher than its recoverable amount, we must recognize an asset impairment charge in our income statement. We have
recognized impairment charges in the past and cannot assure you that we will not recognize impairment charges in future years, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
The recoverable amount of an asset depends on the prevailing market conditions at the time of the review, the nature of the asset, its fair value and
estimated future cash flows that are expected to be derived from the asset. The discount rate used in this review reflects our current assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. As at December 31, 2008, our
non-current assets and assets held for sale that are subject to asset impairment review amounted to approximately HK$35.3 billion (US$4.6 billion), representing 80.6% of our total assets. If we make additional acquisitions, it is likely that we will
record additional assets on our books that would be subject to impairment review. Any reduction in the recoverable amount of an asset below its carrying value, whether due to a weak economic environment, challenging market conditions, asset or
portfolio sale decisions by management or some other condition or occurrence, could be charged to the income statement and could thus materially and adversely affect our results of operations and shareholders’ equity in the period in which the
impairment occurs.
We may be required to change our accounting treatment of certain sale and leaseback transactions in Indonesia
As part of its periodic review of our filings, the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the SEC sent us comments in August 2008 regarding
our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007. One comment that remains unresolved relates to the accounting treatment of sale and leaseback transactions for base station tower sites entered into by our Indonesia
subsidiary, PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications, or HCPT, and PT. Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia, or Protelindo, in 2008. These transactions were disclosed as a subsequent event in our financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2007, and details of the transactions and the applicable accounting treatment are described in note 10(b) to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – A.
Business Overview – Operating companies review – Indonesia – Spectrum and mobile communication networks” for more information about these transactions.
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the sale of two tranches comprising 2,248 sites was completed and we recognized a gain of US$182.2 million
(HK$1,421 million) and operating lease expenses of HK$128 million (US$16.5 million). Although we believe the accounting treatment adopted is appropriate and are continuing to engage with and provide further requested information to the SEC, we
cannot predict the outcome of the SEC’s review and there is a risk that an adjustment to our financial statements may be required in order to account for the sale and leaseback transactions as a finance lease.
If we are required to account for the sale and leaseback transactions as a finance lease, we would not recognize a gain from the sale of the base station
tower sites or an operating lease expense. Instead, we would be required to recognize the leased assets and the
- 12 -
related finance lease obligations on our balance sheet and to recognize depreciation expense on the leased assets and an interest element of the lease
payments as interest expense. Any gain or loss on a sale and finance leaseback transaction would be deferred and amortized over the term of the lease.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes and U.S. holders of our shares may be subject to special rules regarding taxation because of our PFIC status
A non-U.S. corporation is classified as a PFIC if: (i) 75 percent or more of its gross income (including its pro rata share of
gross income of any corporation of which it is considered to own 25 percent or more of the shares by value) in a taxable year is passive income, or (ii) 50 percent or more of its assets by value (including its pro rata interest in the assets of
any company of which it is considered to own 25 percent or more of the shares by value) produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. We had large amounts of cash and other passive assets until December 2008 as a result of our
disposition in 2007 of CGP Investments Holdings to Vodafone. However, based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not believe we were a PFIC for 2008.
The determination of PFIC status is made on an annual basis, and will depend on, among other factors, how we use the cash balance, when such use of the
cash balance occurs, and, if necessary, the availability of a special relief provision under Section 1298(b)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, for companies that temporarily hold substantial passive assets as a result of
the disposition of an active trade or business, also known as the change of business exception.
To qualify for the change of business
exception, we would need to satisfy the following conditions: (i) we have never previously been a PFIC; (ii) “substantially all” of the passive income for the year is attributable to proceeds from the disposition of one or more
“active trades or businesses,” as these terms are used and interpreted under the Code; and (iii) we are not a PFIC for either of the next two taxable years. We have received a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS,
confirming that our disposition of CGP Investments Holdings to Vodafone qualifies as the disposition of one or more “active trade or businesses” within the meaning of the change of business exception. Notwithstanding our receipt of the
ruling letter, in order to qualify for the change of business exception in 2008, we would need to satisfy the three conditions listed above. Based on current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources and nature of its
income (taking into account the spin-off of HTHKH), and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for 2009 or 2010. Nonetheless, if we are found to be a PFIC for 2009 or 2010, then we would be retroactively
ineligible for the change of business exception, but may not know and will not be able to inform you of such determination until 2010 or 2011.
We cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for 2009 or any subsequent taxable year. If we are a PFIC, U.S. shareholders will be subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to, among others, (i) the
tax rates for dividends, (ii) “excess distributions” and (iii) gains realized on the sale or other disposition of shares. The consequences of our being a PFIC are described further in “Item 10. Additional
Information—Taxation—United States Federal Income Taxation—Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.”
Risks Relating to
Markets Where We Operate
Any exchange rate fluctuations in the currencies in which we conduct operations, relative to the Hong
Kong dollar, and any foreign exchange restrictions could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations
We present our financial statements in Hong Kong dollars. Any exchange rate fluctuations in the currencies of the countries in which we conduct our operations, relative to the Hong Kong dollar, may result in exchange losses or gains and
increases or reductions in our debt after translation into Hong Kong dollars, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In 2008, we recorded a net exchange loss of HK$146 million (US$18.8 million)
compared to a net exchange gain of HK$84 million in 2007.
- 13 -
In the past, the central banks of countries in which our operating companies are located have imposed
foreign exchange restrictions and we cannot assure you that foreign exchange restrictions will not be imposed on our operating companies. If foreign exchange restrictions are imposed and we are unable to enter into foreign exchange swap contracts
which can partially or completely mitigate the effects of these foreign exchange restrictions on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Foreign ownership restrictions may limit our ability to cause operating companies to act in our shareholders’ best interests or to implement our business
strategies, and changes in regulations or policies, or their application or interpretation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations
Government policy and/or regulations in some countries in which we currently operate (i.e., Israel, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam) limit the nature and
extent of our investments in those countries. As a result, our ownership interests in our operating companies may not in every instance provide us with the ability to control all actions that require shareholder approval and our ability to manage
these operating companies may be hindered. Although we may participate in the management of such operating companies, we may not have the ability to prevent them from engaging in activities or pursuing strategic objectives that may conflict with our
overall strategic objectives or the best interests of our shareholders.
In addition, the regulators in countries where we operate can
introduce new regulations on foreign ownership or other aspects of our business (for example, regulations applicable to the telecommunications sector), amend existing regulations, or change the application or interpretation of existing regulations,
all of which are beyond our control. The occurrence of any or all of the foregoing could require us to remove or amend our existing arrangements with local partners and reduce our voting and/or economic interests in the relevant operating companies,
which may affect our ability to implement our business strategy in the affected countries.
Furthermore, we cannot assure you that all of
our operating companies are compliant with applicable foreign ownership restrictions, as compliance may be affected by whether our local partners or other shareholders in our operating companies are considered to be domestic or foreign persons,
which will be determined in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations or license conditions in the relevant countries. If any or all of our operating companies are not in compliance with applicable foreign ownership restrictions, monetary
and criminal penalties could be imposed, and relevant licenses or agreements could be cancelled. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Partner Communications Company Ltd., or Partner, is exposed to, and currently engaged in, a variety of legal proceedings, including class action lawsuits
Due to the legal environment of Israel and the scope and magnitude of Partner’s operations, Partner is subject to the risk of a large
number of lawsuits, including class action suits by consumers which may be costly to defend and which may result in significant judgments against it. The Israeli Class Actions Law, 2006 includes provisions that expand the causes of action for which
a class of litigants may bring suit, including with regard to any damages allegedly incurred prior to the effective date of this law. This law has reduced the requirements for certification of a class action lawsuit and the qualifications required
to be a lead plaintiff in a class action lawsuit. This law has increased the number of requests for approval of class actions and the number of class action suits against Partner, and may increase Partner’s legal exposure and legal costs in
defending against such suits, which as a result may materially and adversely affect our financial results. Currently, Partner is engaged in a number of purported class action suits as a defendant, some of which are for substantial amounts. See
“Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings—Israel.” At this stage, and until the claims are recognized as class actions, we and Partner are unable to evaluate the probability of success of the claims, and therefore no
provision has been made. In addition, a class was recently certified in proceedings asserting liability against Partner (and another Israeli provider of cellular telecommunications services) for actions taken by a third-party content provider, who
is also a defendant in this claim. There can be no assurance that this and other claims involving Partner will not materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results.
- 14 -
Volatility in social, political and economic conditions in the countries where we operate may adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations
Some of our operating companies and a portion of our total assets are
located in countries, including Israel, Sri Lanka and Thailand, which have experienced social, political and economic volatility. With respect to our Israel operations, ongoing conflict and violence between Israel and its Arab neighbors and
Palestinians may have a material adverse effect on the Israeli economy, in general, and on our business, financial condition or results of operations. With respect to our Sri Lanka operations, it is expected that the civil war in Sri Lanka will come
to an end soon, but there continues to be a risk of terrorist attacks in the area. In Thailand, ongoing political instability has led to continued civil unrest.
Developments in these and other countries in which we currently operate, or may operate in the future, including uncertainties arising from economic liberalization and deregulation policies, future economic crises,
outbreaks of hostility and political instability, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Relating to the Telecommunications Industry Generally
The telecommunications industry is a highly regulated
industry in which regulators’ decisions may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
The telecommunications industry is a highly regulated industry. In each of the countries in which we operate, we are subject to government regulation, including regulation regarding licenses, competition, frequency spectrum allocation and
costs and arrangements pertaining to interconnection and leased lines. We are also subject to regulations on our tariff structures in some jurisdictions where we operate and we cannot predict with accuracy or assure you on the timing, likelihood or
likely magnitude of any future tariff adjustments generally or the extent of any potential impact such tariff adjustments would have on our business. We cannot assure you that our business, financial condition and the results of our operations will
not be materially and adversely affected by any government-mandated regulatory reform or tariff adjustments in the future.
For example,
the Ministry of Communications of Israel is evaluating roaming charges and since 2006, has requested Partner to provide information relating to its roaming services. In addition, in August 2008, the government instructed the Ministry of
Communications of Israel and other ministries to negotiate a reduction of inbound and outbound roaming tariffs with the European Union and its members or other countries frequently visited by Israelis and to consider other tools for reducing roaming
charges. As a result, new regulations may be introduced that would limit the fees Israeli mobile phone companies can charge for calls made by foreign network operators’ customers while in Israel using Partner’s network, as well as for
calls made by Partner’s customers using their handsets abroad. Because Partner considers roaming charges to be a significant source of revenue, such regulatory changes could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, regulators in
Israel have instituted a number of other reforms in recent years and are considering a variety of other actions that could materially and adversely affect our revenues. See “Item 4. Business Overview—Regulation—Israel.”
In some cases, regulators may also be our competitors. Whether regulators will act to ensure a level playing field between
government-owned and private operators is beyond our control and their decisions may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Required licenses, approvals and permits may be difficult to obtain in the countries where we operate telecommunications networks, and once obtained, may be amended or revoked or may not be renewed
Our operation of telecommunications networks and the provision of related services generally requires various licenses, approvals
and permits and are regulated to varying degrees by national, state, regional or local governmental and/or regulatory authorities. Required licenses and permits may be difficult to obtain and once obtained, may be amended or revoked, or may be
subject to review, interpretation, modification or termination by the relevant authorities. We cannot assure you that the relevant authorities will not take actions that could materially and adversely affect our business. In addition, we cannot
assure you that required licenses and permits will be renewed or that any renewal on new terms will be commercially acceptable to us. If we fail to
- 15 -
renew any of our licenses and permits, we may lose the ability to continue to operate the affected business, and the realizable value of our relevant network
infrastructure and related assets may be materially and adversely affected. See “Item 4. Business Overview—Regulation.”
Operating licenses specify the services we can offer and the radio frequency spectrum we can utilize for mobile operations. Some of our operating licenses may require us to meet specified network build-out requirements and schedules, and
satisfy various obligations such as minimum specified quality, service, coverage criteria and capital investment. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the imposition of fines or the revocation or forfeiture of the license for
that area. Furthermore, the need to meet scheduled deadlines may cause us to expend more resources than otherwise budgeted for a particular network build-out, which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
The deployment of our networks requires various approvals or permits from national, state, regional or local governmental and/or regulatory authorities,
particularly in relation to establishing cell sites. These approvals and permits include building, construction and environmental permits, antenna and mast deployment approvals and various other planning permissions. We have experienced, and may
continue to experience, difficulties in obtaining some of these approvals and permits. For example, our Israel business, like its competitors, has experienced difficulties in obtaining some consents and permits, especially those from local building
authorities. As at December 31, 2008, less than 10% of our antenna sites in Israel were operating without local building permits or applicable exemptions. Failure to obtain required permits for cell sites could have a material adverse effect on
the extent, quality and capacity of our network coverage and on our ability to continue to market our products and services effectively. Operating network sites without building or other required permits may also result in criminal or civil
liability to Partner or its officers and directors. Our inability to resolve these issues in a timely manner could also prevent us from achieving or maintaining the network coverage and quality requirements contained in our license.
In Indonesia, we have also experienced delays in obtaining necessary local permits and licenses and this has slowed our rollout and expansion of services
in that market. Continued or extended delays may have a material adverse effect on our growth and results of operations for our Indonesia operations.
We are dependent on interconnection with our competitors’ networks and associated infrastructure as well as roaming arrangements with other telecommunications operators
Our ability to provide commercially viable mobile telecommunications services depends, in part, upon our interconnection arrangements with other
telecommunications operators. In particular, we are dependent on interconnection with our competitors’ mobile networks and associated infrastructure for the successful operation of our business. The framework by which interconnection charges
are made in certain jurisdictions where we operate are currently being reviewed by the relevant government authorities. Any change to the framework or the basis upon which interconnection charges are made is likely to require the renegotiation of
our interconnection agreements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our interconnection agreements on terms that are commercially acceptable to us or that any material increase in the interconnection expenses would not have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operating companies are also dependent upon
roaming agreements with other telecommunications operators as a source of revenues when the other telecommunications operators’ customers roam on our networks. If these roaming agreements were to terminate, or if the other telecommunications
operators were to deploy incompatible technologies, our roaming revenues and profits may be materially reduced, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Concerns about health risks relating to the use of mobile handsets may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
Media and other reports have linked radio frequency emissions from mobile handsets to various health risks, including cancer, and
to interference with various electronic medical devices, including hearing aids and pacemakers. Concerns about health risks may discourage the use of mobile handsets in the countries in which we conduct business, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Various government authorities in the markets in which we operate could also increase regulation of mobile handsets and base stations as a result of these concerns. In addition,
lawsuits have been filed in the
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United States against certain participants in the telecommunications industry alleging various adverse health consequences as a result of mobile handset
usage, and we may be subject to similar litigation in the future. Research and studies are ongoing, and we cannot assure you that further research and studies will not demonstrate a link between radio frequency emissions and health concerns. Any
negative findings in these studies could materially and adversely affect the use of mobile handsets and, as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, in Israel, a recent municipal court ruling adopted the position that there is no need to prove that the plaintiff suffered damages as a
result of the erection of a cellular network site, and that under certain circumstances, it would be sufficient to prove that damages were possible and then the burden of proof would shift to the defendant. Although Partner was not a party to this
proceeding, this ruling could negatively affect Partner’s ability to defend against similar health-related litigation in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our allocated spectrum may be insufficient for the expansion of our mobile telecommunications business
The operation of our mobile telecommunications networks is limited by the amount of spectrum allocated to us in the countries where we operate. Allocation
of spectrum is determined by the relevant governmental authorities in those countries. In determining spectrum allocation, governmental authorities generally seek to ensure choice of services for consumers, efficient use of spectrum and continuity
of customer service while maintaining technology neutrality and providing a stable investment environment. Although we believe that our current spectrum allocation is sufficient for expected customer growth going forward, our future profitability
may be materially and adversely affected if our allocated spectrum proves insufficient in the future for the expansion of our mobile telecommunications business, particularly for Indonesia and Vietnam, two of the markets in which we expect
substantial customer growth.
Risks Relating to Our ADSs and Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may suspend voting rights attaching to some shares as necessary to avoid any of our subsidiaries or affiliates being in breach or default, which may affect your voting rights
Our articles of association provide that if any person directly or indirectly has or acquires an interest in a number of our shares
that would or may, in the opinion of our directors, require a review or approval under, or which would or may result in any of our subsidiaries or affiliates (being any entity in which we directly or indirectly hold 5% or more of the issued share
capital) being in breach or in default of, any applicable law, regulation or license, permit, consent or privilege held or enjoyed by any such subsidiary or affiliate, or any requirement of any governmental or regulatory authority, our directors
have the discretion to suspend the shareholder’s right to exercise the voting rights attaching to the affected shares in which the shareholder has an interest in respect of any resolution at any general meeting of our company. Our directors
also have the ability to restrict the director(s) appointed by or at the direction of that shareholder, if any, to our board of directors from voting on any resolution or matter that concerns the activities of any affected entity or appointment of a
director or the managing director of any affected entity. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Memorandum and Articles of Association—Rights, Preferences, Restrictions Attaching to Shares and Changing the Rights of
Shareholders—Voting Rights.” As a result of the foregoing, your voting rights may be affected.
It may be more difficult for you to bring
an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, than if we were a corporation incorporated in the United States
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and we conduct substantially all of our operations outside of the United States. In addition, substantially all
of our assets are located outside the United States. Moreover, most of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law
and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors and actions by minority shareholders are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law in the Cayman
Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English
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common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority in a court in the Cayman Islands. Cayman Islands law in this area may not be as established and
may differ from provisions under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in the United States. As a result, our public shareholders may face different considerations in protecting their interests in actions against the management, directors or
our major shareholder than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring or enforce an action against us or against these individuals in the
United States if you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. In particular, the Cayman Islands courts are unlikely:
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to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and
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•
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in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands, to impose liabilities against us based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are
penal in nature.
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Our ability to protect our rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are incorporated
under Cayman Islands law
Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal
court of the United States. As a result, our ability to protect our interests if we are harmed in a manner that would otherwise enable us to sue in a United States federal court may be limited.
You may not be able to exercise your right to vote the ordinary shares underlying your American Depositary Shares, or ADSs
As a holder of our ADSs, you may instruct the depositary of your ADSs to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs but only if we ask the depositary
to ask for your instructions. Otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote unless you withdraw the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs you hold. However, you may not know about the meeting far enough in advance to withdraw those
ordinary shares. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can
instruct the depositary to vote your ordinary shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be
able to exercise your right to vote, and there may be nothing you can do if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if you do not vote, unless we notify the
depositary that:
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we do not wish to receive a discretionary proxy;
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•
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we think there is substantial shareholder opposition to the particular question; or
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•
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we think the particular question would have a material adverse impact on our shareholders.
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The effect of this discretionary proxy is that you cannot prevent our ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, absent the situations
described above, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company, which could adversely affect your interests. Holders of our ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
You may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares represented by ADSs or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to
holders of ADSs
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to distribute to you, after deducting its fees and expenses, the cash
distributions or other distributions it or the custodian for our ADSs receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares your ADSs represent.
However, the depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to take any
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other action to permit the distribution of our ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This means that you may not receive the
distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The
depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of your ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of
law or any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
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ITEM 4.
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INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
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A.
Business Overview
Group Overview
We are a provider of mobile and fixed-line telecommunications services. We currently operate telecommunications services in five markets: Israel, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Until May 7, 2009, we provided mobile
telecommunications services in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications services in Hong Kong. For a summary of notable developments which have occurred since the beginning of 2008, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects – Overview.”
Using 2G GSM, CDMA, GPRS, and 3G platforms, we offer customers a wide variety of telecommunications
services, ranging from basic voice and data services to multimedia services using advanced mobile technology.
Our 3G services in Israel
and Indonesia bring customers a wide range of content covering sports, news, entertainment and finance. In Israel, we offer HSDPA technology, which permits significantly faster data transfer rates. In Vietnam and Sri Lanka, we provide 2G GSM
services. In Thailand we provide multimedia services over CDMA2000 1X networks.
We use the “
3
” brand in our operations in
Indonesia. In Thailand and Sri Lanka, we use the “
Hutch
” brand, while in Israel we use the “
orange™
” brand, and in Vietnam, we use the “
Vietnamobile
” brand.
In 2008, we had total turnover of HK$23,725 million (US$3,061.3 million). Our operating profit in 2008 was HK$4,060 million (US$523.9 million), and
profit attributable to equity holders was HK$1,883 million (US$243.0 million). As at December 31, 2008, we had a total of approximately 12.1 million mobile customers. The following table sets forth the number of our mobile customers by
market as at December 31, 2008.
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Market
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Number of Mobile
Customers
(thousands)
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Israel
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2,898
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Hong Kong mobile (including Macau)
(1)
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2,702
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Thailand
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1,070
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Indonesia
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4,501
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Sri Lanka
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887
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Total
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12,058
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(1)
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Hong Kong and Macau mobile telecommunications operations ceased to be a business segment upon the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009.
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At the end of 2008, we had approximately 336,000 residential voice lines and 240,000 business voice lines, as well as approximately 261,000
residential broadband Internet customers in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong fixed-line business ceased to be one of our business segments when we completed the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009.
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Business strategy
Our main strategy is to develop mobile telecommunications services in markets with the potential for high growth, in terms of customers and/or the value of services provided as well as continuing to develop our
high-speed multimedia mobile telecommunications business in more developed markets. We believe that a combination of businesses at different stages of development provides a base for strong sustained growth. We look for strong economic growth and
favorable demographic profiles in markets that we believe will result in sustained increasing demand for our services.
We intend to
leverage our experienced management team and established track record of successfully developing and operating mobile telecommunications businesses to grow and diversify our turnover and profits. As and when opportunities arise, we will consider
acquiring or investing selectively in new businesses in countries in which we already have a presence and in new markets that we believe present attractive investment opportunities.
We aim to establish and maintain leadership positions in our markets. We develop market position by building high quality networks, offering competitive
tariffs and providing customer-driven products and innovative service plans. We also seek to leverage the buying power that comes from operating networks globally. We believe this has allowed us to source high-quality network infrastructure at
attractive prices to enable the efficient development of our businesses. We focus on attracting and maintaining knowledgeable local management, continuing technological innovation, and maintaining a strong reputation in the telecommunications
industry.
We are able to modify these factors to suit the diverse markets that we serve. In Indonesia, for example, with its large
population and high growth rate for mobile phone customers, we are focusing on network expansion and attractively priced services to establish a successful business that not only will make a significant contribution to our results in time but will
also continue to show strong growth. In contrast, in markets where telecommunications services are more established, such as Israel, we build strategically on our well-known brand and our reputation as an innovation leader. In this relatively more
mature market, we drive growth by meeting customer demand for the latest technology and newest applications.
Services and products
We offer a variety of voice, video, data and value-added multimedia services over our mobile networks. We operate 2G and 3G mobile networks using GSM,
GPRS, CDMA and W-CDMA technology across our businesses. Second generation technology, or 2G, usually refers to mobile telecommunications services using GSM and CDMA in the 800/900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands. Third generation technology, or 3G,
usually refers to Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, or UMTS, which complies with the IMT-2000 high speed data requirements specified by ITU. It can also refer to high-speed packet access, or HSPA, which is a technology developed from UMTS
to further improve the data transmission rate. Global System for Mobile communications, or GSM, is a comprehensive telecommunication standard for all elements of a mobile telephone system. General packet radio services, or GPRS, is a packet-based
data communication service that overlays on GSM, enabling data transmission rates of up to 114 Kbps and which is suitable for connecting mobile phone and computer terminals to the Internet. Code division multiple access, or CDMA, is a spectral
efficient radio access technology by which many users share use of the same radio channel with unique orthogonal codes assigned to identify them individually. Wideband code division multiple access, or W-CDMA, is the radio access technology used in
3G UMTS systems.
Mobile telecommunications
We offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of the local market in which we operate. Specifically we offer:
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2G
. In Israel, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, we offer 2G services using GSM 800 MHz, 900 MHz and/or 1800 MHz spectrum. Our 2G services offer basic
mobile telecommunications services such as: local voice; SMS, or short messaging system; MMS, or multimedia messaging system; IDD, or international direct dialing; and international roaming. We also offer a large variety of value-added services,
including voicemail, caller identification display, call waiting, call forwarding and call blocking. To meet market demand for the faster transmission speeds required for wireless Internet access and other applications, we have continued to invest
in technology such as GPRS. GPRS modem cards provide subscribers with access to the Internet, email and corporate networks.
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- 20 -
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•
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3G
.
We launched 3G services in Israel in 2004 and in Indonesia in 2007. Our 3G services are capable of transferring data at significantly
faster speeds compared to 2G networks. In addition to voice services, 3G technology provides customers with access to high speed mobile Internet services and applications over their 3G phones, as well as real time person-to-person mobile video
calls, the ability to stream and download music and video clips and other multimedia content and other data services at higher speeds.
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•
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BlackBerry
™
. We offer
BlackBerry
™ wireless email services operating on our GSM, GPRS and 3G networks in Israel. We were the
first mobile telecommunications operator in Asia to offer
BlackBerry
™ wireless email services, which provide customers with an end-to-end encrypted wireless solution that includes integrated email, mobile telecommunications and
electronic organizer features.
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•
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CDMA
. We offer CDMA2000 1X networks in Thailand. We offer basic mobile telecommunications services such as: local voice, SMS, MMS, IDD, and
international roaming. We also offer a variety of value-added services, including voicemail, caller identification display, call waiting, call forwarding and call blocking. CDMA2000 1X technology provides the ability to download music and other
multimedia content, as well as other data services.
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Marketing strategy and brand
Each of our businesses enjoys access to our brands. We use the “
3
” brand in Indonesia and the “
Hutch
” brand in Thailand
and Sri Lanka. In Israel, we use the “
orange™
” brand, and in Vietnam, we use the “
Vietnamobile
” brand.
Our overall marketing strategy is to distinguish our brands from other telecommunications service providers by offering product and service innovations as well as promoting our brands. Other aspects of our marketing strategy depend on the
nature of each market.
Tariff plans
We offer a variety of plans to meet the needs of different user segments. Our postpaid plans include a monthly fee that bundles voice services with a variety of value-added services such as voice mail, MMS, SMS and fax services and in some
cases data and content services. We also offer data-only monthly plans which give customers the flexibility to add other value-added services later. Additional charges are levied for other value-added services including IDD services and roaming
services. We also offer many prepaid plans. Prepaid customers purchase a rechargeable prepaid SIM card for a specified amount of airtime, and they may also enjoy additional value-added services.
SIM, or subscriber identity module, is a small card or chip provided to network subscribers that is inserted into a handset. Each SIM uniquely identifies
a network subscriber and stores the subscriber’s personal phone book, sent and received text messages, network security codes and other programs that enable additional network features.
Sales and distribution
We have developed extensive
sales and distribution networks using both our own and third-party operations to market our mobile telecommunications service products. We have dedicated retail outlets in Israel, Indonesia and Thailand at which customers can select mobile phones
and accessories, make inquiries and subscribe for services. In addition, we utilize other leading distributors, specialist and general retail outlets to sell our services. In most of our markets, we are actively involved in sourcing and selling
handsets. In all of our markets, access to wide sales and distribution outlets of good quality is critical to the success of the business. For business customers, we typically use teams of direct sales agents.
Operating companies review
Israel
Overview
In Israel, we provide
2G GSM and 3G UMTS mobile telecommunications services through Partner. According to industry data, Partner is the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in Israel, with approximately 2.90 million customers as at
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December 31, 2008. We believe Partner is a leading provider of 3G services in Israel, with a network covering 98% of the country’s population.
Partner served more than 951,000 3G customers and 1,947,000 2G customers as at December 31, 2008.
As at December 31, 2008, we
held approximately 51% of the voting share capital of Partner. Partner’s shares are quoted on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and its American Depositary Shares are quoted on The Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq. While it was previously listed on
the London Stock Exchange, effective March 12, 2008, Partner discontinued its listing of its American Depositary Shares on that exchange.
In January 2007, the Ministry of Communications of Israel granted Partner a license for the provision of domestic fixed-line telecommunications services. The license expires in twenty years, but may be extended by the Ministry of
Communications for successive periods of ten years. The license was amended in February 2007 to grant Partner the right to offer voice over broadband, or VOB, services using the infrastructure of Israeli Telecommunications Company Limited, or Bezeq,
the incumbent fixed-line operator in Israel, and HOT, a cable television operator in Israel that also offers fixed-line telephone service, to access customers and to provide them with fixed-line telephony service. In March 2009, Partner was also
granted a domestic fixed-line license, effective until March 2019, to provide fixed-line services in the West Bank area.
Partner markets
its services under the “
orange™
” brand.
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for our
services as at the dates or for the periods indicated:
orange™
Brand Mobile Services in Israel
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As at or for the year ended
December 31,
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2006
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2007
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2008
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Total customers (in millions)
(1)
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2.67
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2.86
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2.90
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Growth in total customers (%)
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5.5
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7.1
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1.4
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Total turnover (in NIS millions)
(2)
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5,607
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6,114
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6,330
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Growth in total turnover (%)
(2)
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9.4
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9.0
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3.5
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Blended average revenue per user (ARPU) (in NIS)
(2)
(3)
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158
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158
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159
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Blended minutes of use (MOU) (in minutes)
(4)
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311
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336
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365
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Blended Churn (%)
(5)
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15.6
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15.0
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17.8
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(1)
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Total customers comprise postpaid customers and prepaid customers who have a SIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice or data services and that have not
been used up or expired at end of the reporting period.
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(2)
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Partner’s results are presented in New Israeli Shekels in its consolidated financial statements, which are prepared under US GAAP.
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(3)
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ARPU is calculated by (i) dividing, for each month in the relevant year, revenue during the month, excluding revenue from equipment sales and including revenue from foreign
network operators for calls made by their roaming customers while in Israel using Partner’s network, by the average number of Partner’s customers during that month, and (ii) dividing the sum of all such results by the number of months
in the relevant period.
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(4)
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MOU is calculated by (i) for each month in such period, dividing the total number of minutes of usage, excluding usage while roaming, during such month by the average number of
Partner’s customers and (ii) dividing the sum of such results by the number of months in the relevant period.
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(5)
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Blended churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which is calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning and end of such period.
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Products and services
Partner offers telephony service provided on both its GSM/GPRS network and its UMTS/HSXPA
network. Partner’s basic offerings include international dialing, roaming, voice mail, SMS, intelligent network services, content based on our cellular portal, data and fax transmission and other services. In addition, Partner’s use of
HSCSD, GSM, GPRS, UMTS and HSXPA technologies enables high-speed data transmission. All of Partner’s content services, including 2G and 2.5G content, were re-branded during 2008
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under the “
orange time
” brand. Partner’s “
orange™ time
” mobile services enable the streaming and downloading of
rich applications and content and WAP browsing for 2G subscribers, while the 3G subscribers’ services are enhanced by video and high quality audio capabilities. Partner’s MMS services enable subscribers to send photos, multimedia and
animation from handset to handset and from handset to the web. In December 2008 and January 2009, Partner launched three additional non-cellular business lines: web video on demand, or VOD, providing premium on-demand video (mainly full-track
feature films and television series episodes), music tracks and games, Internet services provision, or ISP, that provides access to the Internet as well as home Wi-Fi networks, value added services, or VAS, such as anti-virus and anti-spam
filtering, as well as VOB telephony services that compete with fixed-line telephone services.
Partner also offers high quality customer
service, as well as handset repair and replacement services for equipment sold to its subscribers.
Ownership
As at December 31, 2008, we held approximately 51% of the voting share capital of Partner.
In April 2005, amendments to Partner’s telecommunications license became effective and required that Partner’s founding shareholders hold, in
the aggregate, at least 26% of its outstanding shares. The amendments also reduced the required minimum holdings of Partner’s shares by Israeli citizens and residents from 20% to 5%. Under the terms of a restated relationship agreement that we
entered into on April 20, 2005 with Elbit Ltd., Polar Communications Ltd., or Polar, Eurocom Communications Ltd., or Eurocom, Matav Investments, Matav Cable Systems Media Ltd., or Matav Cable, and Tapuz Cellular Systems Ltd., or Tapuz, we
agreed to hold such number of shares of Partner as will be required to comply with the 26% minimum founding shareholder percentage required under Partner’s license, less the 5% shareholding required to be held by Israeli citizens and residents,
which the Israeli shareholders that are party to the relationship agreement agreed to hold. In 2006, Partner’s founding Israeli shareholders, Elron Electronics Industries Ltd., Elbit Ltd. and Polar, sold all of their shares in Partner, and
Eurocom sold approximately 50% of its shares in Partner, to Israeli institutional investors in transactions that satisfied the 5% Israeli citizen and resident shareholder requirement.
Partner’s board of directors is comprised of 11 directors. Under the restated relationship agreement, the Israeli shareholders who are party to the
agreement are entitled to appoint 10% of the directors on Partner’s board of directors, which, based on the current number of directors, entitles the Israeli shareholders to appoint one director. In addition, to the extent required by
applicable law or Partner’s license, we are obligated to vote our shares in each general meeting of Partner at which directors are elected to ensure that a majority of the directors of Partner are Israeli citizens or residents. Except for these
requirements, there are no obligations to vote for any directors. If a party to the relationship agreement commits certain events of default described in the agreement, it may be required to offer its shares to the other parties on a pre-emptive
basis. Events of default for this purpose include a breach of the relationship agreement which has a material adverse effect on Partner, and in the case of such breach, the purchase price at which the shares are to be sold will be market value less
a 17.5% discount.
Mobile telecommunications industry in Israel
There are currently four mobile telecommunications operators in Israel: Partner, Pelephone, Cellcom and MIRS Communications Limited, or MIRS. Market data
from industry sources indicates that the total market size was approximately 9.2 million subscribers as at December 31, 2008, representing a penetration rate of approximately 125% of Israel’s population.
Competition
Partner is the
second largest mobile telecommunications operator in Israel by number of customers based on publicly available market data. Israel’s high mobile telecommunications penetration rate has resulted in intense competition for market share among
mobile telecommunications operators. Partner competes with Cellcom, Pelephone and MIRS principally on the basis of telecommunications service quality, brand identity, variety of handsets, tariffs, VAS and the quality of customer services.
Partner, Cellcom and Pelephone have each been awarded a 3G license. Cellcom commercially launched its 3G service and handsets in July
2006. Pelephone currently operates nationwide mobile telephone networks in Israel using both N-AMPS analog and CDMA and CDMA1 xRTT technology, as well as EV-DO technology. Pelephone also launched its new UMTS/HSXPA network in early 2009.
- 23 -
Currently, there are three major fixed ISPs in Israel: Bezeq International, 012 Smile Communications
Ltd., or Smile, and Netvision 013 Barak, or Netvision. Each provider accounts for approximately one third of the ISP market. Partner has just entered this market.
In the fixed-line telephone service market, there are a number of providers. Bezeq is the major provider, and Hot Telecom, Netvision, Xfone Communication Ltd. and Smile began providing VOB service a few years ago.
Partner has recently entered this market as well.
Partner is the first operator in Israel to launch web VOD service over the Internet to
the user’s personal computer. The service is considered to be an innovative service in the Israel market. A few media and telecom players have expressed interest in entering the VOD market.
Palestine Telecommunication Co. Ltd., or Paltel, operates a GSM mobile telecommunications network under the name Jawwal in the areas of the West Bank and
Gaza Strip administered by the Palestinian Authority, as well as a fixed-line network. Paltel’s GSM network competes with Partner’s network in some border areas where coverage areas overlap.
Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks
As at December 31, 2008, Partner’s 3G network covered approximately 98% of the Israeli population.
Spectrum availability in Israel is limited and is allocated by the Ministry of Communications through a licensing process. Pursuant to the terms of its license and subsequent allocations, Partner was allocated 2 x 10.4 MHz in the 900 MHz
frequency band, of which 2 x 2.4 MHz is shared with Paltel, which operates in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Partner also has an agreement to use an additional 2 x 2.4 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz frequency band on a shared basis with Paltel.
Under this agreement, which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Communications, Partner is permitted to use this additional spectrum in Israel so long as it does not cause interference in areas where Paltel operates. Although Partner believes that
it is entitled to use all of the spectrum it is using and that it is paying the required consideration for such use, the Ministry of Communications is conducting a hearing regarding the use of the shared spectrum, which may result in Partner being
ordered to cease use or pay substantial fees for the use of these frequencies in the future.
In December 2001, the Ministry of
Communications awarded Partner two additional bands of spectrum: one band comprising 10 MHz of paired GSM 1800 spectrum and one band comprising 10 MHz of paired and of 5 MHz unpaired UMTS/HSDPA third-generation spectrum. During 2002, Partner started
deploying GSM 1800 MHz band base transceiver stations to enhance the capacity of its GSM 900 network, and to further improve the quality of its GSM 900 network. In 2004, Partner launched 3G services.
Hong Kong and Macau mobile telecommunications business
Overview
We completed the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009 and as a result, the Hong Kong and Macau mobile
telecommunications business ceased to be one of our business segments. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off” for more information about the spin-off.
Prior to the spin-off, we provided GSM dual-band and 3G mobile telecommunications services under the “
3
” brand, through
Hutchison Telephone Company Limited, or Hutchison Telephone HK, and Hutchison Telephone (Macau) Company Limited (as appropriate) in both Hong Kong and Macau. Based on market data, during 2008 we maintained our position as one of the largest mobile
telecommunications operators in Hong Kong in terms of customer numbers, and together with Macau, provided services to approximately 2.7 million customers as at December 31, 2008.
We also had the largest 3G customer base among mobile operators in Hong Kong, with approximately 1.3 million customers as at December 31, 2008,
and were the first 3G service provider in Hong Kong. Our 3G network in Hong Kong covered 99% of the population and provided territory-wide HSDPA coverage and Wi-Fi services at hot spots.
- 24 -
Prior to the spin-off, we had been providing GSM dual-band mobile telecommunications services in Macau
since August 2001 and launched 3G mobile communication services in October 2007. In 2008, we were the second largest provider of mobile telecommunications services in Macau in terms of number of customers. Our business in Macau benefited from the
significant cross-border visitor traffic from Hong Kong and China.
In 2008, the
Hong Kong and Macau market focussed on mobile data promotion. “
3
” was the first mobile operator to launch iPhones
TM
in both Hong
Kong and Macau. The iPhone
TM
rollout contributed to an increase in the number of customers who subscribe to our service plans tailored for high data
usage customers. As at December 31, 2008, we had approximately 85,000 iPhone
TM
subscribers.
In 2008, we entered into a cooperation agreement with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company Group, or Philippine Long Distance, to begin
operating a MVNO business in Italy. In October 2008, MVNO services were launched in Italy.
CDMA service was terminated in November 2008
following the expiry of our CDMA license.
The following table sets out market and operating data for our mobile services in Hong Kong and
Macau as at the dates or for the periods indicated:
3
Brand Mobile Services in Hong Kong and Macau*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Total customers (in millions)
(1)
|
|
2.14
|
|
2.43
|
|
2.70
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
|
|
8.6
|
|
13.5
|
|
11.1
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
4,199
|
|
4,775
|
|
5,376
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
9.4
|
|
13.7
|
|
12.6
|
|
Blended ARPU (in HK$)
(2)
|
|
152
|
|
159
|
|
149
|
|
Blended MOU (in minutes)
(3)
|
|
469
|
|
491
|
|
459
|
|
Blended Churn (%)
(4)
|
|
4.3
|
|
3.8
|
|
4.2
|
|
*
|
Hong Kong and Macau mobile telecommunications operations ceased to be a business segment upon the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009.
|
|
(1)
|
Total customers comprise postpaid customers and prepaid customers who have a SIM or USIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice, data or video services and
that have not been used up or expired at end of the reporting period.
|
|
(2)
|
Blended ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(3)
|
Blended MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (2G total airtime usage plus 3G voice and video usage, including both inbound and outbound roaming during the
period) divided by the weighted average number of activated customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis.
|
|
(4)
|
Blended churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which is calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnections and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning of such period.
|
Products and services
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we offered standard and enhanced mobile
telecommunications services and products such as local voice, SMS, MMS, IDD, international roaming and mobile Internet access, as well as value-added services and products such as voice mail, ringtone and game downloads, information services and
GPRS, in Hong Kong and Macau.
Our 3G services included video calls and a suite of content services including video-based services. We
worked with over 280 3G content providers worldwide, enabling us to deliver a rich and diverse portfolio of content. We also provided the largest array of 3G video mobile phones in Hong Kong.
- 25 -
We provided territory-wide HSDPA coverage in both Hong Kong and Macau. HSDPA is a technological
enhancement to 3G services which, through a HSDPA data card modem or handset, enables customers to access 3G services at higher speeds.
We launched the “X-Series” services in Hong Kong in the end of 2006. The X-Series
provided our customers with access to a host of popular mobile broadband Internet applications, including Windows Live Messenger (MSN), Yahoo!Go, Google search, Skype and eBay, via over 140 models of “
3
” mobile handsets. In 2008,
our X-Series service was further enriched with the launch of “3 Messenger.” We were selected by Apple Inc. to be the first mobile telecommunications provider to launch iPhone
TM
3G services in Hong Kong and Macau, which we launched in the second half of 2008.
Ownership
In May 2009, we completed the spin-off of HTHKH, which was previously our indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary. HTHKH held our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. As a result of the spin-off, HTHKH is no longer our subsidiary and the Hong Kong and Macau
mobile telecommunications business ceased to be one of our business segments on May 7, 2009. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off” for more
information about the spin-off of HTHKH.
Prior to the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, we held a 75.9% interest in Hutchison Telephone
HK, while the minority interest was held by NTT DoCoMo.
Hong Kong and Macau mobile telecommunications markets
As at December 31, 2008, Hong Kong had a mobile phone penetration rate of over 162% based on internal calculations from publicly available market
data, reflecting Hong Kong’s high number of resident customers with multiple subscriptions as well as business and tourist customers. There were approximately 11.4 million mobile phone subscriptions out of a total population of
approximately 7.0 million in Hong Kong as at December 31, 2008.
Based on key statistics of radio communication and
telecommunications services available from the website of the Macau government’s Office for the Direcção dos Serviços de Regulação de Telecomunicações, or DSRT, there were approximately 933,000
mobile telecommunications customers in Macau as at December 31, 2008, representing a penetration rate of over 170%.
Competition
In 2008 there were five 2G operators and four 3G mobile telecommunications operators in Hong Kong. Four companies hold both 2G and
3G licenses: SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited, or SmarTone, which is Vodafone’s exclusive partner in Hong Kong; Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited (formerly SUNDAY o/b Mandarin Communications Limited), or PCCW Mobile, which is
wholly-owned by PCCW-HKT Telephone Limited, or PCCW; CSL Limited, or CSL, and us. China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, or Peoples, which is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of China Mobile, China’s largest mobile telecommunications
operator, has a 2G license only. A new CDMA 2000 license was jointly issued to PCCW Mobile and PCCW to operate a CDMA 2000 network that was launched in November 2008; this is the fifth 3G network in Hong Kong. In addition, in late 2008, three
operators, namely PCCW Mobile, Peoples and us, converted or combined their respective licenses into Unified Carrier Licenses, which do not limit the number of networks that can be operated.
We were the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in Hong Kong by number of customers in 2008, based on publicly available market data. Hong
Kong’s high mobile telecommunications penetration rate has resulted in intense competition for market share among mobile telecommunications operators. We competed principally on the basis of price, service quality, brand identity, variety of
handsets, tariffs, value- added services and the quality of customer services. Furthermore, in the 3G segment of the market, operators compete on innovative products and services and mobile broadband services have become the focal point of
competition among the Hong Kong mobile operators.
- 26 -
In Macau, there are currently four mobile telecommunications operators: Companhia de
Telecommunicações de Macau S.A.R.L., or CTM, Macau’s previous monopoly mobile carrier and largest telecommunications operator; SmarTone Mobile Communications (Macau) Limited; China Telecom (Macau) Co. Limited; and us. As at
December 31, 2008, we were the second largest mobile telecommunications operator in Macau by number of customers based on market data published by DSRT and information published by our competitors.
Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we provided 3G services in Hong Kong using W-CDMA technology.
Following the award of a 3G license in Hong Kong in October 2001, we obtained one block of paired spectrum of 2 x 14.8 MHz and one block of 5 MHz unpaired spectrum at the 1900 to 2200 MHz spectrum bands. We became Hong Kong’s first 3G
mobile telecommunications services provider in January 2004.
Our 2G customers in Hong Kong used our GSM dual-band network, which allows
radio communications to and from customer handsets to switch seamlessly between the 900 MHz spectrum and 1800 MHz spectrum bands resulting in enhanced network quality and capacity. We also offered GPRS technology in Hong Kong, which utilizes GSM
frequencies.
Through a jointly-controlled entity with Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited, we successfully bid for a total of 30
MHz of radio spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band at a total spectrum utilization fee of HK$518 million (US$66.8 million). The unified carrier license for this spectrum was issued to the jointly-controlled entity in March 2009. The license permits us to
provide a variety of advanced high-speed multimedia services through implementation of Long Term Evolution technology.
For a more detailed
discussion of spectrum allocation and licensing matters, see “—Regulation—Hong Kong—Licensing framework” and “—Regulation—Hong Kong—Licenses.”
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we used GSM mobile telecommunications networks for our 2G operations in Macau while we deployed W-CDMA
technology for our 3G network.
Hong Kong fixed-line business
Overview
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we owned and operated what we believe
was the largest fibre-to-building telecommunications network in Hong Kong, with approximately 5,300 kilometers of linear ducting and over 965,000 kilometers of core fibre-optic cable. Fibre-to-the-building networks are able to support a higher
volume of traffic at faster transmission speeds for Internet and data communications compared to traditional copper cable networks. Using this fibre-to-the-building network, we were able to gain a firm foothold in the local fixed network industry.
We offered local and IDD voice call services, broadband Internet access and various data transmission services to residential and business
customers in Hong Kong through Hutchison Global Communications Limited, or Hutchison Global Communications. In addition, we owned submarine cable capacities around the world through which we provided IPLC (international private line circuit), IPVPN
(internet protocol virtual private network), IE (international ethernet), data and IDD (international direct dial) services in a wholesale manner to overseas carriers as well as cross-border services for corporate customers.
At the end of 2008, we had approximately 335,000 residential voice lines and approximately 240,000 business voice lines, as well as approximately 261,000
residential broadband Internet customers in Hong Kong. We also provided business broadband and data solutions, as well as business voice and IDD service to business customers in Hong Kong. Our clients included mainly banking and financial,
governmental and quasi-governmental bodies. We also provided lease line connectivity to most of the mobile operators in Hong Kong through our fibre-to-the-building network.
- 27 -
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for our fixed-line services as at the
dates or for the periods indicated:
Our Fixed-line Services in Hong Kong*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Total residential voice lines (in millions)
|
|
0.33
|
|
0.35
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
Growth in total residential voice lines (%)
|
|
10
|
|
5
|
|
(3.1
|
)
|
|
Total residential broadband lines (in millions)
|
|
0.24
|
|
0.26
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
Growth in total residential broadband lines (%)
|
|
9.1
|
|
7.4
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
Total IDD outgoing traffic minutes (in millions)
|
|
1,286
|
|
1,581
|
|
1,802
|
|
|
Growth in total IDD outgoing traffic minutes (%)
|
|
29
|
|
23
|
|
14.0
|
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
2,406
|
|
2,436
|
|
2,693
|
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
9.2
|
|
1.2
|
|
10.6
|
|
|
*
|
Hong Kong fixed-line services ceased to be a business segment upon the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009.
|
Products and services
Our
fixed-line operations pioneered the integration of traditional and new technologies in Hong Kong by offering services that combined basic telecommunications services with video phones. Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we also offered one
of the fastest bi-directional residential broadband services available in Hong Kong.
In addition, following the connection of a new
fibre-optic cable system known as the “HK-ShenZhen Western Corridor cable system” to the networks of major fixed-line operators in mainland China, we were the only operator in Hong Kong to have all of its cross-border networks successfully
integrated with networks of all three operators in mainland China, thereby providing the biggest Hong Kong-China cross-border transmission capacity.
Ownership
In May 2009, we completed the spin-off of HTHKH, which was previously our indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary. HTHKH held our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. As a result of the spin-off, HTHKH is no longer our subsidiary and the Hong Kong fixed-line
business ceased to be one of our business segments on May 7, 2009. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off” for more information about the spin-off of
HTHKH.
Prior to the spin-off, Hutchison Global Communications Holdings, the parent company of Hutchison Global Communications, had been
our wholly-owned subsidiary since July 2005.
Hong Kong fixed-line telecommunications market
As at December 31, 2008, there were approximately 4.1 million telephone lines for subscribers in Hong Kong, including approximately 319,000 fax
lines and 396,000 registered IP telephone subscribers, in a territory with a total population of approximately 7.0 million. Telephone density was approximately 59 lines per 100 people, calculated based on official government data.
In the Hong Kong Internet market, as at December 31, 2008 there were approximately 955,000 registered customer accounts with dial-up Internet access
and approximately 2.0 million registered customer accounts with broadband Internet access according to data published by the Office of the Telecommunication Authority in Hong Kong, or OFTA.
- 28 -
Competition
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, in the fixed-line business in Hong Kong, we faced competition from four other fixed-line telecommunications operators. PCCW is Hong Kong’s previous monopoly carrier and, based on
PCCW’s publicly released reports, by far the largest fixed-line telecommunications operator in Hong Kong. Other competitors included: Wharf T&T Limited, or Wharf T&T; New World Telecommunications Limited, or NWT; and Hong Kong Broadband
Network Limited, or Hong Kong Broadband. Unlike us, Wharf and NWT rely more heavily on Type II interconnections provided by PCCW-HKT in offering voice services. For a description of Type II interconnections, see “—Regulation—Hong
Kong—Key industry regulatory issues—Fixed-line interconnection.”
In the Hong Kong Internet service provider market, we
faced competition from the same four companies who competed with us in the fixed-line telecommunications market: PCCW, which markets its services under the “Netvigator” brand name, Wharf T&T through its subsidiary i-Cable WebServe
Limited, NWT and Hong Kong Broadband. PCCW’s “Netvigator” is the leading Internet service provider in Hong Kong, with more than 60% market share based on publicly available market data and PCCW’s publicly available reports.
Thailand
Overview
In Thailand, we market mobile telecommunications services on behalf of CAT Telecom Public Company Limited, or CAT Telecom, using
CDMA2000 1X technology under the “
Hutch
” brand. We began operations in Thailand in February 2003. As at December 31, 2008, the “
Hutch
” brand service had approximately 1.1 million customers.
Our business operations in Thailand are conducted mainly through two entities, Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Ltd., or Hutchison CAT, and BFKT
(Thailand) Limited, or BFKT, which both exercise contractual rights that have been agreed with CAT Telecom (the successor to the telecommunications business operations of the former Communications Authority of Thailand) to market services for a
CDMA2000 1X network that CAT Telecom has the right to operate. CAT Telecom is the only mobile telecommunications operator in Thailand utilizing CDMA2000 1X technology.
Hutchison CAT is a corporation with two principal shareholders, Hutchison Wireless MultiMedia Holdings Limited, or Hutchison Wireless, and CAT Telecom.
Hutchison CAT has a contract with CAT Telecom to provide exclusive marketing services for CAT Telecom in central Thailand, an area that covers 25 of
Thailand’s 76 provinces, including the capital city of Bangkok. The area covered by the marketing contract has a population of approximately 20 million people, representing approximately 32% of Thailand’s population. According to Thai
government statistics, the provinces within our marketing area account for approximately 70% of Thailand’s GDP.
In 2006, CAT Telecom
began trial service using CDMA2000 1X EV-DO technology in the 51 provinces of Thailand that are not within Hutchison CAT’s marketing area. Based on the results of this trial, in 2007, Hutchison CAT and CAT Telecom commenced nationwide CDMA
roaming service between CAT Telecom’s CDMA network in 51 provinces and the CDMA network in 25 provinces within Hutchison CAT’s marketing area. The implementation of seamless voice roaming between the two networks has enhanced the
efficiency of our CDMA network throughout the country and expanded Hutchison CAT’s connectivity, which has contributed to an increase in the number of Hutchison CAT’s customers. In addition, in 2008, CAT Telecom launched both postpaid and
prepaid services using CDMA2000 1X EV-DO technology in the 51 provinces of Thailand that are not within Hutchison CAT’s marketing area. The launch helped to improve awareness of CDMA technologies among mobile telecommunications users in
Thailand, a market which had previously been dominated by GSM services.
Under Hutchison CAT’s marketing contract with CAT Telecom,
Hutchison CAT is responsible for marketing mobile phones and mobile telecommunications services to the public on behalf of CAT Telecom, as well as providing after-sale services and other supplementary services relating to such sales and marketing
activities. The current contract is effective through 2015. Under the contract, Hutchison CAT receives a percentage of the monthly service fees and service transfer fees paid by the Hutch customers. However, in line with current market practice on
service transfer fees, Hutchison CAT has waived its right to receive revenue derived from service transfer fees in 2008.
- 29 -
Hutchison CAT’s provision of marketing services to CAT Telecom, and BFKT’s leasing of
telecommunications equipment to CAT Telecom, are both activities that are distinct from those carried out by the network operator, CAT Telecom, which is the sole party with the right to operate the CDMA2000 1X network under applicable Thai law and
regulations.
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for the “
Hutch
” brand CDMA2000 1X services as
at the dates or for the periods indicated:
Hutch
Brand Mobile Services in Thailand
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Total customers (in millions)
(1)
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
34.3
|
|
|
9.2
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
1,017
|
|
|
973
|
|
|
1,192
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
(2.7
|
)
|
|
(4.3
|
)
|
|
22.5
|
|
Blended ARPU (in THB)
(2)
|
|
577
|
|
|
454
|
|
|
388
|
|
Blended MOU (in minutes)
(3)
|
|
709
|
|
|
686
|
|
|
619
|
|
Blended Churn (%)
(4)
|
|
6.5
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
(1)
|
Total customers comprise postpaid customers and prepaid customers who have a SIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice or data services and that have not
been used up or expired at the end of the reporting period.
|
|
(2)
|
Blended ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(3)
|
Blended MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (including both inbound and outbound roaming during the period) divided by the weighted average number of
activated customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis. During 2008, we revised the MOU definition to exclude inbound on-net minutes, in order to better align the key performance indicators to revenue generating events.
|
|
(4)
|
Blended churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which is calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning of such period.
|
Since commencing operations in Thailand in February 2003, we have experienced operational and control difficulties in growing our business. In 2005, we launched a number of cost saving initiatives, including streamlining the organization
and outsourcing of network maintenance and IT operations, and built upon these initiatives during 2006. In 2007, to compete against the other operators in Thailand who all have nationwide services, Hutchison CAT and CAT Telecom commenced nationwide
CDMA roaming service between the 25 provinces within Hutchison CAT’s marketing area and CAT Telecom’s CDMA network in the remaining 51 provinces.
In view of our difficulties in expanding our network and customer base in Thailand, in January 2008, we announced that we would take an impairment charge against the full value of all non-current and intangible assets
held in Hutchison CAT and BFKT. As a result, an impairment charge of HK$3,854 million (or approximately US$494.2 million) was recognized in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects—Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006—Group results—Impairment charge.”
Since 2007, Hutchison CAT has focussed on developing new channels, improving its operations, matching customer needs with appropriate tariff plans and
marketing, in an effort to increase its customer growth in Thailand. In February 2008, despite high inflation and an increase in the consumer price index in the beginning of the year, Hutchison CAT successfully reached 1 million subscribers. In
face of weak consumer confidence as a result of global economic conditions, political instability and competitor tactics in Thailand, Hutchison CAT will continue to develop and implement new initiatives to strengthen its competitive position and
increase customer growth in Thailand.
- 30 -
Products and services
In addition to traditional voice and text messaging services, we provide services and applications that are designed to take full advantage of the
CDMA2000 1X network. We offer a wide variety of value-added multimedia services including ringtones, ringback tones, audiotext, wallpapers, animation, video clip downloads, games, news and horoscopes. We also operate A-GPS services allowing
subscribers to locate target devices as well as to find location-sensitive information under our Navi content service
.
We completed
technical trials for CDMA 1X EV-DO technology in 2007. EV-DO, or evolution-data optimized, is a wireless radio broadband data standard adopted by many CDMA mobile phone service providers that permits faster data transfer rates compared to 2G. We
believe that with CDMA 1X EV-DO we will offer the fastest mobile broadband Internet technology in Thailand. We recently completed an upgrade of our network to support EV-DO service in selected strategic areas of Bangkok and the east coast region of
Thailand, where there is a large concentration of users who require the high-speed transfer rates that EV-DO technology can support, and we have launched trial EV-DO services in 2008.
Ownership
Hutchison CAT
Through our 49% interest in Hutchison Wireless, which holds 73.9% of the voting equity in Hutchison CAT, we have a 36.2% economic
interest in Hutchison CAT. GMRP (Thailand) Limited, or GMRP, a company owned by a Thai company, beneficially holds 43.5% of the equity interests in Hutchison Wireless, and three other Thai shareholders together beneficially hold the remaining 7.5%.
We hold our equity interests in Hutchison Wireless in the form of Class A shares, entitling us to one vote per share, while GMRP holds its equity interests in Hutchison Wireless principally in the form of Class B shares, which entitles it to
one vote per 20 shares. This gives us voting control over Hutchison CAT on matters that do not require special shareholder resolutions under the shareholders’ agreement or the articles of association of Hutchison CAT, because we own
approximately 80% of the voting equity of Hutchison Wireless, which holds 73.9% of the voting equity interests in Hutchison CAT. In addition, we exercise governing power over the business operations of Hutchison CAT through our shareholders’
agreements with the Thai shareholders of Hutchison Wireless, which, among other things, entitles us to nominate four of the five directors of Hutchison Wireless, who may nominate six of the nine directors of Hutchison CAT. CAT Telecom holds 26% of
the voting equity in Hutchison CAT.
Under the shareholders’ agreement with respect to Hutchison CAT, Hutchison Wireless is
responsible for securing financing to meet the operational requirements of Hutchison CAT. We are required under another shareholders’ agreement to provide funding for all operating expenses and capital expenditures of Hutchison Wireless,
directly through shareholder loans, guarantees and subscription to capital calls, and indirectly by providing financing to the Thai shareholders in order to enable them to meet their funding obligations and maintain their current share ownership
level.
BFKT
Our other
significant interest in Thailand is BFKT, a telecommunications network leasing company in which we hold a 49% economic interest and generally have voting control. Our interest in BFKT is held through our 49% interest in PKNS (Thailand) Limited, or
PKNS, a holding company that owns almost 100% of the voting equity interests in BFKT. The other 51% interest in PKNS is held by DPBB (Thailand) Limited, or DPBB. Through our voting control and agreements with DPBB, we exercise significant influence
over the business operations of BFKT.
Notwithstanding the fact that we do not directly hold a majority of the equity ownership interests
in Hutchison CAT or BFKT, we are nonetheless able to consolidate these businesses into our financial statements included in this annual report. They are consolidated as our subsidiaries under IFRS, the accounting principles under which our financial
statements are prepared, because we have governing power over the business operations by virtue of our voting control and agreements with the Thai shareholders.
- 31 -
Mobile telecommunications industry in Thailand
The Thai mobile telecommunications market saw a 17% increase in customers from the fourth quarter of 2007 to the fourth quarter of 2008, based on the
publicly available reports of three mobile operators in the Thai market and Hutchison CAT’s internal data. The penetration rate for mobile telecommunications services in Thailand was approximately 97.5% as at December 31, 2008.
In Thailand, a significant majority of mobile telecommunications customers are prepaid customers. We began marketing prepaid subscriptions in Thailand
in late March 2004. As at December 31, 2008, the “
Hutch
” brand service had approximately 413,000 postpaid customers and approximately 657,000 prepaid customers.
Competition
The
“
Hutch
” brand service was one of the later entrants to the Thai mobile telecommunications market and, as such, faces significant competition from more established brands with existing large customer bases and nationwide coverage.
The “
Hutch
” branded service competes with three other major mobile telecommunications operators: Advanced Info Services, or AIS, Total Access Communications and True Move Company Limited (formerly known as TA Orange Company
Limited), each of which has a significantly larger market share than us according to publicly available market data.
Mobile
telecommunications network equipment leasing
BFKT has a contract to lease mobile telecommunications equipment and accessories,
comprised of switching subsystems, base stations subsystems, networking subsystems, ancillary equipment for switching systems and network systems, test devices and radio system analysis equipment, to CAT Telecom. We also provide all of the technical
personnel who manage such equipment and facilities. Under the contract, CAT Telecom engages us to install, repair, maintain and manage the equipment and accessories that we lease to CAT Telecom. We own the equipment that we lease to CAT Telecom
pursuant to approvals granted by the National Telecommunications Commission, or NTC, but not the land on which the sites are located. The current lease is effective through 2015. We also have outsourced certain network maintenance through 2012.
Indonesia
Overview
We provide mobile telecommunications services in Indonesia through HCPT. HCPT holds a combined nationwide 2G and 3G mobile
telecommunications license in Indonesia. We launched services in 2007 under the “
3
” brand and provide services on a GSM 1800 network with UMTS infrastructure overlaid on the GSM network in key cities, including Jakarta, Bandung and
Surabaya. Currently our network covers several key cities in Sumatra, several parts of the populated area of Java and portions of other islands. HCPT started to provide mobile telecommunication services in Sulawesi, a major Indonesian island, in
December 2008.
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for the “
3
” brand services in Indonesia as
at the dates or for periods indicated:
3
Brand Mobile Services in Indonesia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Total customers (in millions)
(1)
|
|
2.04
|
|
4.50
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
|
|
N/A
|
|
120.6
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
117
|
|
315
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
N/A
|
|
169.2
|
|
Blended ARPU (in IDR)
(2)
|
|
15,000
|
|
11,750
|
|
Blended MOU (in minutes)
(3)
|
|
156
|
|
72
|
|
Blended Churn (%)
(4)
|
|
17.7
|
|
18.9
|
|
(1)
|
Total customers comprise postpaid customers and prepaid customers who have a SIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice or data services and that have not
been used up or expired at end of reporting period.
|
- 32 -
|
(2)
|
Blended ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(3)
|
Blended MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (including both inbound and outbound roaming during the period) divided by the weighted average number of
activated customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis. During 2008, we revised the MOU definition to exclude inbound on-net minutes, in order to better align the key performance indicators to revenue generating events.
|
|
(4)
|
Blended churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which are calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning of such period.
|
Products and services
We provide prepaid and postpaid 2G and 3G services.
In addition to basic voice and text messaging services, we provide 3G access, video calls, MMS and other data-based services through GPRS at speeds up to
64 kbps and through 3G at speeds up to 384 kbps. We also provide value-added services such as Yahoo! Messenger, streaming and ringback tones. HCPT also provides content such as music, games, horoscopes, news and sports news from more than one
hundred content providers.
Ownership
We hold a 65% equity interest in HCPT, while the minority interest in HCPT is held by an affiliate of the Charoen Pokphand Group Indonesia.
We have also been granted an option to purchase up to 2,274,615 shares of HCPT, exercisable by notice in writing at any time during a twenty-year period
in whole or in parts. The exercise of the option is conditional upon any prior approvals from, registrations with or notifications to any government bodies in Indonesia, including the Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board, or BKPM, and
the Indonesian Ministry of Communications, that may be legally required at the relevant time to effect the transfer of the shares and upon obtaining approval by our shareholders. Pursuant to an amended and restated shareholders’ agreement,
existing shareholders of HCPT agreed that, among other things, with effect from April 9, 2009 (i) HCPT will have no rights and obligations under the Shareholders Agreement dated July 27, 2005 other than provisions relating to
confidentiality and regulatory matters (ii) the minority shareholder of HCPT may elect not to provide any additional funding required by HCPT from its shareholders or from third parties requiring shareholder support and (iii) the minority
shareholder together with its affiliates provided certain non-compete covenants.
Mobile telecommunications industry in Indonesia
According to industry data, GSM operators represent 84% of the mobile telecommunications markets, and wireless local loop and CDMA
operators represent the remainder. In Indonesia, mobile telecommunications services are distributed primarily through small multi-brand retailers, who are serviced by a set of regional and national distributors and wholesalers, and by retailers
controlled by wholesalers and distributors. These wholesalers and distributors purchase most of the starter packs and recharge vouchers from operators. According to industry data, Indonesia is principally a prepaid market, with about 97% of all
customers nationwide using prepaid service.
Competition
We compete with the following mobile telecommunications operators in Indonesia: PT Telekomunikasi Selular, or PT Telekom, which provides services under
the “Telkomsel” brand, and is 65% owned by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk, the government-owned incumbent fixed-line operator in Indonesia, and 35% owned by Singapore Telecom Mobile Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore’s dominant
telecommunications operator; PT Indonesian Satellite Corp, or PT Indosat, which is the second largest telecommunications operator in Indonesia and the primary provider of international telecommunications services in Indonesia and whose largest
shareholder is Qatar Telecom QSC; PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk, or PT Excelcomindo, which provides services under the “XL” brand and which is controlled by Indocel Holding Sdn, Bhd, or Telekom Malaysia, which is an indirect subsidiary of
- 33 -
Telekom Malaysia International Berhad, the largest telecommunications operator in Malaysia; and PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk, or PT Mobile 8. We believe that PT
Telekom, PT Indosat and PT Excelcomindo hold the largest shares of the Indonesian mobile telecommunications market, and that PT Telekom is the market leader in terms of number of customers. All of these companies hold both 2G and 3G licenses, with
the exception of PT Mobile 8, which only holds a 2G CDMA license. A nationwide 2G and 3G license has been awarded to NTS, which is owned by Saudi Telecom and Maxis. NTS launched its services in February 2008. In addition to these mobile
telecommunications operators, we also compete with three wireless local loop operators, which were originally awarded licenses to provide limited mobility telecommunications services, but are now able to provide full mobility telecommunications
services.
Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks
HCPT was awarded a nationwide mobile telecommunications license to operate mobile telephone services based on a combined 2G and 3G wireless network
spectrum through the first open and competitive licensing process in Indonesia. Currently, five mobile telecommunications operators in Indonesia hold such a combined license. HCPT has been allocated 2 x 10 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz frequency
band and an initial 2 x 5 MHz of spectrum in the 2.1 GHz frequency band. An additional 2 x 5 MHz of spectrum in the 2.1 GHz frequency band has been reserved for HCPT, which HCPT may utilize as needed provided that it has paid the related fees due
and satisfied its construction commitments in line with its deployment plan approved by the government of Indonesia.
HCPT has been
building out its nationwide wireless network. HCPT has engaged Nokia Siemens Networks for the majority of the network deployment in Java, Bali/Lombok and Sumatra. In February 2008, HCPT entered into similar network procurement and managed services
agreements with the Indonesian affiliate of ZTE to deploy a GSM network on the islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi. In 2008, HCPT also entered into agreements with PT Excelcomindo for the lease of certain of its base station towers and dark fibres.
On March 18, 2008, HCPT entered into a conditional agreement to sell up to 3,692 base station tower sites to Protelindo for a cash
consideration, assuming completion of all towers, of US$500.0 million (HK$3,882 million). The sale is expected to be made in tranches over a two-year period. As a condition to the agreement, HCPT and Protelindo entered into a master lease agreement
granting HCPT (i) the right to use the capacity reserved for HCPT on the base station towers sold under the tower transfer agreement and related infrastructure as HCPT may elect for an initial period of twelve years which, at HCPT’s
election, may be extended for another six years, and (ii) options to acquire Protelindo’s right, title and interest in these facilities at a pre-agreed price.
Vietnam
Overview
We provide mobile telecommunications services in Vietnam through a business cooperation contract partnership, or BCC, with Hanoi Telecom. We launched CDMA
services in 2007 under the “
HT Mobile
” brand and provided nationwide services in each of the 64 provinces of Vietnam on a CDMA2000 1X EV-DO network. During our initial start-up phase, we were unable to offer a sufficient variety of
cost-competitive CDMA handsets to effectively compete with GSM providers, which negatively affected our ability to attract customers. In addition, our initial customer growth was slowed by strong competition from other CDMA operators, who offered
significant handset subsidies at the time of our entry into the market. As a result of the foregoing, our customer base in Vietnam has grown more slowly than we anticipated, which has negatively affected our results of operations in Vietnam in 2007
and 2008.
On March 8, 2008, we received approval from The People’s Committee of Hanoi City to permit us to switch our operating
spectrum from CDMA to GSM, which we believe has better business prospects than CDMA. In connection with the change, we were granted an Investment Certificate with a term of 15 years. During the second quarter of 2008, we temporarily migrated all our
existing CDMA customers to a third-party CDMA network, and at the end of June 2008, disabled the radio system of HT Mobile. In August 2008, we awarded contracts to switch the network system from CDMA to GSM. We launched our new GSM services on
April 9, 2009 under the “
Vietnamobile
” brand and via a nationwide network with presence in 64 provinces.
- 34 -
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for our services as at the dates or for
the periods indicated:
HT Mobile
Brand Services in Vietnam*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Total customers (in millions)
(1)
|
|
0.15
|
|
N/A
|
(5)
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
(5)
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
40
|
|
18
|
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
N/A
|
|
(55.0
|
)
|
|
Blended ARPU (in VND)
(2)
|
|
66,000
|
|
N/A
|
(5)
|
|
Blended MOU (in minutes)
(3)
|
|
72
|
|
N/A
|
(5)
|
|
Blended Churn (%)
(4)
|
|
14.8
|
|
N/A
|
(5)
|
|
*
|
On April 9, 2009, we began offering services in Vietnam under the “
Vietnamobile
” brand and we no longer use the “
HT Mobile
” brand.
|
|
(1)
|
Total customers comprise postpaid customers and prepaid customers who have a SIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice or data services and that have not
been used up or expired at end of reporting period.
|
|
(2)
|
Blended ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(3)
|
Blended MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (including both inbound and outbound roaming during the period) divided by the weighted average number of
activated customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis.
|
|
(4)
|
Blended churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which are calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning of such period.
|
|
(5)
|
Due to the conversion of CDMA network to GSM, the CDMA network was shut down and the CDMA customers were temporarily migrated to a third-party network during the first half of 2008,
pending our launch of a GSM network, which was launched in April 2009. As a result, we do not have any meaningful performance data as at or for the year ended December 31, 2008.
|
Products and services
We
launched new GSM services on April 9, 2009 under the “
Vietnamobile
” brand via a nationwide network with presence in 64 provinces. At the same time, we also launched a welcome back program to enable our former customers who had
been migrated to a third-party CDMA network to switch to our new GSM services. We provide nationwide 2G service using the GSM 900 MHz spectrum.
BCC structure
The BCC is a foreign investment structure in which Vietnamese and foreign partners agree to carry on
an investment and business activity without creating a new entity. The parties agree to share profits and losses, in much the same way as a partnership. The BCC structure is effectively a contractual joint venture and it requires an investment
license. One or both parties to a BCC may contribute fixed or working capital, but the division of profits will be made in accordance with the agreement of the parties rather than being in the proportion of their capital contributions. The foreign
party to a BCC may establish an operating or management office in Vietnam to implement the BCC. In addition, the parties to a BCC may also establish a supervisory committee to manage the relationship between the parties, which we have established
with Hanoi Telecom. According to Vietnamese law, the Vietnamese party to a BCC must be an entity permitted to engage in the relevant business activities. In the telecommunications sector, the Vietnamese party to a BCC usually contributes access to
the networks, right to use of the radio spectrum and some working capital while the foreign partner contributes capital for new fixed assets and facilities that then become the property of the Vietnamese party at the expiry of the investment
project, subject to terms and conditions of the BCC. Management control of the network remains with the Vietnamese party.
We obtained a
15-year investment license from the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam, effective in February 2005,
- 35 -
approving the BCC between Hutchison Telecommunications (Vietnam) S.a r.l, or Hutchison Vietnam, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, and Hanoi Telecom. In
connection with conversion to GSM services, we relinquished our original license and received a new license for 15-years beginning from March 2008.
Under our BCC with Hanoi Telecom, we are jointly building, developing and operating a mobile telecommunications network and provide services over this network in Vietnam. Hutchison Vietnam contributes the capital and management resources
towards the deployment and operation of the network. The network was formerly deployed and operated pursuant to a facility based service, or FBO, license to operate mobile communications services in the 800 MHz band. We now operate GSM services in
the 900 MHz band.
Under the BCC, we and Hanoi Telecom share on an equal basis the free cash flow, defined as cumulative profits before tax
after the repayment of the funding paid by Hutchison Vietnam for the development of the network and the business (determined according to a pre-agreed formula).
When we entered into the BCC with Hanoi Telecom, Vietnamese law did not permit foreign ownership in an entity that is the FBO in the telecommunications industry. Therefore, foreign investors in this sector could only
invest through a BCC. Following the Investment Law and the Law on Enterprises coming into effect in 2007 and Vietnam’s commitments to provide more access to foreign companies following its admission to the World Trade Organization, or WTO,
Vietnamese law now permits foreign investors to own a maximum of 49 per cent of a telecom FBO incorporated under the form of a joint venture company. The parties to the existing BCCs can agree to convert the BCCs into a limited liability joint
venture or joint stock company. We and Hanoi Telecom are currently considering whether to convert our BCC into a corporate structure.
Mobile telecommunications industry in Vietnam
Vietnam has a population of more than 85 million and a relatively
low mobile telecommunications market penetration rate. Based on data published by the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication, there are approximately 58 million mobile telephone customers, or a penetration rate of approximately
67%. However, we believe that government data includes inactive customers and, as a result, the actual penetration rate is lower.
As of
the end of 2008, there were seven licensed FBOs in the mobile communications business in Vietnam comprised of four GSM networks in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrums, two CDMA networks in the 800 MHz spectrum and one CDMA network in the 450 MHz
spectrum. In February 2008, G-Tel Mobile was granted a 15-year license to operate a GSM network in the 1800 MHz spectrum, bringing the total number of FBOs to seven.
Competition
We compete with GSM-based and CDMA-based mobile telecommunications operators. The
three other GSM operators in Vietnam are: Vietnam Mobile Telecom Services Company, which markets its services under the “MobiFone” brand; Vinaphone Company, which markets its services under the “Vinaphone” brand; and Vietel
Corporation, which markets its services under the “Vietel Mobile” brand. The CDMA competitors are EVN Telecom and S-Fone, which is an affiliate of Saigon Postel. The three GSM operators in service and EVN Telecom are wholly state-owned
enterprises while Saigon Postel is a joint stock company that has entered into a BCC with SLD Telecom, which is a joint venture company among SK Telecom, LG Electronics and Dong-A Telecomm. G-Tel Mobile has entered into a joint venture with
Vimpelcom.
Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks
Our local partner, Hanoi Telecom, is a joint stock company that holds an FBO license for mobile communications services throughout Vietnam. The original
FBO license was issued in February 2005 and had a term of 15 years with a frequency band at 800 MHz. We are continuing to roll out a nationwide mobile network, and have mainly engaged Nortel for the network deployment as well as maintenance and
support services. In connection with the conversion to GSM services in the 800-900 MHz frequency band, we relinquished our original license and received a new license valid for 15 years beginning from March 2008.
- 36 -
Sri Lanka
Overview
In August 1997, we acquired a 100% interest in Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka
(Private) Limited (formerly called Lanka Cellular Services (Pvt.) Ltd.), or Hutchison Lanka, which holds one of the five nation-wide mobile telecommunications licenses in Sri Lanka. We began providing mobile telecommunications services in December
1998 by setting up analog base stations around Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo. We subsequently launched GSM services in 2000 throughout the interior and southwest regions of the country. In May 2004, Hutchison Lanka launched the
“
Hutch
” brand and commenced operating on a 100% prepaid basis. The analog network around Colombo was shut down in July 2004.
Our GSM network grew by 55% in 2008 (in terms of number of cellular mobile base stations). Our network covered approximately 70.1% of Sri Lanka’s population at the end of 2008, and we had a customer base of approximately 887,000 users.
The telecommunications sector of Sri Lanka has grown significantly in the past few years, primarily as a result of a recent liberalization
of the industry. However, Sri Lanka has experienced renewed civil unrest since 2007, with skirmishes between government security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Towards the end of 2008, the government gained control over a major
part of the north and east of the country. The unrest in the country, coupled with rising oil prices and the impact of the worldwide economic downturn, has led to a higher rate of inflation, affecting the living standards of the majority of Sri
Lankans, including their mobile phone usage. As a result, the Sri Lankan telecommunications sector has faced decreased turnover and increased costs, leading to lower profitability.
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for the “
Hutch
” brand mobile services in Sri Lanka as at the dates or for
the periods indicated:
Hutch
Brand Mobile Services in Sri Lanka
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Total customers (in thousands)
(1)
|
|
559
|
|
1,141
|
|
887
|
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
(1)
|
|
133.4
|
|
104.1
|
|
(22.3
|
)
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
124
|
|
189
|
|
160
|
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
33.3
|
|
52.4
|
|
(15.3
|
)
|
|
Prepaid ARPU (in LKR)
(2)
|
|
378
|
|
294
|
|
175
|
|
|
Prepaid MOU (in minutes)
(3)
|
|
123
|
|
106
|
|
65
|
|
|
Prepaid Churn (%)
(4)
|
|
2.2
|
|
2.5
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
(1)
|
Total customers comprise prepaid mobile telecommunications customers who have a SIM that has access to the network for any purpose, including voice or data services and that have
not been used up or expired at end of reporting period.
|
|
(2)
|
Prepaid ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(3)
|
Prepaid MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (including both inbound and outbound roaming during the period) divided by the weighted average number of
activated customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis. During 2008, we revised the MOU definition to exclude inbound on-net minutes, in order to better align the key performance indicators to revenue generating events.
|
|
(4)
|
Prepaid churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which are calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers during such period.
|
Products
and services
Hutch Lanka presently offers only prepaid service. In addition to voice and data services, Hutchison Lanka also offers
value-added services such as reload, IDD, ringback tones, international SMS, cricket alerts, call conference, call forwarding/waiting, ringtones, picture downloads, voice SMS, GPRS services and allowing subscribers to transfer credits to other
subscribers wirelessly via SMS.
- 37 -
Sales and distribution
The Hutchison Lanka distribution structure operates through two channels: a promotion channel and a distribution channel. Promotions are conducted at many
locations each month. Airtime distribution is done through the reload/top-up distribution channel. We use four main business partners to distribute SIMs, while over 80% of airtime distribution is made through reload outlets that function as retail
points. We had approximately 9,210 reload outlets in Sri Lanka as at the end of 2008.
Mobile telecommunications industry in Sri
Lanka
Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 21.3 million, with a mobile penetration rate of approximately 49% according
to government statistics and publicly available reports. Based on internal estimates, there is strong competition among the five existing mobile telecommunications operators on tariffs, coverage and value-added services.
In recent years, the government of Sri Lanka has encouraged foreign investment in the telecommunications sector. Foreign investors are permitted to hold
100% of a mobile telecommunications operator. At present, all mobile telecommunications operators in Sri Lanka are either fully-owned or partly-owned by foreign investors. Dialog Telekom Limited, or Dialog Telekom, is 91% owned by Malaysia Telekom;
Tigo (Private) Limited (previously named Celltel Lanka (Pvt) Ltd), or Tigo, is wholly-owned by Millicom International Cellular S.A.; and Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd, or Mobitel, is owned by Sri Lanka Telecom Limited, which in turn is partly state-owned and
partly owned by Global Telecommunications Holdings N.V., or GTH. GTH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Usaha Tegas Sdn. Bhd., which also wholly-owns Maxis Communications Bhd., a leading telecommunications provider based in Malaysia that operates in
that country as well as in India and Indonesia. A fifth operator, Airtel, which is owned by Bharti Airtel Limited, or Bharti Airtel, commenced operations in January 2009.
Competition
There are five mobile telecommunications operators currently operating in Sri
Lanka, namely Dialog Telekom, Tigo, Mobitel, Airtel and Hutchison Lanka. Based on information published by our competitors and our own internal data, Dialog Telekom is the leading operator with over 5.2 million subscribers, followed by Mobitel
with 2.5 million subscribers, and Tigo with 1.9 million subscribers. Airtel commenced operations in January 2009.
Spectrum
and mobile telecommunications networks
Hutchison Lanka initially operated in the 900 MHz band. In 2005 it acquired spectrum in the
1800 MHz band and now operates GSM services in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. We currently have 607 base stations in operation in all parts of Sri Lanka and are carrying out a rapid network expansion program.
Ghana
On July 11, 2008, we completed the
sale to EGH International Limited, or EGH, of all of our direct and indirect equity and loan interests and intellectual property interests held through various subsidiaries in Kasapa, the operating company for our Ghana operations, for a cash
consideration of HK$583.5 million (US$75.3 million) before costs and expenses.
We initially acquired our interest in Kasapa (formerly
known as Celltel Limited) through our holding company, Kuwata Limited, and its subsidiary, Certwell Limited, in 1998.
Kasapa received a
15-year replacement license effective December 2, 2004, authorizing the provision of mobile phone service on its present 800 MHz spectrum. Kasapa commenced offering CDMA2000 1X service in September 2005, simultaneously decommissioning the AMPS
analog network that it had previously been using. After the CDMA launch, geographical coverage was extended to seven of Ghana’s ten regions, and a limited-mobility service targeted at homes and businesses was launched.
- 38 -
The following table sets out certain market and operating data for our mobile services in Ghana as at the
dates or for the periods indicated:
Our Mobile Services in Ghana*
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at or for the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008*
|
|
|
Total customers (in thousands)
(2)
|
|
200
|
|
289
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Growth in total customers (%)
(2)
|
|
250.6
|
|
44.5
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Total turnover (in HK$ millions)
|
|
130
|
|
194
|
|
123
|
|
|
Growth in total turnover (%)
|
|
140.7
|
|
49.2
|
|
(36.6
|
)
|
|
Prepaid ARPU (in GHC)
(1),(3)
|
|
9.6
|
|
8.0
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Prepaid MOU (in minutes)
(4)
|
|
124
|
|
108
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Prepaid Churn (%)
(5)
|
|
2.0
|
|
2.9
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
*
|
Ghana ceased to be a business segment on July 11, 2008 and as a result, we have not disclosed the key performance indicators for Ghana as at or for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
|
|
(1)
|
Effective from July 1, 2007, the Bank of Ghana redenominated the currency in Ghana, at an adjustment of ten thousand old Ghana Cedi to one New Ghana Cedi. The new denomination
has been adopted for 2007 and applied retrospectively to previous periods.
|
|
(2)
|
Total customers comprise prepaid mobile telecommunications customers who have used any chargeable network services within the three months prior to the end of reporting period.
|
|
(3)
|
Prepaid ARPU is calculated as the total service revenues during the period, divided by the weighted average number of activated customers in that period, on a twelve-month weighted
basis.
|
|
(4)
|
Prepaid MOU is calculated by the total minutes carried over the network (including both inbound and outbound roaming during the period) divided by the weighted average number of
active customers for the period, on a twelve-month weighted basis.
|
|
(5)
|
Prepaid churn represents the average of the churn rates for each month in the period, which are calculated by dividing the number of disconnections (net of reconnection and internal
migration between networks) for the relevant period by the average number of customers at the beginning of such period.
|
Non-telecommunications businesses
Disposal of Vanda IT Solutions
Our non-telecommunications business was comprised primarily of the IT solutions business of Vanda IT Solutions & Systems Management Limited, or
Vanda IT Solutions, and its subsidiaries. The business included sales of computer systems, provision of related systems integration services, software development and e-business services. In July 2006, we sold our 100% interest in Vanda IT Solutions
and its subsidiaries, and all loans extended by us to Vanda IT Solutions and its subsidiaries through June 30, 2006, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, our major shareholder. The purchase price was determined after arms-length
negotiations.
Intellectual property
We have entered into a framework intellectual property rights licensing agreement with Hutchison International Limited, or Hutchison International, pursuant to which Hutchison International shall procure that certain domain names,
trademarks and other intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to the Hutchison Whampoa group in relation to the telecommunications services and operations of the relevant members of our group are licensed to, and will continue to be
licensed to, our group. In particular, we have arrangements with the Hutchison Whampoa group pursuant to which we have rights to use “
3
,” “
Hutch
” and “
Hutchison Telecom
” and other trademarks that
include the word “
Hutchison
” or derivations of “
Hutchison
.” The intellectual property rights are, and will continue to be, licensed to members of our group on a royalty-free basis until the relevant change of
control provisions as may be agreed between the relevant members of our group and the Hutchison Whampoa group are triggered. The relevant members of our group will bear the appropriate proportion of the total external and internal costs and expenses
incurred in connection with brand management and support.
Following our sale of CGP Investments Holdings to Vodafone in May 2007,
Hutchison Essar Limited, or Hutchison Essar, and its subsidiaries may continue to use the “
Hutch
” brand name for up to three years following completion of the sale.
Partner has a license from Orange International Developments Limited, a subsidiary of Orange plc, to use the “
orange™
” brand. Under
the brand license agreement, which became effective on July 1, 1998, Partner has the exclusive right to use the “
orange™
” brand in connection with personal communications services and promoting its network services in
Israel for as long as Partner is able
- 39 -
and legally eligible under the laws of Israel to offer telecommunications services to the public in Israel. The license is royalty-free until July 1,
2013, and the parties may negotiate the terms and fees for operating the license thereafter.
Our Vietnam operations use the
“
Vietnamobile
” trademark, which is owned by Hanoi Telecom.
Licenses and network infrastructure
We are dependent on the licenses we hold to provide our telecommunications services. Further details on the issue and regulation of licenses can be found
in “—Regulation.” The table below summarizes the significant licenses held by our group as at March 31, 2009 and details of their related network infrastructure:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country and Service Area
|
|
License Expiration Date
|
|
Network Type
|
|
Israel
|
|
February 2022
(1)
|
|
GSM 900, GSM 1800, UMTS
|
|
Israel
|
|
January 2027
|
|
Domestic fixed-line
|
|
Israel
|
|
April 2013
|
|
ISP
|
|
Thailand (25 provinces)
|
|
N/A
(2)
|
|
CDMA2000 1X
(2)
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
N/A
(3)
|
|
GSM 1800/UMTS
|
|
Vietnam
(4)
|
|
March 2023
|
|
GSM 800-900
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
February 2012
|
|
GSM 900/1800
|
|
Ghana
|
|
December 2019
|
|
CDMA2000 1X
|
|
Hong Kong
(5)
|
|
October 2016
|
|
W-CDMA
|
|
|
|
November 2020
|
|
GSM 800/900
|
|
|
|
September 2021
|
|
GSM 1700/1800
|
|
Hong Kong
(5)
|
|
June 2010
|
|
Fixed-line
|
|
Macau
(5)
|
|
July 2010
|
|
GSM 900/1800
|
|
Macau
(5)
|
|
June 2015
|
|
UMTS
|
|
(1)
|
License may be renewed for additional six-year term.
|
|
(2)
|
The licenses are held by CAT Telecom. Through Hutchison CAT, we provide marketing services to CAT Telecom. See “—Operating companies review—Thailand.”
|
|
(3)
|
License is for an unlimited period to the extent HCPT complies with its terms and the prevailing laws and regulations.
|
|
(4)
|
License is held by Hanoi Telecom.
|
|
(5)
|
We ceased to have Hong Kong and Macau operations when we completed the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009.
|
Regulation
Our operating companies are generally
subject to regulations governing the operation of their business activities. Such regulations generally take the form of industry-specific laws and regulations covering telecommunications services. The following sections describe the regulatory
framework and the key regulatory developments in the countries in which we have operations.
Israel
Overview
Partner operates
within Israel primarily under the Communications Law (Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982, or the Telecommunications Law, the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance (New Version), 1972, or the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance, the regulations promulgated
by the Israeli Ministry of Communications and its license. The Ministry of Communications issues the licenses that grant the right to establish and operate mobile telephone services in Israel, and sets the terms by which such mobile telephone
services are provided. The regulatory framework under which Partner operates consists also of the Planning and Building Law, 1965, the Consumer Protection Law, 1981, and the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law, 2006. Additional areas of Israeli law may be
relevant to its operations, including antitrust law, specifically the Restrictive Trade Practices Law, 1988, the Class Actions Law, 2006, and administrative law. The Israeli telecommunications market is continuing to move toward a more liberalized
environment in which various markets, such as the mobile, international services, and domestic markets and infrastructure, are gradually being opened to competition and in which government-owned monopolies are being privatized. As a result, there is
a possibility of additional changes to the regulatory framework described below.
The principal law governing telecommunications in Israel
is the Telecommunications Law and related regulations. The Telecommunications Law prohibits any person, other than the State of Israel, from providing public telecommunications services without a license issued by the Ministry of Communications.
- 40 -
Regulation by the Ministry of Communications
Current Regulations
The Ministry of
Communications may amend the terms of any license and require Partner to submit details of any of its services for approval. Pursuant to Partner’s license, its standard agreement with customers must be submitted to the Ministry of
Communications for review and the Ministry of Communications also has the authority to review tariffs and other payments Partner charges customers. In addition, Partner must inform the Ministry of Communications 30 days prior to the activation of
any new services.
The Ministry of Communications has promulgated regulations that, coupled with a change effected in the mobile telephone
operators’ licenses, impose a uniform call and SMS interconnect tariff. In 2004, the Ministry of Communications announced regulatory changes that significantly reduce call interconnect tariffs and SMS interconnect tariffs and limit future
increases in such tariffs to changes in the Israeli Customer Price Index, or Israeli CPI. Further review of these tariffs by the Minister of Communications is expected.
On March 29, 2005, the Telecommunications Law was amended to require that the Minister of Communications implement a mobile number portability plan and, separately, a fixed-number portability plan, each by
September 1, 2006. The number portability plan mandated by law was launched by all telecommunications operators on December 1, 2007. The Ministry of Communications has notified Partner, as well as the other operators, that it is
considering imposing monetary sanctions on relevant telecommunication license holders, including Partner, for failing to implement number portability by September 2006. Partner responded to this notice by asserting that the delay resulted from the
Ministry of Communications’ failure to adequately plan and design the number portability plan. Nonetheless, Partner may be exposed to substantial monetary sanctions and further legal claims.
In January 2007, the Ministry of Communications published a policy on VOB services. The policy, among other things, allows licensed third parties to
access the infrastructure of Bezeq and HOT to provide VOB services to customers, charging customers directly, with no need to pay usage fees to the access owner. Partner’s domestic fixed-line license was amended in February 2007 in accordance
with this policy.
In January 2007, the Telecommunications Law was amended to provide that the Ministry of Communications may impose
significant monetary sanctions on license holders that breach provisions of their licenses, if that breach causes, or may cause, significant harm to the public or to competition.
In August 2007, the Ministry of Communications notified Partner that it could no longer offer tariff plans based on one-minute billing units or other
billing units longer than twelve seconds and amended its license accordingly. Effective January 2009, Partner must base its tariff plans on one-second billing units.
In 2008, the Consumer Protection Law was amended. Under the amended law, commencing in January 2009, operators are obligated, upon the expiry of a limited duration contract with a customer, to discontinue services to
the customer after the expiry date, unless the price of services to be provided after the expiry date was set in advance or unless the operator obtained the customer’s consent to continue to provide these services.
In August 2008, the Ministry of Communications adopted the majority of the recommendations published in March 2008 by the Grunau Committee. The adopted
recommendations include to: accelerate the procedures necessary to allow the entry of MVNOs and additional infrastructure-based operators to the cellular market; publish a WIMAX frequencies tender for cellular use; examine interconnect fees and
further revise them accordingly during 2009; negotiate a reduction of inbound and outbound roaming tariffs with the European Union, the European Union member states, and other countries frequently visited by Israelis; regulate charges for
mobile-originated international calls; and prohibit linkages between cellular services transactions and handset purchase transactions. Another recommendation is to unbundle Bezeq’s network and alleviate some of the restrictions currently
imposed on Bezeq and its subsidiaries with respect to the offering of integrated service packages.
- 41 -
In February 2009, the Ministry of Communications published a policy regarding the allocation of bandwidth
in the WIMAX spectrum. According to the policy, incumbent cellular operators would not be allowed at this point to participate in the WIMAX 2.5 GHz frequency tender, which will be open mainly to new entrants to the telecommunications market. The
Ministry has begun to allocate bandwith in the WIMAX spectrum.
Regulatory changes presently under consideration
In March 2007, the Ministry of Communications initiated a review to determine whether to allow MVNO operators to enter the Israeli telecommunications
market. Upon completion of the review in August 2007, the recommendations made to the Ministry of Communications were to permit the MVNOs into the Israeli cellular market by granting them licenses, and encouraging negotiations between potential
virtual operators and the existing cellular operators without the intervention of the Ministry of Communications. In March 2008, the Grunau Committee recommended acceleration of the regulatory process required for the entry of MVNOs into the mobile
market and this recommendation was later adopted by the Ministry of Communications. In addition, a private bill was introduced to facilitate MVNOs’ entry into the Israeli cellular market. In January 2009, the Ministry of Communications began
conducting hearings regarding the draft MVNO license and regulations and Partner submitted its position in February 2009.
In October 2007,
the Ministry of Communications recommenced hearings to consider a prohibition on mobile phone operators from linking handsets sales to various customer benefits, including air time.
The Ministry of Communications is evaluating the cost of roaming and may introduce new regulations that would limit roaming fees charged by Israeli
mobile phone companies. These new regulations could limit Partner’s charges on calls made by foreign customers in Israel using Partner’s network as well as charges for calls that Partner’s customers make using their handsets abroad.
Because roaming charges are a significant source of revenue, these regulatory limits could adversely affect Partner’s revenues. The Ministry of Communications has requested additional and more specific international roaming data from the
cellular companies.
Partner’s license
No person, other than the State of Israel, may provide public telecommunications services in Israel without a license issued by the Ministry of Communications.
On April 7, 1998, the Ministry of Communications granted Partner a general license to establish and operate a mobile telecommunications network in
Israel for a period, following an amendment to the license in June 2002, of 20 years from February 1, 2002. Partner paid a fee and associated costs totaling approximately NIS 1,571 million for the license. In the December 2001 spectrum
auction in Israel, Partner was awarded additional spectrum (GSM 1800 MHz spectrum and UMTS third-generation 1900 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum). Partner’s license was amended to include the terms relevant to the additional spectrum. The license
amendment cost Partner NIS 180 million for the GSM 1800 spectrum, payable in two installments, and NIS 220 million for the UMTS third-generation spectrum, payable in six installments. Partner’s license may be extended for an
additional six-year period upon request to the Ministry of Communications and confirmation being received from the Ministry that certain performance requirements have been met. Partner may also request renewal of its license for successive six-year
periods thereafter, subject to regulatory approval.
Partner must pay royalties to the State of Israel every quarter based on its
chargeable revenues, as defined in the relevant regulation, from mobile telecommunications services. In November 2004, the Ministry of Communications announced that from January 2006 the rate of royalties payments will be reduced annually by 0.5%,
from 3.5% to a final level of 1%. For 2007, the rate was 2.5%, for 2008, the rate was 2% for 2009, the rate is 1.5%, and for 2010, the rate will be reduced to the final level of 1%.
Partner’s license also requires it to interconnect its mobile telephone network to other telecommunications networks operating in Israel, including
that of Bezeq, the other mobile telecommunications operators and the international telecommunications operators in Israel. Conversely, Partner must allow other telecommunications operators to interconnect to its network.
- 42 -
Under the terms of its license, Partner must operate a telephone information service that provides
telephone listings for its customers. It must also share its telephone customer listing information with other operators for their use in their telephone information systems.
Partner’s license also requires that telephone calls that are directed to its customers’ voicemail must include an announcement that the call
is being directed to voicemail. Partner is not allowed to charge for a call terminated within one second after the announcement is made. This regulation became effective in January 2007 and has adversely affected Partner’s financial results.
As a condition of its license, Israeli entities from among Partner’s founding shareholders and their approved substitutes must hold
at least 5% of its issued and outstanding share capital and of each of its means of control. “Israeli entities” are defined as individuals who are citizens and residents of Israel and entities formed in Israel and controlled, directly or
indirectly, by individuals who are citizens and residents of Israel, provided that indirect control is only through entities formed in Israel, unless otherwise approved by the Israeli Prime Minister or the Minister of Communications. Partner’s
founding shareholders and their approved substitutes must hold, in the aggregate, at least 26% of each of Partner’s means of control. Partner’s license provides restrictions on changes of control and on the direct or indirect transfer of
10% or more of any means of control in Partner, such as voting or other control rights. The Ministry of Communications takes into account indirect interests in Partner when calculating whether someone has 10% or more of the means of control in
Partner. At least 10% of Partner’s board of directors must be appointed by Israeli entities, as defined above, provided that if the board is comprised of up to 14 members, only one such director must be so appointed, and if the board of
directors is comprised of between 15 and 24 members, only two such directors must be so appointed. The Minister of Communications is entitled to appoint an observer to the board of directors and its committees, subject to certain qualifications and
confidentiality undertakings.
Partner’s stock was initially listed on NASDAQ and the London Stock Exchange in October 1999 and on the
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in July 2001. Partner discontinued its listing on the London Stock Exchange in March 2008. In connection with Partner’s initial public offering, its license was amended by the Ministry of Communications to provide that
certain transactions related to a public offering would not be considered a transfer of any means of control. If publicly traded shares or share equivalents, such as ADSs, are transferred in breach of the license restrictions, Partner must notify
the Ministry of Communications and request the consent of the Minister of Communications within 21 days of learning of the breach. In addition, should a shareholder, other than a founding shareholder, breach these or other restrictions without
obtaining the consent of the Minister of Communications, its shareholdings may be converted into dormant shares, which would have no rights other than the right to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders and to participate in
rights offerings.
The existence of shareholdings that breach the restrictions of Partner’s license in a manner that could cause them
to be converted into dormant shares, or may otherwise provide grounds for the revocation of Partner’s license, will not serve, in and of themselves, as the basis for the revocation of the license so long as, among other conditions, the
principal shareholders of Partner continue to hold in the aggregate at least 26% of the means of control of Partner.
In May 2004, the
Ministry of Communications approved the restructuring and the indirect transfer of shares in Partner by Hutchison Whampoa as a result of our listing on the Main Board of the SEHK and the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. The Ministry of
Communications confirmed that, following the listings and for so long as the Hutchison Whampoa group remains our single largest shareholder and retains at least 30% of our total issued share capital, it will not be a breach of Partner’s license
if any person transfers or acquires shares in our company that would constitute an indirect transfer or acquisition of means of control in Partner requiring the prior consent of the Ministry of Communications without such prior consent having been
obtained. As a condition to this approval, our board of directors, promptly after becoming aware of such transfer or acquisition, must notify Partner and, in accordance with our articles of association, suspend specified voting rights conferred by
those shares. The specified rights are the voting rights attaching to those shares on any resolution or matter before a general meeting of our company that concerns the activities of Partner or the appointment of a director or managing director of
Partner, and the voting rights of any of our directors who
- 43 -
has been appointed by or at the direction of the holder of those shares to our board of directors on any resolution or matter before a meeting of our board
of directors that concerns the activities of Partner or the appointment of a director or managing director of Partner. Such a suspension or voting rights is required to remain in place until the grant or obtaining of any approvals of the Ministry of
Communications required under Partner’s license.
Partner’s license generally prohibits cross-control or cross-ownership among
competing mobile telecommunications operators without a permit from the Ministry of Communications.
During a period of emergency, control
of Partner’s mobile radio telecommunications system may be assumed by any lawfully authorized person for the security of the State of Israel to ensure the provisions of necessary service to the public, and some of the spectrum granted to
Partner may be withdrawn temporarily. In addition, Partner’s license requires it to supply certain services to the Israeli defense and security forces. Furthermore, certain of Partner’s senior officers are required to obtain security
clearance from Israeli authorities.
Matters relating to national security may only be dealt with by a board committee formed for that
purpose. The committee must include at least 4 members, out of which at least one must be an external director. Only directors with the required security clearances issued by the Israeli government and those deemed appropriate by Israel’s
General Security Service may be members of this committee. Resolutions adopted by this committee shall be deemed as if adopted by the board of directors.
In March 2007, Partner’s license was amended to include a requirement that it may not provide its customers with access to services for which there is a significant charge unless the customer has specifically
requested access to such service. Partner must also inform customers of their ability to block access to such services.
Partner’s
license was amended effective September 2007 to require it to use billing units of no longer than twelve seconds, and on January 1, 2009, the license was further amended to require billing units of no longer than one second. In addition, in
March 2008, Partner’s license was amended to require it to shorten the commitment period in its standard subscriber agreements with non-business customers to 18 months and to offer other effective rate plans without a commitment period.
Partner’s license was further amended in October 2008, effective January 1, 2009 obligating it to set fixed tariffs for certain
services determined by the Ministry of Communications in limited duration agreements with non-business customers and prohibiting Partner from raising tariffs during the agreement period.
ISP license
In March 2001, Partner
received a special license issued by the Ministry of Communications, allowing it, through its own facilities, to provide Internet access to both mobile and fixed network customers. The license has recently been renewed and is valid until April 2013.
Partner began supplying commercial ISP services as of the first quarter of 2009.
NTP license
In February 2007, Partner received a special license from the Ministry of Communications that allows it to provide certain telecom services, including
providing and installing equipment and cabling, representing customers with local fixed-line operators, and establishing and operating control facilities within a customer’s premises. This license is valid until February 2012.
- 44 -
Other licenses
The Ministry of Communications has granted Partner a trade license pursuant to the Wireless Telegraphy Ordinance. This license regulates issues relating to servicing and trading in equipment, infrastructure and
auxiliary equipment for Partner’s network.
Partner has also been granted a number of encryption licenses that permit it to handle
data encryption, as provided in the aforementioned licenses, within the framework of providing mobile radio telephone services to the public.
Domestic Fixed-Line License.
In January 2007, the Ministry of Communications granted a subsidiary of Partner a license to provide domestic fixed-line telecommunications services. The license expires in twenty years but may be
extended by the Ministry of Communications for successive periods of ten years provided that the licensee has complied with the terms of the license and has acted consistently for the enhancement of telecom services. The license was amended in
February 2007 to allow Partner to access the infrastructure of Bezeq and HOT to provide VOB services to customers, charging customers directly, without paying usage fees to the access owner.
Transmission License.
Following Partner’s purchase of a fibre-optic transmission business from Med-1 I.C. 1 (1999) Ltd, or Med-1, in
March 2006, the Ministry of Communications granted Partner in August 2006 a special license to provide transmission and data communications services. This special license permits digital transmission services to be provided over fixed lines so that
Partner’s customers can create a data-link between customer sites and between the site of one customer and that of another. The special license also permits Partner to charge its customers for this service and to lay, install, and connect cable
to support the digital transmission services. The special license was valid through July 2007 and has been added as a service in Partner’s domestic fixed-line license.
Antenna and other permits
The
Ministry of the Environment is empowered to grant erection and operation permits for Partner’s antennas. For most of its antennas, Partner must also obtain a building permit from local licensing authorities. The construction of Partner’s
antennas may also be subject to the approval of the Civil Aviation Administration and the Israeli Defense Forces. Like other mobile telecommunications operators in Israel, Partner has experienced difficulties in obtaining some of these consents and
permits, especially from local building authorities. As at December 31, 2008, less than 10% of Partner’s antenna sites were operating without local building permits or applicable exemptions. A portion of these are microsites, which can be
removed or repositioned at relatively low cost and with minimal effect on Partner’s network capacity. Operating network sites without building or other required permits may result in criminal or civil liability to Partner or its officers and
directors. Partner believes that a portion of the sites operating without permits from local authorities do not require local building permits under applicable law. In addition, some of the building permits are not compatible with the antenna sites
for which they were obtained. If Partner continues to experience difficulty in obtaining approvals for the erection of antenna sites, this could adversely affect Partner’s existing network, delay the erection of additional antenna sites to its
network and adversely impact its 3G network. This difficulty could have an adverse effect on the extent, quality and capacity of Partner’s network coverage and its ability to continue to market its products and services effectively.
Partner’s inability to resolve these issues in a timely manner could also prevent it from achieving or maintaining the network coverage and quality requirements contained in its license.
The Non-Ionizing Radiation Law (2006) became effective on January 1, 2007 and defines the various powers of the Ministry of the Environment as
they relate to, among other things, the granting of permits for antenna sites, standards for permitted levels of non-ionizing radiation emissions and reporting procedures. Pursuant to this law, a request for an operating permit from the Ministry of
Environment with respect to either new sites or existing sites requires a building permit for such sites. If Partner continues to face difficulties in obtaining building permits from local planning and building committees, it may also fail to obtain
operation permits from the Ministry of Environment. Operation of an antenna site without a permit from the Ministry of Environment may result in criminal and civil liability to Partner or to its officers and directors.
- 45 -
In addition, Partner set up several hundred small communications devices, called wireless access devices,
pursuant to a provision in the Communications Law (Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982, which exempts such devices from the requirement to obtain a building permit. Recently, several claims were filed asserting that the exemption does not
apply to cellular communications devices. In response to these various complaints, different local courts have issued conflicting judgments, which have been appealed. Recently, a district court ruling adopted the position that the exemption does not
apply to cellular communications devices. Partner and the competing cellular companies filed a request to appeal this ruling to the Supreme Court. The Attorney General has also filed an opinion regarding this matter stating that the exemption does
apply to cellular communications devices. A petition has been filed with the High Court of Justice seeking to annul the Attorney General’s opinion. The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on this matter. In addition, a recent district court ruling
adopted the position that wireless access devices must be installed on the highest level of a building that constitutes the rooftop, and cannot be installed on the same level as a residence or another level which people regularly visit. Partner has
installed devices which do not satisfy the position adopted by this district court ruling. Should a definitive judgment hold that the exemption does not apply to cellular devices or that devices must be installed on the highest level of a building
that constitutes the rooftop, Partner may be required to remove its existing devices and may not be able to install new ones on the basis of an available exemption, which would negatively impact Partner’s network capacity.
Furthermore, a number of local planning committees have recently claimed that, in accordance with National Building Plan 36, or the Plan, they may not
grant permits for 3G cellular sites, since the frequency ranges covered by the Plan do not include 3G frequencies. This claim is not presently being individually adjudicated, however, it is at issue in other pending litigation. In addition, the
government is currently considering amendments to the Plan that may impose additional restrictions and/or requirements for the construction and operation of cell sites that could, if adopted, negatively affect Partner’s ability to construct new
sites and expand coverage.
Partner’s potential liability in connection with alleged health risks relating to antenna sites or in
connection with alleged depreciation in the value of nearby properties as a result of the building of antenna sites may be increased as a result of a number of recent developments. Under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law, the National Council for
Planning and Building requires indemnification undertakings by mobile phone companies as a precondition for obtaining a building permit for a new or existing antenna site that requires such a permit. The National Council has decided that until the
Plan is amended to reflect a different indemnification amount, mobile phone companies will be required to indemnify the committees in full against all losses resulting from claims against a committee for reduction in property values. Thus, at
present, in order to obtain a building permit for a new or existing antenna site, Partner must provide full indemnification for any reduction of property value related to its antenna sites. Partner cannot predict whether the legal requirement to
provide full indemnification will be adopted in the amended Plan, nor can it predict when the Plan will be amended. As of December 31, 2008, Partner has provided 307 indemnification undertakings to local authorities. These developments may have
a material effect on Partner’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as plans to expand and enhance network coverage.
Like other mobile telecommunications operators in Israel, Partner provides repeaters, also known as bi-directional amplifiers, to customers seeking an interim solution to weak signal reception within specific indoor locations. These
repeaters, installed by Partner at the customers’ premises upon their request, consist of an indoor box attached to a small outdoor antenna of between 40 and 70 cm (approximately one to two feet) and receive signals from a network antenna site
and then amplify the signals within a specific room or rooms. The radiation emission from these outdoor antennas is comparable to that of a handset that is transmitting a signal. In light of the lack of a clear policy of the local planning and
building authorities, and in light of the practice of most other mobile telecommunications operators, Partner has not requested permits under the Planning and Building Law for the repeaters. However, Partner has received approval from the Ministry
of Communications to connect the repeaters to its communications network and has received from the Ministry of the Environment permits for all the repeaters. If local planning and building authorities determine that permits are necessary for the
installation of the repeaters, or any other receptors which Partner believes do not require a building permit, it may negatively impact Partner’s ability to obtain the relevant permits.
- 46 -
Partner has received approval from the Ministry of Communications to sell and distribute the handsets and
other terminal equipment that it sells. In addition, under the new Non-Ionizing Radiation Law, the Ministry of the Environment may also regulate handsets sales in Israel. Certain types of devices that are radiation sources, including mobile phone
handsets, have been exempted from the requirement to obtain an approval from the Ministry of Environment, so long as the radiation emitted by these devices does not exceed the radiation level permitted under the Non-Ionizing Radiation Law. However,
since June 15, 2002, Partner has been required to provide handsets purchasers with information on the specific absorption rate of the handsets as well as the handsets’ compliance with certain standards pursuant to a regulation under the
Consumer Protection Law.
Hong Kong
Overview
Hong Kong’s telecommunications regulatory regime is considered pro-competition and pro-consumer. The
Telecommunications Authority is a public officer appointed by the Chief Executive under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the Telecommunications Ordinance. The Telecommunications Authority is supported by
OFTA, the executive arm of the Telecommunications Authority.
The Telecommunications Ordinance, together with subsidiary legislation such
as the Telecommunications Regulations and various statements, guidelines and codes of practice issued by the Telecommunications Authority, operate to form the overall regulatory landscape of Hong Kong’s telecommunications industry. The
Communications and Technology Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of Hong Kong, or CEDB, is responsible for developing the telecommunication policies for Hong Kong and monitors the overall regulatory regime. The industry itself
also plays a role in the development of the regulatory environment. OFTA regularly issues consultation papers to solicit views of the public and industry in respect of proposed guidelines and regulations that would subsequently form part of the
regulatory framework governing Hong Kong’s telecommunications market.
Acquisitions and mergers of telecom carriers in Hong Kong are
subject to the merger control regime under the Telecommunications Ordinance. There are no specific investment restrictions on foreign companies wishing to invest in Hong Kong-based telecommunications operators or service providers. However,
OFTA’s guidelines generally require that license applicants are companies incorporated or registered under the laws of Hong Kong.
Licensing framework
The Telecommunications Ordinance sets out the overall licensing framework for Hong Kong’s
telecommunications market. Essentially, no person may establish or maintain any means of telecommunications without an appropriate license. The Telecommunications Regulations and the Telecommunications (Carrier Licenses) Regulation set out the
prescribed forms of licenses that may be issued under the Telecommunications Ordinance.
Spectrum allocation
The Telecommunications Authority has the power to allocate frequencies and bands of frequencies in all parts of the radio spectrum used in Hong Kong, and
he is obligated to promote the efficient allocation and use of the radio spectrum as a public resource of Hong Kong. The title to all radio frequencies remains with the Hong Kong government.
Spectrum policy review
The CEDB
issued a statement in April 2007 after concluding its review of the government’s spectrum policy and promulgating the “Radio Spectrum Policy Framework” for future spectrum management. The framework stated that the government would
employ,
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as far as possible, a market-based approach in future spectrum management. As a general guideline, spectrum that may be available to the market will be
assigned by way of auction or other open bidding process. Spectrum use for non-government use would be subject to payment of spectrum utilization fees.
Review of fixed and mobile convergence
OFTA has reviewed the existing regulatory framework in view
of the growing convergence of fixed and mobile services. It conducted a public consultation on fixed and mobile convergence in 2006. Topics included the current fixed/mobile interconnection regime and its charging arrangement, unified licensing for
fixed, mobile and convergent services and fixed/mobile number portability. OFTA issued its decision statement in April 2007 and stated that OFTA would withdraw with effect from April 2009 the regulations on the asymmetrical fixed and mobile
interconnection arrangement whereby mobile operators are required to pay interconnection charges to fixed operators in respect of calls originated from or terminated at mobile networks. The regulations were withdrawn as planned with effect from
April 27, 2009, and the obligation to pay interconnection charges is now determined by commercial agreements between fixed and mobile operators. With respect to fixed/mobile number portability, the government recently conducted a public
consultation on the possibility of operators introducing this on a voluntary basis.
Broadband wireless access
In December 2007, OFTA issued its decision statement regarding the licensing framework for the deployment of broadband wireless access. Further to its
decision statement, in January 2009, OFTA conducted an auction of 90 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3GHz band and 190 MHz to 240 MHz of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band for broadband wireless access service, and four blocks of radio spectrum of 30 MHz each in
the 2.5.GHz band were auctioned to existing mobile operators, one of which is a jointly-controlled entity with Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited.
Licensing of Mobile Television
Following the conclusion of a consultation on the development of
mobile television services, the Hong Kong government recently announced that it will (subject to the negative vetting process of the legislative council) release the following spectrum for auction in the latter half of 2009: a single block of 8 MHz
in the 678 to 686 MHz frequency band, also known as Channel No. 47 in UHF band, and 2 blocks of 1.5 MHz each in the 216.160-217.696 MHz and 217.872-219.408 MHz frequency band, also known as Channel Nos. 11A and 11B in Band III, for the
provision of mobile TV service.
Unified Carrier License
CEDB and OFTA issued separate consultation papers in December 2007 on the creation of a unified carrier license and the proposed licensing framework of
such a license, respectively. The unified carrier license aims at unifying the licensing conditions of fixed and mobile operators. Existing fixed and mobile operators would be able to migrate their current licenses to the unified carrier license on
a voluntary basis. The government began to issue unified carrier licenses in late 2008.
Licenses
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, we provided 3G and 2G mobile services under Unified Carrier License No. 004, which replaced (by way of conversion
done in December 2008) all of our previous mobile carrier licenses for 3G and 2G services.
We used W-CDMA network technology for our 3G
mobile telecommunications service. Under the license, we were permitted to provide 3G service in the 1900-2200 MHz radio spectrum band for Hong Kong for 15 years until October 15, 2016. Under the license, we, like other 3G licensees, were
subject to open network access requirements to make available up to 30% of the capacity of our networks for use by non-affiliated MVNOs. The network capacity is determined as the sum of the capacities of the installed base
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station equipment plus the extra capacity that can reasonably be deployed through the addition or reconfiguration of base station equipment in a prescribed
period of time. However, this does not impose an obligation on the licensees to deploy additional carriers or base station sites. With respect to 3G service in the 1900-2200 MHz radio spectrum band, our annual spectrum utilization fee was the higher
of 5% of our network turnover or a progressively increasing prescribed flat fee (which was set at HK$8.4 million (US$1.1 million) for 2009). The license requires 3G licensees to adopt separate accounts for their network and service operations in
accordance with a prescribed accounting manual.
We used GSM network technologies for our 2G mobile operations in Hong Kong. Under the
license, we were permitted to provide 2G service in the 800/900 MHz radio frequency band for 15 years until November 2020, and 2G service in the 1700/1800 MHz radio frequency band for 15 years until September 2021. Both the 800/900 MHz spectrum and
1700/1800 MHz spectrum are subject to the payment of spectrum utilization fees, which is set at the rate of HK$145,000 (US$18,710) per MHz per annum for the initial five years. Thereafter, it is set at the higher of 5% of annual network turnover in
respect of the spectrum or HK$1.45 million (US$0.19 million) per MHz per annum.
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, we, through a
jointly-controlled entity with Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited, successfully bid for a total of 30 MHz of radio spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band at a total spectrum utilization fee of HK$518 million (US$66.8 million). The unified carrier
license for this spectrum was issued to the jointly-controlled entity in March 2009.
Fixed-line licenses
In June 1995, OFTA awarded us a fixed telecommunications network services (FTNS) license to provide fixed-line telecommunications network services in Hong
Kong. Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, the Hong Kong fixed-line telecommunications business is no longer one of our business segments.
The license is valid for 15 years from June 30, 1995 and we may apply for a UCL upon the expiry of the current FTNS license to continue the operation of the fixed-line business. The license authorizes us to offer
basic voice services, data services, integrated services digital network, or ISDN, which supports the transmission of voice, data and images over conventional telephone lines, fast packet switch and intelligent network services.
In addition to the FTNS license, prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, we also held various public non-exclusive telecommunications service (PNET) licenses
used in other areas of our fixed-line telecommunications business, including for our data center and broadband services. The term of each of these licenses is one year and is renewable annually subject to payment of the relevant renewal fees.
Key industry regulatory issues
Interconnection
The Telecommunications Authority may prescribe interconnection obligations or
otherwise attach them to a license as conditions. Additionally, OFTA has provided statements setting out configuration and principles for interconnection arrangements. The Telecommunications Authority also has the power to determine the terms and
conditions of interconnection which may include any technical, commercial and financial terms and conditions as the Telecommunications Authority considers fair and reasonable.
Fixed-line interconnection
The
interconnection obligations under an FTNS license require the license holder to:
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interconnect its network with other licensed networks and, where directed by the Telecommunications Authority, with other licensed telecommunications networks and
services;
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use all reasonable endeavors to ensure interconnection is carried out promptly, efficiently and at charges that are reasonable; and
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provide facilities and services reasonably necessary for prompt and efficient interconnection.
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Fixed-line interconnection is divided into two types based upon the physical modes of interconnection as follows:
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Type I
—interconnection between network gateways; and
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Type II
—interconnection at a point on the local loop.
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The mandatory requirement of Type II interconnection for local fixed-line telecommunications services at the telephone exchange level was withdrawn in June 2008. After June 2008, mandatory Type II interconnection
continues to be maintained as a safety net in buildings in which it is not technically feasible or economically viable for an operator to roll out its customer access network. In addition, Type II interconnection continues to be maintained in
respect of copper-based local loops at the street level and copper wires of in-building systems.
External gateway and local network
interconnection
Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, we operated a number of external gateways to connect to overseas telecommunications
carriers via submarine and overland cables. The external gateways are connected to the local public switched telephone network, or PSTN, by backhaul cables. We have concluded bilateral agreements with more than 40 overseas telecommunications
operators on routing of external traffic to and from Hong Kong. We used our external gateways to deliver our IDD and international bandwidth services as well as to support wholesale business for other external telecommunications services licensees
and overseas telecommunications operators.
Tariff setting
The Telecommunications Ordinance does not contain any express provisions regulating retail tariffs or setting principles as to initial tariffs. It does,
however, require licensees to publish tariffs in accordance with the requirements of their respective license or directions issued in writing by the Telecommunications Authority. In addition, various requirements are imposed on licensees which are
dominant in any particular market.
The general conditions of a FTNS license set out a more stringent framework with respect to licensees
that are dominant in a particular market. Prior to January 2005, PCCW was the only fixed-line carrier in Hong Kong deemed to be dominant. OFTA issued a statement in January 2005 that revoked the tariff approval requirements applicable to PCCW and
converted PCCW’s FTNS license to a new fixed carrier, or FC, license. Under the new FC license, PCCW is no longer presumed to be dominant in any market sector and any alleged abuse of dominant position will be assessed on a case-by-case basis
in an ex-post manner. Along with the removal of the presumption of dominance, the FC license also allows PCCW to offer discounts to its published tariffs subject to a 24-hour advance notification to OFTA.
Internet telephony
On
January 6, 2006, OFTA introduced a new Service-Based-Operator, or SBO, license for the provision of Internet Protocol, or IP, telephony services. An SBO license is a service-based license operated under a two-class (Class 1 & Class 2)
regulatory regime for the provision of IP telephony services. Class 1 services are those services that have all the attributes of conventional telephone services, and licensees under Class 1 are required to fulfill the licensing conditions of the
fixed telecommunications network services / fixed carrier licenses relevant to the provision of local voice telephony services. Class 2 services are those services that do not have all the attributes of conventional telephone services, and Class 2
licensees are only subject to minimal licensing conditions with the main purpose to protect consumer interests and safeguard competition. An SBO license is valid for one year and is renewable on an annual basis.
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Existing FTNS licensees are allowed to provide Class 1 services with their existing licenses. If an FTNS
operator wishes to operate Class 2 services, it may apply to the Telecommunications Authority for the amendment of its license which has incorporated the appropriate special conditions that waive the applicability of certain license conditions to
the operation of Class 2 services.
Regulatory enforcement
The Telecommunications Authority may at any time revoke, suspend or cancel a license or vary the conditions thereof by a notice served in writing on the
licensee or by public notice. Additionally, the Telecommunications Authority may impose a financial penalty on a licensee where the licensee breaches any of its license conditions, any provision of the Telecommunications Ordinance or any regulation
made thereunder or any direction issued in respect of the licensee by the Telecommunications Authority. Upon application to a court, a financial penalty may be as high as 10% of the turnover of the licensee in the relevant telecommunications market
in the period of the breach, or HK$10 million, whichever is higher. If any person is aggrieved by a decision of the Telecommunications Authority with regards to competition matters, an appeal may be made to the Telecommunications (Competition
Provisions) Appeal Board.
Macau
The telecommunications sector in Macau is regulated by the DSRT. Prior to the spin-off of HTHKH, we held a license, which expires on July 8, 2010, that allowed us to operate in the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 spectrums.
We were one of three operators awarded a 3G license in October 2006 to operate W-CDMA service in Macau. The 3G license for Macau was issued to us with
effect from June 5, 2007 and is for a period of eight years. In compliance with the terms of the license, we commercially launched 3G services on October 16, 2007.
DSRT has recently invited applications for the award of the fourth 3G license.
Thailand
Overview
The NTC, which is the regulatory body responsible for administering the Telecommunications Business Act 2001, or TBA, was established on October 1,
2004. The NTC regulates telecommunications matters in Thailand and has enacted a number of subordinate regulations to implement the provisions of the TBA, including regulations governing interconnection, standard mobile service contracts and
customer complaint process.
The inherited concession system
Up until the enactment of the TBA on November 17, 2001, Thai law reserved to the government the right and authority to install, maintain and provide
telegraph and telephone services within Thailand. These rights were initially assigned to the Post and Telegraph Department and later assumed by two governmental bodies, CAT Telecom and TOT Corporation Public Company Limited (the successor to the
telecommunications business operations of the former Telephone Organization of Thailand), or TOT Corporation, each of which was established under its own statute. Between them, the Post and Telegraph Department, CAT Telecom and the TOT Corporation
regulated the Thai telecommunications industry, with the Post and Telegraph Department being responsible for spectrum allocation and the issuance of licenses required under the Radio Communications Act 1955 for the ownership or use of radio
frequency equipment.
CAT Telecom was entitled to conduct telecommunications operations in its own right. However, in many cases
private-sector technical expertise and capital were required to establish and operate mobile telecommunications networks. This was achieved through the award of “concessions,” contracts to build and operate telecommunications networks,
which typically required the concession holder to transfer ownership of the network to CAT Telecom. During the period of a concession, CAT Telecom invariably
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receives a percentage of revenues derived from the operation of the telecommunications business authorized by the concession. The ability of CAT Telecom to
grant concessions ceased on March 8, 2000, on the enactment of the Act on Organizations Allocating Frequency Spectrum and Regulating Radio and Television Broadcasting and Telecommunications of Thailand, or the Frequency Act, and CAT Telecom no
longer has a regulatory role.
Our business operations in Thailand are conducted mainly through two entities, Hutchison CAT and BFKT.
Hutchison CAT provides exclusive marketing services to CAT Telecom in respect of CAT Telecom’s mobile telecommunications services in central Thailand, an area that covers 25 of Thailand’s 76 provinces. BFKT leases mobile telecommunications
equipment and accessories to CAT Telecom and provides CAT Telecom with support and maintenance services in respect of the equipment and accessories. The provision of these services does not require either Hutchison CAT or BFKT to obtain any approval
or concession granted by either CAT Telecom or the TOT Corporation. However, BFKT holds approvals granted by the NTC, which allow it to own the mobile telecommunications equipment and accessories that it has leased to CAT Telecom.
Regulatory framework
On
August 3, 2005, the NTC issued regulations on the issuance of licenses and licensing criteria. Subsequent to the issue of these regulations, TOT Corporation and CAT Telecom were granted telecom business licenses on August 4, 2005 that
covered the telecommunication services that these two companies had been offering prior to the enactment of the licensing regulations, including the CDMA mobile communication services offered by CAT Telecom.
Under the transitional provisions of the TBA, concessionaires of CAT Telecom or TOT Corporation are allowed to continue operating their
telecommunications businesses in accordance with the rights under their existing concessions prior to the TBA coming into force until termination of such concessions. Concessionaires will have the ability to convert their concessions to licenses
under the TBA but are not compelled to do so.
If a concessionaire wishes to convert its concession to a license, it is likely to be bound
by the foreign ownership restrictions of the TBA, which are presently more restrictive than those applying to many concessionaries. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the manner in which concessions may be converted to licenses, as
conversion is likely to put to an end the revenue sharing arrangements that provided significant revenue streams for CAT Telecom, and the requisite consent of CAT Telecom is unlikely to be provided unless satisfactory compensation is provided for
the loss of ongoing revenue.
While we have been advised by Thai legal counsel that our current business activities do not constitute a
telecommunications business that requires a license pursuant to licensing regulations, the NTC may potentially interpret that some of our existing business activities in Thailand as a telecommunications business, which could require Hutchison CAT or
BFKT to obtain one of three types of licenses required to be held by an operator of a telecommunications business. Such licenses are subject to restrictions on foreign investment that Hutchison CAT and BFKT may not be able to meet.
Interconnection
In 2006, the
NTC issued a regulation on interconnections to require billing on a cost-oriented basis. Under the new regime, per-minute interconnection charges will be payable, and the existing access charge regime, under which interconnection charges are
calculated by reference to the number of customers and/or revenues of the operator and are payable to TOT Corporation, is expected to be replaced. However, in August 2007, TOT Corporation filed a lawsuit seeking the revocation of the new regime.
In November 2007, TOT Corporation also filed lawsuits against CAT Telecom, Total Access Communications and True Move Company Limited,
alleging that they had failed to pay THB15 billion in access charges.
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In December 2007, the NTC approved interconnection rate charges for CAT Telecom under the new regime. CAT
Telecom is currently negotiating definitive agreements with other telecommunications operators to implement these new interconnection rate charges.
In December 2007, Total Access Communications filed a complaint with the NTC against CAT Telecom alleging that it had failed to enter into an interconnection contract with Total Access Communications in accordance with the NTC’s
interconnection regulations. CAT Telecom counterclaimed alleging unfair competition based on excessively high interconnection rate charges by Total Access Communications that are in violation of NTC rules that require rates to be determined on a
cost-oriented basis. The NTC granted Total Access Communications and CAT Telecom permission to negotiate a compromise on interconnection rate charges, but the parties could not reach a settlement. The NTC thus appointed the Dispute Resolution
Committee to proceed with the dispute resolution process set out in the NTC’s interconnection regulation. The Dispute Resolution Committee has completed its fact finding process and is in the process of preparing its decision. Once the decision
has been prepared, it will be required to be presented to the NTC for consideration and the NTC will then make a final ruling on the dispute.
On March 28, 2008, Hutchison CAT filed a lawsuit against AIS alleging that AIS was illegally blocking outgoing calls made to AIS’s network. Hutchison CAT also requested an injunction against AIS directing it to stop blocking
traffic from us to the AIS network, and the court granted this injunction. In June 2008, Hutchison CAT and AIS agreed to settle the dispute by way of out-of-court proceedings. Since June 2008, Hutchison CAT and CAT Telecom have engaged in
discussions with AIS and sought the assistance of the NTC in finalizing interconnection rates and an interconnection contract.
In November
2008, CAT Telecom filed a complaint with the NTC against AIS alleging that it had failed to enter into an interconnection contract with CAT Telecom. The NTC thus appointed the Dispute Resolution Committee to proceed with the dispute resolution
process set out in the NTC’s interconnection regulation. The Dispute Resolution Committee has commenced its fact finding process, and upon completion of the fact finding process, the Dispute Resolution Committee will prepare its decision. Once
the decision has been prepared, it must be presented to the NTC for consideration and the NTC will then make a final ruling on the dispute.
Hutchison CAT’s customers continue to experience network blocking problems involving certain competitors.
Regulatory
enforcement
Penalties for breaching the TBA include seizure of telecommunications equipment if a judgment is made against a person
operating a telecommunications business without a license, penalties up to THB10 million, and imprisonment terms of up to five years. If the wrongdoer to be punished under the TBA is a juristic entity, the penalties will also apply to the managing
director, managers or persons responsible for the operation of the juristic entity, unless it can be proved that the wrongdoing was committed without their knowledge or consent.
Sri Lanka
The telecommunications sector of Sri Lanka has developed significantly in the past
few years, mainly as a result of the recent liberalization of the regulation of the industry. In Sri Lanka, the telecommunications sector is governed by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991, as amended by Act No. 27 of 1996,
or the Telecommunications Act, and the governing body is the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, or TRCSL, which was established under the Telecommunications Act. The TRCSL regulates licensing, spectrum allocation, tariffs and all
other industry-related issues, and presently comes directly within the purview of the president of Sri Lanka.
Hutchison Lanka operates
under a license to operate cellular mobile services issued under the Telecommunications Act in 1992. It is effective for a period of 20 years, until 2012. In 2003, Hutchison Lanka obtained an external gateway operator, or EGO, license to operate EGO
services.
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Vietnam
Vietnam has made important fundamental changes in its legal environment with the objective of creating a robust and competitive telecommunications sector, which in turn is expected to provide the foundation for
economic growth for the country’s telecommunications industry. However, Vietnam’s reform process remains incomplete. In terms of regulatory transparency, the current regulatory body does not fully meet international standards of
independence. This affects licensing, non-discriminatory interconnection and cross-subsidies in tariffs. In addition, Vietnam is behind schedule in implementing its obligations under bilateral agreements with other countries, particularly in respect
of foreign investor access. Although Vietnam committed to open its telecommunications sector in connection with its WTO accession, it still has not promulgated the relevant rules to implement those commitments. In the absence of a consistent
regulatory framework or legislation, uncertainty and risks for new market entrants and investors remain, which in turn limits network expansion, the introduction of new services and overall industry growth.
The telecommunications sector is regulated by the Ministry of Information and Communications (previously the Ministry of Post and Telematics), or MIC,
which is the primary driver of telecommunications strategies, policies and regulations. The MIC is in charge of policy-making and regulatory matters in post and telecommunications, IT, electronics, the Internet, radio transmission and emission,
radio frequency management, and national information infrastructure.
The provision of telecommunications services and the establishment of
telecommunications networks in Vietnam must be licensed by the MIC. Although all license applications are made to the MIC and the MIC issues the licenses, the final decision on whether to grant a license in the telecommunications sector is
ultimately made by the Prime Minister of Vietnam.
The Telecoms Ordinance defines two types of licenses for telecommunications enterprises:
network- or facility-based operations, or FBO, and service-based operations, or SBO. An FBO owns and operates its telecommunications network and sells service directly to end-users, or sells wholesale service to companies that resell the FBO’s
service. FBO licenses are only issued to state-owned enterprises, which are defined as an operator owned wholly or in part by the government. An SBO provides services that do not require network facilities, or leases on a wholesale basis network
facilities for resale to end users. Ownership of SBO licenses is open to the private sector. However, an SBO license will only be granted to enterprises established under Vietnamese law, which contemplates four main types of enterprises:
(i) state-owned enterprises, (ii) private limited companies; (iii) joint-stock (or shareholding) companies; and (iv) foreign-invested enterprises operating within certain sectors.
Hanoi Telecom, an enterprise majority owned by state enterprises, with which Hutchison Vietnam has entered into a BCC, is the holder of an FBO license
dated April 28, 2003 for the establishment of a ground mobile telecommunications network and the provision of mobile telephone services, supplementary services and value-added services throughout Vietnam. The license had a term of 15 years. In
connection with the conversion to GSM services, we relinquished our original license and received a new license for 15-years beginning from March 2008.
The MIC regulates the tariffs of Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications and Vietel Corporation, as dominant service providers, whereas other operators, such as Hanoi Telecom, are allowed to set their own tariffs. The
MIC has introduced several provisions to reduce tariffs charged in Vietnam and make them comparable to those of other countries in the region.
The scope for regulatory intervention under the Telecoms Ordinance with respect to service pricing remains significant. In particular, the Prime Minister of Vietnam may determine that tariffs for “important telecommunications
services” that affect various sectors and socio-economic development—a very wide category, for which there is as yet no official definition. In the absence of criteria for determining what falls within this category, the Prime Minister
effectively has very wide discretion to determine tariffs.
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Vietnam has also recently revised its rules and regulations regarding foreign investment. See
“—Operating Companies Review—Vietnam—BCC Structure.”
Indonesia
The Indonesian telecommunications sector is regulated primarily pursuant to Law No. 36 of 1999 concerning Telecommunications, or Law 36. Under Law
36, telecommunications are defined as any broadcasting, transmission and/or receipt and any information in the form of signs, signals, inscription, pictures, voice and sound through a cable, optic, radio or other electromagnetic system.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology (previously the Minister of Transportation), or MCIT, is responsible for supervising, and
authorized to issue regulations and ministerial decrees in relation to the implementation of, laws regarding telecommunications, which are typically broad in scope. The MCIT has used this regulatory authority to define the scope of exclusivity,
formulate and approve tariff levels, determine operators’ universal service obligations and regulate other aspects of telecommunication service operators’ operations.
Licenses for undertaking telecommunications business in Indonesia are issued by the MCIT and granted in two stages: principle license and operating
license.
A principle license is granted to enable a telecommunications operator to prepare the facilities and infrastructure that are
required for telecommunication operations.
After completing the set up of the facilities and infrastructure, a telecommunications operator
must submit to conduct operational feasibility tests to examine and confirm that all of the facilities and infrastructure have been constructed properly and are ready to be operated from a technical perspective. Based on the results of the
operational feasibility test, the government will issue a certificate of operational worthiness.
Upon obtaining a certificate of
operational worthiness and after complying with all terms and conditions stated in the principle license, a telecommunications operator may submit an application for an operating license. An operating license is normally granted without time limit
but will be evaluated by the government every five years.
The Minister of Transportation granted HCPT a principle license for a 3G network
with national coverage on October 13, 2003. HCPT then obtained certificates of operation worthiness on September 15, 2004. On October 15, 2004 the MCIT issued an operating license to HCPT. Under this operating license, HCPT is
entitled to conduct the following operations on a national basis:
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GSM dual-band cellular mobile network system in the 1775-1785 MHz (Up Link) and 1870-1880 MHz (Down Link) frequency bands;
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IMT-2000 dual-band Cellular Mobile Network in the 1920-1925 MHz and 2110-2115 MHz frequency bands with an unpaired 2010-2015 MHz (TDD) frequency band; and
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basic telephone service.
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HCPT’s operating license is valid for an unlimited period to the extent that HCPT complies with its terms and prevailing laws and regulations.
Separate from an operating license, the use of radio frequency for telecommunication operations requires a radio frequency band license, which is issued by the MCIT. This license is granted for the purpose of
operating any radio communication equipment and is granted based on a two-stage examination process: (i) frequency allocation stage and (ii) determination of radio frequency stage. Upon obtaining this license, the holder is obligated to
register the license with the Directorate.
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In the third quarter of 2008, HCPT was granted a license to install, own and operate a closed fixed
network, subject to HCPT fulfilling specified requirements relating to infrastructure deployment. This license will enable HCPT to build and operate a fibre-optic network for its own use and lease the excess capacity to third parties.
To promote equal treatment in the telecommunications industry among cellular mobile network operators, the MCIT recently issued Ministerial Regulation
No. 29/KEP/M.KOMINFO/03/2006 regarding Allocation of Radio Frequency Bands and The Payment of Tariff for Radio Frequency Spectrum Band Utilization for Operators of Cellular Mobile Network IMT-2000 on Radio Frequency Band 2.1 GHz, or MR 29.
Under MR 29, HCPT must return part of its radio frequency band block 1925-1930 MHz in pairs with 2115-2120 MHz so that each 3G cellular mobile network operator will have equal 3G radio frequency band allocation.
Telecommunications operations in Indonesia may only be conducted by an Indonesian legal entity. These Indonesian entities may have foreign shareholders,
subject to certain foreign investment rules. Indonesian laws and regulations provide that foreign share ownership in companies operating cellular mobile networks may not exceed 65%. In accordance with the requirements of applicable Indonesian
investment laws, the current shareholdings in HCPT have been approved by BKPM.
Ghana
The National Communications Authority Act, 1996 (Act 524), or the NCA Act, is the principal legislation governing the telecommunications sector in Ghana.
The National Communications Authority, or NCA, is the regulatory authority of the telecommunication sector. The NCA manages and controls the use of the radio frequency spectrum, is the issuing authority of the use of spectrum to mobile
telecommunications operators, grants licenses, and provides guidelines on tariffs.
Foreign investors may invest in the telecommunications
industry through a Ghanaian registered company or partnership.
Interconnection between telecommunications operators is by agreement
between the operators or as determined by the NCA if the operators are unable to agree. Interconnection agreements between telecommunications operators are subject to the approval of the NCA. Mobile telecommunications operators set and change
tariffs without prior approval of the NCA. They must notify the NCA and the public of tariff rates and its changes.
The NCA replaced the
licenses of all telecommunications operators with a new standard comprehensive form in December 2004.
B. Property, Plants and
Equipment
We and our operating companies own, or control through long-term leases or licenses, properties consisting of equipment used
to provide mobile and fixed-line telecommunications services. In addition, we and our operating companies own, or control through leases, properties used as administrative office buildings and/or retail sales locations, customer service centers and
research and development facilities. These properties include land, interior office space and space on existing structures of various types used to support equipment used to provide mobile and fixed-line telecommunications services. Most of the
leased properties are owned by private entities and the balance is owned by municipal entities.
Property and equipment used to provide
mobile and fixed-line communications services consist of:
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switching, transmission and radio equipment;
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connecting lines (cables, wires, poles and other support structures, conduits and similar items);
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IT infrastructure (servers, routers and similar items);
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towers, shelters and equipment rooms; and
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other miscellaneous properties (work equipment, furniture and plants under construction).
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The majority of the lines connecting our services to other telecommunications operators and power sources are on or under public roads, highways and
streets. The remainder are on or under private property.
The following table sets forth the total gross floor area of properties held by
us and the total gross floor area of properties leased by us as at December 31, 2008, by country, and the principal uses of the properties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country
|
|
Gross Floor Area of
Properties Held
(1)
|
|
Gross Floor Area of
Properties Leased
(1)
|
|
Principal Uses
|
|
Israel
|
|
—
|
|
71,707 sq.m.
|
|
Office; call center; retail shop; customer service center; switch center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
53,753 sq.ft.
|
|
634,394 sq.ft.
|
|
Office; staff quarter; retail shop; customer service center; data center; switch center; warehouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Macau
|
|
—
|
|
39,804 sq.ft.
|
|
Office; retail shop; staff quarter; warehouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
2,736 sq.m.
|
|
20,509 sq.m.
|
|
Office; call center; retail shop; warehouse; IT data center; switch center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
—
|
|
17,850 sq.m.
|
|
Office; customer service center; switch center; warehouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
—
|
|
9,908 sq.m.
|
|
Office; switch center; retail shop; warehouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
37,566 sq.m.
|
|
6,278 sq.m.
|
|
Office (including parking); customer service center; switch center; warehouse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Others
(2)
|
|
—
|
|
1,754 sq.m.
|
|
Office
|
|
(1)
|
Does not include cell sites.
|
|
(2)
|
Comprises China, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines.
|
As at December 31, 2008, none of the properties held by us were used as collateral for our borrowings.
We are subject to various environmental laws in the countries in which we have operations. Compliance with these laws has not had, and in our opinion is not expected to have, a material adverse effect upon the use of our properties, plants
or equipment or on our results of operations.
C. History and Development of the Company
Corporate Information
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on March 17, 2004 as an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of
the Cayman Islands. Our principal offices are located at 20/F, Hutchison Telecom Tower, 99 Cheung Fai Road, Tsing Yi, Hong Kong, and our telephone number is 852 2128 3222.
History
We were formed in
March 2004 as a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, a conglomerate based in Hong Kong, and listed on the Main Board of the SEHK and the NYSE in October 2004. Hutchison Whampoa began its telecommunications business in Hong Kong in 1985 with the
provision of analog mobile telecommunications services, and subsequently expanded into digital mobile telecommunications services. Since 2000, Hutchison Whampoa has pioneered the development of 3G mobile telecommunications technology and has rolled
out 3G services in a number of countries in Western Europe and in Australia as well as Hong Kong.
- 57 -
Set forth below is a summary of the principal telecommunications operations transferred to us upon
completion of the restructuring of Hutchison Whampoa’s telecommunications business in preparation for the listing of our shares on the Main Board of the SEHK and our ADSs on the NYSE and subsequent developments.
Israel
. The Hutchison Whampoa group established its presence in Israel in September 1997 when Hutchison Whampoa, together with local
investors, formed Partner, which was awarded a nationwide license to provide mobile telecommunications services. Partner launched commercial operations in January 1999 and is now a public company, with shares listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
and ADSs quoted on Nasdaq. Partner provides mobile telecommunications services under the “
orange™
” brand. In December 2004, Partner launched 3G services. In April 2005, Partner became a consolidated subsidiary of our company
following the completion of a share buyback by Partner, as a result of which our equity interest in Partner increased from 42.9% to over 50%. In July 2006, Partner acquired the transmission business of Med 1, including its fibre-optic cable
infrastructure comprising a network of approximately 900 kilometers of submerged and terrestrial transmission fibre for approximately NIS 71 million. In January 2007, Partner was granted a license for the provision of domestic fixed-line
telecommunications services in Israel. In December 2008 and January 2009, Partner launched three additional non-cellular business lines: web VOD, ISP services and VOB telephony services.
Hong Kong (including Macau)
. The Hutchison Whampoa group commenced mobile telecommunications operations in Hong Kong in 1985 and operated
its mobile telecommunications business through Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited, or Hutchison Telecom, and its subsidiaries. In January 2004, the Hutchison Whampoa group became the first mobile telecommunications services provider in
Hong Kong to offer 3G services, under the “
3
” brand. Since May 31, 2004, all of Hutchison Whampoa’s mobile telecommunications services in Hong Kong have been offered under the “
3
” brand. In August 2001,
the Hutchison Whampoa group launched GSM dual-band mobile telecommunications services in Macau under the “
Hutchison Telecom
” brand. Our service in Macau was re-branded under the “
3
” brand in 2005. In October 2007,
we launched 3G services in Macau. Since July 2008, and until the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, we held a 75.9% interest in our 2G and 3G mobile telecommunications businesses in Hong Kong and Macau, while the minority interest was
held by NTT DoCoMo.
The Hutchison Whampoa group also provided fixed-line telecommunications services in Hong Kong through Hutchison Global
Communications under the brands “
HGC
” and “
Hutchison Global Communications
.” Hutchison Global Communications obtained its license in 1995. In March 2004, the Hutchison Whampoa group acquired a 52.5% interest in
Hutchison Global Communications Holdings through the acquisition by Hutchison Global Communications Holdings of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, operating its fixed-line telecommunications and related businesses, in exchange for an
issue of new shares and convertible notes. In July 2005, we privatized Hutchison Global Communications Holdings through the cancellation of Hutchison Global Communications Holdings shares not already held by us. Following the privatization,
Hutchison Global Communications Holdings became our wholly-owned subsidiary and its listing on the SEHK was withdrawn.
In May 2009, we
completed the spin-off of HTHKH, which was previously our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary. HTHKH and its subsidiaries operated our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. As
a result of the spin-off, HTHKH is no longer our subsidiary and we no longer have any Hong Kong or Macau operations. We refer you to “– The Spin-off” for more information about the spin-off of HTHKH.
Thailand
. The Hutchison Whampoa group commenced operations in Thailand in February 2003 when Hutchison CAT, our joint venture with CAT
Telecom, began marketing CAT Telecom’s CDMA2000 1X network services under the “
Hutch
” brand under a marketing service agreement running until April 21, 2015.
- 58 -
Indonesia
. In July 2005, we completed the acquisition of a 60% equity interest of HCPT, the
holder of a combined 2G and 3G mobile telecommunications license in Indonesia, which was later increased to 65%. In March 2007, HCPT launched mobile telecommunications services in Indonesia under the “
3
” brand.
Vietnam
. In February 2005 our BCC with Hanoi Telecom was approved by the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam. Under the terms of
the BCC, we agreed to jointly build, develop and operate a CDMA-based mobile telecommunications network in Vietnam. During the first half of 2007, we launched mobile telecommunications services in Vietnam under the “
HT Mobile
” brand
name. In March 2008, we received approval to permit us to switch our operating spectrum from CDMA to GSM services, which we believe has better business prospects than CDMA. We launched our new GSM services in Vietnam under the
“
Vietnamobile
” brand in April 2009.
Sri Lanka
. In August 1997, the Hutchison Whampoa group acquired a 100%
interest in Hutchison Lanka. We began providing mobile telecommunications services in December 1998 by setting up analog base stations around Colombo. We subsequently launched GSM services in 2000 throughout the interior and southwest regions of the
country. We launched standard GSM services in the Colombo area in May 2004 under the “
Hutch
” brand. Our analog network around Colombo was shut down in July 2004.
Disposals
. We completed the sale of our operations in Paraguay in July 2005. In July 2006, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary, Vanda IT
Solutions, which provided information technology solutions, and loans that we had extended to Vanda IT Solutions and its subsidiaries, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of our largest shareholder, Hutchison Whampoa, for a total cash consideration of
HK$105 million, after adjustments. The purchase price was determined after arms-length negotiations.
In May 2007, we completed the sale to
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vodafone of our entire interest in CGP Investments Holdings, a company that held, through various subsidiaries, all of our direct and indirect equity and loan interests in the India operations, comprising Hutchison Essar
and its subsidiaries for cash consideration of US$11,074 million before costs, expenses and interest payable by Vodafone, plus the assumption of US$2.0 billion of net debt. We also entered into a supplemental deed with Vodafone pursuant to which
Vodafone, in consideration for waiving certain potential claims against us under the sale and purchase agreement, was permitted to retain US$352 million from the sale price to apply against certain specified liabilities that Vodafone might incur in
connection with the interests that it had effectively acquired during a period of up to ten years following the date of completion of the sale. Considering the terms surrounding the retention and release of the amount retained by Vodafone, our board
of directors has decided to make a full provision against recovery of any part of the amount retained by Vodafone. Under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement that we entered into with Vodafone, we also agreed to restrictions on our ability
to directly or indirectly carry on, engage in or acquire an economic interest in, any business in India that competes with the telecommunications business of Hutchison Essar for a period of three years from the date of completion of the sale.
In July 2008, we completed the sale to EGH of all of our direct and indirect equity and loan interests and intellectual property interests
held through various subsidiaries in Kasapa, the operating company for our Ghana operations, for a cash consideration of HK$583.5 million (US$75.3 million) before costs and expenses.
The Restructuring
Prior to
the listing in October 2004 of our shares on the Main Board of the SEHK and our ADSs on the NYSE, a number of steps were taken to transfer companies within the Hutchison Whampoa group to us in preparation for these listings, as well as to effect a
harmonization of the group structure. The objective of the restructuring was to establish our company as a holding company for some of the Hutchison Whampoa group’s telecommunications interests.
The Spin-off
On March 4,
2009, our board of directors approved the payment of an interim dividend to be satisfied by way of a distribution in specie of the entire share capital of HTHKH, our then indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, conditional on (i) the SEHK approving
the proposed spin-off of HTHKH by us and Hutchison Whampoa; and (ii) the SEHK granting approval for the listing of the entire share
- 59 -
capital of HTHKH on the Main Board of the SEHK. HTHKH and its subsidiaries operated our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and
fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. On April 29, 2009, HTHKH established a Level I ADR program in respect of its ADSs. On May 7, 2009, the spin-off of HTHKH was completed. HTHKH became separately listed on the Main Board
of the SEHK on May 8, 2009, or the HTHKH Listing Date. As a result of the spin-off, we no longer have any operations in Hong Kong or Macau.
In connection with the spin-off of HTHKH, in April 2009, we amended and restated an existing facility agreement entered into with certain subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa in November 2008. For more information on this facility, see
“Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related party transactions with the Hutchison Whampoa group – Credit Facility.”
In addition, in connection with and for the purpose of the spin-off of HTHKH, Mr. Wong King Fai, Peter, who is also the chief executive officer and
an executive director of HTHKH, resigned as a director of our company on May 8, 2009 to further the independence of HTHKH’s board of directors and management from that of our company.
Non-competition Agreements
As
part of the restructuring, we entered into a non-competition agreement with Hutchison Whampoa in September 2004 to maintain a clear delineation of our respective businesses going forward, principally on a geographical basis. The agreement delineates
each party’s territory for the purpose of implementing the non-competition restrictions. Hutchison Whampoa’s territory comprises Western Europe (defined to include the European Union prior to its enlargement in 2004 and other countries
such as Switzerland, Norway, Greenland and Liechtenstein), Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and Argentina (unless and until we exercise an option granted to us to acquire the Hutchison Whampoa group’s interest in Hutchison
Telecommunications Argentina S.A., or Hutchison Argentina). Our territory covered all the remaining countries of the world.
In February
2008, in accordance with our non-competition agreement with Hutchison Whampoa, Hutchison Whampoa granted its consent for us to enter into a joint venture with the Philippine Long Distance to begin operating a MVNO business in Italy, and on
March 12, 2008, we entered into a cooperation agreement with Philippine Long Distance.
In connection with the spin-off of HTHKH, on
April 17, 2009, we amended our non-competition agreement with Hutchison Whampoa and entered into a non-competition agreement with HTHKH, and Hutchison Whampoa entered into a non-competition agreement with HTHKH, effective as of the HTHKH
Listing Date, to ensure a clear geographical delineation of the business among Hutchison Whampoa, HTHKH and us going forward. Under these non-competition agreements, Hutchison Whampoa’s territory remains unchanged, while HTHKH’s territory
comprises Hong Kong and Macau. Our territory comprises all the remaining countries of the world.
Under these non-competition agreements,
each party may not provide, in the other’s territory and without the other’s prior consent, managed and/or non-managed telecommunications services for voice, Internet, data and/or video, whether between fixed locations (i.e. fixed
telephony services provided over network infrastructure reaching the end users’ location) and/or at a fixed location and/or moving locations (i.e. mobile services), whether by wireline or wireless means or by the establishment, ownership and
maintenance of related facilities. The activities that can be performed in the other’ territory without prior consent include the business of sale or brokering of indefeasible rights of use, or IRU, Internet protocol services or other
transmission capacity or other sales, marketing and administrative activities incidental to either the provision of fixed telephony services or sale or brokering of such IRU, Internet protocol services or other transmission capacity.
Each party has the right of first refusal over any new opportunity to conduct the restricted business in its own territory. Our prior consent is required
before either Hutchison Whampoa or HTHKH can pursue any new opportunity to conduct the
- 60 -
restricted business in our territory, even where we have decided to refuse such opportunity. We are required to obtain the prior consent of both Hutchison
Whampoa and HTHKH before we can pursue any new opportunity to conduct the restricted business in either Hutchison Whampoa’s or HTHKH’s territory, even where each of Hutchison Whampoa and HTHKH has decided to refuse such opportunity.
The restrictions under the non-competition agreement between us and Hutchison Whampoa will terminate one year after Hutchison Whampoa
ceases to control, directly or indirectly, more than 30% of our issued ordinary share capital (provided that either upon such cessation or at any time within this one-year period, another party controls, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of our
issued ordinary share capital). The restrictions will also terminate on the date on which our shares and ADSs are no longer listed on any internationally recognized stock exchange (provided that such delisting is voluntary and at our instigation).
The restrictions under the non-competition agreement between us and HTHKH will terminate one year after Hutchison Whampoa ceases to
control, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of the issued ordinary share capital of HTHKH or us (provided that either upon such cessation or at any time within this one-year period another party controls, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of the
issued ordinary share capital of HTHKH or us). The restrictions will also terminate on the date on which the shares of HTHKH or us are no longer listed on any internationally recognized stock exchange (provided that such delisting is voluntary and
at our instigation).
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
Our capital expenditures in 2006, 2007 and 2008 have been primarily for the continuing build-out and expansion of our networks in the markets where we
operate, including purchases of fixed assets and licenses and acquisitions of interests in existing third-party telecommunications companies as well as companies engaged in complementary or related businesses. The amounts of capital expenditures for
these periods, broken out by geographical segment, are set out in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditure.” Historically, we met our working capital and other
capital requirements principally from cash flow from our operating activities, borrowings by our subsidiaries from banks based on guarantees and/or pledges provided by Hutchison Whampoa and its affiliates and borrowings from the Hutchison Whampoa
group of companies. We expect that we will meet our current and future financing needs primarily through retained cash, cash flow from our operating activities and borrowings by us and/or our subsidiaries from banks based on guarantees and/or
pledges provided by our company. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
D. Organizational Structure
As at May 8, 2009, Hutchison Whampoa held approximately 60.4% of our shares. Hutchison Whampoa is
a conglomerate based in Hong Kong and listed on the Main Board of the SEHK. It operates five core businesses around the world. The businesses are: (1) ports and related services; (2) property and hotels; (3) retail; (4) energy,
infrastructure, finance, investments and others; and (5) telecommunications.
- 61 -
As at May 8, 2009, we are a holding company for the following significant subsidiaries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of subsidiary
|
|
Place of incorporation/
registration and
operation
|
|
Percentage of
equity interest
held
|
|
|
BFKT (Thailand) Limited
(1)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited
(1)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
36
|
%
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications International (HK) Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Private) Limited
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
|
|
Israel
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications
(2)
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
65
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
In addition to our 49% and 36% beneficial interest in each of BFKT (Thailand) Limited and Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited, respectively, as disclosed above, we also hold
call options over a 51% and 30% beneficial interest in BFKT (Thailand) Limited and Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited, respectively.
|
|
(2)
|
We also hold call options over additional shares of PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications. We refer you to “ – A. Business Overview – Operating companies review –
Indonesia – Ownership” for more information.
|
|
ITEM 4A.
|
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
|
None.
|
ITEM 5.
|
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
|
Overview
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included
elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. With effect from the year ended December 31, 2007, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS; we have also presented the results for the year ended December 31,
2006 in accordance with IFRS in the attached consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with HKFRS in previous years. We believe that the adoption of IFRS will allow our consolidated
financial statements to be more easily understood by our shareholders, potential investors, the capital markets and our stakeholders and users.
A number of developments have occurred since the beginning of 2008 that affected our results for the year or will affect our results going forward. These include:
|
|
•
|
|
In February 2008, Partner, our subsidiary in Israel, announced a share buy-back plan for implementation throughout 2008, in an amount of up to NIS 600 million
(US$152.3 million), subject to appropriate market conditions. During the year, Partner bought back 4,467,990 shares for aggregate cash consideration of NIS 351 million (HK$799 million) and this was reflected in our 2008 consolidated financial
statements.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In March 2008, HCPT, our subsidiary in Indonesia, entered into a conditional agreement to sell up to 3,692 base station tower sites to Protelindo for cash
consideration, assuming completion of all base station tower sites, of US$500.0 million (HK$3,882 million). The sale of the base station tower sites is expected to be made in tranches over a two-year period. In connection with the tower transfer
agreement, HCPT and Protelindo entered into a lease agreement granting HCPT (i) the right to use the capacity reserved for HCPT on the base station tower sites sold under the tower transfer agreement and related infrastructure as HCPT may elect
for an initial period of twelve years which, at HCPT’s election, may be extended for another six years, and (ii) options to acquire Protelindo’s right, title and interest in these facilities at a pre-agreed price. During 2008, 2,248
base station tower sites were transferred to Protelindo and a total profit of HK$1,421 million (US$182.2 million) was recognized from these transactions. We refer you to “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to our
Business – We may be required to change our accounting treatment of certain sale and leaseback transactions in Indonesia” for more information about the accounting treatment for these transactions.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In July 2008, we completed the sale to EGH of all of our direct and indirect equity and loan interests and intellectual property held through various subsidiaries
in Kasapa Telecom Limited, or Kasapa, the operating company for our Ghana operations, for cash consideration of HK$583.5 million (US$75.3 million) before costs and expenses. We recorded a gain on disposal of HK$298 million (US$38.5 million) from the
transaction.
|
- 62 -
|
|
•
|
|
In July 2008, we completed the acquisition of NEC’s 5% interest in our 2G and 3G mobile telecommunications businesses in Hong Kong and Macau.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In November 2008, we entered into a facility agreement with certain subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa, which was amended and restated in April 2009. Pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, among other things, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa agreed to make available to us a senior secured term loan/revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate amount of US$1,790 million (approximately
HK$13,872.5 million), subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement. In May 2009, an aggregate amount of US$290 million was advanced to our company. We refer you to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party
Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Credit Facility” for more information.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In December 2008, we paid a special cash dividend of HK$7 per share (approximately US$13.55 per ADS), or HK$33.7 billion (US$4.3 billion) in total.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In January 2009, our Hong Kong mobile operations, through a jointly-controlled entity with Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited, successfully bid for a total
of 30 MHz of radio spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band at a total spectrum utilization fee of HK$518 million (US$66.8 million). In March 2009, a broadband wireless access license was issued by OFTA in Hong Kong upon receipt of the spectrum utilization fee
and performance bond from the jointly-controlled entity.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In March 2009, our board of directors approved the payment of an interim dividend to be satisfied by way of a distribution in specie of the entire share capital of
HTHKH, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, conditional on (i) the SEHK approving the proposed spin-off of HTHKH by us and Hutchison Whampoa; and (ii) the SEHK granting approval for the listing of the entire share capital of HTHKH on the
Main Board of the SEHK. HTHKH and its subsidiaries operated our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. This conditional interim dividend in specie was approved after the
December 31, 2008 balance sheet date for our consolidated financial statements and has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date. The shares of HTHKH were listed on the Main Board of the SEHK in May 2009 and HTHKH has
established its own ADR program. We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off” for more information.
|
|
|
•
|
|
We acquired an additional 5% equity interest and certain loan interests in our Indonesia operations in April 2009.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In April 2009, our Vietnam operations launched GSM services, after being granted an Investment Certificate from The People’s Committee of Hanoi City in March
2008 that permitted conversion of the CDMA network to GSM with a renewed operating period of a further 15 years.
|
|
|
•
|
|
We advanced US$55 million (approximately HK$426.3 million) to an indirect subsidiary of HCPT’s minority shareholder pursuant to a loan agreement entered into
in April 2009. The loan carries interest at the rate of 3% per annum.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In April 2009, we acquired, for consideration of US$1 (approximately HK$7.75), the benefit of shareholder loans of approximately US$91.4 million (approximately
HK$708.4 million) made by HCPT’s minority shareholder to HCPT.
|
|
|
•
|
|
In April 2009, HCPT’s minority shareholder also granted to our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, an option to purchase up to 2,274,615 shares of HCPT
exercisable by notice in writing at any time during a twenty-year period and on an unlimited number of occasions. The exercise of the option is conditional upon any prior approval from, registrations with or notifications to any government bodies in
Indonesia, including BKPM and the Ministry of Communications.
|
- 63 -
|
|
•
|
|
The shareholders’ agreement in respect of HCPT was amended and restated in April 2009, pursuant to which the shareholders of HCPT agreed that, among other
things, HCPT will have no rights and obligations under the original shareholders’ agreement other than the provisions relating to confidentiality and regulatory matters, the minority shareholder of HCPT may elect not to provide any additional
funding required by HCPT from its shareholders or from third parties requiring shareholder support, and the minority shareholder together with its affiliates agreed to provide certain non-compete covenants.
|
Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements
Our
consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRS. Our subsidiaries are grouped into the following six segments for financial reporting purposes, based on their geographic area of operation and principal business line:
The results of operations of
subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in our consolidated financial statements commencing from the effective dates of their acquisition or up to the effective dates of their disposal, as the case may be.
As a result of our sale of CGP Investments Holdings on May 8, 2007, the results pertaining to the Indian mobile telecommunications operations have
been presented in our consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.” In accordance with this presentation, the results of discontinued
operations are excluded from the totals used in the discussion of operating results as at and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
The results of operations of our Macau mobile telecommunications business are aggregated with our Hong Kong mobile telecommunications business because the Macau operating company is a subsidiary of our Hong Kong mobile operating company,
shares the same management and is significantly smaller in terms of turnover and customer numbers.
“Others” is comprised of our
operations in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ghana, operations of our corporate office and our subsidiary PowerCom Network Hong Kong Limited, as well as the non-telecommunications businesses of Vanda IT Solutions up to the date of its disposal in July 2006.
The operating results of our Ghana operations were recorded in our consolidated financial statements up to the completion of its disposal on July 11, 2008.
- 64 -
Results of Operations
The following table presents, for the years indicated, the major line items in our consolidated income statement, including such amounts expressed as a percentage of our total turnover:
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions, except percentages
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
Consolidated income statement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
17,923
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
20,401
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
23,725
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
Cost of inventories sold
|
|
(2,164
|
)
|
|
(12.1
|
)
|
|
(2,671
|
)
|
|
(13.1
|
)
|
|
(2,785
|
)
|
|
(11.7
|
)
|
|
Staff costs
|
|
(1,897
|
)
|
|
(10.5
|
)
|
|
(2,295
|
)
|
|
(11.2
|
)
|
|
(2,511
|
)
|
|
(10.6
|
)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
(3,804
|
)
|
|
(21.2
|
)
|
|
(4,226
|
)
|
|
(20.7
|
)
|
|
(4,531
|
)
|
|
(19.1
|
)
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
(8,685
|
)
|
|
(48.5
|
)
|
|
(10,182
|
)
|
|
(49.9
|
)
|
|
(12,291
|
)
|
|
(51.8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,373
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
1,607
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
Impairment charge for Thailand segment
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
(3,854
|
)
|
|
(18.9
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
44
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
(2,819
|
)
|
|
(13.8
|
)
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
17.1
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
66
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
1,619
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
1,074
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs
|
|
(1,652
|
)
|
|
(9.2
|
)
|
|
(1,335
|
)
|
|
(6.5
|
)
|
|
(1,330
|
)
|
|
(5.6
|
)
|
|
Share of results after tax of jointly-controlled entities
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(0.0
|
)
|
|
Share of results of associates
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(0.0
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
(0.9
|
)
|
|
(2,535
|
)
|
|
(12.4
|
)
|
|
3,793
|
|
|
16.0
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
(653
|
)
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
(191
|
)
|
|
(1.0
|
)
|
|
(874
|
)
|
|
(3.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations
|
|
(823
|
)
|
|
(4.6
|
)
|
|
(2,726
|
)
|
|
(13.4
|
)
|
|
2,919
|
|
|
12.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from discontinued operations
|
|
2,399
|
|
|
13.4
|
|
|
70,502
|
|
|
345.6
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
|
1,576
|
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
67,776
|
|
|
332.2
|
|
|
2,919
|
|
|
12.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the Company:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- continuing operations
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
(6.6
|
)
|
|
(3,147
|
)
|
|
(15.5
|
)
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
- discontinued operations
|
|
1,392
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
70,031
|
|
|
343.3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company
|
|
201
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
327.8
|
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- continuing operations
|
|
368
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
421
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
- discontinued operations
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
5.6
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to minority interest
|
|
1,375
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
|
1,576
|
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
67,776
|
|
|
332.2
|
|
|
2,919
|
|
|
12.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31,
2007
Group results
Turnover
Our turnover from continuing operations in 2008 was HK$23,725 million (US$3,061.3 million), an increase of 16.3% from HK$20,401 million
in 2007.
Turnover in our Hong Kong mobile and Israel operations in 2008 grew by 12.6% and 18.6%, respectively, compared to 2007, and
together these increases accounted for most of our total turnover growth in 2008. The increase in turnover was mainly attributable to an increase in our customer base and to the favorable foreign exchange impact of the appreciation of the NIS
against the Hong Kong dollar.
Our customer base grew 22.0% to 12.1 million as at December 31, 2008, compared to 9.9 million
at the end of 2007. We sold our indirect interests in the Ghana operations and migrated temporarily our existing CDMA customers in Vietnam to a third-party network in connection with our switch from CDMA to GSM technology during 2008. Excluding
customers in Ghana and Vietnam, the growth in our mobile telecommunications customer base was 27.7% from 9.4 million at the end of 2007. The growth in our customer base was largely driven by a 120.7% growth in our Indonesia operations with more
than 2.4 million net additions. Our
- 65 -
mobile customer base in Hong Kong and Israel also grew 11.3% and 1.3%, respectively. The increase in 3G customer numbers in our Hong Kong mobile operations
was, in part, stimulated by the launch of the iPhone
TM
3G in the third quarter of 2008. This resulted in a combined 3G customer base in Hong Kong,
Macau and Israel of approximately 2.3 million at the end of 2008, an increase of 33.8% from 1.7 million at the end of 2007.
Operating expenses
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses from continuing operations for the
years indicated and the percentage change from year to year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
HK$ millions
|
|
2008
HK$ millions
|
|
Change
%
|
|
Cost of inventories sold
|
|
2,671
|
|
2,785
|
|
4.3
|
|
Staff costs
|
|
2,295
|
|
2,511
|
|
9.4
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
4,226
|
|
4,531
|
|
7.2
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
10,182
|
|
12,291
|
|
20.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
19,374
|
|
22,118
|
|
14.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our operating expenses in 2008 increased 14.2% to HK$22,118 million (US$2,854.0 million) compared
to HK$19,374 million in 2007. The increase in operating expenses for the year was partly a result of higher turnover in our Hong Kong and Israel operations as well as higher operating expenses incurred from the network expansion in our Indonesia
operations and the new GSM network rollout in Vietnam. The appreciation of the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar also contributed to the increase in operating expenses in our Israel operations. These increases were partly offset by a decrease in
depreciation and amortization charges in our Thailand operations as a result of the impairment charges on non-current assets taken in 2007.
As a percentage of turnover, our operating expenses decreased to 93.2% of turnover in 2008 compared to 94.9% in 2007.
Our cost of
inventories sold consisted primarily of costs of handsets incurred by our operations in Hong Kong and Israel. Cost of inventories sold increased by 4.3% to HK$2,785 million (US$359.4 million) in 2008 from HK$2,671 million in 2007, mainly due to the
higher average costs of handsets acquired by customers, particularly 3G handsets.
Staff costs increased by 9.4% to HK$2,511 million
(US$324.0 million) in 2008 from HK$2,295 million in 2007. As a percentage of total turnover, staff costs decreased to 10.6% in 2008 from 11.2% in 2007. The increase in staff costs was partly due to a 7.7% increase in the average number of employees
of our Israel operations made in response to the growth of business as well as the foreign exchange impact resulting from the appreciation of the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar, offset in part by a 60.5% decrease in share-based compensation
charges. The higher share-based compensation charges in 2007 were due to the adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to the special dividend payment in June 2007.
Depreciation and amortization increased 7.2% to HK$4,531 million (US$584.7 million) in 2008 from HK$4,226 million in 2007. Increases in depreciation and
amortization were attributable partly to the accelerated depreciation charges totaling HK$329 million (US$42.5 million) of our Vietnam and Israel operations as well as the increase in depreciation and amortization charges in our Indonesia and Hong
Kong mobile operations. These increases were offset in part by a decrease in depreciation and amortization charges of our Thailand operations as a result of the impairment charges on non-current assets taken in 2007.
The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating expenses from continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
HK$ millions
|
|
2008
HK$ millions
|
|
Change
%
|
|
Cost of services provided
|
|
6,668
|
|
7,673
|
|
15.1
|
|
General administrative and distribution costs
|
|
1,711
|
|
1,996
|
|
16.7
|
|
Operating leases in respect of buildings, hire of plant and machinery
|
|
1,392
|
|
1,962
|
|
40.9
|
|
Others
|
|
411
|
|
660
|
|
60.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
10,182
|
|
12,291
|
|
20.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 66 -
Our other operating expenses increased 20.7% to HK$12,291 million (US$1,586.0 million) in 2008 from
HK$10,182 million in 2007. The main component of our other operating expenses is the cost of services provided (consisting of interconnection, roaming, international termination charges and network operating costs), which increased 15.1% to HK$7,673
million (US$990.1 million) in 2008 from HK$6,668 million in 2007. The increase in interconnection, roaming and international termination charges was mainly due to the growth in our customer base and usage, while the increase in network operating
costs was primarily attributable to the expansion of our network in Indonesia. As a result of network expansions, primarily in Indonesia, our mobile network grew 47.1% in 2008, in terms of the number of on-air base stations, compared to 2007, and
this resulted in a significant increase in costs of network operation and maintenance, transmissions and lease-lines rentals.
The increase
in other operating expenses was also due to a 16.7% increase in general administrative and distribution costs, which increased to HK$1,996 million (US$257.6 million) in 2008 from HK$1,711 million in 2007. The increase in general administrative and
distribution costs was driven mainly by the business expansion in Indonesia and increased customer acquisition and retention activities in our Hong Kong mobile operations.
In 2008, operating leases in respect of buildings, hire of plant and machinery increased 40.9% to HK$1,962 million (US$253.2 million), compared to
HK$1,392 million in 2007, as a result of the increased number of base station tower facilities leased from other operators or tower companies, including the leaseback of the 2,248 base station tower sites in Indonesia sold to Protelindo.
Impairment charge
We did not
recognize any impairment charge in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets” in 2008. In 2007, we recognized an impairment charge of HK$3,854 million in connection with our investment in the mobile telecommunications business in
Thailand. Our Thailand operations incurred losses since its operations began, and in 2007, our cash flow forecast for this segment indicated that the carrying values of certain non-current assets were not expected to be recoverable from future
operating cash flow of the business. We therefore recognized an impairment charge in respect of network equipment, telecommunication licenses and certain non-current assets, in accordance with IAS 36.
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
Our profit on disposal of investments and others, net increased significantly in 2008, to HK$2,453 million (US$316.5 million) from HK$8 million in 2007. The increase was primarily due to two transactions in our
Indonesia operations:
|
|
•
|
|
profit on the sale of 2,248 base station tower sites of HK$1,421 million (US$182.2 million); and
|
|
|
•
|
|
income of HK$731 million (US$93.7 million) in relation to a network supplier’s compensation in the form of credit vouchers.
|
- 67 -
We refer you to “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to our Business – We may be
required to change our accounting treatment of certain sale and leaseback transactions in Indonesia” for more information about the accounting treatment for the sale of base station tower sites.
In addition, a net profit of HK$298 million (US$38.5 million) on disposal of our indirect interests in Ghana operations was recognized in the second half
of 2008.
Operating profit/(loss)
Our operating profit from continuing operations was HK$4,060 million (US$523.9 million) in 2008 compared to an operating loss of HK$2,819 million in 2007. The change from operating loss in 2007 to operating profit in
2008 was largely due to the one-off items recognized in 2008 as profit on disposal of investments and others, net totaling HK$2,453 million (US$316.5 million) in 2008 and the impairment charges in respect of our Thailand operations in 2007.
Excluding the items described above, the accelerated depreciation charges in our Israel and Vietnam operations of HK$329 million (US$42.5 million) in 2008 and an exchange loss of HK$156 million (US$20.1 million) arising from our payment of a special
dividend in 2008, like-for-like operating profit would have been HK$2,092 million (US$269.9 million) in 2008 compared to HK$1,621 million in 2007. This increase reflected improved operating profits in Israel, Hong Kong and Thailand, partially offset
by increased losses in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Interest and other finance costs, net
Interest income from continuing operations decreased by 33.7% to HK$1,074 million (US$138.6 million) in 2008 from HK$1,619 million in 2007. Interest
income in both years was primarily earned on cash balances resulting from our sale of CGP Investments Holdings. The decrease in interest income in 2008 was mainly due to lower bank deposit rates and the significant drop in cash balances at the
beginning of December 2008 after the payment of a special dividend of HK$33.7 billion (US$4.3 billion). Interest and other finance costs from continuing operations of HK$1,330 million (US$171.6 million) in 2008 were comparable to HK$1,335 million in
2007. The interest and other finance costs were principally related to our debts and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments.
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
As a result of the foregoing, we recorded a profit before taxation from continuing operations
of HK$3,793 million (US$489.4 million) in 2008, compared to a loss of HK$2,535 million in 2007.
Taxation
Our taxation charge from continuing operations in 2008 was HK$874 million (US$112.8 million), a 357.6% increase from HK$191 million in 2007. The charge
for 2008 was comprised of a current taxation charge of HK$1,025 million (US$132.3 million) and a deferred taxation credit of HK$151 million (US$19.5 million). The charge for 2007 was comprised of a current taxation charge of HK$690 million and a
deferred taxation credit of HK$499 million. The increase in our current taxation charge in 2008 was mainly attributable to increased taxable income from our Israel operations. The decrease in the net deferred taxation credit compared to 2007 was
primarily due to the reversal of a cumulative deferred tax liability in 2007 of HK$421 million related to our Thailand operations as a result of the impairment charge taken on certain non-current assets.
(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations
As a result of the foregoing, in 2008 we recorded a profit for the year from continuing operations of HK$2,919 million (US$376.7 million), compared to a loss for the year from continuing operations of HK$2,726 million
in 2007.
- 68 -
Profit from discontinued operations
We did not dispose of any operations in 2008 that were required to be presented as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5, and no gains or
losses from discontinued operations were recorded. In February 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our entire interests in CGP Investments Holdings, a company that held through various subsidiaries the direct and indirect equity and loan
interests in Hutchison Essar (now known as Vodafone Essar Limited) and its subsidiaries. Accordingly, the results pertaining to the Indian mobile telecommunications operations were presented as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5 and a
profit from discontinued operations of HK$70,502 million was recorded in 2007.
Profit attributable to equity holders
Profit attributable to our equity holders in 2008 was HK$1,883 million (US$243.0 million), or earnings per share of HK$0.39 (US$0.05), compared to a
profit attributable to equity holders in 2007 of HK$66,884 million, or earnings per share of HK$14.01. Our profit attributable to equity holders in 2007 consisted of a loss from continuing operations attributable to our equity holders of HK$3,147
million, or a loss per share of HK$0.66, and a profit from discontinued operations attributable to our equity holders of HK$70,031 million.
Results of our operating companies
The following table presents a breakdown of turnover from our continuing operations for
the years indicated by segment and the percentage of total turnover accounted for by each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
Israel
|
|
11,650
|
|
57.1
|
|
13,813
|
|
58.2
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
4,775
|
|
23.4
|
|
5,376
|
|
22.7
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
2,436
|
|
11.9
|
|
2,693
|
|
11.4
|
|
Thailand
|
|
973
|
|
4.8
|
|
1,192
|
|
5.0
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
117
|
|
0.6
|
|
315
|
|
1.3
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
194
|
|
1.0
|
|
123
|
|
0.5
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
189
|
|
0.9
|
|
160
|
|
0.7
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
40
|
|
0.2
|
|
18
|
|
0.1
|
|
Others
|
|
27
|
|
0.1
|
|
35
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others:
|
|
450
|
|
2.2
|
|
336
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
20,401
|
|
100.0
|
|
23,725
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 69 -
The following table presents a breakdown of operating expenses from our continuing operations for the
years indicated by segment and the percentage of total operating expenses accounted for by each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
Israel
|
|
9,461
|
|
48.8
|
|
10,836
|
|
49.0
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
4,328
|
|
22.3
|
|
4,944
|
|
22.3
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
2,194
|
|
11.3
|
|
2,361
|
|
10.7
|
|
Thailand
|
|
1,581
|
|
8.2
|
|
1,112
|
|
5.0
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
743
|
|
3.8
|
|
1,657
|
|
7.5
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
214
|
|
1.1
|
|
136
|
|
0.6
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
125
|
|
0.7
|
|
167
|
|
0.8
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
319
|
|
1.7
|
|
538
|
|
2.4
|
|
Others
|
|
409
|
|
2.1
|
|
367
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
1,067
|
|
5.6
|
|
1,208
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
19,374
|
|
100.0
|
|
22,118
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents, for the years indicated, a breakdown of operating (loss)/profit by
segment, impairment charges, profit on disposal of investments and others, net, from our continuing operations and the percentage of total operating profit before disposal of investments and others accounted for by each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
2,189
|
|
|
213.1
|
|
|
2,977
|
|
|
185.2
|
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
447
|
|
|
43.5
|
|
|
432
|
|
|
26.9
|
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
242
|
|
|
23.6
|
|
|
332
|
|
|
20.7
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
(608
|
)
|
|
(59.2
|
)
|
|
80
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
(626
|
)
|
|
(61.0
|
)
|
|
(1,342
|
)
|
|
(83.5
|
)
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(0.8
|
)
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
64
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(0.4
|
)
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
(279
|
)
|
|
(27.2
|
)
|
|
(520
|
)
|
|
(32.4
|
)
|
|
Others
|
|
(382
|
)
|
|
(37.1
|
)
|
|
(332
|
)
|
|
(20.7
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
(617
|
)
|
|
(60.0
|
)
|
|
(872
|
)
|
|
(54.3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before disposal of investments and others
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
1,607
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment charge for Thailand segment
|
|
(3,854
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss)/profit
|
|
(2,819
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel.
Our Israel operations accounted for 58.2% of our total turnover in 2008
compared to 57.1% in 2007. Turnover in our Israel operations grew by 18.6% to HK$13,813 million (US$1,782.3 million) in 2008 compared to HK$11,650 million in 2007. Turnover growth was primarily driven by the favorable currency exchange movements of
the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar. The growth was also attributable to the increase in customer base, especially in 3G customers who typically have a higher average revenue per user, higher average minutes of use per user and higher content and
data revenues. This higher level of turnover was partially offset by a decrease in interconnect income as a result of the mandated reduction in interconnect charges by the Ministry of Communications of Israel. The customer base of our Israel
operations increased 1.3% to 2,898,000 at the end of 2008 from 2,860,000 at the end of 2007. As at December 31, 2008, the 3G customer base of our Israel operations represented 32.8% of our total customer base in Israel.
Operating expenses increased by 14.5% to HK$10,836 million (US$1,398.2 million) in 2008 from HK$9,461 million in 2007,
- 70 -
due partly to the foreign exchange impact of the appreciation of the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar during 2008, as well as an accelerated depreciation
charge of HK$162 million (US$20.9 million) resulting from an agreement entered into with LM Ericsson Israel Ltd in December 2007 to replace certain 3G equipment.
As a percentage of turnover, operating expenses decreased to 78.4% in 2008 compared to 81.2% in 2007.
As a
result of the factors discussed above, operating profit before profit on disposal of investments and others, net from our Israel operations increased 36.0% to HK$2,977 million (US$384.1 million) in 2008, compared to HK$2,189 million in 2007.
Hong Kong mobile.
Our Hong Kong mobile operations accounted for 22.7%
of our total turnover in 2008, around the same level as in 2007, when our Hong Kong mobile operations accounted for 23.4% of our total turnover. Turnover from our Hong Kong mobile operations increased 12.6% to HK$5,376 million (US$693.7 million) in
2008 from HK$4,775 million in 2007. Turnover growth was driven primarily by a larger customer base, which resulted in increased voice, inbound and outbound roaming and data and content revenues. Our customer base in Hong Kong and Macau increased by
11.3% to 2.7 million at year-end 2008 from 2.4 million at the end of 2007. At the end of 2008, we had approximately 2.4 million customers in Hong Kong and 305,000 customers in Macau. Boosted by the launch of the iPhone
TM
3G in the third quarter of 2008, the 3G customer base of our Hong Kong mobile operations increased 24.2% year-on-year to 1.3 million at the end of 2008.
As at December 31, 2008, the 3G customer base represented 49.6% of our mobile customer base of our Hong Kong mobile operations.
Operating expenses for the Hong Kong mobile operations increased by 14.2% to HK$4,944 million (US$637.9 million) in 2008 from HK$4,328 million in 2007, due primarily to higher interconnection costs and amortization charges for capitalized
customer acquisition and retention costs.
Operating profit from our Hong Kong mobile operations slightly decreased by 3.4% to HK$432
million (US$55.7 million) in 2008, compared to HK$447 million in 2007.
Hong Kong fixed-line.
Our Hong Kong fixed-line
operations accounted for 11.4% of our total turnover in 2008, compared to 11.9% in 2007. Turnover from our Hong Kong fixed-line operations increased 10.6% to HK$2,693 million (US$347.5 million) in 2008 from HK$2,436 million in 2007. Our fixed-line
operations in Hong Kong consist of three market segments: international and carrier business, corporate and business market, and residential market. The international and carrier business and the corporate and business market recorded growth in
turnover of 24.8% and 11.3%, respectively, in 2008, but there was a slight decrease in revenue in the residential market as a result of the intense market competition and shrinking of the residential voice market in Hong Kong.
Operating expenses increased 7.6% to HK$2,361 million (US$304.6 million) in 2008 from HK$2,194 million in 2007. The increase was mainly due to increases
in IDD charges and leased line rentals.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating profit from our Hong Kong fixed-line
operations increased by 37.2% to HK$332 million (US$42.8 million) in 2008 from HK$242 million in 2007.
Thailand.
Our
Thailand operations accounted for 5.0% of our total turnover in 2008, compared to 4.8% in 2007. Turnover in 2008 increased to HK$1,192 million (US$153.8 million) from HK$973 million in 2007. The increase in turnover was mainly driven by a 9.4%
year-on-year increase in the customer base to 1.1 million at the end of 2008 from 978,000 at the end of 2007.
Operating expenses
decreased 29.7% to HK$1,112 million (US$143.5 million) in 2008 from HK$1,581 million in 2007, primarily due to the decrease in depreciation and amortization. As a result of the impairment charges on certain non-current assets in 2007, the
depreciation charge in 2008 reflected only the charges for the non-current assets acquired in 2008.
- 71 -
The operating profit from our Thailand operations was HK$80 million (US$10.3 million) in 2008, compared
to a loss after impairment charge of HK$4,462 million in 2007. The change from operating loss in 2007 to operating profit in 2008 was primarily due to the impairment charge of HK$3,854 million on non-current assets recognized in 2007, which also
resulted in a significant reduction in depreciation and amortization charges in 2008.
Indonesia.
We launched operations in
Indonesia in the first half of 2007. In 2008, we expanded our network coverage to the island of Sulawesi, achieving a customer base of 4.5 million at the end of 2008, with more than 2.4 million net additions during 2008. Prepaid customers
accounted for 99.8% of the total customer base. As at December 31, 2008, the geographic area covered by our network included over 67% of the total population of Indonesia.
Turnover in 2008 increased to HK$315 million (US$40.6 million) from HK$117 million in 2007, mainly driven by increases in customer base and SMS usage.
Turnover for the year reflected a full year operations in 2008, compared to a partial year in 2007, since the service launched in the first half of 2007.
Operating expenses increased to HK$1,657 million (US$213.8 million) in 2008 from HK$743 million in 2007. Depreciation and amortization amounted to HK$339 million (US$43.7 million) in 2008, compared to HK$151 million
in 2007. The increase in depreciation in 2008 reflected a full year charge on fixed assets and the higher level of capital expenditure recognized during the year. Amortization charges were recorded in respect of the 3G license, which has been
capitalized as an intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the license.
The number of on-air base stations
increased from 2,256 at the end of 2007 to over 6,300 by the end of 2008, resulting in higher operating costs, including higher network operation and maintenance costs, higher operating lease costs due to an increase in the number of base station
tower sites that are leased from third-party operators and tower companies, and increased managed service costs and frequency fee charges. In addition, we incurred higher retail branding costs for various sales and marketing programs throughout the
year.
In March 2008, we entered into a conditional tower transfer agreement to sell up to 3,692 base station tower sites for cash
consideration of US$500.0 million (HK$3,882 million). Completion of the sale is expected to occur in tranches over a two-year period. The sale of the first and second tranches comprising 2,248 base station tower sites were completed and a total
profit from the sale of HK$1,421 million (US$182.2 million) was recognized in 2008. We refer you to “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to our Business – We may be required to change our accounting treatment
of certain sale and leaseback transactions in Indonesia” for more information about the accounting treatment for these transactions.
We also recognized a gain of HK$731 million (US$93.7 million) as other income relating to compensation received by our Indonesia operations from a network supplier in the form of credit vouchers. We utilized some of the vouchers during 2008
and expect to utilize the remaining vouchers in an aggregate amount of US$47.4 million (approximately HK$370 million) in 2009 and 2010.
As
a result of the factors discussed above, our operating profit after the profit on disposal of investments and others, net was HK$810 million (US$104.5 million) compared to an operating loss of HK$626 million in 2007, primarily as a result of the
gains totaling HK$2,152 million (US$277.7 million) recognized during the year from the sale of base station tower sites and credit vouchers received. Excluding these gains, our Indonesia operations would have reported an operating loss of HK$1,342
million (US$173.2 million) in 2008.
Other operations
Sri Lanka.
Turnover decreased 15.3% to HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) in 2008 from HK$189 million in 2007. The decrease in turnover was a result
of both a 22.3% decrease in our customer base to 887,000 at the end of 2008 from 1.1 million at the end of 2007 and on-going tariff decreases in light of severe competition.
- 72 -
Our Sri Lanka operations recorded operating expenses of HK$167 million (US$21.5 million) in 2008, a 33.6%
increase compared to HK$125 million in 2007. The increase in operating expenses was primarily a result of increased network rental and maintenance costs for additional base stations acquired during the year. The number of base stations on-air at the
end of 2008 reached 600, an increase of more than 50% compared to 2007. The increase in operating costs was also attributable to increased network site rental expenses and a six-fold increase in cellular and transmission frequency charges by the
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka in 2008.
As a result of the factors discussed above, our Sri Lanka operations
incurred an operating loss of HK$7 million (US$0.9 million) in 2008, compared to an operating profit of HK$64 million in 2007.
Vietnam.
In March 2008, we were granted an Investment Certificate from The People’s Committee of Hanoi City, that permitted the conversion of the CDMA network to GSM with a renewed operating period of a further 15 years. In
connection with this change, we stopped customer recruitment and existing customers were temporarily migrated to a third-party network during the first half of 2008. We launched GSM services in Vietnam in April 2009, under a new brand name,
“
Vietnamobile
.”
Due to the difference in technology, some CDMA equipment can, with modifications, be used in the new GSM
network, while other CDMA equipment cannot be re-used and therefore will not be used for the entire useful life that had initially been estimated for that equipment. This resulted in recognition of an accelerated depreciation charge of HK$167
million (US$21.5 million) on non-reusable CDMA equipment and capitalized expenses to bring the carrying value of these non-reusable assets as at December 31, 2008 down to their fair value less costs to sell.
Operating loss from our Vietnam operations increased to HK$520 million (US$67.1 million) in 2008 from HK$279 million in 2007. This increase was primarily
related to costs incurred in rolling out our GSM network.
Others.
Turnover in our other operations increased to HK$35 million
(US$4.5 million) in 2008 from HK$27 million in 2007. Turnover from other operations primarily included the results of our subsidiary PowerCom Network Hong Kong Limited.
Operating expenses from other operations decreased slightly to HK$367 million (US$47.4 million) in 2008 from HK$409 million in 2007, primarily due to the decrease in share-based payment charges related to the
adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to our payment of a special dividend in 2007, offset by a realized exchange loss relating to the payment of the special cash dividend in December 2008.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating loss from our other operations decreased to HK$332 million (US$42.8 million) in 2008 compared to
HK$382 million in 2007.
Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
Group results
The following discussion covers both continuing and discontinued operations.
Turnover
Our turnover from continuing operations in 2007 was HK$20,401 million, an increase of 13.8% from HK$17,923 million in 2006. Growth mainly came from strong
revenue growth in our Israel and Hong Kong operations.
- 73 -
Turnover in our Hong Kong mobile and Israel operations in 2007 grew by 13.7% and 18.9%, respectively,
compared to 2006, and together accounted for most of our total turnover growth in 2007. Our Thailand operations experienced a 4.3% decrease in turnover to HK$973 million in 2007 compared to HK$1,017 million in 2006.
Our customer base grew by 57% to 9.9 million as at December 31, 2007, compared to 6.3 million at the end of 2006 (excluding those
customers in India). Growth in our customer base was primarily the result of launching our services in Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as significant customer growth in Sri Lanka and Thailand. Our customer base in Hong Kong and Israel also grew by
13.5% and 7.2%, respectively, with approximately 409,000 2G customers upgrading to 3G in these two markets. This resulted in a combined 3G customer base in Hong Kong, Macau and Israel of 1.7 million at the end of 2007, an increase of 67.5% from
1.0 million for Hong Kong and Israel at the end of 2006.
Operating expenses
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses from continuing operations for the years indicated and the percentage change from year
to year:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
HK$ millions
|
|
Change
%
|
|
Cost of inventories sold
|
|
2,164
|
|
2,671
|
|
23.4
|
|
Staff costs
|
|
1,897
|
|
2,295
|
|
21.0
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
3,804
|
|
4,226
|
|
11.1
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
8,685
|
|
10,182
|
|
17.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
16,550
|
|
19,374
|
|
17.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our operating expenses in 2007 increased 17.1% to HK$19,374 million compared to HK$16,550 million
in 2006. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher operating expenses incurred in our operations in Vietnam and Indonesia, which commenced operations in 2007. Excluding the costs of HK$1,062 million related to the
launch of operations in Indonesia and Vietnam, in 2007 our operating expenses increased by 11.8% compared to a 12.9% increase in turnover (excluding turnover generated by our operations in Indonesia and Vietnam).
As a percentage of turnover, our operating expenses increased from 92.3% of turnover in 2006 to 94.9% in 2007.
Cost of inventories sold increased by 23.4% to HK$2,671 million, from HK$2,164 million in 2006, mainly due to higher sales, particularly 3G sales, where
the cost of the handset is typically higher than for 2G sales. Our cost of inventories sold primarily consists of handsets sold by our operations in Hong Kong and Israel.
Staff costs increased by 21.0% to HK$2,295 million in 2007 from HK$1,897 million in 2006. As a percentage of total turnover, staff costs increased to 11.2% of turnover in 2007 from 10.5% in 2006. The increase in staff
costs was partly due to additional share-based compensation charges of HK$223 million incurred as a result of our adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to our payment of a special dividend of HK$6.75 per share in
June 2007. It was also due to a 10.1% increase in our total number of employees, which expanded primarily to support the launch of our operations in Vietnam and Indonesia and general growth in our business activities as well as the payment of a
retirement bonus for the former CEO of Partner.
- 74 -
Depreciation and amortization increased 11.1% to HK$4,226 million in 2007 from HK$3,804 million in 2006.
Increases in depreciation were primarily attributable to our rollout of services in Indonesia and Vietnam. The increase in amortization was also partly due to the full-year amortization in 2007 of the transmission business of Med-1 I.C.1
(1999) Ltd. in Israel, which we acquired in July 2006, as well as additional amortization charges on capitalized operating expenses.
The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating expenses from continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
HK$ millions
|
|
Change
%
|
|
Cost of services provided
|
|
5,706
|
|
6,668
|
|
16.9
|
|
General administrative and distribution costs
|
|
1,435
|
|
1,711
|
|
19.2
|
|
Operating leases in respect of buildings, hire of plant and machinery
|
|
1,233
|
|
1,392
|
|
12.9
|
|
Others
|
|
311
|
|
411
|
|
32.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
8,685
|
|
10,182
|
|
17.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our other operating expenses increased 17.2% to HK$10,182 million in 2007 from HK$8,685 million in
2006. The main component of our other operating expenses is the cost of services provided (consisting of interconnection, roaming, international termination charges and network operating costs), which increased by 16.9% to HK$6,668 million in 2007
from HK$5,706 million in 2006. The increase in interconnection, roaming and international termination charges was mainly due to growth in our customer base and usage, while the increase in network costs was primarily attributable to the expansion of
our networks in Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Macau. As a result of these network expansions, our mobile network grew by 40.1% in 2007, in terms of the number of on-air base stations, as compared to 2006, and this resulted in a significant
increase in costs of network operation and maintenance, transmissions, cell site rentals and lease-lines rentals.
The increase in our
other operating expenses was also partly due to a 19.2% increase in general administrative and distribution costs to HK$1,711 million in 2007 from HK$1,435 million in 2006. The increase in general administrative and distribution costs was driven
mainly by increased customer acquisition and retention programs in Israel and Hong Kong, the launch of services in Vietnam and Indonesia and the launch of 3G service in Macau. In 2007, operating leases in respect of buildings, hire of plant and
machinery increased by 12.9% to HK$1,392 million, compared to HK$1,233 million in 2006 mainly as a result of the expansion of our Macau operations and our Hong Kong fixed line operations.
Other operating expenses represented 49.9% of our total turnover in 2007, an increase of 1.4% from 48.5% in 2006. This increase was primarily as a result
of increases in operating expenses associated with the launch of operations in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Impairment charge
In 2007, we recognized an impairment charge of HK$3,854 million in connection with our Thailand operations. Our Thailand operations incurred losses in
2007, and our cash flow forecasts for this segment indicated that the carrying values of certain non-current assets were not expected to be recoverable from future operating cash flow of the business. We therefore recognized an impairment charge in
respect of network equipment, telecommunication licenses and certain non-current assets, in accordance with IAS 36 “Impairment of Assets.”
- 75 -
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
Our profit on disposal of investments and others decreased to HK$8 million in 2007 from HK$44 million in 2006.
Operating profit/(loss)
As a result
of the foregoing, in 2007 we recorded an operating loss of HK$2,819 million compared to an operating profit of HK$1,417 million in 2006.
Interest and other finance costs, net
We recorded interest income from interest earned on cash balances of HK$1,619 million
in 2007 compared to HK$66 million in 2006. The higher level of interest income in 2007 was primarily due to interest we earned on cash balances resulting from our sale of CGP Investments Holdings. Interest and other finance costs decreased 19.2% to
HK$1,335 million in 2007 from HK$1,652 million in 2006, primarily due to lower levels of gross debt in our Israel, Hong Kong and Thailand operations. Interest income at our corporate office amounted to HK$1,555 million, compared to zero in 2006; the
increase was a result of cash balances retained subsequent to the sale of CGP Investments Holdings. Interest and other finance costs were principally related to our debt and changes in fair value of derivative instruments.
Loss before taxation
As a result of
the foregoing, we recorded a loss before taxation of HK$2,535 million in 2007, compared to a loss of HK$170 million in 2006.
Taxation
Our taxation charge in 2007 was HK$191 million, a 70.8% decrease from a charge of HK$653 million in 2006. The charge for 2007 was
comprised of a current taxation charge of HK$690 million and a deferred taxation credit of HK$499 million. The increase in our current taxation charge in 2007 was mainly attributable to increased taxable income from our Israel operations. Our higher
net deferred taxation credit was primarily due to our reversal of cumulative deferred tax liability charges that reflected temporary differences that had arisen between the base asset value for tax purposes and the carrying value for financial
statement purposes of our impaired non-current assets in Thailand.
Loss from continuing operations
Our loss from continuing operations in 2007 was HK$2,726 million, compared to a loss of HK$823 million in 2006, primarily due to the HK$3,854 million
impairment charge in respect of our Thailand operations. Excluding the impairment charge in Thailand, which had a net impact of HK$3,433 million after the reversal of HK$421 million in deferred tax credits, we would have recorded a profit from
continuing operations of HK$707 million.
Profit from discontinued operations
In February 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our entire interests in CGP Investments Holdings, a company which held through various subsidiaries
the direct and indirect equity and loan interests in Hutchison Essar and its subsidiaries, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vodafone, for a cash consideration of approximately US$11,074 million (approximately HK$86.6 billion). Accordingly, the
results pertaining to the Indian mobile telecommunications operations were presented as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5.
Discontinued operations contributed HK$70,502 million to our profit for 2007. This amount was comprised of HK$1,159 million from operating activities through May 8, 2007 and HK$69,343 million from the gain on disposal of CGP
Investments Holdings.
- 76 -
Profit attributable to equity holders
Profit attributable to our equity holders in 2007 was HK$66,884 million, or earnings per share of HK$14.01. We recorded a loss of HK$3,147 million, or
loss per share of HK$0.66, from continuing operations and a profit of HK$70,031 million from discontinued operations.
Results of our
operating companies
The following table presents a breakdown of turnover from our continuing operations by segment and the percentage
of total turnover accounted for by each segment for the years indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
Israel
|
|
9,796
|
|
54.7
|
|
11,650
|
|
57.1
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
4,199
|
|
23.4
|
|
4,775
|
|
23.4
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
2,406
|
|
13.4
|
|
2,436
|
|
11.9
|
|
Thailand
|
|
1,017
|
|
5.7
|
|
973
|
|
4.8
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
—
|
|
0.0
|
|
117
|
|
0.6
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
130
|
|
0.7
|
|
194
|
|
1.0
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
124
|
|
0.7
|
|
189
|
|
0.9
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
—
|
|
0.0
|
|
40
|
|
0.2
|
|
Others
|
|
251
|
|
1.4
|
|
27
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
505
|
|
2.8
|
|
450
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
17,923
|
|
100.0
|
|
20,401
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents a breakdown of operating expenses for the years indicated by segment
and the percentage of operating expenses accounted for by each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
%
|
|
Israel
|
|
8,088
|
|
48.9
|
|
9,461
|
|
48.8
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
3,952
|
|
23.9
|
|
4,328
|
|
22.3
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
2,147
|
|
13.0
|
|
2,194
|
|
11.3
|
|
Thailand
|
|
1,518
|
|
9.2
|
|
1,581
|
|
8.2
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
124
|
|
0.7
|
|
743
|
|
3.8
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
174
|
|
1.0
|
|
214
|
|
1.1
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
89
|
|
0.5
|
|
125
|
|
0.7
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
46
|
|
0.3
|
|
319
|
|
1.7
|
|
Others
|
|
412
|
|
2.5
|
|
409
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
721
|
|
4.3
|
|
1,067
|
|
5.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
16,550
|
|
100.0
|
|
19,374
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 77 -
The following table presents, for the years indicated, a breakdown of operating profit/(loss) by segment,
impairment charges, profit on disposal of investments and others, net, and the percentage of total operating profit accounted for by each segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
1,708
|
|
|
124.4
|
|
|
2,189
|
|
|
213.1
|
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
247
|
|
|
18.0
|
|
|
447
|
|
|
43.5
|
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
259
|
|
|
18.9
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
23.6
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
(501
|
)
|
|
(36.5
|
)
|
|
(608
|
)
|
|
(59.2
|
)
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
(9.0
|
)
|
|
(626
|
)
|
|
(61.0
|
)
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ghana
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
(3.2
|
)
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(1.9
|
)
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
35
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
(46
|
)
|
|
(3.4
|
)
|
|
(279
|
)
|
|
(27.2
|
)
|
|
Others
|
|
(161
|
)
|
|
(11.7
|
)
|
|
(382
|
)
|
|
(37.1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
(216
|
)
|
|
(15.8
|
)
|
|
(617
|
)
|
|
(60.0
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before disposal of investments and others
|
|
1,373
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment charge for Thailand segment
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,854
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/ (loss)
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,819
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Israel
.
Our Israel operations accounted for 57.1% of total turnover in 2007
compared to 54.7% of total turnover in 2006. Turnover in our Israel operations grew by 18.9% to HK$11,650 million in 2007 compared to HK$9,796 million in 2006. Turnover growth was primarily due to customer growth, especially in 3G customers, who
typically have a higher ARPU, and business customers, higher average minutes of use per user and an increase in content and data revenues. This higher level of turnover was partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per minute caused by
regulatory measures mandating a reduction of approximately 10% in interconnect tariffs and a new regulation restricting our ability to charge for calls directed to voice mail. The growth in turnover also benefited from favorable exchange rates for
the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar; in local currency terms, turnover growth was 9.0%. At the end of 2007, our Israel operations customer base increased by 7.2% to 2.9 million from 2.7 million at the end of 2006. As at December 31,
2007, the 3G customer base of our Israel operations represented 22.1% of our total customer base in Israel.
Operating expenses increased
by 17.0% to HK$9,461 million in 2007 from HK$8,088 million in 2006, primarily due to higher distribution and commission expenses and increased provisions for doubtful accounts from receivables on handset sales and service revenues. In addition,
there were significant expenses in respect of a retirement bonus for the former CEO of Partner as well as a reduction in interconnection rates and royalty charges.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating profit from our Israel operations increased 28.2% to HK$2,189 million in 2007, compared to HK$1,708 million in 2006.
Hong Kong mobile
.
Our Hong Kong mobile operations accounted for 23.4% of total turnover in 2007, the same percentage as in 2006.
Turnover from our mobile operations in Hong Kong increased by 13.7% to HK$4,775 million in 2007 from HK$4,199 million in 2006. Turnover growth was primarily due to customer growth, especially in 3G customers, and higher ARPU as a result of more
- 78 -
3G customers, higher data and content revenues and increased roaming revenues. Our customer base in Hong Kong and Macau increased by 13.5% to
2.4 million at year-end 2007 from 2.1 million at the end of 2006. At the end of 2007, we had approximately 2.1 million customers in Hong Kong and 283,000 in Macau. As at December 31, 2007, our 3G customer base of 1.1 million
represented 44.5% of the total customer base in Hong Kong and Macau and compared to 0.7 million at the end of 2006.
Operating
expenses increased by 9.5% to HK$4,328 million in 2007 from HK$3,952 million 2006, due in part to the share-based payment charge related to the adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to our payment of a special
dividend in June 2007, a portion of which was allocated to employees of our Hong Kong mobile operations. We also incurred higher customer acquisition and retention costs and a corresponding increase in the amortization of capitalized customer
acquisition and retention costs. Higher network and IT operating expenses were incurred in rolling out our 3G network in Macau.
As a
result of the factors discussed above, operating profit from our Hong Kong mobile operations increased by 81.0% to HK$447 million in 2007, compared to HK$247 million in 2006.
Hong Kong fixed-line
.
Our fixed-line operations accounted for 11.9% of total turnover in 2007, compared to 13.4% in 2006. Turnover
in Hong Kong fixed-line operations increased 1.2% to HK$2,436 million in 2007 from HK$2,406 million in 2006. Our fixed-line operations in Hong Kong are grouped into three segments: international and carrier business, corporate and business market,
and residential market. During 2007, all three of these segments experienced growth in turnover.
Operating expenses increased by 2.2% to
HK$2,194 million in 2007 from HK$2,147 million in 2006, due in part to the share-based payment charge related to the adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to our payment of a special dividend in June 2007, a
portion of which was allocated to employees of our Hong Kong fixed-line operations. We also incurred higher costs associated with network outsourcing activities and an increase in the amortization charge of capitalized costs as a result of a change
in the estimated customer contract life.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating profit from our Hong Kong fixed-line
operations decreased by 6.6% to HK$242 million in 2007 from HK$259 million in 2006.
Thailand
.
Our Thailand operations
accounted for 4.8% of total turnover in 2007, compared to 5.7% in 2006. Turnover in our Thailand operations decreased to HK$973 million in 2007 from HK$1,017 million in 2006. The decrease in turnover was mainly a result of the change in customer mix
towards more prepaid customers and a decline in blended ARPU. As at December 31, 2007, our customer base had risen to 978,000, an increase of 34.3% compared to 728,000 at the end of 2006. The increase in customer base was due to a 45.3%
increase in prepaid customers and a 19.6% increase in postpaid customers. At the end of 2007, our prepaid customer base represented 62.0% of our total customer base in Thailand, compared to 57.3% at the end of 2006. Prepaid customers generally have
lower ARPU than postpaid customers.
Operating expenses increased by 4.2% to HK$1,581 million in 2007 from HK$1,518 million in 2006,
primarily due to the appreciation of the Thai Baht and increases in outsourcing and advertising costs, as well as higher customer acquisition and retention costs. During the second half of 2007, we took a provision of HK$60 million in respect of
certain flow-through charges for regulatory license fees levied on CAT Telecom and which CAT Telecom passed on to us.
The operating loss
from our Thailand operations was HK$4,462 million in 2007, compared to HK$501 million in 2006. The loss was primarily a result of an impairment charge of HK$3,854 million that we recognized in 2007, relating to our non-current assets in Thailand in
accordance with IAS 36.
Indonesia
.
We launched operations in Indonesia in the first half of 2007 and recorded
turnover of HK$117 million for the year.
- 79 -
Our customer base in Indonesia grew to 2.0 million by the end of 2007, with more than 99.8% of the customer base in the prepaid segment. Our business in
Indonesia is still in the initial expansion phase, where we are working to expand service coverage and are offering heavily discounted promotions to support initial growth in customer base.
Operating expenses increased to HK$743 million in 2007 from HK$124 million in 2006. With the launch of operations, we commenced recognizing depreciation
and amortization expenses, which amounted to HK$151 million in 2007. Depreciation expenses were recognized on the network and other assets and amortization expenses were recorded in respect of the 3G license, which has been capitalized under IAS 32
“Financial Instruments: Presentation” as an intangible asset and was amortized on a straight line basis over the life of the license. In addition, we incurred costs resulting from the first year of operations since the date of launch in
2007, including higher rental and transmission costs for base station sites, higher market and advertising costs associated with the launch of the service, and higher sales and distribution costs, including costs associated with customer acquisition
and subsidies.
Operating loss from our Indonesia operations increased to HK$626 million in 2007 from HK$124 million in 2006. These losses
were primarily a result of costs related to the launch of service in 2007.
Other operations
Ghana
. Turnover in our Ghana operations increased by 49.2% to HK$194 million in 2007 from HK$130 million in 2006. The strong growth for the year
was mainly driven by the growth in the customer base, which more than offset lower ARPU. Our customer base increased to approximately 289,000 at the end of 2007, 44.5% higher than our customer base of approximately 200,000 at the end of 2006, mainly
due to improvements in the quality of handsets we offered and our implementation of new marketing strategies. The lower ARPU was primarily a result of declining minutes of use per user.
Operating expenses were HK$214 million in 2007, a 23.0% increase from HK$174 million in 2006. The growth in operating expenses was partially due to
higher network and operating costs as a result of the increase in the size of our network, higher marketing and advertising costs and higher customer acquisition costs, as well as higher general and administrative expenses.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating losses from our Ghana operations decreased by 54.5% to HK$20 million in 2007 from HK$44 million in
2006.
Sri Lanka
. Turnover increased 52.4% to HK$189 million in 2007 from HK$124 million in 2006. The growth was driven by a 104.1%
increase in our customer base to 1.1 million compared to 559,000 in 2006. The higher number of customers was offset in part by a decline in ARPU in 2007, mainly due to lower minutes of use per user. The decline in minutes of use per user was
primarily due to the imposition of a mobile service levy, as well as high inflation in Sri Lanka during 2007.
Our Sri Lanka operations
recorded operating expenses of HK$125 million in 2007, a 40.4% increase over operating costs of HK$89 million in 2006. The increase in operating expenses was primarily a result of increased costs associated with customer acquisitions and a
value-added tax charge for promotional discounts of HK$6.5 million, which represented 5.2% of our Sri Lanka operations’ total operating costs.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating profit from our Sri Lanka operations increased by 82.9% to HK$64 million in 2007 from HK$35 million in 2006.
Vietnam.
We launched our Vietnam operations in the first half of 2007 and recorded turnover of HK$40 million for the year. During the second half
of the year, we applied to change our operating license in order to switch from CDMA to GSM services. We were granted an Investment Certificate from the People’s Committee of Hanoi City on March 8, 2008 permitting our Vietnam operations,
HT Mobile, to convert its CDMA network to GSM. The Investment Certificate is for a period of 15 years and contains a rollout requirement to have 3,000 base station tower sites by March 2009.
- 80 -
We experienced a slow-down in customer acquisition and promotional activity in the second half of 2007
due to the application to change operating license and to severe competition. As at December 31, 2007, we had a customer base of 152,000 users, of which 93.4% were prepaid customers.
Operating expenses increased to HK$319 million in 2007 from HK$46 million in 2006. With the launch of operations in 2007, we commenced the recognition of
depreciation and amortization expenses related to our Vietnam operations, which amounted to HK$51 million in 2007. In addition, our Vietnam operations incurred costs resulting from our first year of operations, including higher rental and
transmission costs for base station sites, higher market and advertising costs, and higher sales and distribution costs, including costs associated with customer acquisition and handset subsidies.
Operating loss from our Vietnam operations increased to HK$279 million in 2007 from HK$46 million in 2006. These losses were primarily a result of costs
related to the launch of service in 2007.
Others
. Turnover in our other operations decreased to HK$27 million in 2007 from HK$251
million in 2006. In 2007, other operations primarily included the results of our subsidiary PowerCom Network Hong Kong Limited. In 2006, other operations also included the results of Vanda IT Solutions, which we sold in 2006. The sale of Vanda IT
Solutions in 2006 was the primary reason for the decline from 2006 to 2007.
Our operating expenses from other operations decreased
slightly to HK$409 million from HK$412 million in 2006. The primary component of operating expenses from other operations was a share-based payment charge related to the adjustment of the exercise price of our employee stock options subsequent to
our payment of a special dividend of HK$6.75 per share in June 2007.
As a result of the factors discussed above, operating loss from our
other operations increased to HK$382 million in 2007 from HK$161 million in 2006.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Requirements
Our liquidity and
capital requirements relate principally to the following:
|
|
•
|
|
capital expenditures for the build-out and expansion of networks in the markets where we operate, including purchases of fixed assets and licenses;
|
|
|
•
|
|
costs and expenses relating to the operation of the businesses, including ongoing costs related to network operations, sales and distribution and customer services;
|
|
|
•
|
|
payments of the principal and interest on debt and dividends; and
|
|
|
•
|
|
costs associated with our expansion of operations into any new markets in which we may decide to invest.
|
- 81 -
Capital expenditures
The following table sets forth our capital expenditures by segment for the years indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
on fixed assets
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Capital expenditures
on other intangible assets
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Israel
|
|
848
|
|
985
|
|
1,191
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
—
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
284
|
|
475
|
|
582
|
|
453
|
|
567
|
|
817
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
466
|
|
463
|
|
487
|
|
32
|
|
35
|
|
48
|
|
Thailand
|
|
112
|
|
41
|
|
34
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
172
|
|
1,794
|
|
1,544
|
|
1,341
|
|
79
|
|
—
|
|
Others:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnam
|
|
155
|
|
799
|
|
259
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
53
|
|
184
|
|
182
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Ghana
|
|
10
|
|
12
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Others
|
|
3
|
|
1
|
|
4
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total others
|
|
221
|
|
996
|
|
445
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
2,103
|
|
4,754
|
|
4,283
|
|
1,827
|
|
682
|
|
865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures on fixed assets
In 2008, our capital expenditures on fixed assets decreased 9.9% to HK$4,283 million (US$552.7 million) compared to HK$4,754 million in 2007, primarily
due to decreased capital expenditures on fixed assets in Indonesia and Vietnam. Capital expenditures in Indonesia decreased to HK$1,544 million (US$199.2 million) in 2008 from HK$1,794 million in 2007, reflecting primarily timing differences in the
recording of capital expenditures because certain contractual milestones related to our network build-out were not reached by the end of 2008, and the introduction of leased base station tower sites in our network rollout strategy which led to some
savings in capital expenditures on site acquisition and construction. Capital expenditures in Vietnam decreased to HK$259 million (US$33.4 million) in 2008 from HK$799 million in 2007, mainly as the result of the deferral of some capital
expenditures in relation to the new GSM network to 2009, in line with the new GSM services launched in April 2009. Capital expenditures in Israel increased partly because of the continued build-out of the transmission network and the foreign
exchange impact of the appreciation of the NIS against the Hong Kong dollar. The increase in capital expenditures on fixed assets in our Hong Kong mobile operations mainly reflected continued investments in network upgrades and expansion to support
growth in our customer base, including the rollout of a HSDPA network.
In 2007, our capital expenditure on fixed assets increased to
HK$4,754 million, from HK$2,103 million in 2006, representing an increase of 126.1%. The increase in capital expenditure on fixed assets was mainly for expansion in our new markets of Indonesia and Vietnam. Capital expenditure in Indonesia increased
to HK$1,794 million from HK$172 million in 2006 as a result of the rapid expansion of our network in 2007. Capital expenditure in Vietnam increased to HK$799 million from HK$155 million in 2006 as a result of the rapid expansion of our network in
2007. Our networks in both Indonesia and Vietnam are being built under turnkey contracts under which payments are linked to the achievement of certain milestones set out in the relevant network supply contract. A significant amount of capital
expenditures on fixed assets that were completed during 2007 have not been reflected in our consolidated financial statements because the milestones specified in the contracts were not reached by the end of the year. Consequently, capital
expenditure figures did not fully reflect the progress of the underlying network rollout in Indonesia and Vietnam. Capital expenditure in Israel increased in part in connection with the continued build-out of Partner’s transmission network. The
increase in capital expenditure on fixed assets in Hong Kong mobile operations mainly reflected the capital expenditure incurred for the rollout of our 3G network in Macau.
Capital expenditures on other intangible assets
Capital expenditures on other intangible assets were comprised mainly of telecommunications licenses, customer acquisition and retention costs, and costs associated with brand building and expanding our customer base.
- 82 -
In 2008, our capital expenditures on other intangible assets increased 26.8% to HK$865 million (US$111.6
million) from HK$682 million in 2007. The increase was mainly due to an increase in capitalized customer acquisition and retention costs in our Hong Kong mobile operations.
In 2007, our capital expenditure on other intangible assets decreased 62.7% to HK$682 million from HK$1,827 million in 2006. The decrease was mainly due
to the capitalization of telecommunications licenses in Indonesia, which decreased to HK$79 million in 2007 from HK$1,341 million in 2006. In 2006, our capital expenditure on other intangible assets represented an initial recognition of the net
present value of telecommunications licenses, principally in Indonesia, whereas in 2007 it represented only interest capitalization. The decrease in capitalization charges to licenses was offset in part by an increase in customer acquisition and
retention costs to HK$602 million from HK$485 million in 2006 from our Hong Kong mobile and Hong Kong fixed-line operations.
In 2009, we
expect to continue to invest in Indonesia and Vietnam to strengthen our position in these markets. We anticipate our capital expenditures in 2009, excluding Hong Kong and Macau operations, to be approximately HK$7 billion (US$ 0.9 billion) with the
majority expected to be spent in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Cash balances and outstanding debt
Our net debt balance was HK$8,475 million (US$1,093.6 million) as at December 31, 2008, comprising cash and cash equivalents of HK$2,525 million
(US$325.8 million) and borrowings of HK$11,000 million (US$1,419.4 million). The following table presents a breakdown by segment of cash and cash equivalents, total debts and net cash/(debt) as at December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
Total debts
HK$ millions
|
|
|
Cash and
cash equivalents
HK$ millions
|
|
Net cash / (debt)
HK$ millions
|
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
(5,215
|
)
|
|
155
|
|
(5,060
|
)
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
—
|
|
|
105
|
|
105
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
(4,479
|
)
|
|
377
|
|
(4,102
|
)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
(358
|
)
|
|
13
|
|
(345
|
)
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
(948
|
)
|
|
27
|
|
(921
|
)
|
|
Others
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,848
|
|
1,848
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
(11,000
|
)
|
|
2,525
|
|
(8,475
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our cash and cash equivalents were denominated as a percentage of our total cash and cash
equivalents at December 31, 2008 as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$
|
|
|
NIS
|
|
|
THB
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
Others
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
16.5
|
%
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
62.5
|
%
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the period from January 1, 2008 to December 1, 2008, our average cash balance was
HK$37,930 million (US$4,894.3 million). Following our payment of the special dividend on December 2, 2008 in an amount of HK$33.7 billion (US$4.3 billion), our cash balance at the end of the year was reduced to HK$2,525 million (US$325.8
million).
We invest our cash with banks having a minimum credit rating of AA-/Aa3, unless our board of directors has specially authorized
deposits in a lower-rated bank, principally in short duration money market deposits primarily in U.S. dollars. Risk on these deposits is managed under concentration limits that take account of banks’ current short and medium term credit-rating
profile.
- 83 -
As at December 31, 2008, our total gross debt was HK$11,000 million (US$1,419.4 million),
approximately the same as at December 31, 2007. As at December 31, 2007 and 2008, the ratio of our total gross debt to total assets was 14.4% and 25.1%, respectively. The increase in the ratio of our total debt to total assets was due to
the drop in our closing cash balance in 2008 to HK$2,525 million (US$325.8 million), compared to HK$36,611 million in 2007, resulting primarily from the payment of the special cash dividend in December 2008.
During 2008, our Hong Kong mobile operations increased the balance of its bank loan to finance the repayment of an intercompany loan from the Hong Kong
fixed-line operations. Our Indonesia operations repaid almost half of their outstanding vendor loans by utilizing the proceeds from the sale of certain base station tower sites.
As at December 31, 2008, 69.6%, or HK$7,652 million (US$987.4 million), of our total borrowings were repayable within one year, primarily from our
Hong Kong mobile, Israel and Indonesia operations. As at December 31, 2007, 46.1% of our total borrowings, or HK$5,083 million, were repayable within one year.
We expect to meet our current and future financing needs primarily through cash flow from our operating activities, borrowings by our subsidiaries from banks based on guarantees and/or pledges provided by us and
borrowings from members of the Hutchison Whampoa group.
The following table presents information regarding our outstanding bank loans and
other interest-bearing third-party borrowings and debentures as at December 31, 2008 by segment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment
|
|
Fixed/floating
interest rate
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Currency
|
|
Committed
facility
HK$ millions
|
|
|
Current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Non-current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Total
HK$ millions
|
|
Israel
|
|
Fixed
|
|
Apr 09
|
|
USD
|
|
7
|
(1)
|
|
7
|
|
—
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
Fixed
|
|
Dec 11
|
|
NIS
|
|
15
|
(1)
|
|
5
|
|
10
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
Floating
|
|
Mar 09 - Mar 12
|
|
NIS
|
|
5,066
|
(2)
|
|
1,138
|
|
3,319
|
|
4,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
Floating
|
|
May 09
|
|
HK$
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
5,215
|
|
—
|
|
5,215
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
Floating
|
|
Jan 09 - Aug 09
|
|
THB
|
|
583
|
|
|
301
|
|
—
|
|
301
|
|
|
|
Floating
|
|
Mar 10
|
|
USD
|
|
69
|
|
|
38
|
|
19
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
Floating
|
|
Apr 09
|
|
USD
|
|
2,335
|
|
|
948
|
|
—
|
|
948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,075
|
|
|
7,652
|
|
3,348
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes finance lease obligations as at December 31, 2008.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes floating rate notes as at December 31, 2008.
|
Our existing HK$9 billion (US$1.2 billion) bank revolving credit and term loan facility expired on May 14, 2009. During 2008, we entered into a secured revolving credit and term loan facility agreement with a maximum aggregate amount
of US$2.5 billion (approximately HK$19,376 million) from an indirect subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa at a floating interest rate of LIBOR + 2.45% per annum and a final maturity date of November 15, 2011. This facility is guaranteed by us
and Hutchison Telephone HK and is secured by the assets, rights and business and the issued share capital of us, Hutchison Telephone HK and any of our and Hutchison Telephone HK’s respective subsidiaries that are identified for this purpose.
The agreement in respect of this facility was amended and
- 84 -
restated subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2008. We refer you to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related
Party Transactions – Credit Facility” for more information about the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement. As at December 31, 2008, we had not utilized this facility.
The following tables present our outstanding bank loans and other interest-bearing third-party borrowings by segment, as well as information regarding
maturities and interest expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 in respect of such debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at and for the year end December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
Current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Non-current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Total
borrowings
HK$ millions
|
|
Interest
expenses
HK$ millions
|
|
Israel
|
|
47
|
|
4,072
|
|
4,119
|
|
283
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
4,600
|
|
—
|
|
4,600
|
|
216
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
4
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
123
|
|
Thailand
|
|
347
|
|
57
|
|
404
|
|
320
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
—
|
|
1,808
|
|
1,808
|
|
61
|
|
Others
|
|
85
|
|
—
|
|
85
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total for continuing operations
|
|
5,083
|
|
5,937
|
|
11,020
|
|
1,017
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
672
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
5,083
|
|
5,937
|
|
11,020
|
|
1,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at and for the year end December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Non-current
portion
HK$ millions
|
|
Total
borrowings
HK$ millions
|
|
Interest
expenses
HK$ millions
|
|
Israel
|
|
1,150
|
|
3,329
|
|
4,479
|
|
385
|
|
Hong Kong mobile
|
|
5,215
|
|
—
|
|
5,215
|
|
134
|
|
Hong Kong fixed-line
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Thailand
|
|
339
|
|
19
|
|
358
|
|
18
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
948
|
|
—
|
|
948
|
|
79
|
|
Others
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
7,652
|
|
3,348
|
|
11,000
|
|
619
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008, total borrowings of HK$69 million (US$8.9 million), compared to
HK$182 million as at December 31, 2007 were guaranteed by members of the Hutchison Whampoa group. These guaranteed borrowings were in respect of loans to our Thailand operations. Under the terms of a credit support agreement with the Hutchison
Whampoa group, we agreed to pay a guarantee fee charged at normal commercial rates. We have also provided a counter-indemnity in favor of Hutchison Whampoa and its related companies in respect of such guarantees, for so long as a guarantee liability
remains. The total amount of fees paid to the Hutchison Whampoa group in 2008 in respect of these borrowings was HK$10 million (US$1.3 million), compared to HK$54 million in 2007.
As at December 31, 2008, fixed assets and current assets of certain subsidiaries were used as collateral for certain of our borrowings. As at
December 31, 2008, these pledged fixed assets had a carrying value of HK$1,131 million (US$145.9 million), compared to HK$4,971 million as at December 31, 2007. As at December 31, 2008, these pledged current assets had a carrying
value of HK$14 million (US$1.8 million), compared to HK$2,398 million as at December 31, 2007. As at December 31, 2008, we had total current borrowings of HK$7,652 million (US$987.4 million) and total non-current borrowings of HK$3,348
million (US$432.0
- 85 -
million), compared to HK$5,083 million and HK$5,937 million, respectively, as at December 31, 2007. Of our current borrowings, HK$948 million (US$122.3
million) were secured as at December 31, 2008, compared to HK$4,600 million as at December 31, 2007. None of our non-current borrowings as at December 31, 2008 were secured, compared to HK$1,807 million as at December 31, 2007.
During 2007, we provided intercompany loans to our Thailand operations in U.S. dollars totaling HK$9,327 million to fully repay six
outstanding commercial loan facilities with international lenders. In December 2006, the Bank of Thailand imposed unremunerated reserve requirements on the conversion of foreign currency to Thai Baht, which were subsequently removed in March 2008.
This affected our ability to freely convert the U.S. dollar proceeds to Thai Baht. To receive an exemption from the unremunerated reserve requirement imposed on conversion of foreign currency loan proceeds to Thai Baht, we entered into forward
foreign exchange contracts with various banks in Thailand. As at December 31, 2007, we had US$1,095 million, outstanding under these forward foreign exchange contracts where we had commitments to sell Thai Baht and buy U.S. dollars at
pre-agreed rates. All of these forward foreign exchange contracts were closed out during 2008.
Capital resources
As at December 31, 2008, we had net current liabilities of HK$7,675 million (US$990.3 million) compared to net current assets of HK$28,638 million
as at December 31, 2007. The change from a net current asset position in 2007 to a net current liability position in 2008 was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of HK$34,021 million (US$4,389.9 million), as a
result of our distribution of a special cash dividend in December 2008 as described above.
The following table sets out our major cash
inflows/(outflows):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
HK$ millions
|
|
|
2007
HK$ millions
|
|
|
2008
HK$ millions
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
(2,535
|
)
|
|
3,793
|
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Interest and other finance costs, net
|
|
1,586
|
|
|
(284
|
)
|
|
256
|
|
|
- Non-cash items
|
|
3,973
|
|
|
8,373
|
|
|
4,670
|
|
|
- Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(2,453
|
)
|
|
- Share of results of jointly-controlled entities
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
- Share of results of associates
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
- Changes in working capital
|
|
(1,276
|
)
|
|
(607
|
)
|
|
621
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from continuing operations
|
|
4,070
|
|
|
4,939
|
|
|
6,898
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs, net, and taxes paid
|
|
(2,010
|
)
|
|
53
|
|
|
(646
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from operating activities of continuing operations
|
|
2,060
|
|
|
4,992
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from discontinued operations
|
|
4,459
|
|
|
782
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs, net, and taxes paid
|
|
(1,005
|
)
|
|
(786
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
|
|
3,454
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from operating activities
|
|
5,514
|
|
|
4,988
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net purchases and disposals of fixed assets
|
|
(1,860
|
)
|
|
(2,509
|
)
|
|
(4,950
|
)
|
- 86 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to customer acquisition and retention costs, additions to prepaid capacity and maintenance, advanced payments for network rollout,
included in other receivables and prepayment, and changes in long term deposits
|
|
(705
|
)
|
|
(1,788
|
)
|
|
(1,528
|
)
|
|
Investments in jointly-controlled entities
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(99
|
)
|
|
Increase in interest in subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(570
|
)
|
|
Upfront and fixed periodic payments for telecommunications licenses
|
|
(227
|
)
|
|
(296
|
)
|
|
(537
|
)
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of
|
|
2
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
578
|
|
|
Purchase of transmission business
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Purchase of shares of a subsidiary under a share buy-back plan
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(799
|
)
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of base station tower sites
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,373
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
|
|
(2,914
|
)
|
|
(4,593
|
)
|
|
(5,532
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used in investing activities
|
|
(12,170
|
)
|
|
(4,697
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of
|
|
—
|
|
|
83,185
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities of discontinued operations
|
|
(12,170
|
)
|
|
78,488
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities
|
|
(15,084
|
)
|
|
73,895
|
|
|
(5,532
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows generated from/(used in) financing activities and decrease in restricted cash
|
|
439
|
|
|
(14,045
|
)
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of share options
|
|
194
|
|
|
237
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
Dividend paid to the Company’s shareholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
(32,234
|
)
|
|
(33,700
|
)
|
|
Net cash flows (to)/from minority shareholders
|
|
(259
|
)
|
|
14
|
|
|
(1,000
|
)
|
|
Settlement and rollover of derivatives
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(110
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities of continuing operations
|
|
374
|
|
|
(46,028
|
)
|
|
(34,741
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from financing activities of discontinued operations
|
|
8,808
|
|
|
1,708
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
|
|
9,182
|
|
|
(44,320
|
)
|
|
(34,741
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(388
|
)
|
|
34,563
|
|
|
(34,021
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007
Our net cash generated from operating activities in 2008 was HK$6,252 million (US$806.7 million), 25.3% higher than the HK$4,988
million generated in 2007. In 2008, our net cash generated from operating activities was all from continuing operations. In 2007, our net cash generated from operating activities of continuing operations was HK$4,992 million, and our net cash used
in operating activities of discontinued operations was HK$4 million.
Our net cash generated from operating activities of continuing
operations was HK$6,252 million (US$806.7 million) in 2008, compared to HK$4,992 million in 2007. In 2008, our cash generated from continuing operations was primarily a result of our profit before taxation of HK$3,793 million (US$489.4 million), as
positively adjusted for non-cash and other items of HK$3,105 million (US$400.7 million), including primarily depreciation and amortization charges, offset in part by a profit from the sale of base station tower sites of our Indonesia operations,
which resulted in cash generated from continuing operations of HK$6,898 million (US$890.1 million). This amount was reduced by our net interest and other finance costs and taxes paid of HK$646 million (US$83.4 million). In 2007, our cash generated
from continuing operations of HK$4,939 million was primarily a result of our loss before taxation of HK$2,535 million, as positively adjusted for non-cash and other items of HK$7,474 million, including primarily an impairment charge for our Thailand
operations, depreciation and amortization charges and share-based payment charges related to our adjustment
- 87 -
of the exercise price of employee stock options, offset in part by a decrease in working capital. This amount was positively adjusted by our net interest and
other finance costs and taxes paid from continuing operations of HK$53 million, which resulted in net cash generated from continuing operations of HK$4,992 million.
There was no net cash generated from or used in operating activities of discontinued operations in 2008. Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations was HK$4 million in 2007. This difference was
primarily due to the inclusion of partial year results of CGP Investments Holdings in 2007 before our sale of CGP Investments Holdings in May 2007. Our net cash generated from operating activities of discontinued operations in 2007 was a result of
cash generated from discontinued operations of HK$782 million, offset by net interest and other finance costs and taxes paid of HK$786 million.
Our net cash used in investing activities was HK$5,532 million (US$713.8 million) in 2008, compared to net cash generated from investing activities of HK$73,895 million in 2007. In 2008, net cash used in investing activities related
primarily to the net purchases and disposals of fixed assets of HK$4,950 million (US$638.7 million), additions to customer acquisition and retention costs, additions to prepaid capacity and maintenance, advanced payments for network rollout,
included in other receivables and prepayments, and changes in long term deposits of HK$1,528 million (US$197.6 million), purchase of shares of a subsidiary under a share buy-back plan of HK$799 million (US$103.1 million), offset in part by the
proceeds from the disposal of base station tower sites in our Indonesia operations of approximately HK$2,373 million (US$306.2 million), and an increase in interest in subsidiary of HK$570 million (US$73.5 million). The net cash generated from
investing activities in 2007 consisted mainly of the proceeds of HK$83,185 million from our sale of CGP Investments Holdings, which was offset in part by factors including cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations of HK$4,697
million and cash used in investing activities of continuing operations of HK$4,593 million.
Our net cash used in financing activities in
2008 was HK$34,741 million (US$4,482.8 million), compared to net cash used in financing activities of HK$44,320 million in 2007. The cash outflow from financing activities in 2008 was mainly attributable to our payment of a special dividend of
HK$33,700 million (US$4,348.4 million), while the cash outflow in 2007 was mainly attributable to a special dividend of HK$32,234 million and a net decrease in loans of HK$14,045 million.
The decrease in our cash and cash equivalents in 2008 was HK$34,021 million (US$4,389.9 million), compared to an increase in cash and cash equivalents of
HK$34,563 million in 2007.
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
Our net cash generated from operating activities in 2007 was HK$4,988 million, 9.5% lower than the HK$5,514 million in 2006. In 2007, our net cash
generated from operating activities of continuing operations was HK$4,992 million and our net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations was HK$4 million. In 2006, our net cash generated from operating activities of continuing
operations was HK$2,060 million, and our net cash generated from operating activities of discontinued operations was HK$3,454 million.
Our
net cash generated from operating activities of continuing operations was HK$4,992 million in 2007, compared to HK$2,060 million in 2006. In 2007, our cash generated from continuing operations was primarily a result of our loss before taxation of
HK$2,535 million, as positively adjusted for non-cash and other items of HK$7,474 million, including, primarily, an impairment charge for our Thailand operations, depreciation and amortization charges and share-based payment charges related to our
adjustment of the exercise price of employee stock options, offset in part by a decrease in working capital, which resulted in cash generated from continuing operations of HK$4,939 million. This amount was also positively adjusted by our net
interest and other finance costs and taxes paid of HK$53 million. In 2006, our net cash generated from continuing operations of HK$2,060 million was primarily a result of our loss before taxation of HK$170 million, as positively adjusted for
non-cash and other items of HK$4,240 million, including primarily those related to depreciation and amortization, which resulted in cash generated from continuing operations of HK$4,070 million. This amount was reduced by our net interest and other
finance costs and taxes paid from continuing operations of HK$2,010 million.
- 88 -
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations was HK$4 million in 2007, compared to
net cash generated from operating activities of discontinued operations of HK$3,454 million in 2006. This difference was primarily as a result of the amounts for 2006 including full-year results for the India operations, while the amounts for 2007
include only partial year results for 2007 as a result of our sale of CGP Investments Holdings in May 2007. Our net cash generated from operating activities of discontinued operations in 2007 was a result of cash generated from discontinued
operations of HK$782 million, negatively adjusted by net interest and other finance costs and taxes paid of HK$786 million. Our net cash generated from operating activities in 2006 was a result of cash generated from discontinued operations of
HK$4,459 million, negatively adjusted by net interest and other finance costs and taxes paid of HK$1,005 million.
Our net cash generated
from investing activities was HK$73,895 million in 2007, compared to net cash used in investing activities of HK$15,084 million in 2006. The net cash generated from investing activities in 2007 consisted mainly of the proceeds of HK$83,185 million
from our sale of CGP Investments Holdings, which was offset in part by factors including cash used in investing activities for discontinued operations of HK$4,697 million and cash used in investing activities for continuing operations of HK$4,593
million. In 2006, net cash used in investing activities was HK$15,084 million, primarily as a result of our cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations of HK$12,170 million, which related primarily to net capital expenditures on
fixed assets, and net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations of HK$2,914 million, which related primarily to the purchase of fixed assets.
Our net cash used in financing activities in 2007 was HK$44,320 million, compared to net cash generated from financing activities of HK$9,182 million in 2006. The cash outflow in 2007 was mainly attributable to our
payment of a special dividend of HK$32,234 million and a net decrease in loans of HK$14,045 million. In 2006, our net cash inflow from financing activities was primarily attributable to cash generated from financing activities of discontinued
operations of HK$8,808 million, which related primarily to loans taken out by subsidiaries of CGP Investments Holdings to fund network build-out and capital contributions made by minority shareholders to a subsidiary of CGP Investments Holdings.
The increase in our cash and cash equivalents in 2007 was HK$34,563 million, compared to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of HK$388
million in 2006.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth selected information regarding our contractual obligations to make future payments as at December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment due within
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Total
|
|
1 year
|
|
1– 3
years
|
|
3-5
years
|
|
After 5
years
|
|
Purchase obligations
|
|
11,654
|
|
10,509
|
|
1,142
|
|
3
|
|
—
|
|
Operating lease obligations
|
|
9,380
|
|
1,302
|
|
2,074
|
|
1,615
|
|
4,389
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
11,000
|
|
7,652
|
|
2,978
|
|
370
|
|
—
|
|
License fees liabilities
|
|
2,354
|
|
358
|
|
729
|
|
666
|
|
601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
|
34,388
|
|
19,821
|
|
6,923
|
|
2,654
|
|
4,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our purchase obligations primarily relate to obligations to acquire fixed assets, pursuant mainly
to network supply agreements. As at December 31, 2008, 91% of our purchase obligations related to the acquisition of fixed assets for our Indonesia and Vietnam operations for the rollout of the networks in those countries.
- 89 -
Operating lease obligations relate to the leases on land and buildings and other assets, of which 63%
represented obligations to rent base station tower sites from certain telecommunication operators by our Indonesia operations as at December 31, 2008, including the leaseback of the 2,248 base station tower sites sold to Protelindo.
Borrowings represent our total gross debt as at December 31, 2008. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Cash balances and
outstanding debt.”
License fee liabilities relate primarily to our Indonesia and Thailand operations and, to a lesser extent, Hong
Kong. In Indonesia and Hong Kong, the 3G licenses, which have been capitalized as intangible assets, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of those licenses. In Thailand the minimum guaranteed revenue share payable to CAT Telecom has
been capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
In addition to the contractual obligations discussed above, we had certain other commitments that could require us to make payments in the future. These
commitments are not included in our consolidated balance sheet.
As at December 31, 2008, we had issued a guarantee for approximately
HK$503 million (US$64.9 million) to a bank as collateral for the performance bond required by the OFTA in Hong Kong under the terms of a license granted to a subsidiary.
As at December 31, 2008, we also had contingent liabilities in respect of performance guarantees of HK$50 million (US$6.5 million) that principally related to guarantees that had been given prior to the disposal
of Vanda IT Solutions in July 2006 in favor of counterparties of Vanda IT Solutions and its affiliates under various financing and equipment purchase transactions entered into by them. We are not aware of any circumstance that would require us to
perform under these guarantees, which have been counter-indemnified by the purchaser of Vanda IT Solutions, a member of the Hutchison Whampoa group.
In October 2001, our subsidiary in Hong Kong was issued a 3G license with a duration of 15 years. For the first five years of the term of the license, fixed annual license fees were payable. Beginning from the sixth
year of the license, variable license fees are payable, with these payments to be equal to the greater of (1) 5% of network turnover in respect of the relevant year and (2) a specified minimum license fee in respect of the relevant year.
The net present value of the minimum fee has already been recorded in our consolidated financial statements as license fees liabilities. Under the terms of the license, the actual amount due could be greater than the amount recorded.
Our subsidiary in Israel, Partner, is committed to pay license royalties to the government of Israel based on its “income from cellular
services,” as defined in the Israeli Telecommunications (Royalties) Regulations, 2001, which includes all kinds of income of Partner from the provision of telecommunications services under the license—including airtime, roaming services
and non-recurring connection fees, but excluding income transferred to another holder of a communications license and deducting bad debts, payments to another communication licensee in respect of interconnection, payments for roaming services to
foreign operators and expenses related to the sale of equipment. The rate of royalty payments paid by cellular operators has been reduced annually by 0.5% since January 1, 2006 and will continue to be reduced until it reaches 1%. In 2008, the
royalty rate was 2%.
We are required under the relevant shareholders’ agreements relating to the interests in our operating companies
in Thailand to provide funding for operating expenses and capital expenditures of the operating companies or the intermediary holding companies through which we hold the interests in these operating companies. To date, we have met these funding
obligations primarily by direct funding through shareholders’ loans.
- 90 -
Other Contingent Liabilities
As at December 31, 2008, a total of 18 claims against our subsidiary in Israel, Partner, and, in some such claims, together with other cellular
operators in Israel, each with a motion to certify as class action, in respect of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of claim
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(in approximate HK$ millions)
|
|
Alleged violation of antitrust law
|
|
238
|
|
246
|
|
Alleged consumer complaints
|
|
5,025
|
|
1,719
|
|
Alleged unauthorized erection of cellular antennas, causing environmental damages
|
|
1,980
|
|
2,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At this stage, and until the claims are recognized as class actions, we and Partner are unable to
evaluate the probability of success of such claims and therefore no provision has been made.
As at December 31, 2008, there is also a
potential claim of approximately NIS 42.5 million (approximately HK$87 million) by the Ministry of Communications in Israel in respect of the past use of a certain frequency band by Partner pursuant to an agreement made between Partner and the
Palestinian mobile operator being allocated such frequency band, which agreement was endorsed by the Ministry of Communications.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
In March 2009, our board of directors approved the payment of an interim
dividend to be satisfied by way of a distribution in specie of the entire share capital of HTHKH, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, conditional on (i) the SEHK approving the proposed spin-off of HTHKH by us and Hutchison Whampoa; and
(ii) the SEHK granting approval for the listing of the entire share capital of HTHKH on the Main Board of the SEHK. HTHKH and its subsidiaries operated our mobile telecommunications business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line
telecommunications business in Hong Kong. This conditional interim dividend in specie was approved after the December 31, 2008 balance sheet date and has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date. In May 2009, the SEHK
approved the spin-off and the separate listing of the entire share capital of HTHKH. The shares of HTHKH were listed on the Main Board of the SEHK on May 8, 2009. As a result of the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH on May 7, 2009, HTHKH
is no longer our subsidiary and we no longer have any Hong Kong or Macau operations.
During 2008, the Hong Kong and Macau operations
represented 34% of our total turnover, 19% of our total operating profit and 33% of our total operating expenses. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, the Hong Kong and Macau operations accounted for 47% of our total outstanding debt, all of
which was effectively assumed by HTHKH upon completion of the spin-off of HTHKH. Following the completion of the spin-off, the results of the Hong Kong and Macau operations for 2008 and prior years will be presented in our consolidated income
statement as discontinued operations in the 2009 financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies from several acceptable alternatives.
Furthermore, significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet, the turnover and expenses in our consolidated
income statement and the information that is contained in the significant accounting policies and notes to our consolidated financial statements. Our management continually evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and
other factors, including expectations of future events, that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions.
- 91 -
We believe that the following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of our
accounting policies under IFRS that affect our reported financial condition and results of operations. For a further discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.
Long-lived Assets
We have substantial investments in tangible and intangible long-lived assets, primarily our mobile and fixed-line telecommunications network equipment and licenses. Changes in technology or changes in our intended use of these assets may
cause the estimated period of use or value of these assets to change.
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to
amortization, and are tested at least annually for impairment and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We continually monitor our businesses, markets and
business environments and make judgments and assessments about whether such an event has occurred. An impairment loss is recognized with respect to an asset to the extent that the carrying amount of that asset cannot be recovered either by selling
the asset or from the discounted future earnings from operating the asset. Such an impairment charge is recognized in our consolidated income statement.
Management judgment is required in the area of asset impairment, particularly in assessing whether: (1) an event has occurred that may affect asset values; (2) the carrying value of an asset can be supported
by the net present value of future cash flows from the asset using estimated cash flow projections; and (3) the cash flow is discounted using an appropriate rate. Changing the assumptions selected by management to determine the level, if any,
of impairment, including the discount rates or the growth rate assumptions in the cash flow projections, could significantly affect our reported financial condition and results of operations. In performing the impairment assessment, we also consider
the impact of the current economic environment on our operations.
Goodwill
Under IFRS, goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of our share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary,
associate or jointly-controlled entity at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisition is reported in our consolidated balance sheet as a separate asset or, as applicable, included within investment in associate and jointly-controlled entity.
Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, and it is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold. Goodwill is allocated to
cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. We allocate goodwill to each business segment in each country in which we operate.
Deferred Taxation
Deferred taxation is provided, using the liability method, for temporary differences arising
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values in our financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full on all taxable temporary differences while deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it
is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary differences (including tax losses) can be utilized.
We have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the recognition criteria for deferred tax assets recorded in relation to cumulative tax loss carry
forward. As at December 31, 2008, we had recognized HK$368 million (US$47.5 million) in deferred tax assets.
- 92 -
Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate
tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course of business. We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different
from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination was made.
Depreciation of Fixed Assets
Our business is capital intensive. Depreciation of operating
assets constitutes a substantial operating cost for us. The cost of our fixed assets, principally telecommunications and network equipment, is charged to depreciation expense over their estimated useful lives. We depreciate our telecommunications
and network equipment using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We periodically review changes in our technology and industry conditions, asset retirement activity and salvage values to determine adjustments to estimated
remaining useful lives and depreciation rates.
Actual economic lives may differ from our estimated useful lives. Periodic reviews could
result in a change in our depreciable lives and therefore our depreciation expense in future years.
Amortization of
Telecommunications Spectrum Licenses
We own the rights to use and operate specified spectrums in some jurisdictions over a certain
period of time, through annual minimum fees plus a variable portion depending on the future revenues from the services. License fees payments, the discounted value of the fixed annual fees to be paid over the license period, and certain other direct
costs incurred prior to the date the asset is ready for its intended use are capitalized. Capitalized license fees are amortized from the date the asset is ready for its intended use until the expiration of the license.
Interest is accreted on the fixed annual fees and charged to interest expense. Variable license fees are recognized as period costs.
Amortization of Telecommunications Customer Acquisition and Retention Costs
Costs to acquire or retain telecommunications customers, which are postpaid (and primarily 3G) customers, pursuant to a contract with early termination
penalties are capitalized if (1) such costs are identifiable and controlled; (2) it is probable that future economic benefits will flow from the customers to us; and (3) such costs can be measured reliably. Subsidies on handset sales,
which are calculated by deducting the customers’ payment towards the handset from the cost of the handset, are included in the customer acquisition and retention costs. Capitalized customer acquisition and retention costs are amortized over the
minimum enforceable contractual period, which is generally a period of 18 to 24 months. If a customer leaves our network within the minimum enforceable contractual period, any unamortized customer acquisition or retention costs are written off in
the period in which the customer leaves. Costs to acquire prepaid telecommunications customers are expensed in the period incurred.
Revenue Recognition
Our postpaid and prepaid revenues are generated based on tariff plans. Postpaid revenues are
recognized when services are rendered and collectibility is reasonably assured, and prepaid revenues are recognized when the services have been used by the prepaid customers or when the services periods have expired.
Sales of handsets are recognized upon delivery to the distributors, dealers or directly to the end customers when they are sold on a standalone basis.
When handsets are sold to end customers as part of multiple element arrangements (which typically include the sale of a handset together with a fixed-term service contract), the amount received for the handset up to its fair value is accounted for
- 93 -
as revenue from the handset sale upon delivery to the end customers. When handsets are sold to end customers for the purposes of acquiring new customers or
retaining existing customers, we subsidize the sale of the handset by selling it at a price below its cost to secure a fixed-term service contract. The handset sale is then treated as a non-revenue-generating transaction and, accordingly, no revenue
is recognized from these types of handset sales. The subsidy, which represents the difference between the cost of the handset and the payment received from the customer for the handset, is capitalized as an element of customer acquisition and
retention costs.
Sale and Leaseback Transactions
Determining whether a lease transaction is a finance lease or an operating lease requires judgment as to whether the lease agreement transfers
substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to or from us. Judgment is required on various aspects that include, but are not limited to, the fair value of the leased asset, the economic life of the leased asset, whether renewal options are
included in the lease term and determining an appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments.
Classification of a transaction as a finance lease or an operating lease determines whether the leased asset is treated on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet. In sale and leaseback transactions, the classification of the leaseback
arrangements as described above determines how the gain or loss on the sale transaction is recognized. It is either deferred and amortized (finance lease) or recognized in the income statement immediately (operating lease).
Other Income
We have been
granted credit vouchers by a key network supplier for offset against future services and purchases from the supplier. The value of the vouchers is recognized as other income. Judgment is required in determining the fair value of the vouchers and
whether the credit voucher should be accounted for as income or as a purchase discount. This determination includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the nature of the credit vouchers and their grant, the conditions attached to utilization of
the vouchers, and the separation of economic events from future purchases.
Recognition as income or as a purchase discount determines
whether the credit vouchers are recognized immediately when we become entitled to the right to use them and the contractual obligations of the network supplier are waived, or they are deferred and recognized upon making purchases from the supplier
and offset against the purchase invoices.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The following new/revised standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing standards have been issued but are not effective for the year
ended December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
IAS 1 (Revised)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 23 (Revised)
|
|
Borrowing Costs
|
|
IAS 27 (Revised)
|
|
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 32 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Instruments: Presentation
|
|
IAS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements-Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation
|
|
IFRS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
First Time Adoption of IFRS
|
|
IFRS 2 (Amendment)
|
|
Share-based Payment
|
|
IFRS 3 (Revised)
|
|
Business Combinations
|
|
IFRS 8
|
|
Operating Segments
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 13
|
|
Customer Loyalty Programs
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 15
|
|
Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 16
|
|
Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
|
- 94 -
|
|
|
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 17
|
|
Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners
|
|
|
|
IASB’s improvements to IFRS, including:
|
|
|
|
|
IAS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 2 (Amendment)
|
|
Inventories
|
|
IAS 7 (Amendment)
|
|
Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
IAS 16 (Amendment)
|
|
Property, Plant and Equipment
|
|
IAS 19 (Amendment)
|
|
Employee Benefits
|
|
IAS 20 (Amendment)
|
|
Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance
|
|
IAS 23 (Amendment)
|
|
Borrowing Costs
|
|
IAS 27 (Amendment)
|
|
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 28 (Amendment)
|
|
Investments in Associates
|
|
IAS 29 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies
|
|
IAS 31 (Amendment)
|
|
Interests in Joint Ventures
|
|
IAS 36 (Amendment)
|
|
Impairment of Assets
|
|
IAS 38 (Amendment)
|
|
Intangible Assets
|
|
IAS 39 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
|
|
IAS 40 (Amendment)
|
|
Investment Property
|
|
IAS 41 (Amendment)
|
|
Agriculture
|
|
IFRS 5 (Amendment)
|
|
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
|
Apart from the above, there are also a number of minor amendments to IFRS 7, “Financial
Instruments: Disclosures,” IAS 8, “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors,” IAS 10, “Events After the Balance Sheet Date,” IAS 18, “Revenue” and IAS 34, “Interim Financial
Reporting.”
We did not early adopt any of these new/revised standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing
standards. We are in the process of assessing the impact of these new/revised standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing standards on our results and financial position in the future.
|
ITEM 6.
|
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
A. Directors and Senior Management
Our board currently consists of three executive directors, three non-executive directors and
three independent non-executive directors.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our current directors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
|
|
57
|
|
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
58
|
|
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Christopher John FOLL
|
|
52
|
|
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
CHAN Ting Yu
|
|
58
|
|
Executive Director and Alternate Director to Lui Dennis Pok Man
|
|
CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan
|
|
55
|
|
Non-Executive Director and Alternate Director to Fok Kin-ning, Canning and Frank John Sixt
|
|
Frank John SIXT
|
|
57
|
|
Non-Executive Director
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
59
|
|
Independent Non-Executive Director
|
|
John W. STANTON
|
|
53
|
|
Independent Non-Executive Director
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
60
|
|
Independent Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alternate Directors
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
WOO Chiu Man, Cliff
|
|
55
|
|
Alternate Director to Christopher John Foll
|
|
(1)
|
Under our Articles of Association, each director is empowered to appoint any person (including another director) to be his alternate director. Any alternate
director has all the rights and powers of the appointing director. An alternate director may be removed at any time by the person who appointed him. Subject to such removal, the office of alternate director shall continue until the happening of any
event which, if he was a director, would cause him to vacate such office or until the appointing
|
- 95 -
|
|
director ceases for any reason to be a director. An alternate director shall only be a director for the purpose of the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands,
or the Companies Law, and shall only be subject to the provisions of the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the duties and obligations of a director when performing the functions of the director for whom he is appointed in the alternative. An
alternate director shall alone be responsible to our company for his acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of or for the appointing director.
|
FOK Kin-ning, Cannin
g
is chairman and non-executive director of our company and is the chairman of our remuneration committee. He
has served as director and chairman since March 2004. Mr. Fok holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University in Minnesota, the United States and a diploma in Financial Management from the University of New England in Australia
and is a member of the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr. Fok has been executive director of our substantial shareholder, Hutchison Whampoa, since 1984 and its group managing director since 1993. He also serves as chairman of
Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited, or Hutchison Harbour Ring, Hutchison Telecommunications (Australia) Limited, or Hutchison Telecommunications Australia, Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited, or Hongkong Electric, and Partner, co-chairman of Husky
Energy Inc., or Husky Energy, deputy chairman of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited, or Cheung Kong Infrastructure, and non-executive director of Cheung Kong Holdings.
LUI Dennis Pok Man
is executive director and chief executive officer of our company in charge of our overall management. He has served as
director since March 2004. Mr. Lui holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon, the United States. Mr. Lui first joined Hutchison Paging Limited in 1986 and became its managing director in 1993. He was managing
director of Hutchison Telecom in charge of its mobile telecommunications, fixed-line, multi-media, Internet and paging businesses in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Macau from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Lui rejoined the Hutchison Whampoa group in May 2001
as group managing director of HTI (1993) Holdings Limited, or HTI 1993 Holdings, overseeing all the operations and new business development of HTI 1993 Holdings and its subsidiaries. Mr. Lui is also director of Partner.
Christopher John FOLL
is executive director and chief financial officer of our company. He joined the Hutchison Whampoa group in 2001 and
served as chief financial officer for the group’s former India operations until September 2007, when he took over the chief operating officer position in the group’s Vietnam operations. During his term of office in India, Mr. Foll
held directorships in certain operating companies. He was in charge of the India operations’ finance and strategic business development, and was a member of the senior management team that steered the operations to become one of the leading
nationwide mobile service providers in India. Prior to joining the Hutchison Whampoa group, Mr. Foll was in Australia where he held a number of senior management positions in public companies. From 1999 to 2001, he was the chief financial
officer of the Adelaide Brighton group in Australia. Prior to that, he had been the managing director of QNI Ltd’s Australian operations after joining as chief financial officer. Mr. Foll is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of
Chartered Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science degree from the University of South Africa.
CHAN Ting Yu
is
executive director of our company and alternate director to Mr. Dennis Lui. He was appointed as executive director on January 3, 2008, a position he previously held from 2004 to 2005. He has served as alternate director since December
2005. Mr. Chan is also director of Partner. Prior to joining the Hutchison Whampoa group in 1994, Mr. Chan practiced international commercial and investment law in Hong Kong and Australia. Mr. Chan was appointed deputy managing
director of HTI 1993 Holdings in January 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and a Diploma of Teaching.
CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan
is non-executive director of our company and alternate director to each of Mr. Canning Fok and Mr. Frank
Sixt. She was appointed as non-executive director on January 3, 2008, a position she previously held from 2004 to 2005. She has served as alternate director to Mr. Fok since December 2005, and alternate director to Mr. Sixt since
September 2006. Mrs. Chow has been executive director of Hutchison Whampoa since 1993 and its deputy group managing director since 1998. Mrs. Chow is also executive director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure, Hutchison Harbour Ring and
Hongkong Electric, and director of Hutchison Telecommunications Australia, Partner and non-executive director of TOM Group Limited. Mrs. Chow is a solicitor and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
- 96 -
Frank John SIXT
is non-executive director of our company. He has served as director since
March 2004. Mr. Sixt holds a Master’s degree in Arts, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Law, and is a member of the Bar and of the Law Society of the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada. He has been executive director of Hutchison
Whampoa since 1991 and its group finance director since 1998. Mr. Sixt is non-executive chairman of TOM Group Limited. He is also executive director of Cheung Kong Infrastructure and Hongkong Electric, non-executive director of Cheung Kong
Holdings, and director of Hutchison Telecommunications Australia, Partner and Husky Energy.
KWAN Kai Cheong
is an
independent non-executive director of our company and a member of our audit committee and remuneration committee. He has served as a director since August 2004. Mr. Kwan holds a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours) degree from the University of
Singapore and is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Fellow of Hong Kong Institute of Directors. Mr. Kwan completed the Stanford Executive
Program in 1992. Mr. Kwan is currently president of Morrison & Company Limited, which is a business consultancy firm. He worked for Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. for over 10 years during the period from 1982 to 1993. His last
position with Merrill Lynch was president for its Asia Pacific region. He was also previously the joint managing director of Pacific Concord Holding Limited. Mr. Kwan is an independent non-executive director of Hutchison Harbour Ring, Henderson
Sunlight Asset Management Limited, SPG Land (Holdings) Limited, Win Hanverky Holdings Limited and Soundwill Holdings Limited and a non-executive director of China Properties Group Limited and JF Household Furnishings Limited.
John W. STANTON
is independent non-executive director of our company and a member of our audit committee. He has served as director since
August 2004. Mr. Stanton is managing director of Trilogy Partners, a board member of Columbia Sportswear and Clearwire Corporation and a trustee of Whitman College. He was chairman and chief executive officer of Western Wireless Corporation, or
Western Wireless, from 1994 until it was sold to Alltel in 2005. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Stanton was chairman and chief executive officer of both Pacific Northwest Cellular and General Cellular Corporation, each a predecessor of Western
Wireless. From 1995 to 2001, he also served as chairman and chief executive officer of VoiceStream Wireless Corporation, which was spun off from Western Wireless in May 1999. Mr. Stanton served two terms as chairman of the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association, from 1998 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2001. Mr. Stanton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Whitman College and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Kevin WESTLEY
is independent non-executive director of our company and is chairman of our audit committee and a member of our remuneration
committee. He has served as director since August 2004. Mr. Westley holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in History from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
in England and Wales. He joined the merchant banking arm of the HSBC group in 1977 and retired in June 2000 as chairman and chief executive of HSBC Investment Bank Asia Limited. Mr. Westley is a part-time employee of The Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited where he acts as adviser to the chairman. Certain affiliates of the HSBC group are lenders to our company and the Hutchison Whampoa group. In 2007, Mr. Westley became the non-executive chairman of Interpharma
Investments Limited, the holding company for a group of companies engaged in the distribution of pharmaceutical products within the Asian region. In 2006, Mr. Westley has been appointed as a member of the Committee on Real Estate Investment
Trusts. Mr. Westley is also the deputy chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, a member of the Committee on Real Estate Investment Trusts and the Share Registrars Disciplinary Committee and a former chairman of the Takeovers and Mergers Panel of
Hong Kong.
WOO Chiu Man, Cliff
is alternate director to Mr. Christopher John Foll on our board of directors. He has
served as alternate director since December 2005, and prior to that had been executive director of our company from March 2005 until December 2005. Mr. Woo is also our company’s chief technology officer, having joined us in that position
in September 2004. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Woo was deputy managing director and wireless network director of Hutchison Telecom since 2000, having joined that company in 1998. He is a Chartered Engineer and is also a Member of The
Institution of Engineering and Technology and The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Mr. Woo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and a Diploma in Management for Executive Development.
- 97 -
B. Compensation
Our directors receive compensation in the form of salaries, discretionary bonuses, housing allowance, provision of company car, club membership,
participation in our retirement scheme, medical coverage, life insurance and annual leave. We have entered into service contracts with our directors which may be terminated by either party giving not less than six months’ written notice. None
of these service contracts provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to our directors upon termination.
Directors’ emoluments
comprise payments to directors by us and our subsidiaries in connection with the management of the affairs of our group. The emoluments of the directors of our company, excluding amounts received from our listed subsidiaries and paid to us, for the
year ended December 31, 2008 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Director
|
|
Fees
|
|
Basic salaries,
allowances and
benefits-in-kind
|
|
Bonuses
|
|
Provident
fund
contributions
|
|
Share-based
payments
|
|
2008
Total
|
|
|
|
(HK$ millions)
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
|
|
0.37
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.37
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.98
|
|
10.89
|
|
0.30
|
|
10.61
|
|
26.05
|
|
Christopher John FOLL
(1)
|
|
0.10
|
|
0.98
|
|
0.60
|
|
0.07
|
|
0.13
|
|
1.88
|
|
Tim Lincoln PENNINGTON
(2)
|
|
0.17
|
|
2.31
|
|
2.17
|
|
0.46
|
|
3.93
|
|
9.04
|
|
Frank John SIXT
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
CHAN Ting Yu
(3)
|
|
0.27
|
|
2.99
|
|
3.07
|
|
0.21
|
|
3.89
|
|
10.43
|
|
CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan
(3)
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
WONG King Fai, Peter
(4)
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.28
|
|
6.76
|
|
0.24
|
|
3.11
|
|
13.66
|
|
Aldo MAREUSE
(5)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Michael John O’CONNOR
(5)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
John W. STANTON
|
|
0.55
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.55
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
3.84
|
|
13.54
|
|
23.49
|
|
1.28
|
|
21.67
|
|
63.82
|
|
(1)
|
Appointed as director of our company on August 20, 2008.
|
|
(2)
|
Resigned as director of our company on August 20, 2008.
|
|
(3)
|
Appointed as director of our company on January 3, 2008.
|
|
(4)
|
Appointed as director of our company on January 3, 2008 and resigned as director of our company on May 8, 2009.
|
|
(5)
|
Resigned as director of our company on January
3, 2008.
|
C. Board Practices
We are managed by a board of directors, which must consist of not less than two members. Our board of directors now consists of nine directors (among whom two directors also served as alternate directors) and one
alternate director. Our articles of association were amended by special resolution at our annual general meeting on May 5, 2005 so that one-third (the number nearest to but not greater than one-third or such other manner of rotation as may be
required under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited Listing Rules or other applicable rules) of all of our directors, including the chairman of our board and the managing director of our company,
are subject to retirement from office by rotation at each general meeting. Our articles of association were further amended by special resolution at our extraordinary general meeting held on May 8, 2007 so that: (i) all directors appointed
to fill a casual vacancy are subject to election by shareholders at the first general meeting following their appointment instead of the first annual general meeting following their appointment; (ii) our shareholders can remove any director in
a general meeting by ordinary resolution; and (iii) at each annual general meeting one-third of our directors or, if their number is not a multiple of three, the number nearest to but not less than one-third (instead of not greater than
one-third in the previous version of our articles) shall have their terms as director end.
- 98 -
Accordingly, the term of any directors who are appointed by our board of directors to fill a casual
vacancy will end at the next general meeting, while the term of any directors who are appointed as an additional director will end at the next annual general meeting. Directors whose term of office ends are eligible for re-election. The terms of
four of our directors, Messrs. Fok Kin-ning, Canning, Lui Dennis Pok Man, Kwan Kai Cheong and Christopher John Foll (who was appointed by our board on August 20, 2008) ended at our annual general meeting held on April 27, 2009 and all of
them were re-elected at this meeting.
None of our non-executive directors has a service contract with our company providing for benefits
upon termination of appointment. The employment term for each of our non-executive directors was specified in their respective service agreements as expiring on December 31, 2009, with automatic renewal for successive 12-month periods, subject
to the end of their terms as director and possible re-election by shareholders, in conformity with our articles of association.
Each of
our executive directors has a term of employment of one year, subject to the end of their terms as director and possible re-election by shareholders, in conformity with our articles of association. The current term of employment for Mr. Lui
Dennis Pok Man will expire on June 30, 2009 and will be automatically renewed for a further term. The current terms of employment for Messrs. Chan Ting Yu and Christopher John Foll will expire on December 31, 2009.
Audit Committee
We have an audit committee
comprised of our three independent non-executive directors, Messrs. Kevin Westley (chairman), Kwan Kai Cheong and John W. Stanton. All three are independent within the meaning of the standards established by the SEHK and the applicable standards
established by the NYSE for foreign private issuers and by the SEC.
As set forth in its terms of reference, our audit committee is
responsible for assisting our board of directors in (i) ensuring that an effective system of internal control and compliance with our obligations (including external financial reporting obligations) under stock exchange listing rules and
applicable laws and regulations is in place, (ii) overseeing the integrity of our financial statements and (iii) overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The audit committee is also directly responsible on behalf
of the board of directors for the selection, oversight and remuneration of our external auditor, the assessment of the independence and qualifications of our external auditor, and the oversight of the performance of our internal audit function and
external auditor.
Remuneration Committee
We have a remuneration committee comprising Messrs. Fok Kin-ning, Canning (chairman), Kwan Kai Cheong and Kevin Westley. Under the rules of the SEHK, a majority of the members of the remuneration committee must be
independent non-executive directors. Messrs. Kwan and Westley are independent non-executive directors within the meaning of the standards established by the SEHK. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to comply with the independence
requirements for remuneration or compensation committees established by the NYSE.
As set forth in its terms of reference, our remuneration
committee is responsible for assisting our board of directors in the development and administration of a fair and transparent procedure for setting policies on the remuneration of our directors and senior management and for determining their
remuneration packages.
D. Employees
As at December 31, 2008, we and our subsidiaries had a total of 9,008 full-time employees, computed on a headcount basis.
- 99 -
The table below sets forth the number of employees by function as at December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
% of Total
|
|
Managers
|
|
470
|
|
5.2
|
|
Supervisory
|
|
638
|
|
7.1
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
7,900
|
|
87.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
9,008
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets out the number of employees for our business segments, computed on a
headcount basis, as at the dates indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Hong Kong mobile (including Macau) and fixed-line
|
|
1,656
|
|
1,644
|
|
1,681
|
|
India
(1)
|
|
6,154
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Israel
|
|
4,214
|
|
4,818
|
|
5,593
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
923
|
|
971
|
|
944
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
193
|
|
311
|
|
369
|
|
Others
(2)
|
|
625
|
|
756
|
|
421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
13,765
|
|
8,500
|
|
9,008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
India ceased to be a business segment on May 8, 2007.
|
|
(2)
|
Ghana ceased to be a business segment on July 11, 2008.
|
As at December 31, 2008, we and our subsidiaries had retained a total of approximately 937 temporary employees, part-time employees and contract employees. Our total number of employees is expected to decline in 2009 as personnel in
our Hong Kong mobile (including Macau) and fixed-line business segments will no longer be included following completion of the spin-off of HTHKH.
We have adopted a recruiting strategy to attract and retain quality employees. We conduct periodic reviews of our employees’ job performance, and determine salaries and discretionary bonuses based upon those reviews.
In addition, we offer internal training programs tailored to different job requirements to help enhance our employees’ talents and skills. We
believe that these initiatives have contributed to the growth of our business.
We believe that we maintain a good working relationship
with our employees and have not experienced any significant labor disputes or any difficulty in recruiting staff for our operations. Our employees are not represented by any company-specific collective bargaining agreements or labor unions.
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth the number of ordinary shares of our company held by our directors and alternate directors as at May 8, 2009.
- 100 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
Number of
Shares Held
|
|
Percentage of
Shares
Outstanding
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
(1)
|
|
1,202,380
|
|
*
|
|
CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan
|
|
250,000
|
|
*
|
|
Frank John SIXT
(2)
|
|
255,000
|
|
*
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
9,100,000
|
|
*
|
|
Christopher John FOLL
|
|
—
|
|
*
|
|
CHAN Ting Yu
|
|
3,433,333
|
|
*
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
John W. STANTON
(3)
|
|
105,000
|
|
*
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
WOO Chiu Man, Cliff
|
|
2,333,333
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
16,679,046
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Shares are held by a company that is equally controlled by Mr. Fok and his spouse.
|
|
(2)
|
Shares are held in the form of 17,000 ADSs.
|
|
(3)
|
Shares are held in the form of 7,000 ADSs owned jointly by Mr. Stanton and his spouse.
|
The following table sets forth the options for the purchase of ordinary shares held by our directors and alternate directors as at May 8, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director/Alternate Director
|
|
Date of grant of share
options
|
|
Number of
shares
options held
|
|
Expiration date of the
share options
(1)
|
|
Exercise
price of
share
options
(HK$)
|
|
Christopher John FOLL
|
|
December 12, 2008
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
December 11, 2018
|
|
2.20
|
|
(1)
|
One third of the share options vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. Options that had vested on the first anniversary of the grant date have been
exercised and shares that were received upon exercise were all sold.
|
Share Option Plan
The following is a summary of the principal terms of our share option plan conditionally approved and adopted by a resolution of our then sole shareholder
passed on September 17, 2004. As required under the SEHK Listing Rules, the share option plan was approved by the shareholders of Hutchison Whampoa at an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of Hutchison Whampoa held on
May 19, 2005. It was subsequently amended by written resolutions of our directors passed on July 12, 2005 and February 9, 2006 respectively, and by our shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on May 8, 2007 and by
the shareholders of Hutchison Whampoa at the annual general meeting held on May 22, 2008. The share option plan has a term of ten years commencing on the date on which the share option plan becomes unconditional and its purpose is to enable us
to grant options to selected participants, including, among others, employees, non-executive directors, consultants, suppliers and customers, as incentives or rewards for their contribution to our company.
The grant of any options by us for the subscription of ordinary shares or other securities of ours to any eligible person shall not, by itself, unless
the directors otherwise determine, be construed as a grant of options under the share option plan. The eligibility of any participant to receive a grant of any options shall be determined by the directors from time to time on the basis of their
contribution to our development and growth.
The maximum number of ordinary shares that may be allotted and issued upon the exercise of all
outstanding options granted and yet to be exercised under this share option plan and any other share option plan must not in the aggregate exceed 30% of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding from time to time. The total number of ordinary
shares which may be allotted and issued upon the exercise of all options (excluding, for this purpose, options which have lapsed in accordance with the terms of this share option plan and any other share option plan of our group) to be granted under
this share option plan and any other share option plan of ours must not in the aggregate exceed 10% of our ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of the date on which the shares are first
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listed on the SEHK, assuming no ordinary shares are allotted, issued or repurchased by our company on or prior to the date on which such resolution is
passed. Based on the number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding as at May 8, 2009, the limit under the share option plan is 365,666,667 ordinary shares. We may seek separate approval of our shareholders in a general meeting to grant
options beyond these limits.
No participant under this share option plan or any other share option plan may receive awards in any 12-month
period of more than 1% of our issued ordinary share capital. Any grant of options in excess of 1% in any such 12-month period must be approved by our shareholders in a general meeting with such participant and his associates abstaining from voting.
The number and terms (including the exercise price) of the options to be granted (and options previously granted to such participant) must be fixed before the approval of the shareholders and the date of the board meeting proposing such further
grant will be the date of grant for the purpose of calculating the exercise price if such grant is approved.
Any grant of options under
the share option plan to a director, chief executive or substantial shareholder of our company or any of their respective associates must be approved by our independent non-executive directors (excluding any independent non-executive director who is
also the grantee of the options). Approval of our shareholders in a general meeting is required if any grant of options to a substantial shareholder, an independent non-executive director or any of their respective associates would result in the
ordinary shares issued and to be issued upon the exercise of all options already granted and to be granted (including options exercised, cancelled and outstanding) to such person in the 12-month period up to and including the date of such grant:
(1) representing in the aggregate over 0.1% of the ordinary shares in issue; and (2) having an aggregate value, based on the closing price of the ordinary shares at the date of each grant, in excess of HK$5 million. Any such meeting must
be in accordance with the SEHK Listing Rules. Any change in the terms of options granted to a substantial shareholder, an independent non-executive director or any of their respective associates must also be approved by our shareholders in a general
meeting.
An option may be accepted by a participant within 21 days from the date of the offer of grant of the option. The subscription
price for ordinary shares under the share option plan shall be a price determined by the directors but shall not be less than the highest of: (1) the closing price of ordinary shares as stated in the SEHK’s daily quotations sheet for trade
in one or more board lots of ordinary shares on the date of the offer of grant which must be a business day; (2) the average closing price of ordinary shares as stated in the SEHK’s daily quotations sheet for trade in one or more board
lots of ordinary shares for the five trading days immediately preceding the date of the offer of grant which must be a business day; and (3) the nominal value of the ordinary shares. A nominal consideration of HK$1 is payable on acceptance of
the grant of an option.
At an extraordinary general meeting held on May 8, 2007, our shareholders approved an amendment to the terms
of all share options which were outstanding as of the date of the general meeting and which were outstanding and unvested as at the time of the payment of a special dividend to be declared and paid out of the proceeds from our sale of CGP
Investments Holdings to Vodafone, pursuant to which the exercise price of these share options would be adjusted downwards by an amount equal to the amount of the special dividend on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Our shareholders also approved an
amendment to our share option plan at the same extraordinary general meeting pursuant to which, upon a distribution to shareholders of any cash (other than the special dividend to be declared and paid out of the proceeds from our sale of CGP
Investments Holdings or dividends in the ordinary course), the exercise price of any options which had been granted but not been exercised as of the date of the distribution would be adjusted downwards by an amount which our directors considered to
reflect the impact such distribution would have or would likely have on the trading price of our shares.
In addition to the options
granted to a director of our company on December 12, 2008, options in respect of an aggregate of 4,383,334 shares, or the Replacement Options, were also granted to our other employees on December 15, 2008 in exchange for the cancellation
of the same number of previously issued share options. The Replacement Options are exercisable during the period from December 15, 2008 to December 14, 2018 at the exercise price of HK$4.51 per share. As at May 8, 2009, 18,150,000
options were issued and outstanding.
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ITEM 7.
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MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
A. Major Shareholders
The following table below sets forth information with respect to persons who were beneficial owners of 5% or
more of our outstanding ordinary shares as at May 8, 2009 to the extent that such information is available to us or can be ascertained from public filings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares beneficially
owned
|
|
Name of beneficial owner
|
|
Number
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hutchison Whampoa Limited
(1)
|
|
2,905,822,253
|
|
60.4
|
|
Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited
(2)(3)
|
|
2,957,914,840
|
|
61.4
|
|
Li Ka-shing
(4)
|
|
266,621,499
|
|
5.5
|
|
(1)
|
Hutchison Telecommunications Investment Holdings Limited, or Hutchison Telecommunications Investment, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, directly owns
2,619,929,104 ordinary shares, or 54.4%, and Hutchison Telecommunications Holdings Limited (formerly named New Brilliant Holdings Limited), or Hutchison Telecommunications Holdings, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications
Investment, directly owns 285,893,149 of our ordinary shares, or 5.9%. The following significant changes in Hutchison Whampoa’s ownership of our shares have taken place during the past three years:
|
|
|
•
|
|
Prior to June 2007, Hutchison Whampoa held 2,375,869,730 of our shares, representing 49.76% of our then-issued share capital. As from June 2007, Hutchison
Telecommunications Holdings had acquired an aggregate of 12,000,000 of our shares in the open market through the SEHK for an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$124.1 million (US$15.9 million). As a result of these purchases, Hutchison
Whampoa’s ownership of our shares in issue increased from approximately 49.75% to approximately 50.0036% and it began to account for us as a subsidiary.
|
|
|
•
|
|
On January 3, 2008, Hutchison Telecommunications Investment acquired 441,026,028 of our shares from Orascom Holding for a total consideration of approximately
HK$4,851 million. As a result, Hutchison Whampoa’s ownership of our shares in issue increased from approximately 50.1% to approximately 59.3%.
|
|
|
•
|
|
During the period from October 16, 2008 to October 30, 2008, Hutchison Telecommunications Holdings acquired an aggregate of 68,416,495 of our shares in
the open market through the SEHK for an aggregate consideration of approximately HK$581.5 million (US$75.0 million). As a result of these purchases, Hutchison Whampoa’s ownership of our shares in issue increased from approximately 59.3% to
approximately 60.4%.
|
|
(2)
|
Various direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cheung Kong Holdings, including Cheung Kong Enterprises Limited, collectively directly own 52,092,587 of our shares,
representing approximately 1.1% of our issued share capital. Through its subsidiaries, Cheung Kong Holdings indirectly beneficially owns approximately 49.97% of the issued shares of Hutchison Whampoa. Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act,
Cheung Kong Holdings and its subsidiaries may be deemed to control the voting and disposition of the 2,905,822,253 ordinary shares of our company beneficially owned by Hutchison Whampoa, but, pursuant to Rule 13d-4 under the Exchange Act, Cheung
Kong Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than Cheung Kong Enterprises Limited) have expressly disclaimed beneficial ownership of these ordinary shares. Changes during the past three years in Cheung Kong Holdings’ ownership of our shares,
through its 49.97% interest in Hutchison Whampoa, are described in note (1) above.
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(3)
|
Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited, as trustee of The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust, together with certain companies which Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited as trustee of
The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust is entitled to exercise or control the exercise of one third or more of the voting power at their general meetings, hold more than one third of the issued share capital of Cheung Kong Holdings. In addition, each of Li
Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Corporation Limited, as trustee of a discretionary trust, and Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustcorp Limited, as trustee of another discretionary trust, holds units in The Li Ka-Shing Unity Trust. Mr. Li Ka-shing is the settlor of
each of these discretionary trusts. Furthermore, each of Messrs. Li Ka-shing, Li Tzar Kuoi, Victor and Li Tzar Kai, Richard, is interested in one third of the entire issued share capital of Li Ka-Shing Unity Holdings Limited, a company that owns the
entire issued share capital of Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Company Limited, Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustee Corporation Limited and Li Ka-Shing Unity Trustcorp Limited.
|
|
(4)
|
Prior to January 2008, Mr. Li Ka-shing, through various companies that he wholly-owns, held 27,513,355 of our shares. On January 3, 2008, Mr. Li Ka-shing, through his
indirect ownership of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Yuda Limited, acquired 239,108,144 of our shares from Orascom Holding for a total consideration of approximately HK$2,630 million (US$336.9 million). As a result, Mr. Li,
through various companies that he wholly-owns, beneficially owns 266,621,499 of our shares, representing approximately 5.5% of our issued share capital.
|
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Except as disclosed above, we are not aware of any other beneficial owners of 5% or more of our
outstanding ordinary shares. Our major shareholders have voting rights that are identical to all the other shareholders.
As at May 8,
2009, a total of 4,814,346,208 of our ordinary shares were outstanding. As at May 8, 2009, 1,758,342,306 of our ordinary shares were held by 680 record holders in Hong Kong, of which 175,025,475 of our ordinary shares were registered in the
names of nominees of Citibank N.A., the depositary under our ADS deposit agreement, and 3,056,003,902 of our ordinary shares were held by three record holders in the Cayman Islands.
We are not aware of any arrangement that may at a later date result in a change of control of our company.
B. Related Party Transactions
This section describes certain material or unusual transactions or proposed transactions, since January 1, 2008 until the date of filing of this annual report on Form 20-F, between us and certain parties with whom we have a
relationship. These related parties include our controlling shareholders, our subsidiaries or other entities over which we exert significant influence, entities who are under common control with our company, and our significant shareholders, members
of our key management, their respective family members and entities in which these persons have a significant equity interest.
Related party
transactions with the Hutchison Whampoa group
In connection with our restructuring that was completed in September 2004, as described
under “Item 4. Information on the Company – History and Development of the Company – The Restructuring,” we have entered into various agreements with the Hutchison Whampoa group. In connection with the spin-off of HTHKH that was
completed on May 7, 2009, as described under “Item 4. Information on the Company – History and Development of the Company – The Spin-off,” we have amended certain of these agreements, entered into new agreements and there
continue to be transactions between members of our group and members of the Hutchison Whampoa group (which includes HTHKH and its subsidiaries).
Shareholders’ agreements
As part of the restructuring, the Hutchison Whampoa group’s rights and
obligations under shareholders’ agreements with NTT DoCoMo and NEC with respect to our operating companies for 3G mobile telecommunications services in Hong Kong and 2G mobile telecommunications services in Hong Kong and Macau were passed
through to us pursuant to a HK Pass-Through Agreement. The HK Pass-Through Agreement was terminated as of the HTHKH Listing Date, other than, among other things, to the extent of any antecedent breach by either party incurred prior to the HTHKH
Listing Date.
Non-competition agreements
As part of the restructuring, we entered into a non-competition agreement with Hutchison Whampoa to maintain a clear delineation of our respective businesses, principally on a geographical basis. In connection with
the spin-off of HTHKH, effective as of the HTHKH Listing Date, we amended the non-competition agreement with Hutchison Whampoa and entered into a non-competition agreement with HTHKH. For more information on these non-competition agreements, we
refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company – C. History and Development of the Company – Non-competition Agreements.”
Registration rights agreement
We entered into a registration rights agreement on September 24, 2004 with Cheung
Kong Holdings, which then held 49.97% of Hutchison Whampoa, and Hutchison Telecommunications Investment, an indirect wholly- owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa. Under the registration rights agreement, either of Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison
Telecommunications Investment may from time to time make a written request to us (i) for registration of all or part of the shares held by such shareholder or its affiliates with
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the SEC for offer and sale to the public under a registration statement (within the meaning of the Securities Act), or (ii) to cause all or part of the
shares held by such shareholder or its affiliates to be listed in any jurisdiction outside the United States wherein such shares are already listed.
In connection with the sale of shares representing approximately 19.3% of our then-issued share capital by the Hutchison Whampoa group to Orascom Holding, we entered into an amended and restated registration rights
agreement on December 21, 2005 with Hutchison Telecommunications Investment, Cheung Kong Holdings and Orascom Eurasia, which replaced the above-mentioned registration rights agreement and extended the registration rights previously granted to
Hutchison Telecommunications Investment and Cheung Kong Holdings to Orascom Eurasia. Subsequent to the disposal by Orascom Eurasia of its entire interest in our shares on January 3, 2008, the amended and restated registration rights agreement
was terminated with respect to Orascom Eurasia on that date.
The amended and restated registration rights agreement will terminate upon
the earlier of the date when all registrable securities have been sold pursuant to a registration statement or the date as of which each of the parties to the agreement are permitted to sell their shares under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.
In addition, the amended and restated registration rights agreement will terminate with respect to Hutchison Telecommunications Investment and Cheung Kong Holdings, respectively, on the date that the number of each class of registrable securities
beneficially owned by that shareholder is less than 1% of all of our ordinary shares that are then issued and outstanding.
As of the date
of this annual report, none of Cheung Kong Holdings or Hutchison Telecommunications Investment has made any written request to us under the agreement.
Credit Facility
On November 25, 2008, our company entered into a facility agreement with Hutchison
Telecommunications Finance Company Limited, or HTFCL, as lender and Hutchison Facility Agents Limited, or HFAL, as facility agent, which facility agreement was amended and restated on April 17, 2009. HTFCL and HFAL are both indirect
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, among other things, HTFCL agreed to make available to us a senior secured term loan/revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate amount of
US$1,790 million (approximately HK$13,872.5 million) in two tranches, subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement. The facility bears interest at the rate of LIBOR + 2.45% per annum, and there is an upfront fee of US$5
million and a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the daily undrawn balance of the facility. In addition, the cross-guarantees and security provided by our company and Hutchison Telephone HK, which was our subsidiary until the completion of
the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, in respect of each other’s borrowings, if any, under the facility, were effectively released as of the HTHKH Listing Date.
Under the first tranche, HTFCL agreed to make available to us, subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, a senior term loan facility in the maximum amount of US$450 million until the earlier
of May 14, 2009 and the date on which all outstanding amounts are repaid under an existing HK$9 billion credit facility made available to our company and Hutchison Telephone HK by a group of independent financial institutions. Under the second
tranche, HTFCL agreed to make available to us, subject to the terms of the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement, a senior revolving credit facility in the maximum amount of US$1,340 million until one week before the final maturity date of
November 15, 2011. On May 12, 2009, HTFCL advanced to our company US$170 million (approximately HK$1,317.5 million) under the first tranche and US$120 million (approximately HK$930.0 million) under the second tranche.
Guarantees and letters of comfort
Hutchison
Whampoa and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have guaranteed outstanding debts owed by our subsidiaries to lenders since 1998. As at December 31, 2008, total borrowings of HK$69 million (US$8.9 million) were guaranteed by members of the
Hutchison Whampoa group in respect of loans to our Thailand operations. We have entered into a fee agreement with
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Hutchison Whampoa pursuant to which we agree to pay, or will procure that relevant members of our group will pay, fees for the issuance of guarantees and the
provision of indemnities and security by Hutchison Whampoa or its subsidiaries, in respect of third-party borrowings of such relevant members of our group. The fees are charged at normal commercial rates. We have also entered into a
counter-indemnity agreement with Hutchison Whampoa, under which we agree to indemnify Hutchison Whampoa or the relevant member of the Hutchison Whampoa group, as the case may be, against any liability incurred by Hutchison Whampoa or any such member
of the Hutchison Whampoa group under the guarantees, indemnities and security provided in connection with our group’s third-party borrowings. The total amount of these fees paid by us to the Hutchison Whampoa group during the year ended
December 31, 2008 was HK$10 million (US$1.3 million).
As security in support of a series of equipment sale and leaseback transactions
entered into by Hutchison Telephone HK in 1998, Hutchison Whampoa issued guarantees in favor of Hutchison Telephone HK’s counterparties under those transactions in respect of payment and performance obligations. The transactions have been
terminated pursuant to the terms of termination agreements dated January 2, 2008. All payments were settled in December 2008. Hutchison Whampoa’s remaining obligations under these guarantees, which are not expected to be material, will not
be discharged until expiry of the relevant bankruptcy preference time periods under the laws of the applicable jurisdictions.
Following
the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, Hutchison Telephone HK is no longer our subsidiary.
Intellectual property
We conduct our businesses using trademarks with various forms of the Hutchison name (including, but not limited to, “
Hutchison Telecom
,”
“
Hutchison
,” “
Hutch
”
and
“
3
”), as well as domain names incorporating some or all of these trademarks.
We have entered into an intellectual property rights framework agreement with Hutchison International, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, pursuant to which Hutchison International shall procure certain domain names,
trademarks (including but not limited to “
3
” and “
Hutch
”) and other intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to the Hutchison Whampoa group in relation to the telecommunications business and operations of
the relevant members of our group are licensed to our group. Such intellectual property rights are and will continue to be licensed to members of our group on a royalty-free basis until the relevant change of control provisions as may be agreed
between the relevant members of our group and the Hutchison Whampoa group are triggered. The relevant member of our group will bear the appropriate proportion of the total external and internal costs and expenses in connection with brand management
and support. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the costs and expenses charged in connection with the relevant intellectual property rights amounted to approximately HK$2 million (US$0.3 million). In connection with the spin-off of HTHKH,
we entered into a supplemental agreement on April 17, 2009, pursuant to which, among other things, the list of operating companies in the intellectual property rights framework agreement was updated to reflect our subsidiaries after the completion
of the spin-off.
Provision of data center services
Hutchison GlobalCentre Limited, or Hutchison GlobalCentre, provides data center services to members of the Hutchison Whampoa group. These data center services include data center facilities (such as power supply,
telecommunications connectivity, air-conditioning, fire prevention and security systems), hardware and software management and co-location services. The relevant members of the Hutchison Whampoa group are required to pay Hutchison GlobalCentre
monthly charges in advance for subscription and in arrears for usage of such data center services. The amount of monthly charges and the initial term of duration for the provision of such data center services, which are automatically renewable for
successive additional terms unless either party terminates by notification, are separately determined and agreed between the relevant member of the Hutchison Whampoa group and Hutchison GlobalCentre in individual service orders, which are executed
as and when such data center services are required. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate charges for provision of such services amounted to approximately HK$20 million (US$2.6 million). Following the completion of the spin-off
of HTHKH, Hutchison GlobalCentre is no longer our subsidiary.
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Lease and license arrangements
Members of our group, as lessees or licensees, have entered into, and may in the future from time to time renew and enter into, various lease and license
arrangements with members of the Hutchison Whampoa group, as landlords or licensors. The lease and license arrangements are in respect of building spaces and other premises for use as offices or for other business purposes. During the year ended
December 31, 2008, the aggregate lease and licensing fees paid by the relevant members of our group under these arrangements amounted to approximately HK$55 million (US$7.1 million). Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, certain of
the lessees or licensees under these lease and license arrangements are no longer our subsidiaries.
Roaming arrangements
Members of our group have entered into agreements with members of the Hutchison Whampoa group in respect of roaming arrangements, whereby customers of
members of each of the groups may roam on each other’s networks while traveling abroad. Each pair of partners amongst the groups will settle, after set-off on a net basis, the roaming charges incurred by their customers on each other’s
networks each month in arrears. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the total charges for the provision of roaming services, after set-off among the parties, amounted to approximately HK$23 million (US$3.0 million). Following the
completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, the parties to these roaming agreements are no longer our subsidiaries.
Sharing of services
Pursuant to an agreement dated September 24, 2004 between us and Hutchison International, members of our group have been sharing with the
Hutchison Whampoa group, certain services including, among others, legal and regulatory services, company secretarial support services, tax and internal audit services, shared use of accounting software system and related services, participation in
the Hutchison Whampoa group’s pension, medical and insurance plans, participation in the Hutchison Whampoa group’s procurement projects with third-party vendors/suppliers, other staff benefits and staff training services, company functions
and activities and operation advisory and support services. Our group will pay a fee to the Hutchison Whampoa group for the provision of such services, which is payable quarterly in arrears and settled within 30 days after receipt of a written
invoice from the relevant member of the Hutchison Whampoa group to the relevant member of our group. This agreement expired on December 31, 2006. On November 30, 2006, we entered into a new agreement with Hutchison International, pursuant
to which certain IT-related services provided under the September 24, 2004 agreement would be provided under the new agreement with effect from January 1, 2006 for a period of one year with automatic renewals on each anniversary for three
successive one-year periods unless terminated by either party. On February 26, 2007, we entered into a new agreement with Hutchison International in place of the September 24, 2004 agreement, except for certain IT-related services already
covered by the November 30, 2006 agreement. The new agreement went into effect from January 1, 2007 for a term of three years unless terminated by either party. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate fees paid by our
group for the provision of such services amounted to approximately HK$32 million (US$4.1 million).
Dealership services
Under an agreement dated May 27, 2004, between Watson and Hutchison 3GHK Services, Watson was appointed as non-exclusive dealer for Hutchison 3GHK
Services for sale at retail outlets operated by Fortress in Hong Kong of 3G handsets and/or telecommunications services provided by Hutchison 3GHK Services. Under this 3G dealership services agreement, Watson collects the handset price and service
fee prepayment from retail customers, at the rates as determined by Hutchison 3GHK Services. Watson is required to pay such amount to Hutchison 3GHK Services after deducting its commission per subscription. This agreement commenced on March 3,
2004. This agreement was transferred by Hutchison 3GHK to Hutchison Telephone HK, with effect from July 1, 2005, as part of a reorganization to streamline the Hong Kong mobile telecommunications business. On April 2, 2009, Watson entered
into an agreement with Hutchison Telephone HK to extend the term of the agreement until December 31, 2011 and thereafter,
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the agreement will be automatically renewed for successive periods of three years each, unless terminated by either party. Following the completion of the
spin-off of HTHKH, Hutchison Telephone HK is no longer our subsidiary and we are no longer a party to this agreement.
During the year
ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate commissions paid by our group for the provision of these dealership services amounted to approximately HK$27 million (US$3.5 million).
Global procurement services
Various members of our group separately have entered into cost
sharing agreements with the Hutchison Whampoa group pursuant to which members of the Hutchison Whampoa group and members of our group together join in global procurement and development projects for the acquisition and development of information
technology platforms and software solutions and applications, hardware, content and other services in connection with the roll-out and ongoing operation of the business of members of our group. Participation in a particular cost sharing activity is
at the discretion of each member of our group which has entered into a cost sharing arrangement. In connection with the performance of obligations of the members of our group under some of the underlying contracts in relation to the global
procurement activities, members of the Hutchison Whampoa group have provided guarantees in favor of counterparties thereunder. The relevant members of our group will bear the appropriate proportion of the total external and internal costs and
expenses incurred in connection with such joint procurement activities. In addition, the relevant members of our group pay a guarantee fee (where the Hutchison Whampoa group has provided a guarantee) and a management fee to the Hutchison Whampoa
group at normal commercial rates. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate costs, expenses, guarantee fees and management fees paid by the relevant member of our group under these cost sharing agreements amounted to approximately
HK$17 million (US$2.2 million). Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, the parties to these cost sharing agreements are no longer our subsidiaries.
Handset supply agreements
On March 27, 2007, each of Hutchison Telephone HK and Partner entered into handset
supply agreements with H3G Procurement Services S.à r.l, or H3G Procurement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa, pursuant to which each of Hutchison Telephone HK and Partner may elect to purchase handsets or other devices related
to their respective 3G businesses. Any offer of handsets or other devices by H3G Procurement to Hutchison Telephone HK or Partner will be on substantially the same terms and conditions as the terms and conditions offered by the vendors to H3G
Procurement, other than as to unit prices. Neither Hutchison Telephone HK nor Partner is obligated to purchase any handsets under the agreements with H3G Procurement. The term of each agreement is an initial period of three years beginning on
January 1, 2007 and thereafter automatically renewed for three successive periods of three years each unless terminated earlier by either party. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate purchases made by Hutchison Telephone
HK and Partner under these handset supply agreements amounted to approximately HK$142 million (US$18.3 million) and HK$2 million (US$0.3 million), respectively. Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, Hutchison Telephone HK is no longer
our subsidiary.
Provision of telecommunications and Internet services
Members of our group provide local and international fixed-line telecommunications services, Internet access bandwidth with value-added services, and
Internet and web-hosting services to members of the Hutchison Whampoa group. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the fees charged for the provision of such services amounted to approximately HK$79 million (US$10.2 million). Following the
completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, the providers of these services are no longer our subsidiaries.
Provision of mobile telecommunications services
Members of our group provide mobile telecommunications services, including IDD and roaming services and other value-added services,
to members of the Hutchison Whampoa group. The Hutchison Whampoa group is required to pay charges in advance for subscription on a monthly basis and charges in arrears for usage on a monthly basis, pursuant to invoices issued by the relevant
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member of our group. The provision of such services is terminable by either party at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice. During the year
ended December 31, 2008, the fees charged for the provision of such services amounted to approximately HK$22 million (US$2.8 million). Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH, the providers of these services are no longer our
subsidiaries.
Master Agreement
Members of our group provide, and will continue to provide, to members of the HTHKH group, certain products and services, or the HTIL Supplies. Members of our group also acquire, and will continue to acquire, from
members of the HTHKH group, certain products and services, or the HTHKH Supplies. Following the completion of the spin-off of HTHKH in May 2009, HTHKH and its subsidiaries are no longer our subsidiaries. On April 17, 2009, we entered into a master
agreement, or the Master Agreement, with HTHKH, which sets out the framework terms upon which the HTIL Supplies and HTHKH Supplies will be provided or acquired (as appropriate) as may be agreed from time to time on a non-exclusive basis. The HTIL
Supplies include leasing and licensing of offices, building spaces, car parks and warehouses; roaming services; and general treasury management services. The HTHKH Supplies include data centre services; mobile telecommunications services;
telecommunications and Internet services; mobile telecommunications products; and roaming services. The Master Agreement became effective on the HTHKH Listing Date and has a three year term.
Related party transactions with our directors
Our
non-executive directors receive compensation in the form of directors’ fees and do not receive any other form of compensation, including upon termination. Our executive directors receive compensation in the form of salaries, discretionary
bonuses, housing allowance, provision of company car, club membership, participation in our retirement scheme, medical coverage, life insurance and annual leave. We have entered into service contracts with our executive directors which may be
terminated by either party giving written notice for periods of notice ranging from three to six months. None of these service contracts provide benefits to our executive directors upon termination. Under the arrangements currently in force, the
aggregate remuneration payable to, and benefits in kind receivable by, our directors for the year ended December 31, 2008 were approximately HK$63.8 million (US$8.2 million). For a detailed discussion of the remuneration paid to our directors,
see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Compensation.”
As at May 8, 2009, options in respect of
18,150,000 of our ordinary shares have been granted in the aggregate under our share option plan to persons who are currently directors or alternate directors of our company. For a more detailed discussion of the share option plan, see “Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Ownership—Share Option Plan.”
C. Interests of Experts and
Counsel
Not Applicable.
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ITEM 8.
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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A. Consolidated
Statements and Other Financial Information
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 18.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in legal proceedings common in our industry and arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than as described
below, we are not engaged in any litigation, arbitration or claim of material importance, and no litigation, arbitration or claim of material importance is known to our directors to be pending or threatened by or against us, that would have a
significant effect on our financial position or profitability.
Israel
As of December 31, 2008, a total of 18 claims had been filed in Israel against Partner and, in some such claims, together with other cellular
operators in Israel, each with a motion to certify as class action, in respect of the following amounts in the aggregate:
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Amount of claim
(in approximate HK$ millions)
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Alleged violation of antitrust law
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246
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Alleged consumer complaints
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1,719
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Alleged unauthorized erection of cellular antennas, causing environmental damages
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2,050
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At this stage, and until the claims are recognized as class actions, we and Partner are unable to
evaluate the probability of success of such claims, and therefore no provision has been made. See note 32 to our consolidated financial statements.
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In addition, a claim has been filed in Israel against Partner by the Ministry of Communications in
Israel, in respect of the past use of a frequency band on a shared basis with another mobile operator pursuant to an agreement made between Partner and the other mobile operator which was endorsed by the Ministry of Communications. Subsequent to
December 31, 2008, in the first quarter of 2009, Partner made a provision in the amount of NIS 26 million (HK$53.3 million) in respect of this claim.
Dividend Distributions
We do not currently have a dividend policy. We refer you to “Item 10.
Additional Information – Memorandum and Articles of Association – Dividends” for more information on dividends.
On
December 2, 2008, we paid a special dividend of HK$7.00 (US$0.90316) per share, or HK$33.7 billion (US$4.348 million) in the aggregate. We did not pay any other dividends in 2008.
B. Significant Changes
We refer you to “Item 5. Operating and
Financial Review and Prospects – Overview” for a summary of significant changes which have occurred since December 31, 2008.
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ITEM 9.
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THE OFFER AND LISTING
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A. Offer and
Listing Details
Market Price Information
The following tables set forth the high and low sales prices per share of our ordinary shares listed on the SEHK and the high and low prices per share of our ADSs (each representing 15 of our ordinary shares) listed
on the NYSE for the periods specified.
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HIGH
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LOW
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Ordinary
shares
(HK$)
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ADS
(US$)
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LOW
(HK$)
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ADS
(US$)
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Annual highs and lows
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|
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|
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2004
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7.10
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13.58
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5.20
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9.85
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2005
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11.85
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22.25
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6.05
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12.25
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2006
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20.25
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38.74
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10.60
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20.71
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2007
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20.85
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43.00
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9.00
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17.34
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2008
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12.20
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22.99
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1.78
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2.95
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Quarterly highs and lows
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2007:
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First Quarter
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20.85
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43.00
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14.52
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27.56
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Second Quarter
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17.40
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33.30
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10.00
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29.30
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Third Quarter
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11.00
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21.48
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9.00
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17.34
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Fourth Quarter
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12.70
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24.99
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9.81
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20.11
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2008:
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|
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First Quarter
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12.00
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22.99
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10.06
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19.03
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Second Quarter
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12.20
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22.19
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10.50
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20.39
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Third Quarter
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11.10
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21.16
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7.90
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15.69
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Fourth Quarter
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11.50
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22.10
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1.78
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2.95
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2009:
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First Quarter
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2.48
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4.93
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1.72
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2.35
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- 110 -
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Monthly highs and lows
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|
|
|
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November 2008
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11.50
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22.10
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1.90
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16.01
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December 2008
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2.65
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17.66
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1.78
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2.95
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January 2009
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2.35
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4.93
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1.92
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3.04
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February 2009
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2.00
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3.94
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1.72
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2.35
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March 2009
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2.48
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4.75
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1.80
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3.67
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April 2009
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2.54
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5.03
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1.23
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4.16
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May 2009 (through May 8)
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1.57
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5.04
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1.31
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4.38
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B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
Our ordinary shares have been listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the code number
“2332” since October 15, 2004. Our ADSs, each representing 15 of our ordinary shares, have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTX” since October 14, 2004.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
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ITEM 10.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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A. Share
Capital
Not Applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our company is registered in the Cayman Islands (company number CT-133883). Set forth
below is a brief summary of certain provisions of our amended and restated Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted on September 3, 2004, as amended on May 5, 2005 and May 8, 2007. This summary does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2, respectively, to this annual report on Form 20-F.
Objects
Our objects are detailed in the Section 3 of our amended and restated Memorandum
of Association. Typical of companies registered in the Cayman Islands, our objects are unrestricted and include, without limitation, to act and to perform all the functions of a holding company in all its branches and to co-ordinate the policy and
administration of any subsidiary company, and to acquire and hold shares, stock and other forms of securities instruments, and to exercise and enforce all rights and powers conferred by or incident to the ownership thereof.
Directors
A director may not vote (nor be
counted in the quorum) on any resolution of the board approving any contract or arrangement or other proposal in which such director, or any of his associates, is materially interested. However, this prohibition shall not apply to any of the
following matters:
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•
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any contract or arrangement for the giving by us or any of our subsidiaries to that director or his associate(s) any security or indemnity in respect of money lent
by him or any of his associates or obligations incurred or undertaken by him or any of his associates at the request of or for the benefit of us or any of our subsidiaries;
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- 111 -
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•
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any contract or arrangement for the giving by us or any of our subsidiaries of any security or indemnity to a third-party in respect of a debt or obligation of ours
or any of our subsidiaries for which the director or his associate(s) has/have himself/themselves assumed responsibility in whole or in part whether alone or jointly under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;
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•
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any contract or arrangement concerning an offer of our shares or debentures or other securities by us or any other company which we may promote or be interested in
for subscription or purchase, where the director or his associate(s) is/are or is/are to be interested as a participant in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of the offer;
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•
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any contract or arrangement in which the director or his associate(s) is/are interested in the same manner as other holders of our shares or debentures or other
securities or those of any of our subsidiaries by virtue only of his/their interest in our shares or debentures or other securities or those of any of our subsidiaries;
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•
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any contract or arrangement concerning any other company in which the director or his associate(s) is/ are interested only, whether directly or indirectly, as an
officer or executive or a shareholder other than a company in which the director and/or his associate(s) is/are beneficially interested in five percent or more of the issued shares or of the voting rights of any class of shares of such company (or
of any third company through which his interest or that of any of his associates is derived); or
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•
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any proposal or arrangement concerning the adoption, modification or operation of a share option scheme, a pension fund or retirement, death, or disability benefits
scheme or other arrangement which relates both to directors, and/or their associates and our employees or those of any of our subsidiaries and does not provide in respect of any director, or his associate(s), as such any privilege or advantage not
accorded to the employees to which that scheme or fund relates.
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Our directors may exercise all the powers to raise or
borrow money, to mortgage or charge all or any part of our undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital and, subject to the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands, to
issue debentures, bonds and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of ours or of any third-party. The borrowing powers, in common with our articles in general, can be varied with the
sanction of a special resolution.
Directors are not required to retire at a particular age. Directors are not required to beneficially own
our shares.
Rights, Preferences, Restrictions Attaching to Shares and Changing the Rights of Shareholders
We are authorized to issue non-voting redeemable preference shares. However, currently, we only have ordinary shares outstanding.
Dividends
Subject to the Companies Law, in a
general meeting we may declare dividends in any currency, but no dividends shall exceed the amount recommended by our directors. Dividends may be declared and paid out of our profits, realized or unrealized, or from any reserve set aside from
profits that our directors determine is no longer needed. With the sanction of an ordinary resolution, dividends may also be declared out of the share premium account or any other fund or account that can be authorized for this purpose in accordance
with the Companies Law.
Except in so far as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any share otherwise provides, all dividends
shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in
- 112 -
advance of calls shall be treated for this purpose as paid up on that share, and all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the
amounts paid upon the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.
Our directors may also
pay any dividend that is payable on any shares half-yearly or on any other dates, whenever our position, in the opinion of the directors, justifies such payment.
Our directors may deduct from any dividend or bonus payable to any member all sums of money (if any) presently payable by him to us on account of calls or otherwise.
No dividend or other monies payable by us on or in respect of any share shall bear interest against us.
In respect of any dividend proposed to be paid or declared on our share capital, our directors may resolve and direct that: (i) such dividend be
satisfied wholly or in part in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up, provided that our members entitled thereto will be entitled to elect to receive such dividend (or part thereof if our directors so determine) in cash in
lieu of such allotment; or (ii) the members entitled to such dividend will be entitled to elect to receive an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up in lieu of the whole or such part of the dividend as the directors may think fit. The
directors may also, with the sanction of our members in general meeting, resolve in respect of any particular dividend that, notwithstanding the foregoing, it may be satisfied wholly in the form of an allotment of shares credited as fully paid up
without offering any right of members to elect to receive that dividend in cash in lieu of such an allotment.
Any dividend, interest or
other sum payable in cash to the holder of shares may be paid by check or warrant sent by mail addressed to the holder at his registered address, or addressed to such person and at such addresses as the holder may direct. Every such check or warrant
shall, unless the holder or joint holders otherwise direct, be made payable to the order of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the order of the holder whose name stands first on the register in respect of those shares, and shall be sent
at his or their risk. Payment of the check or warrant by the bank on which it is drawn shall constitute a good discharge to us.
Any
dividend unclaimed after a period of six years from the date of declaration of the dividend may be forfeited and, if so forfeited, shall revert to us.
Whenever our directors or the members in general meeting have resolved that a dividend be paid or declared, the directors may further resolve that the dividend be satisfied by direct payment or satisfaction wholly or
in part by the distribution of specific assets of any kind, and in particular of paid up shares, debentures or warrants to subscribe for our securities or securities of any other company. Where any difficulty arises with regard to such distribution,
the directors may settle it as they think expedient and, in particular, may issue fractional certificates or authorize any person to sell and transfer any fractions or may ignore fractions altogether, and may fix the value for distribution purposes
of any such specific assets and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any of our members upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of the parties and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as may seem
expedient to the directors.
Voting Rights
Subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any shares, at any general meeting every member who is present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a member that is a
corporation, by its duly authorized representative) shall have one vote, and on a poll every member present in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a member that is a corporation, by its duly appointed representative) shall have one vote for each
fully paid share of which that member is the holder.
No member will be entitled to vote or be reckoned in a quorum, in respect of any
share, unless that member is registered as our shareholder at the applicable record date for that meeting and all calls or installments due by that member to us have been paid.
- 113 -
If a recognized clearing house (or its nominee(s)) is our member, it may authorize the person or persons
it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any meeting or at any meeting of any class of members provided that, if more than one person is so authorized, the authorization must specify the number and class of shares in respect of which each
such person is so authorized. A person authorized pursuant to this provision is deemed to have been duly authorized without further evidence of the facts and be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognized clearing house (or its
nominee(s)) as if the person were the registered holder of our shares held by that clearing house (or its nominee(s)) including the right to vote individually on a show of hands.
Members of our board of directors stand for re-election at staggered intervals. One-third of our directors (or, if their number is not a multiple of
three, the number nearest to but not less than one-third), or any other fraction that may be required under the SEHK Listing Rules or other applicable rules, are subject to retirement from office by rotation at each annual general meeting. Three of
our directors retired by rotation and Mr. Christopher John Foll, who was appointed by our board in August 2008, retired and all were re-elected at our annual general meeting held on April 27, 2009.
There are no restrictions imposed by Cayman Islands law or our articles of association on the rights of our members to hold or vote their shares by
reason of where they reside. Our articles of association, however, provide that we are not obliged, when making or granting any allotment of, offer of, option over or disposal of shares or issuing shares in satisfaction wholly or in part of a
dividend declared, to make or make available any such allotment, offer, option or shares to our members or others with registered addresses in any particular territory or territories being a territory or territories where, in the absence of a
registration statement or other special formalities, this would or might, in our opinion, be unlawful or impracticable.
Provisions discriminating
against existing or prospective holders of shares as a result of such shareholder owning a substantial number of shares
Our
articles of association provide that if our directors become aware that any person directly or indirectly has or acquires an interest in a number of shares that would or may, in the opinion of our directors, require a review or approval under, or
which would or may result in any subsidiary or affiliate (being any entity in which we directly or indirectly hold 5% or more of the issued share capital) of ours being in breach or in default of, any applicable law, regulation or license, permit,
consent or privilege held or enjoyed by any such subsidiary or affiliate, or of any requirement of any governmental or regulatory authority, our directors have the discretion to serve a notice upon the holder of those shares:
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•
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specifying which of the shareholder’s shares in our company will be affected and the name of the entity affected;
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•
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suspending the shareholder’s right to exercise the voting rights attaching to the affected shares in which the shareholder has an interest in respect of any
resolution at any general meeting of our company that concerns the business, operations, management or activities or any other matters in relation to any affected entity, including the appointment of a director or the managing director of any
affected subsidiary or affiliate; and/or
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•
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restricting the director(s) appointed by or at the direction of that shareholder, if any, to our board of directors from voting on any resolution or matter that
concerns the activities of any affected entity or appointment of a director or the managing director of any affected entity.
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Any suspension or restriction will be to the minimum extent (in terms of period of suspension, voting rights suspended and number of shares affected) that is, in the opinion of our directors, required in order to prevent a breach or
default, or in connection with such review or approval.
The notice that the directors provide to the holder of the affected shares may
also direct the holder of those shares to provide us with information and documents that we may require in order to enable us or any affected subsidiary or affiliate to obtain the necessary approval that may be required in order to enable that
shareholder to continue to hold the affected shares without the breach or default occurring or continuing.
- 114 -
Apart from the voting rights being suspended in the manner described above, all other rights attached to
these disenfranchised shares shall not be affected and shall remain exercisable by the shareholder holding these disenfranchised shares. The notice is effective in respect of the disenfranchised shares only and does not apply to any other shares
held by that shareholder.
Alteration of Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
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•
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increase our capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such amounts, as the resolution shall prescribe;
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•
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consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;
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•
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cancel any shares which at the date of the passing of the resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person, and diminish the amount of its share
capital by the amount of the shares so cancelled subject to the provisions of the Companies Law;
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•
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sub-divide our shares or any of them into shares of a smaller amount than is fixed by our memorandum and articles of association, subject nevertheless to the
Companies Law, and so that the resolution whereby any share is sub-divided may determine that, as between the holders of the share resulting from that subdivision, one or more of the shares may have any such preferred or other special rights over,
or may have such deferred rights or be subject to any such restrictions as compared with, the others as we have power to attach to unissued or new shares; and
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•
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divide shares into several classes and without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred on the holders of existing shares, attach to the shares
respectively as preferential, deferred, qualified or special rights, privileges, conditions or such restrictions which in the absence of any such determination in general meeting may be determined by the directors.
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We may, by special resolution, subject to any confirmation or consent required by the Companies Law, reduce our share capital, or any capital redemption
reserve in any manner authorized by law.
Rights to share in any surplus in the event of liquidation
Subject to any special rights, privileges or restrictions as to the distribution of available surplus assets on liquidation for the time being attached to
any class or classes of shares, if we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among our members are more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up, the excess will be distributed
pari passu
among those members in proportion to the amount paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares held by them, respectively, and if we are wound up and the assets available for distribution among the members as such are
insufficient to repay the whole of the paid-up capital, these assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the members in proportion to the capital paid up at the commencement of the winding up on the shares
held by them, respectively.
If we are wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of our special resolution and any other sanction
required by the Companies Law, divide among our members in specie or in kind the whole or any part of our assets (whether they consist of property of the same kind or not) and may, for such purpose, set the value that it deems fair upon any property
to be divided and may determine how the division is to be carried out as between the members or different classes of members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the
benefit of the members as the liquidator, with the like sanction, thinks fit, but so that no member will be compelled to accept any assets, shares or other securities upon which there is a liability.
- 115 -
Modification of Rights
Except with respect to share capital (as described above) and the location of the registered office, alterations to our memorandum and articles of association may only be made by special resolution.
Subject to the Companies Law, all or any of the special rights attached to shares of any class (unless otherwise provided for by the terms of issue of
the shares of that class) may be varied, modified or abrogated either with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than three-fourths in nominal value of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed
at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. The provisions of our articles of association relating to general meetings shall apply mutatis mutandis to every such separate general meeting, but so that the quorum for the
purposes of any such separate general meeting other than an adjourned meeting will be two persons together holding (or represented by proxy) on the date of the relevant meeting not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that
class. Every holder of ordinary shares of the class will be entitled on a poll to one vote for every such share held by such holder and any holder of shares of that class present in person or by proxy or (being a corporation) by an authorized
representative may demand a poll. At an adjourned meeting of such holders, two holders present in person or by proxy (whatever the number of shares held by them) shall be a quorum.
The special rights conferred upon the holders of any class of shares shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided in the rights attaching to or the
terms of issue of such shares, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking
pari passu
with such class of shares.
Shareholders meetings
We must hold an annual general meeting every year within 15 months after the holding of the
last preceding annual general meeting or, if it is the year that we adopted our articles of association, not more than 18 months after the date of adoption of our articles, at such time and place as may be determined by our board of directors. Each
general meeting, other than an annual general meeting, shall be called an extraordinary general meeting.
Our board may whenever it thinks
fit call extraordinary general meetings. Any one or more shareholders holding, at the date of deposit of the requisition, not less than one-tenth of our paid up capital carrying the right of voting at general meetings shall at all times have the
right, by written requisition to the board or our company secretary, to require an extraordinary general meeting to be called by the board for the transaction of any business specified in such requisition; and such meeting shall be held within two
months after the deposit of such requisition. If within 21 days of such deposit our board fails to proceed to convene such meeting, then the requisitioning shareholder(s) may themselves do so in the same manner, and all reasonable expenses incurred
by such requisitioning shareholders as a result of the failure of the board shall be reimbursed to the requisitioning shareholders by us.
An annual general meeting and any extraordinary general meeting called for the passing of a special resolution must be called by not less than 21 clear days’ notice in writing and any other extraordinary general meeting must be called
by not less than 14 clear days’ notice in writing. Notice of every general meeting will be given to all our shareholders other than those who, under the provisions of our articles of association or the terms of issue of the shares they hold,
are not entitled to receive such notices from us, and also to our auditors for the time being.
Notwithstanding that a meeting is called by
shorter notice than that mentioned above, it will be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed in the case of a meeting called as an annual general meeting by all our members entitled to attend and vote at the meeting, or in the case of any
other meeting, by a majority in number of the members having a right to attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares giving that right.
An ordinary resolution is defined in our articles to mean a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes of members who are entitled to vote in
person or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorized representatives or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting held in accordance with our articles of association. Pursuant to our articles of association, a special
resolution must be passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the votes cast by members who are entitled to vote in person or, in the case of such members as are corporations, by their duly authorized representatives or, where proxies
are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting of which not less than 21 clear days’ notice, specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special
- 116 -
resolution, has been duly given. Provided that, except in the case of an annual general meeting, if it is so agreed by a majority of the members having a
right to attend and vote at such meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95% in nominal value of the shares giving that right and, in the case of an annual general meeting, if so agreed by all our members entitled to attend and vote
at that meeting, a resolution may be proposed and passed as a special resolution at a meeting of which less than 21 clear days’ notice has been given.
A copy of any special resolution must be forwarded to the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands within 15 days of being passed.
No business other than the appointment of a chairman shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present at the commencement of business, but the absence of a quorum shall not preclude the
appointment of a chairman, which will not be treated as part of the business of the meeting.
Two of our members present in person or by
proxy will be a quorum.
A corporation being a member will be deemed for the purpose of our articles of association to be present in person
if represented by its duly authorized representative, being the person appointed by resolution of the directors or other governing body of that corporation to act as its representative at the relevant general meeting or at any relevant general
meeting of any class of our members. A duly authorized representative will be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that corporation could exercise if it were our individual member.
The quorum for a separate general meeting of the holders of a separate class of our shares is described in “—Modification of Rights”
above.
Rights to Own Shares
There are no restrictions imposed by Cayman Islands law or our articles of association on the rights to own our shares.
C. Material Contracts
The following material contracts (being contracts not entered into in the
ordinary course of business) have been entered into by us or our subsidiaries within the two years preceding the filing date of this annual report on Form 20-F:
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(a)
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Tower Transfer Agreement dated March 18, 2008 between HCPT and Protelindo, as described in “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. Business Overview – Group
Overview” and “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. Business Overview – Operating companies review – Indonesia – Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks.”
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(b)
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Master Lease Agreement dated March 18, 2008 between HCPT and Protelindo, as described in “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. Business Overview – Group
Overview” and “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. Business Overview – Operating companies review – Indonesia – Spectrum and mobile telecommunications networks.”
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(c)
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Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement dated April 9, 2009, among HCPT, PT Asia Mobile and CAC Holdings (Netherlands) B.V., as described in “Item 4. Information on the
Company – A. Business Overview – Operating companies review – Indonesia – Ownership.”
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(d)
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Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit/Term Loan Facility Agreement dated May 15, 2008 and amended and restated on April 17, 2009, among our company,
Hutchison Telephone HK, and certain subsidiaries of Hutchison Whampoa, as described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its
subsidiaries – Credit Facility.”
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(e)
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Amendment Agreement to Non-Competition Agreement dated April 17, 2009 between Hutchison Whampoa and our company, as described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related
Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its subsidiaries – Non-competition agreements.”
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- 117 -
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(e)
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Non-Competition Agreement dated April 17, 2009 between our company and HTHKH, as described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related
Party Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its subsidiaries – Non-competition agreements.”
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(f)
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Master Agreement dated April 17, 2009 between our company and HTHKH, as described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party
Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its subsidiaries – Master Agreement.”
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(g)
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Agreement dated April 17, 2009 between our company and Hutchison Whampoa, pursuant to which the HK Pass Through Agreement was terminated, as described in “Item 7. Major
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its subsidiaries – Shareholders’ agreements.”
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(h)
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Supplemental Agreement to the 2004 IPR Framework Agreement dated April 17, 2009 between our company and Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited, as described in
“Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Related Party Transactions – Related party transactions with Hutchison Whampoa and its subsidiaries – Intellectual property.”
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D. Exchange Controls
There
are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands. No foreign exchange controls exist in Hong Kong and there is free flow of capital into and out of Hong Kong.
E. Taxation
The following
discussion of the material Cayman Islands and Hong Kong tax and U.S. federal income tax consequences to which a holder of our ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof currently in effect, all of
which are subject to change. This discussion does not address all possible tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, hold or sell our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S. state and local and other
tax laws.
Cayman Islands
The
Cayman Islands currently do not levy taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. You will not be subject to Cayman Islands taxation
on payments of dividends or upon the repurchase by us of your ordinary shares or ADSs. In addition, you will not be subject to withholding tax on payments of dividends or distributions, including upon a return of capital, nor will gains derived from
the disposal of ordinary shares or ADSs be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.
No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be
payable by you in respect of the issue or transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs. The Cayman Islands are not party to any double taxation treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
We have, pursuant to Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, obtained an undertaking from the
Governor-in-Council that:
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•
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no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits or income or gains or appreciation shall apply to us or our operations; and
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•
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the aforesaid tax or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall not be payable on our ordinary shares, debentures or other obligations.
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- 118 -
The undertaking that we have obtained is for a period of twenty years from March 23, 2004.
Hong Kong
The following
summary of certain relevant taxation provisions under Hong Kong law is based on current law and practice, is subject to changes therein and does not constitute legal or tax advice to you. The discussion does not deal with all possible tax
consequences relating to purchasing, holding or selling our ADSs or ordinary shares. Accordingly, holders or prospective purchasers (particularly those subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities
and holders of 10% or more of our voting share capital) should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of purchasing, holding or selling our ADSs and ordinary shares. There is no comprehensive double tax agreement in effect
between Hong Kong and the United States.
Tax on Dividends
Under the current Hong Kong laws, no withholding tax is levied on dividends paid by us.
Profits Tax
No profits tax is imposed in Hong Kong in respect of capital gains from the sale of the ADSs and ordinary shares.
Revenue gains from the sale of ADSs or ordinary shares by persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong where the gains are derived
from or arise in Hong Kong from the trade, profession or business will be chargeable to Hong Kong profits tax, which is currently imposed at the rate of 16.5% on corporations and at a maximum rate of 15% on individuals and unincorporated businesses.
Revenue gains from sales of the ordinary shares effected on the SEHK will be considered to be derived from or arise in Hong Kong and hence
subject to Hong Kong profits tax in the hands of persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong.
Gains arising from the
sale of ADSs, where the purchases and sales of ADSs are effected outside of Hong Kong e.g. on the NYSE, should not be subject to Hong Kong profits tax.
Stamp Duty
The sale, purchase and transfer of ordinary shares on the Hong Kong branch register are subject to Hong Kong
stamp duty. The current rate charged on each of the purchaser and the seller is 0.1% of the consideration or, if greater, the fair value of the ordinary shares being sold or transferred. In addition, a fixed duty of HK$5 is currently payable on any
instrument of transfer of ordinary shares. The withdrawal of ordinary shares upon the surrender of ADSs, and the deposit of ordinary shares with the depositary for the issuance of ADSs may be subject to Hong Kong stamp duty at the rate described
above for sale and purchase transactions, unless the withdrawal or deposit does not result in a change in the beneficial ownership of the ordinary shares under Hong Kong law. The issuance of the ADSs upon the deposit of ordinary shares issued
directly to the depositary or for the account of the depositary should not lead to a Hong Kong stamp duty liability. No Hong Kong stamp duty should be payable upon the transfer of ADSs registered outside Hong Kong.
United States Federal Income Taxation
U.S. Holders
This summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences for a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of acquiring, owning and
disposing of the ADSs or ordinary shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders that will hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for tax purposes. This summary does not apply to a U.S. Holder subject to special rules, such as:
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•
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a dealer in securities or currencies;
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- 119 -
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•
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a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;
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•
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a life-insurance company;
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•
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a tax-exempt organization;
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•
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regulated investment companies;
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•
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real estate investment trusts;
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•
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a person subject to the alternative minimum tax;
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•
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a person that holds ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes;
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•
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a person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; or
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•
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a person that owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of any class of our stock.
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This summary is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed
regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
Accordingly, holders and prospective purchasers should consult their own tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and other national tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of ADSs or
ordinary shares in light of their particular circumstances.
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner
of an ordinary share or ADS that is:
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•
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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•
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia;
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•
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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•
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a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust.
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If a partnership or other pass-through entity is a beneficial owner of ADSs, the
tax treatment of a partner or other owner will generally depend upon the status of the partner or other owner and the activities of the entity. If you are a partner or other owner of a partnership or other pass-through entity that acquires ADSs, you
should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of ADSs.
For U.S. tax consequences to a
holder that is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or a non- U.S. Holder, see the discussion below under “—Non-U.S. Holders.”
Holders of ADSs will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. No gain or loss will be recognized upon the exchange of ordinary shares for ADSs or an
exchange of ADSs for ordinary shares. References below to ordinary shares should be understood to refer as appropriate to ordinary shares that are held directly, as well as those ordinary shares the ownership of which is represented by ADSs.
- 120 -
Distributions
Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, distributions paid with respect to the ordinary shares to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, or Taxable
Dividends, will be taxed as ordinary income at the time of the receipt of such amounts by the U.S. Holder. Taxable Dividends will be foreign source income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to domestic
corporations. To the extent amounts paid as distributions on ordinary shares exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these amounts will not be Taxable Dividends but instead will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital
reducing the U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares until such basis is reduced to zero, and then as gain from the sale of the U.S. Holder’s ordinary shares. This reduction in a U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares would
increase any capital gain, or reduce any capital loss, realized by the U.S. Holder upon the subsequent sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of the ordinary shares. However, we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits in
accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and you should therefore assume that any distribution by us with respect to the ADSs will constitute ordinary dividend income. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before
January 1, 2011 (provided that certain holding period requirements are met and subject to other conditions and limitations), dividends received by U.S. Holders that are individuals generally will be taxed at the preferential tax rates
applicable to long-term capital gains.
The gross amount of distributions paid in Hong Kong dollars, if any distributions are paid in Hong
Kong dollars or any successor or foreign currency, will be included by you in income in a dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the distributions are paid regardless of whether the payment is in fact
converted into U.S. dollars. If the Hong Kong dollars, or any successor currency, are converted into U.S. dollars on the date of the payment, you should not be required to recognize any foreign currency gain or loss with respect to the receipt of
Hong Kong dollars as distributions. If, instead, the Hong Kong dollars are converted at a later date, any currency gains or losses resulting from the conversion of the Hong Kong dollars will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Taxable Dispositions
Subject to the
discussion of the PFIC rules below, upon a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the
sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received and (2) the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares that are disposed of. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S.
Holder has held the ordinary shares for more than one year. Net long-term capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. Holder is generally subject to taxation at lower rates than short-term capital gain or ordinary income. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain generally will be treated as U.S. source income.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to U.S. persons owning stock of a PFIC. A foreign corporation will be considered a PFIC for
any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income is passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the average value (or, if elected, the adjusted tax basis) of its assets are considered “passive assets” (generally, assets
that generate passive income).
Based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were
not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2008 taxable year. However, we had large amounts of cash and other passive assets in 2008 as the result of our disposition of CGP Investments Holdings to Vodafone in 2007, and
therefore it is possible that we would need to rely on the special relief provided by the Code for companies that temporarily hold substantial passive assets as a result of the disposition of an active trade or business, or the change of business
exception, under Section 1298(b)(3) of the Code.
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We have received a private letter ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service confirming that our
disposition of CGP Investments Holdings to Vodafone qualifies as the disposition of one or more “active trades or businesses” within the meaning of the change of business exception. Notwithstanding such ruling, in order to qualify for the
change of business exception in 2008, we must satisfy the following conditions: (1) we must have never previously been a PFIC, (2) “substantially all” of our passive income for 2008 must be attributable to proceeds from the
disposition of one or more “active trade businesses” (as these terms are used and interpreted under the Code), and (3) we must not be a PFIC for either of 2009 and 2010. We believe that all of these conditions are, or (in case of the
third one) will be, satisfied. In particular, based on our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for
2009 or 2010. Nonetheless, we can make no assurances that we will not be a PFIC in 2009 or 2010, and if we are found to be a PFIC for 2009 or 2010, we would be retroactively ineligible for the change of business exception with respect to 2008. We
will not know and will not be able to inform you of such determination until 2010 or 2011.
If we were classified as a PFIC for any taxable
year during which a U.S. Holder holds its shares, such U.S. Holder would be subject to increased tax liability (possibly including an interest charge) upon the sale or other disposition of shares or upon the receipt of certain distributions treated
as “excess distributions,” unless such U.S. Holder elected to be taxed currently (as discussed below) on its pro rata portion of our income, regardless of whether such income was actually distributed. An excess distribution generally is
any distribution to a U.S. Holder with respect to our shares during a single taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder with respect to our shares during the three preceding taxable years
or, if shorter, during the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares.
Since our shares are regularly traded on a registered
national securities exchange, they would constitute “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules, and a U.S. Holder would not be subject to the foregoing PFIC rules if such U.S. Holder made a mark-to-market election. After making such
an election, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our shares at the end of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in such shares. These amounts of
ordinary income would not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. The U.S. Holder also would be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted
basis of the our shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income that was previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our
shares would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss amounts resulting from a mark-to-market election. If made, a mark-to-market election would be effective for the taxable year for which the election was made and for all subsequent taxable years
unless the shares ceased to qualify as “marketable stock” for purposes of the PFIC rules or the IRS consented to the revocation of the election. In the event that we are classified as a PFIC, U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding the availability of the mark-to-market election, and whether the election would be advisable in their particular circumstances.
The PFIC tax rules outlined above would not apply to a U.S. Holder that elected to have us treated as a “qualified electing fund,” or QEF. However, U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the availability and
consequences of such an election. In particular, an election to treat an issuer as a QEF will not be available if the issuer does not provide the information necessary to make such an election. We will not provide U.S. Holders with the information
necessary to make a QEF election. Special rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC or, in certain cases, QEF inclusions.
Notwithstanding any election made with respect to our shares, dividends received with respect to our shares would not constitute “qualified dividend
income” to a U.S. Holder if we are a PFIC in either the year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year. Dividends that do not constitute qualified dividend income are not eligible for taxation at the reduced tax rate discussed above in
“—Distributions.” Instead, such dividends would be subject to tax at ordinary income rates. A U.S. Holder that owns our shares during any year in which we are a PFIC must also file IRS Form 8621.
- 122 -
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of holding our shares if we are considered a PFIC in any taxable year.
Non-U.S. Holders
Any dividends received on ordinary shares and any gain realized on sale or exchange of ordinary shares by a non-U.S. Holder generally will be exempt from
U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax. However, to receive this exemption a non-U.S. Holder may be required to satisfy certain certification requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to establish that it is not a U.S. person.
See “—Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” below.
A non-U.S. Holder may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on
any dividends received on ordinary shares and on any gain realized on the sale or exchange of ordinary shares if it has an office, fixed place of business or a tax home in the United States or certain other conditions exist.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividends on ordinary shares, and payments of the proceeds of a sale of ordinary shares, paid within the United States or through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries, are subject to information reporting and may be subject to
backup withholding unless the holder (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Non-U.S. Holders generally
are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a non-U.S. Holder may be required to provide a certification as to its non-U.S. status in connection with payments received within the United States or through certain
U.S. related financial intermediaries.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not Applicable.
G. Statement
by Experts
Not Applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers.
You may read and copy any materials that we filed or furnished, or
will file with or furnish to, the SEC at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Any filings that we make
electronically will be available to the public at www.sec.gov.
None of the documents on our website are incorporated by reference in this
annual report.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not Applicable.
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ITEM 11.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
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We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Interest rate risk exists with respect to our financial assets and liabilities bearing interest at floating rates. Interest rate risk also exists with
respect to the fair value of fixed rate financial assets and liabilities. Exchange rate risk exists with respect to our financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency. We are also subject
to exchange rate risks with respect to our operations and investments outside Hong Kong. See note 4 to our financial statements.
- 123 -
We manage these risks through a variety of methods, including the use of a number of derivative financial
instruments such as cross currency and interest rate swap contracts, as well as forward foreign exchange contracts. All transactions in derivative financial instruments are undertaken for risk management purposes only. No instruments are held by us
for speculative purposes.
We are also exposed to counter party and investment risks in respect of our surplus funds. We manage these risks
by placing deposits with banks having a minimum credit rating of AA-/Aa3, unless our board of directors has specifically authorized deposits in a lower-rated bank, principally in short duration money market deposits primarily in U.S. dollars. Risk
on these deposits is managed under concentration limits that take account of banks’ current short and medium term credit-rating profile.
This section contains “forward-looking statements” as described in “Forward-Looking Statements.”
Foreign currency
exposure
As at December 31, 2007 and 2008, we had approximately HK$36,404 million (US$4,668 million) and HK$2,109 million
(US$272 million), respectively, in cash, short-term investments and marketable securities denominated in currencies other than Hong Kong dollars. These foreign currency denominated financial assets principally included HK$36,011 million (US$4,618
million) denominated in U.S. dollars as at December 31, 2007, compared to HK$1,602 million (US$207 million) denominated in U.S. dollars as at December 31, 2008.
The following table sets out our borrowings by currency as a percentage of total borrowings:
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As at December 31,
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Currency
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2007
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2008
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%
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Hong Kong dollars
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37.6
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47.4
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New Israeli Shekels
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37.2
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40.7
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Thai Baht
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2.8
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2.7
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U.S. dollars
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22.4
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9.2
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Total
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100.0
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100.0
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We operate internationally and are exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency
exposures, primarily those related to borrowings, accounts payable and surplus funds held as bank deposits, primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions or recognized assets and liabilities
are denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency.
For overseas subsidiaries and associates and other
investments, which consist of non-HK dollar and non-U.S. dollar assets, we generally endeavor to establish a natural hedge with an appropriate level of borrowings in those same currencies. For overseas businesses that are in the development phase,
or where borrowings in the local currency are not attractive, we might not borrow in the local currency and may instead monitor the development of the businesses’ cash flow and the debt markets and, when appropriate, would expect to refinance
these businesses with local currency borrowings.
Exposure to movements in exchange rates on individual transactions directly related to
the underlying businesses is minimized using forward foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps where active markets for the relevant currencies exist. We may use derivative instruments to manage or adjust our exposures.
Interest rate exposure
Our main interest risk
exposures relate to our borrowings. We manage our interest rate exposure of our borrowings with a focus on reducing our overall cost of debt. When considered appropriate, we use interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate exposure. The swap
agreements require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amount on which the payments are based. Interest expense on the hedged debts is adjusted to include the payments made or received under the interest
rate swaps.
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Partner entered into derivative transactions in order to protect itself against increases in the Israeli
CPI, in respect of Israeli CPI-linked notes issued by it. See note 18 to our financial statements.
Our financial assets and liabilities as
at December 31, 2007 and 2008 consisted mainly of non-derivative assets and liabilities, which were presented at their fair values. The fair values of our borrowings approximate their fair values since they bear interest at rates close to the
prevailing market rates.
The following tables summarize the carrying amounts, fair values, principal cash flows by maturity date and
weighted average interest rates of our short-term and long-term liabilities and derivative financial liabilities as at December 31, 2008 that are sensitive to exchange rates or interest rates. Data presented below includes bank loans, other
third-party borrowings, cross currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts:
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December 31, 2008 Maturities
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December 31, 2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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2012
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Total
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Fair Value
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(HK$ in millions except rates)
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Local currency:
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Hong Kong dollars:
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Variable rate
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5,215
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—
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—
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—
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5,215
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5,215
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Average weighted rate
(1)
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2.70
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%
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—
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—
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—
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2.70
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%
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2.70
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%
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Sub-total
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5,215
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—
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—
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—
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5,215
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|
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5,215
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Foreign currency:
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Thai Baht:
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Variable rate
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301
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—
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—
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|
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—
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301
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301
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Average weighted rate
(1)
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3.96
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%
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—
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—
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—
|
|
|
3.96
|
%
|
|
3.96
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
301
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Israeli Shekels:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed rate
|
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
Average weighted rate
(1)
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
—
|
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
Variable rate
|
|
1,138
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
|
1,477
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
4,457
|
|
|
4,462
|
|
|
Average weighted rate
(1)
|
|
8.46
|
%
|
|
8.65
|
%
|
|
8.65
|
%
|
|
8.65
|
%
|
|
8.60
|
%
|
|
8.60
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
1,143
|
|
|
1,478
|
|
|
1,482
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
4,472
|
|
|
4,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. dollars:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed rate
|
|
7
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Average weighted rate
(1)
|
|
7.25
|
%
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
7.25
|
%
|
|
7.25
|
%
|
|
Variable rate
|
|
986
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
Average weighted rate
(1)
|
|
5.83
|
%
|
|
4.27
|
%
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5.80
|
%
|
|
5.80
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
993
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,012
|
|
|
1,012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
7,652
|
|
|
1,497
|
|
|
1,482
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
11,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Weighted average rates of the portfolio at the year end.
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2008 Maturities
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
(HK$ in millions except rates)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cross currency swaps:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receive US$ fixed/Pay THB variable
|
|
39
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
Contract amount
|
|
59
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
Average pay rate
|
|
THBFIX
|
|
|
THBFIX
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
+0.30
|
%
|
|
+0.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average receive rate
|
|
LIBOR
|
|
|
LIBOR
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
+0.125
|
%
|
|
+0.125
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receive US$/Pay NIS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract amount
|
|
195
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Average contractual exchange rate
|
|
3.839
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
ITEM 12.
|
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Not Applicable.
- 125 -
PART II
|
ITEM 13.
|
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
|
None.
|
ITEM 14.
|
MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
|
None.
|
ITEM 15.
|
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and
Procedures
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, carried out
an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. “Disclosure controls and procedures” are defined under the Exchange Act as controls and other procedures
of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. These
controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to
the management of a company, including its principal executive and financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer have concluded that as of December 31, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the
circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of
disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Under the Exchange Act, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in
Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Our system of internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that,
in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with
IFRS, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,
use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Due to its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting might not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls might become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures might deteriorate.
- 126 -
Our management has performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2008 based upon criteria in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its assessment using those criteria, our management has
concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. As of the date of this annual report, management is not aware of any instances of material weaknesses.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, which report appears at page F-2.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the period covered by this annual report, no change has occurred in our internal controls over financial reporting that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
|
ITEM 16A.
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
|
Our Board of
Directors has determined that Messrs. Kevin Westley, Kwan Kai Cheong and John Stanton are each an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 16A of this annual report. Messrs. Westley, Kwan and Stanton are each
independent as defined in the applicable listing standards of the NYSE for foreign private issuers and in the rules of the SEC.
Our board of directors has adopted
a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Ethics is attached as Exhibit 11 to this annual
report on Form 20-F and is available from the Corporate Governance section of our website at www.htil.com.
|
ITEM 16C.
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
PricewaterhouseCoopers is our principal accountant.
Our audit and non-audit services approval policy was approved by our audit
committee on July 29, 2005 and amended on December 12, 2006. Under the policy, services proposed to be performed by our independent auditors may be pre-approved if they fall within the scope of services that are permitted to be
pre-approved under the policy and the fees for these services fall within the applicable limits set forth in the policy. The fees for pre-approved audit services are prescribed by the audit committee on an annual basis. The fees for pre-approved
non-audit services must, for each engagement, be less than the limit prescribed by the policy for individual engagements and must, in the aggregate, be less than 5% of the maximum amount prescribed by the audit committee for audit service fees. If
any proposed service exceeds the pre-approved fee levels, or if management requires any service from the independent auditors that is not covered by the policy, then the service must be specifically considered and approved by our audit committee
before the independent auditor may be engaged to provide the service. The total fees for all services are to be presented annually to the audit committee for final approval. None of the engagements of PricewaterhouseCoopers to provide the audit and
non-audit services described below were approved by our audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
- 127 -
PricewaterhouseCoopers billed us for the following services in 2007 and 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nature of the service
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(HK$ millions)
|
|
(HK$ millions)
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
83
|
|
50
|
|
Audit-related fees
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
|
Tax fees
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
All other fees
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
87
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit fees
Audit fees are the aggregate fees billed by our principal accountant for professional services rendered in connection with the audits of our annual financial statements, the report on the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, and the performance of other procedures required to be performed for the principal accountant to form an opinion on our financial statements. Other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and
testing performed in order to understand and rely on the internal control systems and consultations relating to the audit and interim review.
Audit-related fees
Audit-related fees are the aggregate fees billed by our principal accountant for advisory
services fees and generally include support for the interpretation and implementation of new accounting and reporting standards. They also include the reports for compliance with telecommunications regulations and debt obligations.
Tax fees
Tax fees are the aggregate fees
billed by our principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services on domestic and international taxation matters.
All
other fees
We did not pay any other fees to PricewaterhouseCoopers.
|
ITEM 16D.
|
EXEMPTION FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 16E.
|
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 16F.
|
CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 16G.
|
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
|
Our ordinary shares are
listed on Main Board of the SEHK and our ADSs are listed on the NYSE. As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow the corporate governance practices in our home country. Our corporate governance practices are governed by the Code on
Corporate Governance Practices, or the Code, of the SEHK Listing Rules and our corporate governance practices differ in certain respects from the corporate governance standards for U.S. domestic issuers whose securities are listed on the NYSE, or
the NYSE Standards contained in the Listed Company Manual of the NYSE, or the NYSE Listed Company Manual.
- 128 -
The table below briefly describes the significant differences between our practices and the NYSE
Standards.
|
|
|
|
|
NYSE Standards and Relevant Section of
NYSE Listed Company Manual
|
|
Our Corporate Governance Practices
|
|
303A.01 - A listed company must have a majority of independent directors.
|
|
Under the Code, listed companies must have at least three independent non-executive directors.
Currently, out of a total of nine directors, the board of directors includes three non-executive
directors who are independent within the meaning of the SEHK Listing Rules. These three independent non-executive directors are also independent within the meaning of the applicable standards established by the NYSE for foreign private issuers and
by the SEC.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.03 - The non-management directors of a listed company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management and independent directors should meet at a scheduled executive
session without management at least once per year.
|
|
The Code does not require non-management directors or independent directors of listed companies to meet without management, although non-executive directors are required to meet with the
chairman of the board alone. The non-executive directors held three meetings in 2008 as a group with the Chairman of the board of directors, who is a non-executive director, without any executive directors present.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.04 - A listed company must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.
|
|
We do not have a nominating/corporate governance committee, as such a committee is not required by the Code. The board selects and recommends candidates for directorship having regard to the
balance of skills and experience appropriate to our business.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.05 - A listed company must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, with a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.
|
|
Our Remuneration Committee, which is of a similar nature to a compensation committee, is composed of three directors — the Chairman of the board of directors, who is a non-executive
director, and two independent non-executive directors, which complies with the requirements of the Code. The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee are available on our website at www.htil.com under the Corporate Governance section; such
terms are not, however, incorporated by reference in this report.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.06 and 303A.07 - A listed company must have an audit committee with a minimum of three members; all audit committee members must be independent directors who satisfy the independence
requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The audit committee must have a written charter that covers certain minimum specified duties.
|
|
Our Audit Committee is composed of three Independent non-executive directors. All three directors are independent within the meaning of the SEHK Listing Rules. These three directors are also
independent within the meaning of the applicable standards established by the NYSE for foreign private issuers and by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The terms of reference of the Audit Committee are available on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.09 - A listed company must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines that cover certain minimum specified subjects.
|
|
Under the SEHK Listing Rules, each listed company is required to include in its annual report to shareholders a narrative statement of how it has applied the principles under the Code, a
statement as to whether or not it has complied with the Code, and details of any deviation from the Code during the financial year (including considered reasons for such deviations). During the year ended December 31, 2008, we complied fully with
the Code.
|
|
|
|
|
303A.12 - Each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
|
|
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to submit the certification specified under Section 303A.12(a). However, we are required to submit annual and interim written affirmations of
compliance with applicable NYSE Standards, similar to the affirmations required of NYSE-listed U.S. domestic issuers.
|
- 129 -
PART III
|
ITEM 17.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Our financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with Item 18 hereof.
|
ITEM 18.
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
See pages F-1 through F-74.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of
the SEC, we have filed certain agreements as exhibits to this annual report on Form 20-F. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the
other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such
agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in our public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards
different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe our actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.
EXHIBITS INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description of Exhibit
|
|
1.1†
|
|
Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association, dated September 3, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
1.2*
|
|
Articles of Association, dated September 3, 2004, as amended on May 5, 2005 and May 8, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
2.1††
|
|
Form of Indenture between Partner Communications Company Ltd. and the Trust Company of Union Bank Ltd.
|
|
|
|
|
4.1†††
|
|
Form of Deposit Agreement among Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited, Citibank, N.A., as depositary, and Holders and Beneficial Holders from time to time of American Depositary
Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder, including the form of American Depositary Receipt
|
|
|
|
|
4.2†
|
|
IPR Framework Agreement dated September 24, 2004 between Hutchison International Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited
|
|
|
|
|
4.3†
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated September 24, 2004 among Hutchison Telecommunications Investment Holdings Limited, Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications
International Limited
|
- 130 -
|
|
|
|
|
4.4†
|
|
Counter-Indemnity Agreement dated September 24, 2004 between Hutchison Whampoa Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited
|
|
|
|
|
4.5*
|
|
Share Option Scheme dated September 17, 2004 of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited and its group members, as amended on July 12, 2005, February 9, 2006 and
May 8, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
4.6*
|
|
Form of service agreement for management
|
|
|
|
|
4.7*
|
|
Form of appointment letter for non-executive directors
|
|
|
|
|
4.8*
|
|
Side letter dated April 26, 2006 between Hutchison International Limited and Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited relating to the IPR Framework Agreement dated
September 24, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
4.9††
|
|
Restatement of the Relationship Agreement dated April 20, 2005 among Advent Investments Pte Limited, Matav Cable Systems Media Ltd. and Matav Investments Ltd., Elbit Ltd., Eurocom
Communications Ltd., Polar Communications Ltd., Tapuz Cellular Systems Ltd., and Hutchison Telecommunications International (Netherlands) B.V.
|
|
|
|
|
4.10#
|
|
Tower Transfer Agreement dated March 18, 2008 between PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications and PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia.
|
|
|
|
|
4.11#
|
|
Master Lease Agreement dated March 18, 2008 between PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications and PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia.
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
See note 15 to our financial statements for information explaining how earnings (loss) per share information was calculated.
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
List of all subsidiaries (see Item 4.D)
|
|
|
|
|
11*
|
|
Code of Ethics, as amended on August 16, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
|
|
|
|
|
12.2
|
|
Certification Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
|
|
†
|
Previously filed; incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-118783) filed with the SEC on September 27, 2004.
|
|
††
|
Previously filed; incorporated by reference from the annual report on Form 20-F of Partner Communications Company Ltd (No. 001-14968) for the year ended December 31, 2004.
|
|
†††
|
Previously filed; incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-119242) filed with the SEC on September 24, 2004.
|
|
*
|
Previously filed; incorporated by reference from our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006 (No. 001-32309).
|
|
#
|
Confidential treatment has been requested. Confidential material has been redacted and separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
- 131 -
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Date: May 27, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Christopher John Foll
|
|
Name:
|
|
Christopher John Foll
|
|
Title:
|
|
Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer
|
- 132 -
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of recognized income and expense and the consolidated cash flow statement present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited and its subsidiaries (together the “Group”) at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the
Group maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Group’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, included in Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Group’s internal control over
financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we
plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits
of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those
policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Hong Kong
May 27, 2009
F-2
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
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For the year ended December 31
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Note
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2008
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HK$ millions
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HK$ millions
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HK$ millions
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US$ millions
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(Note 39)
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Continuing operations:
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Turnover
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5
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17,923
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20,401
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23,725
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3,061
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Cost of inventories sold
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(2,164
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)
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(2,671
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)
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(2,785
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)
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(359
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)
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Staff costs
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7
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(1,897
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)
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(2,295
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)
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(2,511
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)
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(324
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Depreciation and amortization
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(3,804
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)
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(4,226
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)
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(4,531
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)
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(585
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)
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Other operating expenses
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8
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(8,685
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)
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(10,182
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)
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(12,291
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)
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(1,586
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)
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Impairment charge for Thailand segment
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9
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—
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(3,854
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)
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—
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—
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Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
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10
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44
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8
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2,453
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317
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Operating profit/(loss)
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1,417
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(2,819
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)
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4,060
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524
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Interest income
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11
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66
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1,619
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1,074
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139
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Interest and other finance costs
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11
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(1,652
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)
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(1,335
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)
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(1,330
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)
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(172
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)
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Share of results of associates
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(1
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)
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—
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—
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—
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Share of results of jointly-controlled entities
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24
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—
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—
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(11
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)
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(1
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)
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(Loss)/Profit before taxation
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(170
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)
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(2,535
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)
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3,793
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490
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Taxation
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12
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(653
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)
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(191
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)
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(874
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)
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(113
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)
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(Loss)/Profit for the year from continuing operations
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(823
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)
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(2,726
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)
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2,919
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377
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Discontinued operations:
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Profit from discontinued operations
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13
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2,399
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70,502
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—
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—
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Profit for the year
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1,576
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67,776
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2,919
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377
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Attributable to:
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Equity holders of the Company:
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- continuing operations
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(1,191
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)
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(3,147
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)
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1,883
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243
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- discontinued operations
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1,392
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70,031
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—
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—
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201
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66,884
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1,883
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243
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Minority interest:
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- continuing operations
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368
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421
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1,036
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134
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- discontinued operations
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1,007
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471
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—
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—
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1,375
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|
892
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1,036
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|
134
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1,576
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67,776
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2,919
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|
377
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Dividends
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14
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Special cash dividend
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—
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32,234
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33,700
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4,348
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Conditional interim dividend in specie
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—
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—
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10,061
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1,298
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(Loss)/Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company
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- basic
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|
15
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HK$
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(0.25
|
)
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|
HK$
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(0.66
|
)
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|
HK$
|
0.39
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|
US$
|
0.05
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|
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|
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- diluted
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15
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HK$
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(0.25
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)
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|
HK$
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
HK$
|
0.39
|
|
|
US$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Company
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
- basic
|
|
15
|
|
HK$
|
0.04
|
|
|
HK$
|
14.01
|
|
|
HK$
|
0.39
|
|
|
US$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- diluted
|
|
15
|
|
HK$
|
0.04
|
|
|
HK$
|
14.01
|
|
|
HK$
|
0.39
|
|
|
US$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-3
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
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|
As at December 31
|
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
US$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 39)
|
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|
ASSETS
|
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|
|
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Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
16
|
|
36,611
|
|
2,525
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
17
|
|
4,702
|
|
5,072
|
|
|
654
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
|
|
515
|
|
463
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
Derivative financial assets
|
|
18(a)
|
|
25
|
|
48
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
|
41,853
|
|
8,108
|
|
|
1,046
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Assets held for sale
|
|
19
|
|
—
|
|
174
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
20
|
|
16,950
|
|
17,216
|
|
|
2,222
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
21
|
|
6,070
|
|
6,815
|
|
|
879
|
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
22
|
|
7,818
|
|
7,160
|
|
|
924
|
|
|
Other non-current assets
|
|
23
|
|
3,354
|
|
3,844
|
|
|
496
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
25
|
|
376
|
|
368
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Interests in associates
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Interests in jointly-controlled entities
|
|
24
|
|
—
|
|
88
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
|
|
34,570
|
|
35,493
|
|
|
4,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
|
76,423
|
|
43,775
|
|
|
5,648
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
26
|
|
7,902
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
27
|
|
5,083
|
|
7,652
|
|
|
987
|
|
|
Current income tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
111
|
|
104
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
Derivative financial liabilities
|
|
18(b)
|
|
119
|
|
27
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
|
13,215
|
|
15,783
|
|
|
2,036
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
27
|
|
5,937
|
|
3,348
|
|
|
432
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
25
|
|
584
|
|
457
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
Other non-current liabilities
|
|
28
|
|
2,551
|
|
2,458
|
|
|
317
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
9,072
|
|
6,263
|
|
|
808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
|
22,287
|
|
22,046
|
|
|
2,844
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital and reserves attributable to equity holders of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
29(b)
|
|
1,195
|
|
1,204
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
Reserves
|
|
30
|
|
50,089
|
|
17,909
|
|
|
2,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,284
|
|
19,113
|
|
|
2,466
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
31(d)
|
|
2,852
|
|
2,616
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity
|
|
|
|
54,136
|
|
21,729
|
|
|
2,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
|
|
|
76,423
|
|
43,775
|
|
|
5,648
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net current assets/(liabilities)
|
|
|
|
28,638
|
|
(7,675
|
)
|
|
(990
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets less current liabilities
|
|
|
|
63,208
|
|
27,992
|
|
|
3,612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-4
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
US$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 39)
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit before taxation
|
|
|
|
(170
|
)
|
|
(2,535
|
)
|
|
3,793
|
|
|
490
|
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Interest income
|
|
11
|
|
(66
|
)
|
|
(1,619
|
)
|
|
(1,074
|
)
|
|
(139
|
)
|
|
- Interest and other finance costs
|
|
11
|
|
1,652
|
|
|
1,335
|
|
|
1,330
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
- Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
3,804
|
|
|
4,226
|
|
|
4,531
|
|
|
585
|
|
|
- Impairment loss on stocks and non-current assets
|
|
8
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
- Share-based payments
|
|
7
|
|
116
|
|
|
223
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
- Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
10
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(2,453
|
)
|
|
(317
|
)
|
|
- Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
8
|
|
27
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
- Impairment charge for Thailand segment
|
|
9
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,854
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
- Write-off of customer acquisition and retention costs
|
|
8
|
|
26
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
- Share of results of associates
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
- Share of results of jointly-controlled entities
|
|
24
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
- Changes in working capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Decrease/(Increase) in stocks
|
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
(122
|
)
|
|
23
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
- (Increase)/Decrease in trade receivables, other receivables and prepayments
|
|
|
|
(720
|
)
|
|
(1,319
|
)
|
|
132
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
- Decrease in short-term receivable from related companies
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
- (Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables
|
|
|
|
(760
|
)
|
|
822
|
|
|
484
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
- Decrease in payable to related companies
|
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from continuing operations
|
|
|
|
4,070
|
|
|
4,939
|
|
|
6,898
|
|
|
890
|
|
|
Interest received
|
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
1,562
|
|
|
982
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs paid
|
|
|
|
(1,438
|
)
|
|
(878
|
)
|
|
(646
|
)
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
Taxes paid
|
|
|
|
(638
|
)
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
(982
|
)
|
|
(127
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from operating activities of continuing operations
|
|
|
|
2,060
|
|
|
4,992
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generated from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
4,459
|
|
|
782
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Interest received
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs paid
|
|
|
|
(804
|
)
|
|
(713
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Taxes paid
|
|
|
|
(249
|
)
|
|
(89
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities of discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
3,454
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from operating activities
|
|
|
|
5,514
|
|
|
4,988
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-5
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
US$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 39)
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to customer acquisition and retention costs
|
|
|
|
(485
|
)
|
|
(602
|
)
|
|
(865
|
)
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
Additions to prepaid capacity and maintenance
|
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
(80
|
)
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
Advanced payments for network rollout, included in other receivables and prepayment
|
|
|
|
(162
|
)
|
|
(1,103
|
)
|
|
(1,035
|
)
|
|
(134
|
)
|
|
Investments in jointly-controlled entities
|
|
24
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(99
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
Increase in interest in subsidiary
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(570
|
)
|
|
(74
|
)
|
|
Purchase of fixed assets
|
|
|
|
(1,884
|
)
|
|
(2,532
|
)
|
|
(4,963
|
)
|
|
(640
|
)
|
|
Purchase of shares of a subsidiary under a share buy-back plan
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(799
|
)
|
|
(103
|
)
|
|
Purchase of transmission business
|
|
31(b)
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of
|
|
31(c)
|
|
2
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
578
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of base station tower sites
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,373
|
|
|
306
|
|
|
Upfront and fixed periodic payments for telecommunications licenses
|
|
|
|
(227
|
)
|
|
(296
|
)
|
|
(537
|
)
|
|
(69
|
)
|
|
(Increase)/Decrease in long term deposits
|
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
452
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
|
|
|
|
(2,914
|
)
|
|
(4,593
|
)
|
|
(5,532
|
)
|
|
(715
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
(12,170
|
)
|
|
(4,697
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed of
|
|
31(c)
|
|
—
|
|
|
83,185
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities of discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
(12,170
|
)
|
|
78,488
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing activities
|
|
|
|
(15,084
|
)
|
|
73,895
|
|
|
(5,532
|
)
|
|
(715
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
|
|
|
|
438
|
|
|
(14,045
|
)
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
Dividend paid to the Company’s shareholders
|
|
14
|
|
—
|
|
|
(32,234
|
)
|
|
(33,700
|
)
|
|
(4,348
|
)
|
|
Dividends paid to minority shareholders
|
|
31(d)
|
|
(266
|
)
|
|
(594
|
)
|
|
(1,006
|
)
|
|
(130
|
)
|
|
Equity contribution from minority shareholders
|
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(Repayment)/Drawing of loan from minority shareholders
|
|
31(d)
|
|
(188
|
)
|
|
608
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of share options of the Company
|
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of share options of a subsidiary
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
Decrease in restricted cash
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Settlement and rollover of derivatives
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(110
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities of continuing operations
|
|
|
|
374
|
|
|
(46,028
|
)
|
|
(34,741
|
)
|
|
(4,482
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-6
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
US$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 39)
|
|
|
Discontinued operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from financing activities of discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
8,808
|
|
|
1,708
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
|
|
|
|
9,182
|
|
|
(44,320
|
)
|
|
(34,741
|
)
|
|
(4,482
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
(388
|
)
|
|
34,563
|
|
|
(34,021
|
)
|
|
(4,390
|
)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
2,436
|
|
|
2,048
|
|
|
36,611
|
|
|
4,724
|
|
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
|
|
|
2,048
|
|
|
36,611
|
|
|
2,525
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis of net (debt)/cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31
|
|
16
|
|
2,048
|
|
|
36,611
|
|
|
2,525
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
Borrowing as at December 31
|
|
27
|
|
(39,417
|
)
|
|
(11,020
|
)
|
|
(11,000
|
)
|
|
(1,419
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (debt)/cash as at December 31
|
|
|
|
(37,369
|
)
|
|
25,591
|
|
|
(8,475
|
)
|
|
(1,093
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-7
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNIZED INCOME AND EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
US$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note 39)
|
|
|
Currency translation differences
|
|
321
|
|
1,280
|
|
(347
|
)
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- effective portion of changes in fair value
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
- transfer from equity to income statement
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
28
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actuarial gains/(losses) of defined benefit plans
|
|
12
|
|
38
|
|
(111
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(expense) recognized directly in equity
|
|
333
|
|
1,318
|
|
(458
|
)
|
|
(59
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the year
|
|
1,576
|
|
67,776
|
|
2,919
|
|
|
377
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recognized income for the year
|
|
1,909
|
|
69,094
|
|
2,461
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the Company
|
|
277
|
|
67,672
|
|
1,361
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
1,632
|
|
1,422
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,909
|
|
69,094
|
|
2,461
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
F-8
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Hutchison Telecommunications
International Limited (the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on March 17, 2004 as a company with limited liability. The address of its registered office is Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman
KY1-1111, Cayman Islands. The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“SEHK”), and in the form of American Depositary Shares on New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(“NYSE”).
The Company and its subsidiaries (together the “Group”) are engaged in mobile telecommunications and related
businesses in Hong Kong and Macau, Israel, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The Group also has a fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. On July 11, 2008, the Group completed the sale of its entire indirect interests in
Kasapa Telecom Limited, the Ghana operations (details of which are set out in Note 10(c)), and has since ceased to engage in the telecommunications business in Ghana.
These financial statements have been approved for issuance by the Board of Directors on May 25, 2009.
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies
|
The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below.
These financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). These financial statements have been prepared under the historical
cost convention, as modified by financial assets and financial liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical
accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are
significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in Note 3.
As at December 31, 2008, the Group had net current liabilities of
HK$7,675 million. While the Group’s operations have generated cash during the year, investments in the Group’s business and payments of dividend have consumed cash in excess of amounts generated from operations and have utilized the
surplus funds brought forward from the prior year. The Group’s future funding requirements will be met through bank borrowings and other loans, including the HK$9 billion bank revolving credit and term loan facility which will expire in May
2009, and the revolving credit and term loan facility of US$2.5 billion (approximately HK$19,376 million) from an indirect subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited (“HWL”). The Group expects to continue to fund the substantial capital
required to build, maintain and operate its telecommunications networks through a combination of cash flows from operating activities, bank loans and borrowing from the indirect subsidiary of HWL.
|
|
(b)
|
Changes in accounting policies
|
During 2008, the
Group has adopted the following new or revised IFRS which are relevant to the Group’s operations and are effective for accounting periods beginning on January 1, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
IAS 39 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 11
|
|
IFRS 2 – Group and Treasury Share Transactions
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 14
|
|
IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction
|
The adoption of these new or revised IFRS had no material effect on the Group’s results and
financial position for the current or prior periods.
F-9
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Changes in accounting policies (continued)
|
At the date of authorization of these financial statements, the following new/revised standards,
amendments to standards and interpretations to existing standards have been issued but are not effective for the year ended December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
IAS 1 (Revised)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 23 (Revised)
|
|
Borrowing Costs
|
|
IAS 27 (Revised)
|
|
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 32 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Instruments: Presentation
|
|
IAS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements – Puttable Financial Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation
|
|
IFRS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
First Time Adoption of IFRS
|
|
IFRS 2 (Amendment)
|
|
Share-based Payment
|
|
IFRS 3 (Revised)
|
|
Business Combinations
|
|
IFRS 8
|
|
Operating Segments
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 13
|
|
Customer Loyalty Programmes
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 15
|
|
Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 16
|
|
Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
|
|
IFRIC Interpretation 17
|
|
Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners
|
IASB’s improvements to IFRS, including:
|
|
|
|
|
IAS 1 (Amendment)
|
|
Presentation of Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 2 (Amendment)
|
|
Inventories
|
|
IAS 7 (Amendment)
|
|
Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
IAS 16 (Amendment)
|
|
Property, Plant and Equipment
|
|
IAS 19 (Amendment)
|
|
Employee Benefits
|
|
IAS 20 (Amendment)
|
|
Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance
|
|
IAS 23 (Amendment)
|
|
Borrowing Costs
|
|
IAS 27 (Amendment)
|
|
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
|
|
IAS 28 (Amendment)
|
|
Investments in Associates
|
|
IAS 29 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies
|
|
IAS 31 (Amendment)
|
|
Interests in Joint Ventures
|
|
IAS 36 (Amendment)
|
|
Impairment of Assets
|
|
IAS 38 (Amendment)
|
|
Intangible Assets
|
|
IAS 39 (Amendment)
|
|
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
|
|
IAS 40 (Amendment)
|
|
Investment Property
|
|
IAS 41 (Amendment)
|
|
Agriculture
|
|
IFRS 5 (Amendment)
|
|
Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
|
Apart from the above, there are also a number of minor amendments to IFRS 7, ‘Financial
Instruments: Disclosures’, IAS 8, ‘Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’, IAS 10, ‘Events after the Balance Sheet Date’, IAS 18, ‘Revenue’ and IAS 34, ‘Interim Financial
Reporting’.
The Group did not early adopt any of these new/revised standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing
standards. The Group is in the process of assessing the impact of these new/revised standards, amendments to standards and interpretations to existing standards on the Group’s results and financial position in the future.
F-10
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(c)
|
Basis of consolidation
|
The consolidated financial
statements made up to December 31 include the financial statements of the Company and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries and also incorporate the Group’s interest in associates and jointly-controlled entities on the basis set out
in Notes 2(f) and 2(g) below. Results of subsidiaries, associates and jointly-controlled entities acquired or disposed of during the year are included as from their effective dates of acquisition to December 31 or up to the dates of disposal as
the case may be.
The purchase method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries by the Group. The cost of an
acquisition is measured as the fair value of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed at the date of exchange, plus costs directly attributable to the acquisition. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date, irrespective of the extent of any minority interest. The excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the
Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the cost of acquisition is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the income statement.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also
eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries, associates and jointly-controlled entities have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies
adopted by the Group.
A company is a subsidiary if the
Company, directly or indirectly, has more than 50% of the voting control or otherwise has governing power, or by virtue of the Company’s funding or financing arrangements bears the majority of the economic risks and is entitled to the majority
of the rewards of that company on a long-term basis. In the consolidated financial statements, subsidiaries are accounted for as described in Note 2(c) above. In the financial statements of the Company, investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost
less provision for impairment losses.
The particulars of the Group’s principal subsidiaries as at December 31, 2008 are set forth
on page F-74.
Minority interest at the balance
sheet date, being the portion of the net assets of subsidiaries attributable to equity interests that are not owned by the Company, whether directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, are presented in the consolidated balance sheet separately from
equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company. Minority interest in the results of the Group are presented on the face of the consolidated income statement as an allocation of the total profit or loss for the year between minority
interest and the equity shareholders of the Company.
Where losses applicable to the minority exceed the minority’s interest in the
equity of a subsidiary, the excess, and any further losses applicable to the minority, are charged against the Group’s interest except to the extent that minority has a binding obligation to, and is able to, make additional investment to cover
the losses. If the subsidiary subsequently reports profits, the Group’s interest is allocated all such profits until the minority’s share of losses previously absorbed by the Group has been recovered.
An investee company is classified as an
associate if significant influence is exercised over its management but there is no contractual agreement between the shareholders to establish the Group’s control or joint control over the economic activities of the entity. Results of the
associates are incorporated in the consolidated financial statements to the extent of the Group’s share of the post acquisition results. Investments in associates represent the Group’s share of their net assets, after attributing fair
values to their net assets as at the date of acquisition, less provision for impairment in value.
F-11
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
A joint venture is a contractual
agreement whereby the venturers undertake an economic activity which is subject to joint control and over which none of the participating parties has unilateral control.
A jointly-controlled entity is a joint venture which involves the establishment of a separate entity. The results and assets and liabilities of jointly-controlled entities are incorporated in the consolidated
financial statements using the equity method of accounting, except when the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for under IFRS 5, “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”. The
total carrying amount of such investments is reduced to recognize any identified impairment loss in the value of individual investments.
|
|
(h)
|
Business Co-operation Contract
|
The Group obtained
an investment license from the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam to engage in a business co-operation under a Business Co-operation Contract (“BCC”) with Hanoi Telecommunications Joint Stock Company to build, operate and
develop a mobile telecommunications network in Vietnam. By virtue of the financing arrangements of the BCC, the Group bears the majority of the economic risks of the BCC and thus currently has accounted for the BCC as if it is a subsidiary of the
Group. The Group has recognized in its consolidated financial statements the assets that it controls and the liabilities that it incurs, as well as the expenses that it incurs and the revenue that is generated from the BCC.
Fixed assets are stated at cost less
accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The cost of an asset comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs of bringing the asset to its working condition and location for its intended use. Fixed assets are
depreciated on a straight-line basis, at rates sufficient to write off their costs over their estimated useful lives.
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
20 – 50 years
|
|
Telecommunications and network equipment
|
|
10 – 35 years
|
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
4 – 5 years
|
|
Office furniture & equipment and computer equipment
|
|
3 – 7 years
|
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
Over the unexpired period of the lease or 7 years, whichever is the shorter
|
Subsequent costs on fixed assets are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as
a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income
statement during the period in which they are incurred.
Construction in progress is stated at cost, which includes borrowing costs incurred
to finance the construction, and is proportionally attributed to the qualifying assets.
The gain or loss on disposal or retirement of a
fixed asset is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant asset and is recognized in the income statement.
The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if applicable, at each balance sheet date. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the
asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount.
F-12
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
Assets acquired pursuant to finance leases
that transfer to the Group substantially all the rewards and risks of ownership are accounted for as if purchased.
Finance leases are
capitalized at the inception of the leases at the lower of the fair value of the leased assets or the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The capital element of the
leasing commitment is included as a liability and the interest element is charged to the income statement. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases and the rental payments are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis.
Under certain circumstances, the Group may enter into sale and leaseback arrangements whereby it sells certain assets and leases back a
portion of those assets. The Group reviews the substance of each of these transactions to determine whether the leaseback is a finance lease or an operating lease. Where it is determined that the leaseback is an operating lease and (i) the
Group does not maintain or maintains only minor continuing involvement in these properties, other than the required lease payments and (ii) these transactions are established at fair value, the gain or loss on sale is recognized in the income
statement immediately. Any gain or loss on a sale and finance leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized over the term of the lease.
Goodwill represents the excess of the
cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets of the acquired subsidiary, associate or jointly-controlled entity at the date of acquisition.
Goodwill on acquisition is reported in the consolidated balance sheet as a separate asset or, as applicable, included within investment in associate and
jointly-controlled entity. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold. Goodwill
is allocated to cash-generating units (“CGUs”) for the purpose of impairment testing. The Group allocates goodwill to each business segment in each country in which it operates.
F-13
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(l)
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
(i)
|
Telecommunications licenses
|
The Group owns the rights to
use and operate specified spectrums in some jurisdictions over a certain period of time through annual minimum fees plus a variable portion depending on the future revenues from the services. License fees payments, the discounted value of the fixed
annual fees to be paid over the license period, and certain other direct costs incurred prior to the date the asset is ready for its intended use are capitalized. Capitalized license fees are amortized from the date the asset is ready for its
intended use until the expiration of the license.
Interest is accreted on the fixed annual fees and charged to interest expense. Variable
license fees are recognized as period costs.
|
|
(ii)
|
Customer acquisition and retention costs
|
Costs to
acquire or retain telecommunications customers, which are postpaid (and primarily 3G) customers, pursuant to a contract with early termination penalties are capitalized if (i) such costs are identifiable and controlled; (ii) it is probable
that future economic benefits will flow from the customers to the Group; and (iii) such costs can be measured reliably. Subsidies on handset sales, which are calculated by deducting the customers’ payment towards the handset from the cost
of the handset, are included in the customer acquisition and retention costs. Capitalized customer acquisition and retention costs are amortized over the minimum enforceable contractual period, which is generally a period of 18-24 months. If a
customer leaves our network within the minimum enforceable contractual period, any unamortized customer acquisition or retention costs are written off in the period in which the customer leaves.
Costs to acquire prepaid telecommunications customers are expensed in the period incurred.
|
|
(iii)
|
Brand name and customer base
|
Brand name and customer
base that are acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortization (where the estimated useful life is other than indefinite) and impairment losses. Amortization of brand name and customer base is calculated on a straight-line
basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives unless such lives are indefinite. Brand name and customer base with finite useful lives are amortized from the date they are available for use and their estimated useful lives are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Brand name
|
|
17 years
|
|
Customer base
|
|
5 – 9 years
|
|
|
(m)
|
Prepaid capacity and maintenance
|
Prepaid capacity
and maintenance is telecommunications capacity leased on an indefeasible right of use (“IRU”) basis and related maintenance services. Prepaid capacity and maintenance is stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis from the date
that the related capacity is activated over the shorter of the term of the IRU agreement or estimated useful life.
|
|
(n)
|
Impairment of non-financial assets
|
Assets that
have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization, and are tested at least annually for impairment and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s
carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there
are separately identifiable cash flows (i.e. CGUs). Non-financial assets other than goodwill that suffered an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.
F-14
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(o)
|
Non-current assets held for sale
|
Non-current
assets are classified as assets held for sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable. They are stated at the lower of carrying
amount and fair value less costs to sell.
The Group classifies its
financial assets in the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments, and loans and receivables. The classification depends on the purpose for which the investments were acquired.
Management determines the classification of its investments at initial recognition.
|
|
(i)
|
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
|
A
financial asset is designated at fair value through profit or loss at inception if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term or if so designated by management. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if they
are expected to be realized within 12 months after the balance sheet date.
|
|
(ii)
|
Held-to-maturity investments
|
Held-to-maturity
investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that the Group has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. They are included in non-current assets, except for those with maturities within 12 months
after the balance sheet date which are classified as current assets.
|
|
(iii)
|
Loans and receivables
|
Loans and receivables are
non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market and with no intention of trading. They are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet
date. These are classified as non-current assets.
Purchases and sales of investments are recognized on trade-date – the date on which
the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Investments are derecognized when the rights to
receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair
value. Held-to-maturity investments and loans and receivables are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Realized and unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the “Financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss” category are included in the income statement in the period in which they arise.
F-15
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(p)
|
Financial assets (continued)
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Impairment of financial assets
|
The Group assesses at
each balance sheet date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred
after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been impacted. For financial assets carried at amortized cost, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the assets’
carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate.
The carrying
amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of a provision account. A provision for impairment of
trade and other receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivable. The amount of provision is determined based on historical data of
payment statistics for aged receivable balances. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the provision account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the income
statement. Changes in the carrying amount of the provision account are recognized in the income statement.
|
|
(q)
|
Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities
|
Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Group in the management of its foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The Group’s policy is not to utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative
purposes. Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value on the contract date, and are remeasured to fair value at subsequent reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognized based on whether certain qualifying criteria
under IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” are satisfied in order to apply hedge accounting, and if so, the nature of the items being hedged.
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments to hedge against the cash flows attributable to recognized liabilities or forecast payments may qualify as
cash flow hedges. The Group mainly enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge certain foreign exchange risks of the Group. Changes in fair value of these derivatives are dealt with as movements in the hedging reserve under equity. When
a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative unrealized gain or loss recognized in equity is recognized immediately in the income statement as interest and other finance costs, net.
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting under IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” are accounted for with
the changes in fair value being recognized in the income statement.
|
|
(r)
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
Cash and cash
equivalents represent cash on hand and in banks and all demand deposits placed with banks with original maturities of three months or less from the date of placement or acquisition.
Stocks consist of handsets and phone
accessories and are valued using the weighted average cost method. Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined on the basis of anticipated sales proceeds less estimated selling expenses.
F-16
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(t)
|
Trade and other receivables
|
Trade and other
receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method less provision for impairment (see Note 2(p)(iv)).
Borrowings are recognized initially at
fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Transaction costs are incremental costs that are directly attributable to the issue of a financial asset or financial liability, including fees and commissions paid to agents, advisers, brokers and
dealers, levies by regulatory agencies and securities exchanges, and transfer taxes and duties. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is
recognized in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method except for borrowing costs capitalized for qualifying assets (Note 2(i)).
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months
after the balance sheet date.
Provisions for restructuring costs and
legal claims are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events; it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation; and the amount has been reliably
estimated. Restructuring provisions comprise lease termination penalties and employee termination payments. Provisions are not recognized for future operating losses.
Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognized even if the
likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of obligations may be small.
Deferred taxation is provided,
using the liability method, for temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values in the financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities are provided in full on all taxable temporary differences
while deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary differences (including tax losses) can be utilized.
Deferred taxation is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, except when the timing of the reversal of
the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Ordinary shares are classified as
equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
|
|
(y)
|
Contingent liabilities
|
A contingent liability is a
possible obligation that arises from past events and whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Group. It can also be a present obligation
arising from past events that is not recognized because it is not probable that an outflow of economic resources will be required or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured reliably.
A contingent liability is not recognized but is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements unless the probability of outflow of resources
embodying economic benefits is remote. When a change in the probability of an outflow occurs so that the outflow is probable, it will then be recognized as a provision.
F-17
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
Pension plans are classified into defined
benefit and defined contribution plans.
The liability recognized in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the
present value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date less the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for unrecognized actuarial gains or loss and past service costs. The defined benefit obligation is calculated
annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that
are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension liability.
Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in full in the year in which they occur in the statement of recognized income and expense.
Past-service costs are recognized immediately in the income statement, unless the changes to the pension plan are conditional on the employees
remaining in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
The Group’s contributions to the defined contribution plans are charged to the income statement in the year incurred and are reduced by
contributions forfeited by those employees who leave the scheme prior to vesting fully in the contributions. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid.
|
|
(ii)
|
Share-based payments
|
The Group operates an
equity-settled, share-based compensation plan. The fair value of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of the options is recognized as an expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference
to the fair value of the options granted, excluding the impact of any non-market vesting conditions (for example, profitability and sales growth targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are
expected to become exercisable. At each balance sheet date, the entity revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to become exercisable. It recognizes the impact of the revision of original estimates, if any, in the income
statement, and a corresponding adjustment to equity over the remaining vesting period.
The proceeds received net of any directly
attributable transaction costs are credited to share capital (nominal value) and share premium when the options are exercised.
|
|
(iii)
|
Termination benefits
|
Termination benefits are recognized
when, and only when, the Group demonstrably committed itself to terminate employment or to provide benefits as a result of voluntary redundancy by having a detailed formal plan which is without realistic possibility of withdrawal.
F-18
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
|
|
(aa)
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
(i)
|
Functional and presentation currency
|
Items included in
the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the “functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented
in Hong Kong dollars, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency.
|
|
(ii)
|
Transactions and balances
|
Foreign currency transactions
are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at balance sheet date
exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement.
The results and financial position of
all the group entities (none of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:
|
|
•
|
|
assets and liabilities for each balance sheet presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that balance sheet;
|
|
|
•
|
|
income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates (unless this average is not a reasonable approximation of the cumulative
effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction dates, in which case income and expenses are translated at the dates of the transactions); and
|
|
|
•
|
|
all resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of equity (cumulative translation adjustments).
|
On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other currency
instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to shareholders’ equity. When a foreign operation is sold, such exchange differences are recognized in the consolidated income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign
entity and translated at the closing rate.
A geographical segment is
engaged in providing products or services within a particular economic environment that are subject to risks and returns that are different from those of segments operating in other economic environments.
F-19
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
2.
|
Basis of Preparation and Principal Accounting Policies (continued)
|
The Group recognizes revenue
on the following bases:
|
|
(i)
|
Installation fees are recognized on connection of the service.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Sales of handsets are recognized upon delivery to the distributors, dealers or directly to the end customers when they are sold on a standalone basis.
|
When handsets are sold to end customers as part of multiple element arrangements (which typically include the sale of a handset together with a
fixed-term service contract), the amount received for the handset up to its fair value is accounted for as revenue from the handset sale upon delivery to the end customers.
When handsets are sold to end customers for purposes of acquiring new customers or retaining existing customers, the Group subsidizes the sale of the
handset by selling it at a price below its cost to secure a fixed-term service contract. The handset sale is then treated as a non-revenue-generating transaction and accordingly, no revenue is recognized from these types of handset sales. The
subsidy, which represents the difference between the cost of the handset and the payment received from the customer for the handset, is capitalized as an element of customer acquisition and retention costs in accordance with the accounting policy
set out in Note 2(l)(ii).
|
|
(iii)
|
Revenues from usage charges, software development services and technical services are recognized when services are rendered and collectibility can be reasonably assured.
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Revenues from prepaid recharges are recognized upon customer’s usage or upon the expiry of the service period.
|
|
|
(v)
|
Revenues for monthly fees and value added services are recognized on a time proportion basis, taking into account customers’ usage of the services.
|
|
|
(vi)
|
Network interconnection with international carriers and roaming revenues are recognized as rendered/incurred and are presented on a gross basis.
|
Interest income is recognized on a
time proportion basis, taking into account the principal amounts outstanding and the interest rates applicable.
|
|
(ae)
|
Dilution of interest in subsidiaries or associates
|
Reduction in the Group’s proportionate share of the underlying equity of a subsidiary or associate, including goodwill, which result from the issuance of additional equity by the entity, are recognized as gains or losses as incurred.
|
|
(af)
|
Increase in proportionate share of subsidiaries
|
The increase in the Group’s proportionate share of the underlying equity of a subsidiary is accounted for using the carrying value of the subsidiary’s assets and liabilities. The difference between the amount paid for the
additional equity interest of a subsidiary and the increase in the share of the carrying values of the subsidiary’s assets and liabilities is recognized as goodwill or negative goodwill in accordance with Notes 2(c) and 2(k) above.
F-20
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments
|
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
|
|
(a)
|
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
|
The
Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. Notes 4, 21, 34(a) and 35 contain information about the assumptions and their risk factors
relating to financial instruments, goodwill impairment, defined benefit obligations and fair value of share options granted. Other key sources of estimation uncertainty are described below.
|
|
(i)
|
Estimated useful life for telecommunications and network equipment
|
The Group has substantial investments in mobile and fixed-line telecommunications and network equipment. As at December 31, 2008, the carrying amount of the mobile and fixed-line telecommunications and network
equipment is approximately HK$14,714 million (2007 – HK$14,521 million). Changes in technology or changes in the intended use of these assets may cause the estimated period of use or value of these assets to change. Due to changes in
technology, the useful life of certain CDMA equipment not convertible to GSM (Note 19) and certain 3G network equipment recorded by Partner Communications Company Ltd. (“Partner Communications”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company,
(Note 20) was shortened, resulting in the acceleration of depreciation of these assets by HK$167 million and HK$162 million respectively.
The Group is subject to income taxes in
jurisdictions in which the Group operates. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain during the ordinary course
of business. The Group recognizes liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such
differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made.
Management judgment is required in the
area of asset impairment, including goodwill, particularly in assessing whether: (1) an event has occurred that may affect asset values; (2) the carrying value of an asset can be supported by the net present value of future cash flows from
the asset using estimated cash flow projections; and (3) the cash flow is discounted using an appropriate rate. Changing the assumptions selected by management to determine the level, if any, of impairment, including the discount rates or the
growth rate assumptions in the cash flow projections, could significantly affect the Group’s reported financial condition and results of operations. In performing the impairment assessment, the Group has also considered the impact of the
current economic environment on the operations of the Group. The results of the impairment tests undertaken as at December 31, 2008 indicated that no impairment charge was necessary. As at December 31, 2008, the non-current assets and
assets held for sale which are subject to asset impairment review amounted to approximately HK$35,125 million and HK$174 million respectively.
F-21
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
3.
|
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Critical judgments in applying the Company’s accounting policies
|
Management has considered future
taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the recognition criteria for deferred tax assets recorded in relation to cumulative tax loss carry forwards. As of December 31, 2008, the Group has recognized
HK$368 million (2007 – HK$376 million) in deferred tax assets.
|
|
(ii)
|
Sale and leaseback transactions
|
The Group classifies
leases into finance leases or operating leases in accordance with the accounting policies stated in Note 2(j). Determining whether a lease transaction is a finance lease or an operating lease requires judgment as to whether the lease agreement
transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to or from the Group. Judgment is required on various aspects that include, but are not limited to, the fair value of the leased asset, the economic life of the leased asset, whether
renewal options are included in the lease term and determining an appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments.
Classification of a transaction as a finance lease or an operating lease determines whether the leased asset is treated on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet as set out in Note 2(j). In sale and leaseback
transactions, the classification of the leaseback arrangements as described above determines how the gain or loss on the sale transaction is recognized. It is either deferred and amortized (finance lease) or recognized in the income statement
immediately (operating lease).
The Group has been granted credit vouchers
by a key network supplier for offset against future services and purchases from the supplier. The value of the vouchers is recognized as other income as set out in Note 10(d). Judgment is required in determining the fair value of the vouchers and
whether the credit voucher should be accounted for as income or as a purchase discount. This determination includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the nature of the credit vouchers and their grant, the conditions attached to utilization of
the vouchers, and the separation of economic events from future purchases.
Recognition as income or as a purchase discount determines
whether the credit vouchers are recognized immediately when the Group becomes entitled to the right to use them and the contractual obligations of the network supplier are waived, or they are deferred and recognized upon making purchases from the
supplier and offset against the purchase invoices.
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors
|
The Group is exposed to
market risk from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Interest rate risk exists with respect to the Group’s financial assets and liabilities bearing interest at floating rates. Interest rate risk also exists with respect to
the fair value of fixed rate financial assets and liabilities. Exchange rate risk exists with respect to the Group’s financial assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. The Group manages
these risks by a variety of methods, including the use of a number of derivative financial instruments such as cross currency and interest rate swap contracts as well as forward foreign exchange contracts. All transactions in derivative financial
instruments are undertaken for risk management purposes only. No instruments are held by the Group for speculative purposes.
F-22
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors (continued)
|
|
|
(i)
|
Foreign currency exposure
|
The Group operates
internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with the borrowings and accounts payable. Foreign exchange risk arises when future commercial transactions or recognized assets or liabilities
are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. During the year, the Group places deposits with banks denominated in various currencies for the purpose of working capital management.
For overseas subsidiaries and associates and other investments, which consist of non-HK dollar and non-US dollar assets, the Group generally endeavors to
establish a natural hedge with an appropriate level of borrowings in those same currencies. For overseas businesses that are in the development phase, or where borrowings in the local currency are not attractive, the Group may not borrow in the
local currency and instead monitor the development of the businesses’ cashflow and the debt markets and, when appropriate, would expect to refinance these businesses with local currency borrowings. Exposure to movements in exchange rates on
individual transactions directly related to the underlying businesses is minimized using forward foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps where active markets for the relevant currencies exist. The Group may use derivative instruments to manage
or adjust its exposures.
Since the impact of foreign exchange exposure other than US dollars is insignificant, the table below summarizes
the foreign exchange exposure in US dollars, on the net monetary position of each sub-group, offsetting the foreign currency denominated borrowings against the relevant foreign exchange forward and swap contracts, expressed in the Group’s
presentation currency of HK dollars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
204
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
(587
|
)
|
|
(505
|
)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
(180
|
)
|
|
(70
|
)
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
(1,337
|
)
|
|
(398
|
)
|
|
Others*
|
|
34,394
|
|
|
1,778
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net exposure: net assets
|
|
32,494
|
|
|
941
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
“Others” as at December 31, 2007 comprised Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Corporate. As at December 31, 2008, it comprised Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Corporate.
|
As at the balance sheet dates, a 10% strengthening of the functional currency of each sub-group against US dollars would
have increased/(decreased) profit and loss by the amounts as shown below. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Impact to profit
and loss
|
|
Impact to profit
and loss
|
|
US dollars
|
|
3,249
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A 10% weakening of the functional currency of each sub-group against US dollars at
December 31 would have had the equal but opposite effect on these currencies to the amounts shown above, on the basis that all other variables remain constant. There is no foreign currency translation risk that would affect equity directly.
F-23
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors (continued)
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Interest rate exposure
|
The Group’s main interest
risk exposures relate to its borrowings. The Group manages its interest rate exposure of borrowings with a focus on reducing the overall cost of debt. When considered appropriate, we use interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate exposure. The
swap agreements require the periodic exchange of payments without the exchange of the notional principal amount on which the payments are based. Interest expense on the hedged debts is adjusted to include the payments made or received under the
interest rate swaps.
As at December 31, 2008, the carrying amount of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities where their
cash flows are subject to interest rate exposure are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Borrowings at floating rates
|
|
(10,445
|
)
|
|
(10,978
|
)
|
|
Cash at banks and short-term bank deposits
|
|
36,607
|
|
|
2,520
|
|
|
Deposits classified in non-current assets
|
|
469
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
Interest bearing loans from minority shareholders
|
|
(152
|
)
|
|
(159
|
)
|
|
Other derivatives
|
|
18
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
—
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,497
|
|
|
(8,532
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The interest rate profile of the Group’s borrowings is disclosed in Note 27. The cash
deposits placed with banks generate interest at the prevailing market interest rates.
At the balance sheet dates, if interest rates had
been 100 basis points lower, with all other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for 2008 and 2007 would have increased by HK$71 million and decreased by HK$281 million respectively, mainly as a result of lower interest expenses on floating rate
borrowings and interest income from cash and deposits; there would be no direct impact on equity as the Group did not have financial instruments which qualify for hedge accounting and as such all movement of interest expense and income as a result
of interest rates changes would be charged to the income statement.
The sensitivity analysis above has been determined assuming that the
change in interest rates had occurred at the balance sheet date and had been applied to the exposure to interest rate risk for both derivative and non-derivative financial instruments in existence at that date. The 100 basis point movement
represents management’s assessment of a reasonably possible change in interest rates over the period until the next annual balance sheet date. The analysis was performed on the same basis for 2007.
F-24
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors (continued)
|
Credit risk is managed on a group basis. The
Group’s credit risk arises from counter party risk in respect of derivative financial instruments as well as credit exposures to trade and other receivables. Management has policies in place and exposures to these credit risks are monitored on
an ongoing basis.
For counter party and investment risks in respect of our surplus funds, we manage these risks by placing deposits with
credit worthy financial institutions attaining a minimum credit rating of AA-/Aa3 as rated by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s or investing in marketable securities such as US Treasuries or Commercial Papers/Certificates of Deposits
issued by credit-worthy counter-parties with similar credit rating as above. Any deviations from this policy are to be approved by the Board. As at December 31, 2008, all surplus funds are placed with financial institutions attaining a minimum
credit rating of AA-/Aa3 as rated by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s.
The average credit period granted by the Group to
customers ranges from 30 to 45 days. The utilization of credit limits is regularly monitored. Debtors who have overdue accounts are requested to settle all outstanding balances before any further credit is granted. Sales of telecommunications
products and services to customers are primarily made in cash or through major credit cards. The Group also has sales of handsets in installments (mostly 36 monthly payments through major credit cards). There is no concentration of credit risk with
respect to trade receivables as the Group has a large number of customers, internationally dispersed. The Group does not have a significant exposure to any individual debtors.
The Group considers its maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting dates is the carrying value of each class of financial assets as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Cash at banks and short-term bank deposits
|
|
36,607
|
|
2,520
|
|
Trade and other receivables (Note 17)
|
|
4,702
|
|
5,072
|
|
Derivative financial assets (Note 18(a))
|
|
25
|
|
48
|
|
Other receivable classified as other non-current assets
|
|
1,651
|
|
1,149
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,985
|
|
8,789
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prudent liquidity risk management,
including maintaining sufficient cash, the availability of funding from an adequate amount of committed credit facilities to fund working capital, debt service, dividend payments, new investments and the ability to close out market positions, is
adopted. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, the Group maintains significant flexibility in funding to respond to opportunities and events by ensuring committed credit lines are available.
As at December 31, 2008, the Group had net current liabilities of HK$7,675 million, primarily as a result of the special dividend paid during
December 2008 together with the consumption of cash in excess of the amounts generated from operations (2007 – net current assets of HK$28,638 million). The Group’s future funding requirements will be met by facilities as set out in Note
2(a).
F-25
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors (continued)
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Liquidity risk (continued)
|
The following table details
the contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s financial liabilities and net-settled derivative financial liabilities, which are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows and the earliest date the Group can be required
to pay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
December 31, 2007
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
Contractual
liabilities
|
|
Non-contractual
liabilities
|
|
Contractual
undiscounted
cashflow
|
|
|
Within
1 year
|
|
|
After 1
year
but
within
2 years
|
|
|
After 2
years
but
within
5 years
|
|
|
After 5
years
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings (Note 27)
|
|
11,020
|
|
11,020
|
|
—
|
|
(11,020
|
)
|
|
(5,083
|
)
|
|
(2,858
|
)
|
|
(3,079
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Currency swap
(Note 18(b))
|
|
22
|
|
22
|
|
—
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts
|
|
60
|
|
60
|
|
—
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Trade payables
(Note 26(a))
|
|
1,752
|
|
1,752
|
|
—
|
|
(1,752
|
)
|
|
(1,752
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other payables
|
|
5,759
|
|
2,188
|
|
3,571
|
|
(2,188
|
)
|
|
(1,864
|
)
|
|
(324
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
License fees liabilities (Note 28(a))
|
|
2,866
|
|
2,866
|
|
—
|
|
(4,499
|
)
|
|
(607
|
)
|
|
(409
|
)
|
|
(1,572
|
)
|
|
(1,911
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,479
|
|
17,908
|
|
3,571
|
|
(19,543
|
)
|
|
(9,377
|
)
|
|
(3,600
|
)
|
|
(4,655
|
)
|
|
(1,911
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
December 31, 2008
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
Contractual
liabilities
|
|
Non-contractual
liabilities
|
|
Contractual
undiscounted
cashflow
|
|
|
Within
1 year
|
|
|
After 1
year
but
within
2 years
|
|
|
After 2
years
but
within
5 years
|
|
|
After 5
years
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings (Note 27)
|
|
11,000
|
|
11,000
|
|
—
|
|
(11,001
|
)
|
|
(7,653
|
)
|
|
(1,497
|
)
|
|
(1,851
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Currency swap
(Note 18(b))
|
|
12
|
|
12
|
|
—
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other derivatives
(Note 18(b))
|
|
13
|
|
13
|
|
—
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Trade payables
(Note 26(a))
|
|
1,964
|
|
1,964
|
|
—
|
|
(1,964
|
)
|
|
(1,964
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other payables
|
|
5,990
|
|
2,076
|
|
3,914
|
|
(2,076
|
)
|
|
(2,076
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
License fees liabilities (Note 28(a))
|
|
2,354
|
|
2,354
|
|
—
|
|
(3,586
|
)
|
|
(389
|
)
|
|
(450
|
)
|
|
(1,539
|
)
|
|
(1,208
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,333
|
|
17,419
|
|
3,914
|
|
(18,652
|
)
|
|
(12,103
|
)
|
|
(1,951
|
)
|
|
(3,390
|
)
|
|
(1,208
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-26
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Financial risk factors (continued)
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Liquidity risk (continued)
|
The following table details
the contractual maturities at the balance sheet date of the Group’s derivative financial liabilities that will be settled on a gross basis. The amounts disclosed in the table are based on the contractual undiscounted cash flows and the earliest
date the Group can be required to pay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
December 31,
2007
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
Contractual
liabilities
|
|
Non-contractual
liabilities
|
|
Contractual
undiscounted
cashflow
|
|
|
Within
1 year
|
|
|
After 1
year
but
within
2 years
|
|
After 2
years
but
within
5 years
|
|
After 5
years
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not qualified
for hedges
|
|
37
|
|
37
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Inflow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
- Outflow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
37
|
|
—
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at
December 31,
2008
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
Contractual
liabilities
|
|
Non-contractual
liabilities
|
|
Contractual
undiscounted
cashflow
|
|
|
Within
1 year
|
|
|
After 1
year
but
within
2 years
|
|
After 2
years
but
within
5 years
|
|
After 5
years
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts – not qualified
for hedges
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Inflow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
- Outflow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(197
|
)
|
|
(197
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Capital risk management
|
The Group’s primary
objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders. The Group’s overall strategy remains unchanged from
2007.
The Group defines capital as total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company, comprising share capital and reserves, as
shown in the consolidated balance sheet. The Group actively and regularly reviews and manages its capital structure to ensure capital and shareholder returns, taking into consideration the future capital requirements of the Group and capital
efficiency, projected operating cash flows and projected capital expenditures.
F-27
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
4.
|
Financial Risk Management (continued)
|
|
|
(c)
|
Fair value estimation
|
The fair value of financial
instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance sheet date. Quoted market prices
or dealer quotes for similar instruments are used for long-term debt. Other techniques, such as estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair value for the remaining financial instruments. The fair value of interest-rate swaps is
calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps is determined using the prevailing market rates at the balance sheet date. The fair value of non-current
assets held for sale is determined by using valuation techniques as performed by an independent valuation (Note 19). As a result of non-availability of market-based evidence, the fair value of tower sites sold and assets leased-back in the sale and
operating leaseback transaction (Note 10(b)) is determined respectively by replacement cost approach and income approach by discounting the cash flows to be generated from the contractual lease payments over the lease period.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, and trade and other receivables and payables are assumed to approximate to their fair values. The fair
value of financial liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar financial instruments.
Turnover comprises revenues from the
provision of mobile telecommunications services; handset and accessory sales; fixed-line telecommunications services in Hong Kong, and other non-telecommunications businesses. An analysis of turnover for both continuing and discontinued operations
is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
13,870
|
|
15,973
|
|
18,902
|
|
Mobile telecommunications products
|
|
1,396
|
|
1,965
|
|
2,080
|
|
Fixed-line telecommunications services
|
|
2,406
|
|
2,436
|
|
2,708
|
|
Other non-telecommunications businesses
|
|
251
|
|
27
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,923
|
|
20,401
|
|
23,725
|
|
Discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
15,455
|
|
6,989
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,378
|
|
27,390
|
|
23,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-28
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Segment information is
provided on the basis of primary geographical regions which is the basis on which the Group manages its world-wide interests. The Hong Kong and Macau region is further sub-divided into mobile telecommunications and fixed-line telecommunications
business segments. Management of the Group measures the performance of its segments based on operating profit. The segment analysis is provided for the Group’s continuing operations (see Note 13 for information on discontinued operations). The
segment information on turnover and operating profit/(loss), total assets and total liabilities agreed to the aggregate information in the consolidated financial statements. As such, no reconciliation between the segment information and the
aggregate information in the consolidated financial statements is presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
|
Others*
|
|
|
Continuing
operations
Total
|
|
|
Discontinued
operations
-India
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Mobile
|
|
|
Fixed-line
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
4,199
|
|
|
2,406
|
|
|
6,605
|
|
|
9,796
|
|
|
1,017
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
17,923
|
|
|
15,455
|
|
|
Operating costs
|
|
(2,850
|
)
|
|
(1,532
|
)
|
|
(4,382
|
)
|
|
(6,617
|
)
|
|
(960
|
)
|
|
(123
|
)
|
|
(664
|
)
|
|
(12,746
|
)
|
|
(10,555
|
)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
(1,102
|
)
|
|
(615
|
)
|
|
(1,717
|
)
|
|
(1,471
|
)
|
|
(558
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(57
|
)
|
|
(3,804
|
)
|
|
(1,272
|
)
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
|
247
|
|
|
259
|
|
|
506
|
|
|
1,752
|
|
|
(501
|
)
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
(216
|
)
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
3,628
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-cash items included in income statement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
(39
|
)
|
|
(39
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
(116
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
7,986
|
|
|
10,794
|
|
|
18,780
|
|
|
12,795
|
|
|
5,072
|
|
|
3,688
|
|
|
1,211
|
|
|
41,546
|
|
|
38,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
(7,291
|
)
|
|
(6,161
|
)
|
|
(13,452
|
)
|
|
(6,885
|
)
|
|
(10,562
|
)
|
|
(1,931
|
)
|
|
(366
|
)
|
|
(33,196
|
)
|
|
(24,105
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures incurred during the year
|
|
737
|
|
|
498
|
|
|
1,235
|
|
|
849
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
1,513
|
|
|
221
|
|
|
3,930
|
|
|
7,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
“Others” segment as at and for the year ended December 31, 2006 comprised Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Corporate as well as the Group’s non-telecommunications
business in Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, Malaysia and Singapore up to the date of disposal in July 2006.
|
F-29
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
6.
|
Segment Information (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
|
Others*
|
|
|
Continuing
operations
Total
|
|
|
Discontinued
operations
-India
|
|
|
|
Mobile
|
|
|
Fixed-line
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
4,775
|
|
|
2,436
|
|
|
7,211
|
|
|
11,650
|
|
|
973
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
20,401
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
|
Operating costs
|
|
(3,203
|
)
|
|
(1,532
|
)
|
|
(4,735
|
)
|
|
(7,885
|
)
|
|
(987
|
)
|
|
(592
|
)
|
|
(949
|
)
|
|
(15,148
|
)
|
|
(4,676
|
)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
(1,125
|
)
|
|
(662
|
)
|
|
(1,787
|
)
|
|
(1,576
|
)
|
|
(594
|
)
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
(118
|
)
|
|
(4,226
|
)
|
|
(187
|
)
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Impairment charge#
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,854
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,854
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
|
447
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
689
|
|
|
2,197
|
|
|
(4,462
|
)
|
|
(626
|
)
|
|
(617
|
)
|
|
(2,819
|
)
|
|
2,126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-cash items included in income statement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
(52
|
)
|
|
(33
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(138
|
)
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
7,914
|
|
|
10,678
|
|
|
18,592
|
|
|
13,766
|
|
|
787
|
|
|
5,858
|
|
|
37,420
|
|
|
76,423
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
(6,919
|
)
|
|
(1,179
|
)
|
|
(8,098
|
)
|
|
(7,026
|
)
|
|
(1,874
|
)
|
|
(3,871
|
)
|
|
(1,418
|
)
|
|
(22,287
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures incurred during the year
|
|
1,042
|
|
|
498
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
|
986
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
1,873
|
|
|
996
|
|
|
5,436
|
|
|
3,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
“Others” segment as at and for the year ended December 31, 2007 comprised Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Corporate.
|
|
|
#
|
The impairment charge is a non-cash expense.
|
F-30
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
6.
|
Segment Information (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
Israel
|
|
|
Thailand
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
|
Others*
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Mobile
|
|
|
Fixed-line
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
5,376
|
|
|
2,693
|
|
|
8,069
|
|
|
13,813
|
|
|
1,192
|
|
|
315
|
|
|
336
|
|
|
23,725
|
|
|
Operating costs
|
|
(3,619
|
)
|
|
(1,708
|
)
|
|
(5,327
|
)
|
|
(8,918
|
)
|
|
(1,111
|
)
|
|
(1,318
|
)
|
|
(913
|
)
|
|
(17,587
|
)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
(1,325
|
)
|
|
(653
|
)
|
|
(1,978
|
)
|
|
(1,918
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(339
|
)
|
|
(295
|
)
|
|
(4,531
|
)
|
|
Profit on disposal of investments and others, net
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,152
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit/(loss)
|
|
432
|
|
|
332
|
|
|
764
|
|
|
2,980
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
810
|
|
|
(574
|
)
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-cash items included in income statement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
(88
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
7,907
|
|
|
10,670
|
|
|
18,577
|
|
|
13,856
|
|
|
679
|
|
|
5,825
|
|
|
4,838
|
|
|
43,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
(7,628
|
)
|
|
(1,384
|
)
|
|
(9,012
|
)
|
|
(7,413
|
)
|
|
(1,787
|
)
|
|
(2,721
|
)
|
|
(1,113
|
)
|
|
(22,046
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures incurred during the year
|
|
1,399
|
|
|
535
|
|
|
1,934
|
|
|
1,191
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
1,544
|
|
|
445
|
|
|
5,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
“Others” segment as at and for the year ended December 31, 2008 comprised Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Corporate and Ghana up to the date of disposal on July 11, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Wages and salaries
|
|
1,703
|
|
1,960
|
|
2,245
|
|
Termination benefits
|
|
50
|
|
76
|
|
139
|
|
Pension costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- defined benefit plans (Note 34(a))
|
|
12
|
|
21
|
|
21
|
|
- defined contribution plans
|
|
16
|
|
15
|
|
18
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- equity-settled
|
|
116
|
|
223
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,897
|
|
2,295
|
|
2,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-31
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
7.
|
Staff Costs (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Directors’ emoluments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
Basic salaries,
allowances and
benefits-in-kind
|
|
Bonuses
|
|
Provident
fund
contributions
|
|
Share-
based
payments
|
|
Total
|
|
Name of Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
|
|
0.37
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.37
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.59
|
|
11.00
|
|
0.28
|
|
14.12
|
|
29.26
|
|
Tim Lincoln PENNINGTON
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.48
|
|
2.73
|
|
0.61
|
|
5.23
|
|
12.32
|
|
Frank John SIXT
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
Naguib SAWIRIS
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
Aldo MAREUSE
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
John W STANTON
|
|
0.55
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.55
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
7.07
|
|
13.73
|
|
0.89
|
|
19.35
|
|
44.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
Basic salaries,
allowances and
benefits-in-kind
|
|
Bonuses
|
|
Provident
fund
contributions
|
|
Share-
based
payments
|
|
Total
|
|
Name of Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
|
|
0.37
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.37
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.80
|
|
17.10
|
|
0.28
|
|
39.90
|
|
61.35
|
|
Tim Lincoln PENNINGTON
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.52
|
|
8.27
|
|
0.66
|
|
14.78
|
|
27.50
|
|
Frank John SIXT
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
Naguib SAWIRIS (Note (i))
|
|
0.04
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.04
|
|
Aldo MAREUSE
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
Michael John O’CONNOR (Note (ii))
|
|
0.23
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.23
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
John W STANTON
|
|
0.55
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.55
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
7.32
|
|
25.37
|
|
0.94
|
|
54.68
|
|
91.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(i)
|
Mr Naguib Sawiris resigned as Director of the Company on February 28, 2007.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Mr Michael John O’Connor was appointed as Director of the Company on February 28, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
Basic salaries,
allowances and
benefits-in-kind
|
|
Bonuses
|
|
Provident
fund
contributions
|
|
Share-
based
payments
|
|
Total
|
|
Name of Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FOK Kin-ning, Canning
|
|
0.37
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.37
|
|
LUI Dennis Pok Man
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.98
|
|
10.89
|
|
0.30
|
|
10.61
|
|
26.05
|
|
Christopher John FOLL (Note (i))
|
|
0.10
|
|
0.98
|
|
0.60
|
|
0.07
|
|
0.13
|
|
1.88
|
|
Tim Lincoln PENNINGTON (Note (ii))
|
|
0.17
|
|
2.31
|
|
2.17
|
|
0.46
|
|
3.93
|
|
9.04
|
|
Frank John SIXT
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
CHAN Ting Yu (Note (iii))
|
|
0.27
|
|
2.99
|
|
3.07
|
|
0.21
|
|
3.89
|
|
10.43
|
|
CHOW WOO Mo Fong, Susan
(Note (iii))
|
|
0.27
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.27
|
|
WONG King Fai, Peter (Note (iii))
|
|
0.27
|
|
3.28
|
|
6.76
|
|
0.24
|
|
3.11
|
|
13.66
|
|
Aldo MAREUSE (Note (iv))
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Michael John O’CONNOR (Note (iv))
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
KWAN Kai Cheong
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
John W STANTON
|
|
0.55
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.55
|
|
Kevin WESTLEY
|
|
0.65
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.84
|
|
13.54
|
|
23.49
|
|
1.28
|
|
21.67
|
|
63.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
(i)
|
Mr Christopher John Foll was appointed as Director of the Company on August 20, 2008.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Mr Tim Lincoln Pennington resigned as Director of the Company on August 20, 2008.
|
|
|
(iii)
|
Mr Chan Ting Yu, Mrs Chow Woo Mo Fong, Susan and Mr Wong King Fai, Peter were appointed as Directors of the Company on January 3, 2008.
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Mr Michael John O’Connor and Mr Aldo Mareuse resigned as Directors of the Company on January 3, 2008.
|
No emoluments were paid to any Directors as an inducement to join or upon joining the Group or as compensation for loss of office during the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
F-32
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
7.
|
Staff Costs (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Five highest paid individuals
|
The five individuals
whose emoluments were the highest are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Directors of the Company
|
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
4
|
|
Non-directors of the Company
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The aggregate remuneration paid to these highest paid individuals, who are non-directors of the
Company, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Basic salaries, allowances and benefits-in-kind
|
|
9
|
|
9
|
|
3
|
|
Bonuses
|
|
14
|
|
21
|
|
8
|
|
Provident fund contributions
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
Share-based payments
|
|
11
|
|
33
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
64
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The emoluments of the above mentioned individuals, with the highest emoluments fall within the
following bands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
Number of
individual
|
|
Number of
individual
|
|
Number of
Individual
|
|
HK$10,500,001 — HK$11,000,000
|
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
HK$12,500,001 — HK$13,000,000
|
|
1
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
HK$14,000,001 — HK$14,500,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
1
|
|
HK$15,500,001 — HK$16,000,000
|
|
—
|
|
1
|
|
—
|
|
HK$21,500,001 — HK$22,000,000
|
|
—
|
|
1
|
|
—
|
|
HK$25,500,001 — HK$26,000,000
|
|
—
|
|
1
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No emoluments were paid to any of the five highest paid individuals as an inducement to join or
upon joining the Group or as compensation for loss of office during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
F-33
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
8.
|
Other Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Cost of services provided
|
|
5,706
|
|
6,668
|
|
|
7,673
|
|
General administrative and distribution costs
|
|
1,435
|
|
1,711
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
|
|
27
|
|
26
|
|
|
23
|
|
Impairment loss on stocks and non-current assets
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
17
|
|
Write-off of customer acquisition and retention costs
|
|
26
|
|
44
|
|
|
11
|
|
Operating leases in respect of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- buildings
|
|
793
|
|
851
|
|
|
1,053
|
|
- hire of plant and machinery
|
|
440
|
|
541
|
|
|
909
|
|
Auditor’s remuneration
|
|
65
|
|
67
|
|
|
54
|
|
Provision for impairment of trade receivables
|
|
113
|
|
255
|
|
|
261
|
|
Exchange losses/(gains)
|
|
16
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
146
|
|
Others
|
|
64
|
|
103
|
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,685
|
|
10,182
|
|
|
12,291
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.
|
Impairment Charge for Thailand Segment
|
During the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Group recognized an impairment charge of HK$3,854 million, in connection with the Group’s investments in its mobile telecommunications business in Thailand. The charge was made based on the results of the
impairment test for the Thailand segment as a CGU using the value-in-use model in accordance with IAS 36. The Group’s operation in Thailand continued to suffer losses in 2007, but due to further intensification in price competition, together
with high levels of penetration, regulations on interconnection and an uncertain political environment, the business environment had severely deteriorated during 2007. The cash flow forecasts for the Thailand segment also indicated that the carrying
values of certain non-current assets were not expected to be recoverable from the future operating cash flows of the current business. The Group therefore recognized an impairment charge in respect of network equipment, telecommunications licenses
and certain non-current assets for the Thailand segment for the year ended December 31, 2007.
F-34
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
10.
|
Profit on Disposal of Investments and Others, Net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Net profit on partial disposal of subsidiaries
|
|
(a)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
8
|
|
3
|
|
Profit on disposal of base station tower sites
|
|
(b)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
1,421
|
|
Profit on disposal of Ghana operations
|
|
(c)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
298
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
(d)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
731
|
|
Negative goodwill on acquisition of transmission business
|
|
(e)
|
|
45
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
8
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Net profit on partial disposal of subsidiaries
|
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Group recorded a gain on partial disposal of a subsidiary of approximately HK$3 million (2007 – gain of HK$8 million; 2006 – loss of HK$1 million) following the exercise of the
share options held by the option holders of Partner Communications.
|
|
(b)
|
Profit on disposal of base station tower sites
|
On
March 18, 2008, PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications (“HCPT”), a 60%-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a conditional Tower Transfer Agreement to sell up to 3,692 base station tower sites to PT Profesional Telekomunikasi
Indonesia (“Protelindo”) for a cash consideration of US$500 million (HK$3,882 million). Completion of the sale is expected to occur in tranches over a two-year period commencing on March 18, 2008. During the year ended
December 31, 2008, the sale of two tranches comprising 2,248 sites was completed whereby the Group recognized a gain of US$182.2 million (HK$1,421 million) from the sale.
Concurrent with completion of the first tranche, HCPT and Protelindo have entered into a Master Lease Agreement pursuant to which HCPT has been given
(i) the right to access, occupy and use the capacity reserved for HCPT on such of the base station tower sites and related infrastructure as HCPT may elect for an initial period of twelve years which, at HCPT’s election, may be extended
for another six years, and (ii) the options to acquire Protelindo’s right, title and interest in such facilities at a pre-agreed price at the end of the 12-year initial term and at the end of the 18-year extended term if HCPT has
exercised its option to extend the lease. The leaseback has been accounted for as an operating lease and the Group recognized an operating lease expense of HK$128 million during the year ended December 31, 2008.
|
|
(c)
|
Profit on disposal of Ghana operations
|
On
January 17, 2008, Hutchison Telecommunications International (Cayman) Holdings Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement to sell the indirect interests in the Ghana operations for cash consideration of
HK$583.5 million. The transaction was completed on July 11, 2008 and the Group has realized a gain of HK$298 million.
During the year ended
December 31, 2008, a subsidiary of the Company operating in Indonesia was provided with credit vouchers in compensation upon the waiver of certain contractual obligations of a key network supplier. The net amount of US$93.7 million
(approximately HK$731 million) was included in the income statement for the year ended December 31, 2008 of which US$29.9 million (approximately HK$233 million) and US$17.5 million (approximately HK$136.5 million) remained in amounts
receivable in current and non-current assets, respectively, in the balance sheet as at December 31, 2008.
F-35
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
10.
|
Profit on Disposal of Investments and Others, Net (continued)
|
|
|
(e)
|
Negative goodwill on acquisition of transmission business
|
In July 2006, Partner Communications completed the acquisition of the transmission business of Med-1 I.C.1 (1999) Ltd and recorded negative goodwill of HK$45 million.
|
11.
|
Interest and Other Finance Costs, Net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
66
|
|
|
1,619
|
|
|
1,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank loans and overdrafts
|
|
1,045
|
|
|
681
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
Other loans repayable within 5 years
|
|
31
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
Other loans not wholly repayable within 5 years
|
|
18
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Obligations under finance leases
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Notes and debentures repayable within 5 years
|
|
—
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
374
|
|
|
Notes and debentures not repayable within 5 years
|
|
139
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Notional non-cash interest accretion
(Note)
|
|
277
|
|
|
343
|
|
|
386
|
|
|
Guarantee and other finance fees
|
|
163
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
Net exchange (gain)/loss on borrowings
|
|
(203
|
)
|
|
(555
|
)
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,471
|
|
|
863
|
|
|
1,352
|
|
|
Less: Interest capitalized
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
(113
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,342
|
|
|
750
|
|
|
1,348
|
|
|
Fair value loss/(gain) on derivative instruments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency swap and forward contracts
|
|
265
|
|
|
620
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
Other derivatives
|
|
45
|
|
|
(35
|
)
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,652
|
|
|
1,335
|
|
|
1,330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs, net
|
|
1,586
|
|
|
(284
|
)
|
|
256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalization rate applied to funds borrowed for the funding of assets
|
|
4.84% -7.49%
|
|
|
4.71% -7.36%
|
|
|
3.80% -6.98%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
|
Notional non-cash interest accretion represents the notional adjustments to accrete the carrying amount of certain obligations recognized in the balance sheet such as license
fees liabilities and asset retirement obligations to the present value of the estimated future cash flows expected to be required for their settlement in the future.
|
F-36
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
For the year ended December 31
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Current
taxation
|
|
|
Deferred
taxation
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Current
taxation
|
|
|
Deferred
taxation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Current
taxation
|
|
|
Deferred
taxation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
23
|
|
|
19
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
65
|
|
|
58
|
|
Outside Hong Kong
|
|
611
|
|
|
44
|
|
655
|
|
|
694
|
|
|
(522
|
)
|
|
172
|
|
1,032
|
|
|
(216
|
)
|
|
816
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
609
|
|
|
44
|
|
653
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
(499
|
)
|
|
191
|
|
1,025
|
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
874
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hong Kong profits tax has been provided for at the rate of 16.5% (2007 - 17.5%, 2006 - 17.5%) on
the estimated assessable profits less available tax losses. In 2008, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region enacted a change in the profits tax rate from 17.5% to 16.5% for the fiscal year 2008/2009. Taxation outside Hong Kong
has been provided for at the applicable current rates of taxation ruling in the relevant countries on the estimated assessable profits less available tax losses. The differences between the Group’s expected tax charge/(credit) at respective
applicable tax rates and the Group’s tax charge for the years were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Tax calculated at the domestic rates applicable to profits in the country concerned
|
|
91
|
|
|
(1,075
|
)
|
|
802
|
|
|
Income not subject to taxation
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(132
|
)
|
|
Expenses not deductible for taxation purposes
|
|
40
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
Temporary differences not recognized
|
|
—
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
(227
|
)
|
|
Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
Over provision in prior years
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Tax losses not recognized
|
|
580
|
|
|
724
|
|
|
335
|
|
|
Withholding tax
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
Effect of change in tax rate
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total taxation charge
|
|
653
|
|
|
191
|
|
|
874
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The change in average applicable tax rate is caused by a change in the profits tax rate in Hong
Kong and a change in the profitability of the Group’s subsidiaries in the respective countries.
|
13.
|
Profit from Discontinued Operations
|
On
February 11, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its entire interests in CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited (“CGP”), a company which held through various subsidiaries, the direct and indirect equity and loan interests
in Hutchison Essar Limited (now known as Vodafone Essar Limited) and its subsidiaries to Vodafone International Holdings B.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc, for a cash consideration of approximately US$11.1 billion (approximately
HK$86.6 billion) (the “Transaction”). Accordingly, the results pertaining to the Indian mobile telecommunications were presented as discontinued operations in accordance with IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued
Operations”. The presentation of comparative information for the year ended December 31, 2006 conformed with the requirements of IFRS 5. On May 8, 2007, the Company completed the Transaction and recognized a disposal gain of
approximately HK$69,343 million. Profit pertaining to the Indian mobile telecommunications operations for the period ended May 8, 2007 was HK$1,159 million and as a result, profit from discontinued operations of HK$70,502 million was recorded
for the year ended December 31, 2007. Note 6 sets out details of the operating results of the discontinued operations up to the date of disposal.
F-37
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
13.
|
Profit from Discontinued Operations (continued)
|
An
analysis of the result of the discontinued operations, and the profit on disposal of discontinued operations, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Period ended
May 8, 2007
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
|
15,455
|
|
|
6,989
|
|
|
Cost of inventories sold
|
|
(141
|
)
|
|
(60
|
)
|
|
Staff costs
|
|
(769
|
)
|
|
(455
|
)
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
(1,272
|
)
|
|
(187
|
)
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
(9,645
|
)
|
|
(4,161
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
3,628
|
|
|
2,126
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
55
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
Interest and other finance costs, net
|
|
(1,111
|
)
|
|
(625
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
|
2,572
|
|
|
1,520
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
(173
|
)
|
|
(361
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit of discontinued operations
|
|
2,399
|
|
|
1,159
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of discontinued operations
|
|
—
|
|
|
69,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from discontinued operations
|
|
2,399
|
|
|
70,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the Company
|
|
1,392
|
|
|
70,031
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,399
|
|
|
70,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of HK$7 per share, or approximately HK$33,700 million in aggregate.
|
|
|
(b)
|
On March 4, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the payment of an interim dividend to be satisfied by way of a distribution in specie (the
“Distribution”) of the entire share capital of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (“HTHKH”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, conditional on (i) the SEHK approving the proposed
spin-off of HTHKH by the Company and HWL; and (ii) the SEHK granting approval for the listing of the entire share capital of HTHKH on the Main Board of the SEHK. HTHKH and its subsidiaries operate the Company’s mobile telecommunications
business in Hong Kong and Macau and fixed-line telecommunications business in Hong Kong. The distribution amount is equivalent to the net asset value of HTHKH at the date of dividend distribution. The net asset value of HTHKH was approximately
HK$10,061 million as at December 31, 2008. This conditional interim dividend in specie was approved after the balance sheet date and has not been recognized as a liability at the balance sheet date. The Distribution was completed on May 7,
2009 and the shares of HTHKH were listed on the Main Board of the SEHK on May 8, 2009. HTHKH ceased to be a subsidiary of the Group and thereby the results of HTHKH up to May 7, 2009 will be presented as “discontinued
operations” in the subsequent consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations”.
|
|
|
(c)
|
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend (the “Transaction Special Dividend”) of HK$6.75 per share, or
approximately HK$32,234 million in aggregate. The Transaction Special Dividend was paid out of the proceeds from the disposal of CGP (Note 13).
|
|
|
(d)
|
The Company did not declare any dividend for the year ended December 31, 2006.
|
F-38
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
15.
|
Earnings/(Loss) per Share
|
Basic
Basic (loss)/earnings per share is calculated by dividing the (loss)/profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Weighted average number of shares in issue
|
|
4,754,324,568
|
|
|
4,775,095,834
|
|
|
4,794,472,939
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
(3,147
|
)
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
(0.25
|
)
|
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
1,392
|
|
|
70,031
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
201
|
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
14.01
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-39
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
15.
|
Earnings/(Loss) per Share (continued)
|
Diluted
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of the share options that have been granted under the Company’s share
option scheme to reflect the dilutive potential ordinary shares of the Company. A calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average market share price of the Company’s
shares over the period) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of
the share options.
Partner Communications is the only subsidiary of the Company which has employee stock option plans. The dilutive impact
on earnings per share arising from the employee stock options of Partner Communications outstanding as at December 31, 2008 is insignificant (2007 – N/A, 2006 – N/A).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares in issue
|
|
4,754,324,568
|
|
|
4,775,095,834
|
|
|
4,794,472,939
|
|
|
Adjustment for share options
(Note)
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
16,586,871
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share
|
|
4,754,324,568
|
|
|
4,775,095,834
|
|
|
4,811,059,810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
(3,147
|
)
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
Adjustment for dilutive impact arising from share options of a subsidiary (HK$ millions)
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/Profit from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company for the purpose of diluted earnings per share from
continuing operations (HK$ millions)
|
|
(1,191
|
)
|
|
(3,147
|
)
|
|
1,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
(0.25
|
)
|
|
(0.66
|
)
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
1,392
|
|
|
70,031
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ millions)
|
|
201
|
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
Adjustment for dilutive impact arising from share options of a subsidiary (HK$ millions)
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for the purpose of diluted earnings per share (HK$ millions)
|
|
201
|
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
1,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the Company (HK$ per share)
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
14.01
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
|
The Group has incurred a loss from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, the conversion of all potential ordinary shares arising from the share
options granted by the Company would have an anti-dilutive effect on the loss per share from continuing operations. Accordingly, the weighted average number of share was not adjusted to compute the diluted earnings per share.
|
F-40
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
16.
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Cash at bank and on hand
|
|
1,211
|
|
509
|
|
Short-term bank deposits
|
|
35,400
|
|
2,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,611
|
|
2,525
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates to their fair value.
|
17.
|
Trade and Other Receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Trade receivables
|
|
|
|
3,716
|
|
|
4,136
|
|
|
Less: Provision for impairment of trade receivables
|
|
|
|
(575
|
)
|
|
(728
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables, net of provision
|
|
(a)
|
|
3,141
|
|
|
3,408
|
|
|
Other receivables and prepayments
|
|
(b)
|
|
1,010
|
|
|
1,664
|
|
|
Held-to-maturity debt securities
|
|
(c)
|
|
551
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,702
|
|
|
5,072
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Trade receivables, net of provision
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
The ageing analysis of trade receivables, net of provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
1,506
|
|
1,969
|
|
31 - 60 days
|
|
655
|
|
615
|
|
61 - 90 days
|
|
151
|
|
187
|
|
Over 90 days
|
|
829
|
|
637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,141
|
|
3,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The carrying value of trade receivables approximates to their fair value. There is no
concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables, as the Group has a large number of customers, internationally dispersed.
As
of December 31, 2008, trade receivables of HK$858 million (2007 - HK$652 million) were past due but not impaired. These relate to a number of independent customers for whom there is no recent history of default. The ageing analysis of these
trade receivables is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
The ageing analysis of trade receivables which were past due but not impaired is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Past due 0 - 30 days
|
|
279
|
|
227
|
|
Past due 31 - 60 days
|
|
205
|
|
248
|
|
Past due 61 - 90 days
|
|
73
|
|
133
|
|
Past due over 90 days
|
|
95
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
652
|
|
858
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-41
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
17.
|
Trade and Other Receivables (continued)
|
As of December 31, 2008, trade receivables of HK$728 million (2007 - HK$575 million) were
impaired and provision for impairment has been fully provided for in the financial statements. The ageing of these trade receivables is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
The ageing analysis of trade receivables which are impaired is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not due
|
|
38
|
|
30
|
|
Past due 0 - 30 days
|
|
14
|
|
22
|
|
Past due 31 - 60 days
|
|
56
|
|
82
|
|
Past due 61 - 90 days
|
|
25
|
|
33
|
|
Past due over 90 days
|
|
442
|
|
561
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
575
|
|
728
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movement of provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
909
|
|
|
575
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of
|
|
(284
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Increase in provision recognized in income statement – continuing operations
|
|
255
|
|
|
334
|
|
|
Increase in provision recognized in income statement – discontinued operations
|
|
62
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Amounts recovered in respect of brought forward balance – continuing operations
|
|
(79
|
)
|
|
(73
|
)
|
|
Write-off during the year
|
|
(338
|
)
|
|
(107
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
50
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year
|
|
575
|
|
|
728
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The creation and release of provision for impaired receivables have been included in other
operating expenses in the income statement (Note 8). Amount charged to the provision account is generally written off when there is no expectation of recovering additional cash.
|
|
(b)
|
Other receivables and prepayments
|
Other
receivables and prepayments comprise inter alia utilities and sundry deposits, prepaid expenses and prepayments to suppliers. The carrying value of other receivables approximates to their fair value. The other receivables and prepayments do not
contain impaired assets. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the fair value of each class of financial assets mentioned above. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.
|
|
(c)
|
Held-to-maturity debt securities
|
The
held-to-maturity debt securities as at December 31, 2007 represented investment in corporate and other bonds which were restricted to be used for repayment of the amounts due under the defeased finance lease arrangement. The security was
retired during 2008 when the defeased finance lease arrangement was repaid.
F-42
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
18.
|
Derivative Financial Assets and Liabilities
|
|
|
(a)
|
Derivative financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Not qualified for hedge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts
|
|
7
|
|
39
|
|
Other derivatives
|
|
18
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Derivative financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Not qualified for hedge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency swap
|
|
22
|
|
12
|
|
Forward foreign exchange contracts
|
|
97
|
|
2
|
|
Other derivatives
|
|
—
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
119
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008, the Group had outstanding currency swap and forward foreign exchange
contracts with a notional amount of US$108 million and Euro 6 million (2007 – US$1,200 million).
Included in the above, as at
December 31, 2007, the Group had currency swap and forward foreign exchange contract arrangements with banks to swap US dollars borrowings of US$12 million or HK$97 million and US dollars loans to subsidiaries of US$1,095 million or HK$8,539
million into Thai Baht borrowings to match currency exposures of the underlying business. On January 1, 2008, certain forward foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of US$1,095 million were designated as cash flow hedges of the
foreign exchange risk in the Group’s Thailand operations arising from its US dollar intercompany loans from the Group and were subsequently closed out during the year ended December 31, 2008. As at December 31, 2008, the Group had
outstanding currency swaps with a notional amount of US$8 million to swap US dollars borrowings of US$8 million or HK$59 million into Thai Baht borrowings.
In addition, the Group has entered into derivative transactions, which were classified as other derivatives, in order to protect itself against increases in the Israeli Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) in
respect of CPI-linked notes issued by a subsidiary in Israel. The notional amount of the outstanding other derivatives at as December 31, 2008 was NIS 800 million (2007 – NIS 1,000 million).
The derivative financial assets and liabilities mentioned above are classified as financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.
Accordingly, the fair value of each class of derivative financial assets and liabilities mentioned above is the same as the carrying cost presented above.
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of the derivative assets in the balance sheet.
F-43
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Assets held for sale
comprised the following:
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2008
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
174
|
|
|
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Group’s Vietnam operations received
approval from The People’s Committee of Hanoi City to switch its operating spectrum from CDMA to GSM. While some equipment with modifications can be used in the new network, due to the difference in technology, certain equipment could not be
re-used and therefore would not be used for the entire useful life that had initially been estimated. As such, a review of the useful life of such CDMA equipment was conducted and acceleration of depreciation was recorded. These assets were
classified as held for sale in June 2008 and stated at the lower of cost and fair value less cost to sell up to December 31, 2008.
In
August 2008, the Group has entered into agreements to sell these assets. The consideration is in the form of US$12.8 million cash receivable and credit notes receivable to be used as credit towards future purchases of GSM equipment. As a result of
the above, accelerated depreciation expense of US$19.5 million (equivalent to HK$152 million) was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008 (Note 20) for the CDMA equipment. As at December 31, 2008, the fair value of the CDMA
equipment pending for removal in 2009 was US$22.3 million (equivalent to HK$174 million), which has been classified as non-current assets held for sale.
The movement of fixed assets for the
year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
Telecom-
munications
and network
equipment
|
|
|
Construction
in progress
|
|
|
Others
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
230
|
|
|
43,539
|
|
|
2,750
|
|
|
7,050
|
|
|
53,569
|
|
|
Additions – continuing operations
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,444
|
|
|
831
|
|
|
479
|
|
|
4,754
|
|
|
Additions – discontinued operations
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,330
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,330
|
|
|
Disposals
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(103
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
(158
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
(157
|
)
|
|
(20,130
|
)
|
|
(2,390
|
)
|
|
(1,655
|
)
|
|
(24,332
|
)
|
|
Transfer between categories
|
|
10
|
|
|
3,569
|
|
|
(4,168
|
)
|
|
589
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
13
|
|
|
2,292
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
348
|
|
|
2,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
85
|
|
|
32,611
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
6,768
|
|
|
40,154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
53
|
|
|
16,753
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,801
|
|
|
21,607
|
|
|
Charge for the year - continuing operations
|
|
3
|
|
|
2,011
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
784
|
|
|
2,798
|
|
|
Charge for the year - discontinued operations
|
|
1
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
161
|
|
|
Impairment loss for the year
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,681
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
211
|
|
|
2,892
|
|
|
Disposals
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
(58
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
(100
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
(4,177
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(925
|
)
|
|
(5,133
|
)
|
|
Transfer between categories
|
|
—
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
4
|
|
|
747
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
228
|
|
|
979
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
26
|
|
|
18,090
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,088
|
|
|
23,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
59
|
|
|
14,521
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
1,680
|
|
|
16,950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-44
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
20.
|
Fixed Assets (continued)
|
The movement of fixed assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
Telecom-
munications
and network
equipment
|
|
|
Construction
in progress
|
|
|
Others
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
85
|
|
|
32,611
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
6,768
|
|
|
40,154
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,286
|
|
|
498
|
|
|
499
|
|
|
4,283
|
|
|
Disposals
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,480
|
)
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
(1,534
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of
(Note 31(c))
|
|
—
|
|
|
(142
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
(195
|
)
|
|
Transfer between categories
|
|
—
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
(331
|
)
|
|
51
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Transfer to other assets
|
|
—
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
Transfer to assets held for sale
|
|
—
|
|
|
(323
|
)
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(353
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
41
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
84
|
|
|
34,256
|
|
|
840
|
|
|
7,206
|
|
|
42,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
26
|
|
|
18,090
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,088
|
|
|
23,204
|
|
|
Charge for the year
|
|
2
|
|
|
2,298
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
2,923
|
|
|
Disposals
|
|
—
|
|
|
(636
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
(667
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of
(Note 31(c))
|
|
—
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(73
|
)
|
|
Transfer between categories
|
|
—
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Transfer to assets held for sale
|
|
—
|
|
|
(179
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(179
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
27
|
|
|
19,542
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
5,601
|
|
|
25,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
57
|
|
|
14,714
|
|
|
840
|
|
|
1,605
|
|
|
17,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Group recognized total additional depreciation
of HK$329 million that comprised accelerated depreciation for CDMA equipment not convertible to GSM and their related capitalized expenses of HK$152 million and HK$15 million respectively (Note 19); and an amount of HK$162 million resulting from
replacement of existing 3G network equipment with a third party vendor over a period of three years by Partner Communications.
F-45
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
20.
|
Fixed Assets (continued)
|
The carrying values of all fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
accumulated impairment losses.
Other assets include motor vehicles, office furniture and equipment, computer equipment and leasehold
improvements.
Analysis of the net book value of buildings is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long leasehold (not less than 50 years)
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Medium leasehold (less than 50 years but not less than 10 years)
|
|
50
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outside Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Freehold
|
|
8
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fixed assets of the Group held under finance lease arrangements are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
(a) Telecommunications and network equipment held under defeased finance leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
3,222
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
|
|
(2,891
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
331
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation during the year
|
|
126
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment loss during the year
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) Other assets held under finance leases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
45
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
29
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation during the year
|
|
9
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment loss during the year
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-46
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Gross carrying amount and net book value at beginning of year
|
|
19,571
|
|
|
6,070
|
|
|
Relating to additional equity interests in subsidiaries acquired
|
|
—
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries partially disposed of
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
(14,835
|
)
|
|
(79
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
1,351
|
|
|
(155
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross carrying amount and net book value at end of year
|
|
6,070
|
|
|
6,815
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated impairment losses at beginning and end of year
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment test for goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s CGUs identified according to country of operation and business segment.
A segment-level summary of the goodwill allocation is presented below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile telecommunications
|
|
1,465
|
|
2,130
|
|
Fixed-line telecommunications
|
|
2,385
|
|
2,385
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,850
|
|
4,515
|
|
Israel
|
|
988
|
|
1,305
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
980
|
|
826
|
|
Multiple units without significant goodwill
|
|
252
|
|
169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,070
|
|
6,815
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculations. These
calculations use cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period to 2013.
Key
assumptions used for value-in-use calculations are:
|
|
(i)
|
Budgeted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) has been based on past performance of the Group’s respective CGUs and its
expectation for the market development. Management considers EBITDA a proxy for operating cash flow.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
A long-term growth rate into perpetuity was not used to extrapolate cash flows beyond the budget period. Instead, management used long-term average growth rate to determine the
terminal value of the Group’s respective CGUs.
|
|
|
(iii)
|
The discount rate applied to cash flows of the Group’s respective CGUs ranged from 7.4% to 14.5% based on pre-tax discount rate and reflects the specific risks relating to the
relevant segment. The discount rate is adjusted to reflect the risk profile equivalent to those that the Group expects to derive from the assets.
|
In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy on asset impairment (Note 2(n)), the carrying values of goodwill were tested for impairment as at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Note 3(a)(iii)
contains information about the estimates, assumptions and judgments relating to goodwill impairment tests. The results of the tests undertaken as at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 indicated no impairment charge was necessary.
F-47
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
22.
|
Other Intangible Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Telecom-
munications
licenses
|
|
|
Customer
acquisition
and retention
costs
|
|
|
Brand
name
|
|
|
Customer
base
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
10,105
|
|
|
1,179
|
|
|
753
|
|
|
3,631
|
|
|
15,668
|
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
(3,273
|
)
|
|
(813
|
)
|
|
(79
|
)
|
|
(743
|
)
|
|
(4,908
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
6,832
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
674
|
|
|
2,888
|
|
|
10,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening net book value
|
|
6,832
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
674
|
|
|
2,888
|
|
|
10,760
|
|
|
Additions – continuing operations
|
|
80
|
|
|
602
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
682
|
|
|
Additions – discontinued operations
|
|
48
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Write-off during the year
|
|
—
|
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(44
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
(1,829
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
(1,869
|
)
|
|
Amortization for the year – continuing operations
|
|
(416
|
)
|
|
(424
|
)
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
(404
|
)
|
|
(1,289
|
)
|
|
Amortization for the year – discontinued operations
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
Impairment for the year
|
|
(947
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(947
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
289
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing net book value
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
669
|
|
|
2,609
|
|
|
7,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
7,824
|
|
|
1,143
|
|
|
798
|
|
|
3,753
|
|
|
13,518
|
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
(3,784
|
)
|
|
(643
|
)
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
(1,144
|
)
|
|
(5,700
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
669
|
|
|
2,609
|
|
|
7,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Telecom-
munications
licenses
|
|
|
Customer
acquisition
and retention
costs
|
|
|
Brand
name
|
|
|
Customer
base
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
7,824
|
|
|
1,143
|
|
|
798
|
|
|
3,753
|
|
|
13,518
|
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
(3,784
|
)
|
|
(643
|
)
|
|
(129
|
)
|
|
(1,144
|
)
|
|
(5,700
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
669
|
|
|
2,609
|
|
|
7,818
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening net book value
|
|
4,040
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
669
|
|
|
2,609
|
|
|
7,818
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
—
|
|
|
865
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
865
|
|
|
Write-off during the year
|
|
—
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
Amortization for the year
|
|
(377
|
)
|
|
(597
|
)
|
|
(52
|
)
|
|
(463
|
)
|
|
(1,489
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
(109
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing net book value
|
|
3,492
|
|
|
757
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
2,267
|
|
|
7,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
7,623
|
|
|
1,735
|
|
|
826
|
|
|
3,885
|
|
|
14,069
|
|
|
Accumulated amortization
|
|
(4,131
|
)
|
|
(978
|
)
|
|
(182
|
)
|
|
(1,618
|
)
|
|
(6,909
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value
|
|
3,492
|
|
|
757
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
2,267
|
|
|
7,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-48
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
23.
|
Other Non-current Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Prepaid capacity and maintenance
|
|
(a)
|
|
1,225
|
|
1,197
|
|
Other receivables and prepayments
|
|
(b)
|
|
1,657
|
|
2,647
|
|
Long-term deposits
|
|
(c)
|
|
452
|
|
—
|
|
Pension assets (Note 34(a))
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,354
|
|
3,844
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of
the non-current assets mentioned above. These non-current assets contain no impaired assets.
|
|
(a)
|
The movement of prepaid capacity and maintenance is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Net book value at January 1
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
1,225
|
|
|
Additions
|
|
83
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
Amortization for the year – continuing operations
|
|
(126
|
)
|
|
(108
|
)
|
|
Amortization for the year – discontinued operations
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiary disposed of
|
|
(167
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
12
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value at December 31
|
|
1,225
|
|
|
1,197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Other receivables and prepayments are carried at amortized cost. The carrying value of other receivables approximates their fair value at the balance sheet date, which are based on
cash flows discounted using a rate based on the borrowing rate of 2.70% to 8.65% per annum (2007 – 4.24% to 7.50% per annum).
|
|
|
(c)
|
As at December 31, 2007, the long-term deposits were pledged to a bank as collateral to certain performance bonds required by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority
(“OFTA”) in Hong Kong under the terms of the mobile telecommunications license granted to a subsidiary. The deposits were released during 2008.
|
F-49
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
24.
|
Interests in Jointly-controlled Entities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
99
|
|
|
Share of undistributed post acquisition reserves
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Particulars regarding the jointly-controlled entities are set forth on page F-74.
The Group’s share of assets and liabilities, results and capital commitments of the jointly-controlled entities are as below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
9
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
89
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net liabilities
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
3
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before and after taxation
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital commitments
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no contingent liabilities related to the Group’s interest in the jointly-controlled
entities and no contingent liabilities of the jointly-controlled entities themselves.
Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off and when the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority. The following amounts, determined after appropriate offsetting, are shown in the consolidated balance
sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
376
|
|
|
368
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
(584
|
)
|
|
(457
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liabilities
|
|
(208
|
)
|
|
(89
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-50
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
25.
|
Deferred Taxation (continued)
|
The gross movement
of the deferred tax (liabilities)/assets is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Accelerated
depreciation
allowance
|
|
|
Tax losses
|
|
|
Fair value
adjustments
arising from
business
combination
|
|
|
Other
temporary
differences
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
(2,044
|
)
|
|
2,775
|
|
|
(913
|
)
|
|
104
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
Net credit / (charge) for the year – continuing operations (Note 12)
|
|
387
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
130
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
499
|
|
|
Net (charge) / credit for the year – discontinued operations
|
|
(341
|
)
|
|
107
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
(174
|
)
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
791
|
|
|
(1,075
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(153
|
)
|
|
(437
|
)
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
21
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(54
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
(1,186
|
)
|
|
1,811
|
|
|
(837
|
)
|
|
4
|
|
|
(208
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
(1,186
|
)
|
|
1,811
|
|
|
(837
|
)
|
|
4
|
|
|
(208
|
)
|
|
Net credit / (charge) for the year (Note 12)
|
|
89
|
|
|
(118
|
)
|
|
138
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
11
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(32
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
(1,086
|
)
|
|
1,694
|
|
|
(737
|
)
|
|
40
|
|
|
(89
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The potential deferred tax assets which have not been recognized in the financial statements are
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Arising from unused tax losses
|
|
3,274
|
|
2,994
|
|
Arising from depreciation allowances
|
|
440
|
|
272
|
|
Arising from other temporary differences
|
|
322
|
|
287
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The utilization of unused tax losses depends on future taxable profits in excess of the profits
arising from the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences.
Out of the total unrecognized tax losses of HK$12,056 million (2007 -
HK$12,444 million) carried forward, an amount of HK$4,145 million (2007 - HK$3,843 million) can be carried forward indefinitely. The remaining HK$7,911 million (2007 - HK$8,601 million) will expire in the following years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
In the first year
|
|
1,448
|
|
1,271
|
|
In the second year
|
|
1,509
|
|
1,477
|
|
In the third year
|
|
1,419
|
|
1,765
|
|
In the fourth year
|
|
2,000
|
|
1,277
|
|
In the fifth to tenth years inclusive
|
|
2,225
|
|
2,121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,601
|
|
7,911
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-51
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
26.
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
(a)
|
|
1,752
|
|
1,964
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
|
4,236
|
|
4,224
|
|
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
|
349
|
|
345
|
|
Receipts in advance
|
|
|
|
927
|
|
1,066
|
|
Payables to related companies (Note 37(c))
|
|
|
|
61
|
|
43
|
|
Current portion of license fees liabilities (Note 28(a))
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,902
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Trade payables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
The ageing analysis of trade payables is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
1,008
|
|
1,305
|
|
31-60 days
|
|
649
|
|
392
|
|
61-90 days
|
|
27
|
|
125
|
|
Over 90 days
|
|
68
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,752
|
|
1,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank loans
|
|
4,515
|
|
5,594
|
|
Other loans
|
|
568
|
|
960
|
|
Notes and debentures
|
|
—
|
|
1,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,083
|
|
7,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank loans
|
|
54
|
|
19
|
|
Other loans
|
|
1,814
|
|
10
|
|
Notes and debentures
|
|
4,069
|
|
3,319
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,937
|
|
3,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total borrowings
|
|
11,020
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The maturity of borrowings is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Bank loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
4,515
|
|
5,594
|
|
After 1 year, but within 2 years
|
|
35
|
|
19
|
|
After 2 years, but within 5 years
|
|
19
|
|
—
|
|
Other loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
568
|
|
960
|
|
After 1 year, but within 2 years
|
|
1,814
|
|
5
|
|
After 2 years, but within 5 years
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
Notes and debentures
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
—
|
|
1,098
|
|
After 1 year, but within 2 years
|
|
1,009
|
|
1,473
|
|
After 2 years, but within 5 years
|
|
3,060
|
|
1,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total borrowings
|
|
11,020
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-52
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
27.
|
Borrowings (continued)
|
The Group’s borrowings
as at December 31, 2007 and 2008 by segment, as well as information regarding maturities and interest expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 in respect of such debt are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
Current
portion
|
|
Non-current
portion
|
|
Total
borrowings
|
|
Interest
expenses
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile telecommunications
|
|
4,600
|
|
—
|
|
4,600
|
|
216
|
|
Fixed-line telecommunications
|
|
4
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
123
|
|
India
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
672
|
|
Israel
|
|
47
|
|
4,072
|
|
4,119
|
|
283
|
|
Thailand
|
|
347
|
|
57
|
|
404
|
|
320
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
—
|
|
1,808
|
|
1,808
|
|
61
|
|
Others
|
|
85
|
|
—
|
|
85
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,083
|
|
5,937
|
|
11,020
|
|
1,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
As at and for the year ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
Current
portion
|
|
Non-current
portion
|
|
Total
borrowings
|
|
Interest
expenses
|
|
Hong Kong and Macau
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile telecommunications
|
|
5,215
|
|
—
|
|
5,215
|
|
134
|
|
Fixed-line telecommunications
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Israel
|
|
1,150
|
|
3,329
|
|
4,479
|
|
385
|
|
Thailand
|
|
339
|
|
19
|
|
358
|
|
18
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
948
|
|
—
|
|
948
|
|
79
|
|
Others
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,652
|
|
3,348
|
|
11,000
|
|
619
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Included in the other loans are obligations under finance leases repayable as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Finance lease obligations - minimum lease payments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
564
|
|
13
|
|
|
After 1 year, but within 2 years
|
|
7
|
|
5
|
|
|
After 2 years, but within 5 years
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
571
|
|
23
|
|
|
Future finance charges on finance lease obligations
|
|
—
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of finance lease obligations
|
|
571
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The present value of finance lease obligations is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
564
|
|
12
|
|
|
After 1 year, but within 2 years
|
|
7
|
|
5
|
|
|
After 2 years, but within 5 years
|
|
—
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
571
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-53
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
27.
|
Borrowings (continued)
|
The Group’s
outstanding borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Hong Kong dollars
|
|
4,138
|
|
5,215
|
|
New Israeli Shekel
|
|
4,099
|
|
4,472
|
|
Thai Baht
|
|
309
|
|
301
|
|
US dollars
|
|
2,474
|
|
1,012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,020
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Group’s borrowings, including interest rates and maturities, are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Maturity date
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Secured bank loans
Variable, Nil (2007 - 5.09%) per annum
|
|
2008
|
|
4,049
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Unsecured bank loans
Variable, 2.70% to 4.27% (2007 - 4.24% to 5.85%) per annum
|
|
2008 – 2010
|
|
520
|
|
|
5,613
|
|
|
Other secured loans
Finance lease obligations
Variable, 5.89% (2007 - 6.45%) per annum
|
|
2008
2009
|
|
551
1,807
|
|
|
—
948
|
|
|
Other unsecured loans
Finance lease obligations
Fixed, Nil (2007 - 7.50%) per annum
|
|
2009 – 2011
2008
|
|
20
4
|
|
|
22
—
|
|
|
Notes and debentures
Variable, 8.65% (2007 - 4.25%) per annum
|
|
2012
|
|
4,069
|
|
|
4,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total borrowings
|
|
|
|
11,020
|
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
Less: Total borrowings repayable within twelve months
|
|
|
|
(5,083
|
)
|
|
(7,652
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current borrowings
|
|
|
|
5,937
|
|
|
3,348
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair values of the Group’s total borrowings at December 31, 2008 are based on cash
flows discounted using the effective interest rates of the Group’s total borrowings, excluding obligations under finance lease, ranging from 2.70% to 8.65% (2007 - 4.25% to 7.50%).
The fair values of the Group’s total borrowings as at December 31, 2008 were approximately HK$11,005 million (2007 - HK$11,117 million).
As at December 31, 2008, total borrowings of HK$69 million (2007 - HK$182 million) were guaranteed by members of HWL group in respect
of loans to the Group’s Thailand operations only. Under the terms of a credit support agreement between the Company and HWL group, the Company agreed to pay a guarantee fee charged at normal commercial rates. The Company has also provided a
counter-indemnity in favour of HWL and its related companies in respect of such guarantees, for so long as there remains a guarantee liability. The total amount of fees paid to HWL group in 2008 in respect of these borrowings was HK$10 million
(2007 - HK$54 million).
F-54
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
27.
|
Borrowings (continued)
|
As at December 31,
2008, fixed assets and current assets of certain subsidiaries were used as collateral for certain of the borrowings. As at December 31, 2008, these fixed assets and current assets had a carrying value of HK$1,131 million (2007 – HK$4,971
million) and HK$14 million (2007 – HK$2,398 million) respectively. As at December 31, 2008, the Group had total current borrowings of HK$7,652 million (2007 – HK$5,083 million) and total non-current borrowings of HK$3,348 million
(2007 – HK$5,937 million) respectively, HK$948 million (2007 – HK$4,600 million) of the Group’s current borrowings and none of (2007 – HK$1,807 million) the Group’s non-current borrowings as at December 31, 2008 were
secured.
During 2007, the Group provided intercompany loans to the Group’s Thailand operations in US dollars totalling
HK$9,327 million to fully repay six outstanding commercial loan facilities with international lenders. In December 2006, the Bank of Thailand imposed unremunerated reserve requirements on the conversion of foreign currency into Thai Baht, which
were subsequently removed on March 3, 2008. This affected the Group’s ability to freely convert the US dollars proceeds to Thai Baht. To receive an exemption from the unremunerated reserve requirement imposed on conversion of foreign
currency loan proceeds to Thai Baht, the Group entered into forward foreign exchange contracts with various banks in Thailand. As at December 31, 2007, the Group had US$1,095 million outstanding under these forward foreign exchange contracts
where the Group had commitments to sell Thai Baht and buy US dollars at pre-agreed rates (Note 18). All of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts were closed out during 2008.
|
28.
|
Other Non-current Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Non-current license fees liabilities
|
|
(a)
|
|
2,289
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
|
Pension obligations (Note 34(a))
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
Employee retirement obligations
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
148
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables
|
|
|
|
161
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,551
|
|
|
2,458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) License fees liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
License fees liabilities - minimal annual fees payments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not later than 1 year
|
|
|
|
607
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
After 1 year, but within 5 years
|
|
|
|
1,981
|
|
|
1,989
|
|
|
After 5 years
|
|
|
|
1,911
|
|
|
1,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,499
|
|
|
3,586
|
|
|
Future finance charges on license fees liabilities
|
|
|
|
(1,633
|
)
|
|
(1,232
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of license fees liabilities
|
|
|
|
2,866
|
|
|
2,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The present value of license fees liabilities is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of license fees liabilities (Note 26)
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
|
358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current license fees liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After 1 year, but within 5 years
|
|
|
|
1,384
|
|
|
1,395
|
|
|
After 5 years
|
|
|
|
905
|
|
|
601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,289
|
|
|
1,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total license fees liabilities
|
|
|
|
2,866
|
|
|
2,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-55
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
(a)
|
Authorized share capital of the Company
|
The
authorized share capital of the Company is comprised of 10 billion ordinary shares of HK$0.25 each (2007 - 10 billion ordinary shares of HK$0.25 each) and 1 million preference shares of US$0.01 each (2007 - 1 million preference shares of
US$0.01 each).
|
|
(b)
|
Issued share capital of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares
|
|
Issued and fully paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2007
|
|
4,765,972,542
|
|
1,191
|
|
Issued during the year (Note 35(a))
|
|
16,190,333
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2007
|
|
4,782,162,875
|
|
1,195
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2008
|
|
4,782,162,875
|
|
1,195
|
|
Issued during the year (Note 35(a))
|
|
32,183,333
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2008
|
|
4,814,346,208
|
|
1,204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-56
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Share
premium
|
|
Retained
earnings /
(Accumulated
losses)
|
|
|
Cumulative
translation
adjustments
|
|
|
Fair value
and other
reserves
|
|
|
Investment
revaluation
reserves
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2006, as previously reported
|
|
21,187
|
|
(7,114
|
)
|
|
(441
|
)
|
|
117
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
14,982
|
|
|
Retrospective adjustment in respect of adoption of the amendment to IAS 21
|
|
—
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
9
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2006, as restated
|
|
21,187
|
|
(7,123
|
)
|
|
(432
|
)
|
|
117
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
14,982
|
|
|
Currency translation differences
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
65
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for the year
|
|
—
|
|
201
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
201
|
|
|
Transfer between reserves
|
|
—
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
Employee share option scheme – value of services provided
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
—
|
|
96
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares arising from exercise of employee share options
|
|
154
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
113
|
|
|
Actuarial gains of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
11
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2006
|
|
21,341
|
|
(6,915
|
)
|
|
(368
|
)
|
|
177
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
15,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
21,341
|
|
(6,915
|
)
|
|
(368
|
)
|
|
177
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
15,468
|
|
|
Currency translation differences
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
749
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
752
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for the year
|
|
—
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
66,884
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,115
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
(1,115
|
)
|
|
Dividend paid (Note 14)
|
|
—
|
|
(32,234
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
(32,234
|
)
|
|
Employee share option scheme – value of services provided
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
—
|
|
207
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares arising from exercise of employee share options
|
|
169
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
91
|
|
|
Actuarial gains of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
36
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
21,510
|
|
27,771
|
|
|
(734
|
)
|
|
309
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
50,089
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
21,510
|
|
27,771
|
|
|
(734
|
)
|
|
309
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
50,089
|
|
|
Currency translation differences
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
(362
|
)
|
|
(51
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
(413
|
)
|
|
Cash flow hedges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- effective portion of changes in fair value
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
(28
|
)
|
|
- transfer from equity to income statement
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
—
|
|
28
|
|
|
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company for the year
|
|
—
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
1,883
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries disposed of (Note 31(c))
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
37
|
|
|
Relating to dilution of interest in a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
Dividend paid (Note 14)
|
|
—
|
|
(33,700
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
(33,700
|
)
|
|
Employee share option scheme – value of services provided
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
—
|
|
78
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares arising from exercise of employee share options
|
|
303
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(248
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
55
|
|
|
Actuarial losses of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
(109
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
(109
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
21,813
|
|
(4,155
|
)
|
|
(1,059
|
)
|
|
77
|
|
|
1,233
|
|
17,909
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-57
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
31.
|
Notes to Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
|
|
|
(a)
|
Purchase of subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Net assets acquired (excluding cash and cash equivalents):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
906
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
4,681
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- telecommunications license
|
|
264
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
- brand name and customer base
|
|
108
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Stocks
|
|
3
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
262
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Borrowings (Note (d))
|
|
(3,238
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(1,020
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,966
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discharged by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payment
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents acquired
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net cash consideration
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Prepayment for acquisition of subsidiaries
|
|
2,007
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,966
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b)
|
Purchase of transmission business
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Net assets acquired:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
137
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- customer base
|
|
48
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discharged by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payment
|
|
124
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Negative goodwill recognized directly in the consolidated income statement
|
|
45
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-58
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
31.
|
Notes to Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (continued)
|
|
|
(c)
|
Disposal of subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Net assets disposed of (excluding cash and cash equivalents):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets (Note 20)
|
|
47
|
|
|
19,199
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
Goodwill (Note 21)
|
|
—
|
|
|
14,835
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
Other intangible assets (Note 22)
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,869
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
Other non-current assets
|
|
—
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Stocks
|
|
61
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets (Note 25)
|
|
3
|
|
|
1,228
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
250
|
|
|
7,306
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Borrowings (Note (d))
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
(18,547
|
)
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(273
|
)
|
|
(18,214
|
)
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
Cost, fees and expenses, accrued and paid
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,019
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
(252
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Derivative financial liabilities
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
—
|
|
|
(353
|
)
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 25)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(791
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Exchange reserve (Note 30)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,115
|
)
|
|
37
|
|
|
Intercompany balance assigned to vendor
|
|
—
|
|
|
8,681
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Minority interest (Note (d))
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4,475
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
13,842
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of subsidiaries
|
|
—
|
|
|
69,343
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
83,185
|
|
|
578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Satisfied by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payment
|
|
105
|
|
|
84,663
|
|
|
583
|
|
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents disposed of
|
|
(103
|
)
|
|
(1,478
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
83,185
|
|
|
578
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
Analysis of changes in financing during the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2006
|
|
26,692
|
|
|
3,652
|
|
|
30,344
|
|
|
New loans
|
|
33,605
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
33,605
|
|
|
Repayment of loans
|
|
(25,532
|
)
|
|
(188
|
)
|
|
(25,720
|
)
|
|
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities
|
|
8,073
|
|
|
(188
|
)
|
|
7,885
|
|
|
Minority interest in profit
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,375
|
|
|
1,375
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
1,396
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
1,652
|
|
|
Relating to subsidiaries acquired (Note (a))
|
|
3,238
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
3,238
|
|
|
Relating to additional interest in subsidiaries acquired
|
|
—
|
|
|
(524
|
)
|
|
(524
|
)
|
|
Relating to a subsidiary disposed of (Note (c))
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
Relating to exercise of share options of a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
Equity contribution from minority shareholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,368
|
|
|
1,368
|
|
|
Dividend paid to minority shareholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
(266
|
)
|
|
(266
|
)
|
|
Share of other reserves
|
|
—
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
Actuarial gains of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Amortization of loan facility fees
|
|
81
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2006
|
|
39,417
|
|
|
5,758
|
|
|
45,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-59
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
31.
|
Notes to Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (continued)
|
|
|
(d)
|
Analysis of changes in financing during the year (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2007
|
|
39,417
|
|
|
5,758
|
|
|
45,175
|
|
|
New loans
|
|
7,847
|
|
|
608
|
|
|
8,455
|
|
|
Repayment of loans
|
|
(20,184
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(20,184
|
)
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities
|
|
(12,337
|
)
|
|
608
|
|
|
(11,729
|
)
|
|
Minority interest in profit
|
|
—
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
Fair value gain on derivative instruments
|
|
(530
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(530
|
)
|
|
Settlement of derivative instruments
|
|
473
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
473
|
|
|
Relating to a subsidiary disposed of (Note (c))
|
|
(18,547
|
)
|
|
(4,475
|
)
|
|
(23,022
|
)
|
|
Relating to exercise of share options of a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
Dividend paid to minority shareholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
(594
|
)
|
|
(594
|
)
|
|
Share of other reserves
|
|
—
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
Actuarial gains of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
Amortization of loan facility fees
|
|
78
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
2,466
|
|
|
528
|
|
|
2,994
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2007
|
|
11,020
|
|
|
2,852
|
|
|
13,872
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
As at January 1, 2008
|
|
11,020
|
|
|
2,852
|
|
|
13,872
|
|
|
New loans
|
|
9,333
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
9,339
|
|
|
Repayment of loans
|
|
(9,375
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(9,375
|
)
|
|
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities
|
|
(42
|
)
|
|
6
|
|
|
(36
|
)
|
|
Minority interest in profit
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
1,036
|
|
|
Settlement of derivative instruments
|
|
11
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
Relating to a subsidiary disposed of (Note (c))
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
Relating to exercise of share options of a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
Dividend paid to minority shareholders
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,006
|
)
|
|
(1,006
|
)
|
|
Share of other reserves
|
|
—
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
Actuarial losses of defined benefit plans
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Amortization of loan facility fees
|
|
33
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
Relating to share buyback of a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
(481
|
)
|
|
(481
|
)
|
|
Relating to acquisition of additional equity interest in a subsidiary
|
|
—
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
Exchange translation differences
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
66
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31, 2008
|
|
11,000
|
|
|
2,616
|
|
|
13,616
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-60
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
32.
|
Contingent Liabilities
|
As at December 31,
2008, the Group had contingent liabilities in respect of the following:
|
|
(a)
|
performance guarantees amounting to approximately HK$50 million (2007 – HK$60 million).
|
|
|
(b)
|
a guarantee amounting to approximately HK$503 million (2007 – Nil) to a bank as collateral to a performance bond required by the OFTA in Hong Kong under the terms of the mobile
telecommunications license granted to a subsidiary.
|
|
|
(c)
|
a total of 18 claims against the Company’s subsidiary in Israel, Partner Communications, and, in some such claims, together with other cellular operators in Israel, each with a
motion to certify as class action, in respect of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of claim
|
|
In approximate HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Alleged violation of antitrust law
|
|
238
|
|
246
|
|
Alleged consumer complaints
|
|
5,025
|
|
1,719
|
|
Alleged unauthorized erection of cellular antennas, causing environmental damages
|
|
1,980
|
|
2,050
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At this stage, and until the claims are recognized as class actions, the Company and Partner
Communications are unable to evaluate the probability of success of such claims and therefore no provision has been made.
|
|
(d)
|
a potential claim of approximately NIS 42.5 million (approximately HK$87 million) (2007 – Nil) by the Ministry of Communications in Israel (the “MOC”) in respect
of the past use of certain frequency band by Partner Communications pursuant to an agreement made between Partner Communications and the Palestinian mobile operator being allocated such frequency band, which agreement was endorsed by the MOC.
|
F-61
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Outstanding Group commitments not
provided for in the financial statements are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracted but
not provided for
|
|
Authorized but not contracted
for
(Note)
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Telecommunications, mobile network
|
|
2,870
|
|
9,167
|
|
4,512
|
|
1,503
|
|
Telecommunications, fixed network
|
|
261
|
|
456
|
|
375
|
|
508
|
|
Investment commitment in respect of capital contribution to jointly-controlled entities
|
|
—
|
|
16
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
Share of the capital commitment of jointly-controlled entities
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,131
|
|
9,639
|
|
4,887
|
|
2,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
|
The Group, as part of its budgeting process, estimates future capital expenditures as shown above. These estimates are subject to a vigorous authorization process before the
expenditure is committed.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Operating lease commitments
|
The Group had future
aggregate minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Land and buildings
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Not later than one year
|
|
690
|
|
785
|
|
290
|
|
517
|
|
Later than one year and not later than five years
|
|
1,225
|
|
1,429
|
|
157
|
|
2,260
|
|
Later than five years
|
|
805
|
|
883
|
|
1
|
|
3,506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,720
|
|
3,097
|
|
448
|
|
6,283
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The above operating lease commitments included certain leases whereby the Group is the lessee in
respect of the base station towers under the Master Lease Agreement as set out in Note 10(b) and under a tower lease agreement with another telecommunications operator of HK$2,955 million and HK$2,919 million respectively. These leases typically run
for an initial period of twelve years, with an option to renew the lease for another six years. In addition, as stipulated in the Master Lease Agreement, at the end of the initial period of twelve years and the extended period of eighteen years, the
lessee has an option to acquire the tower sites at a pre-agreed price. None of the leases includes contingent rentals.
F-62
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
33.
|
Commitments (continued)
|
|
|
(c)
|
Acquisition of telecommunications license for third generation mobile services
|
In October 2001, a subsidiary of the Company was issued a 3G license in the 1900-2200-MHz radio spectrum for Hong Kong (“License”) for a duration of 15 years. For the first five years of the term of the
License, fixed annual license fees were payable. Beginning from the sixth year of the License, variable license fees payable amount to 5% of network turnover (as defined in the License) in respect of the relevant year; or the Appropriate Fee (as
defined in the License) in respect of the relevant year whichever is greater. The net present value of the Appropriate Fee has already been recorded as license fees liabilities.
|
|
(d)
|
Royalties commitments
|
As at December 31,
2008, Partner Communications is committed to pay royalties to the Government of Israel at 2% on its “income from cellular services” as defined in the “Telecommunications (Royalties) Regulations, 2001” which includes all kinds of
income of Partner Communications from the provision of telecommunications services under the license - including airtime, roaming services and non-recurring connection fees, but excluding income transferred to another holder of a communications
license and deducting bad debts, payments to another communications licensee in respect of interconnection, payments for roaming services to foreign operators and expenses related to the sale of equipment. The rate of royalty payments paid by
cellular operators has been reduced annually by 0.5% since January 1, 2006 and will continue to be reduced until it reaches 1%.
F-63
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
34.
|
Employee Retirement Benefits
|
The Group operates a
number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans, the assets of which are held independently of the Group’s assets in trustee administered funds.
|
|
(a)
|
Defined benefit plans
|
The Group’s defined
benefit plans represent principally contributory final salary pension plans in Hong Kong. As at December 31, 2008, the Group’s plans were valued by the independent qualified actuaries using the projected unit credit method to account for
the Group’s pension accounting costs.
The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Pension assets (Note 23)
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Pension obligations (Note 28)
|
|
13
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The principal actuarial assumptions used for accounting purposes are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
Discount rate applied to defined benefit plan obligations
|
|
3.20% - 10.00%
|
|
1.60% - 12.00%
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
8.00% - 10.00%
|
|
0.00% - 7.00%
|
|
Future salary increases
|
|
4.00% - 10.00%
|
|
0.00% - 12.00%
|
|
Interest credited on plan accounts
|
|
5.00% - 6.00%
|
|
5.00% - 6.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
The amount recognized in the consolidated income statement:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current service cost
|
|
29
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Expected return on scheme assets
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total, included in staff costs (Note 7)
|
|
21
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
The amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of funded plans’ obligations
|
|
213
|
|
|
245
|
|
|
Present value of unfunded plans’ obligations
|
|
13
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
Less: Fair value of plan assets
|
|
(233
|
)
|
|
(157
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Asset)/Liability recognized in consolidated balance sheet
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The limit of net assets to be recognized:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative unrecognized net actuarial losses and past service cost
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Present value of available future refunds or reduction in future contribution
|
|
25
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Limit per IAS 19 paragraph 58/58A/58B
|
|
25
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
Net pension (assets)/liabilities recognized in consolidated balance sheet
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction of net asset due to the limit
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-64
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
34.
|
Employee Retirement Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Defined benefit plans (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Changes in present value of the defined benefit obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
202
|
|
|
226
|
|
|
Current service cost net of employee contributions
|
|
29
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
Actual employee contributions
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
Interest cost
|
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
Actuarial losses on obligations
|
|
4
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
Actual benefits paid
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
Net transfer in liabilities
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Exchange differences
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year
|
|
226
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in the fair value of the plan assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning of year
|
|
187
|
|
|
233
|
|
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
16
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
Actuarial gains/(losses) on plan assets
|
|
42
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
Actual company contributions
|
|
6
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
Actual benefits paid
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
Net transfer in assets
|
|
1
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year
|
|
233
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The analysis of the fair value of plan assets at end of year is as follows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity instruments
|
|
154
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
Debt instruments
|
|
41
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
38
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
233
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
The experience adjustments are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets
|
|
233
|
|
|
157
|
|
|
Present value of funded plans’ obligations
|
|
(213
|
)
|
|
(245
|
)
|
|
Present value of unfunded plans’ obligations
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Surplus/(deficit)
|
|
7
|
|
|
(107
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experience adjustments on plan assets
|
|
42
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of plan assets (%)
|
|
18
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Experience adjustments on plan obligations
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of plan obligations (%)
|
|
4
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-65
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
34.
|
Employee Retirement Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Defined benefit plans (continued)
|
The actual
return on plan assets during the year ended December 31, 2008 was loss of HK$68 million (2007 – gain of HK$58 million).
The
accumulated actuarial losses recognized in the statement of recognized income and expense as at December 31, 2008 was HK$97 million (2007 – accumulated actuarial gains of HK$14 million).
Contributions to fund the obligations are based upon the recommendations of independent qualified actuaries for each of the Group’s pension plans to
fully fund the relevant schemes on an ongoing basis. The realization of the surplus/deficit is contingent upon the realization of the actuarial assumptions made which is dependent upon a number of factors including the market performance of plan
assets. Funding requirements of the Group’s major defined benefit plans are detailed below.
The Group operates two principal plans in
Hong Kong. One plan, which has been closed to new entrants since 1994, provides benefits based on the greater of the aggregate of the employee and employer vested contributions plus a minimum interest thereon of 6% per annum, and a benefit
derived by a formula based on the final salary and years of service. A formal independent actuarial valuation, undertaken for funding purposes under the provision of Hong Kong’s Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (“ORSO”), at
June 30, 2006 reported a funding level of 108% of the accrued actuarial liabilities on an ongoing basis. The valuation used the aggregate cost method and the main assumptions in the valuation are an investment return of 6.0% per annum and
salary increases of 4.0%. The valuation was performed by Tian Keat Aun, a Fellow of The Institute of Actuaries, of Watson Wyatt Hong Kong Limited. The second plan provides benefits equal to the employer vested contributions plus a minimum interest
thereon of 5% per annum. As at December 31, 2008, the plan is fully funded for the funding of vested benefits in accordance with the ORSO funding requirements.
|
|
(b)
|
Defined contribution plans
|
The employees of
certain subsidiaries are entitled to receive benefits from a provident fund, which is a defined contribution plan. The employee and the employer both make monthly contributions to the plan at a predetermined rate of the employees’ basic salary.
The Group has no further obligations under the plan beyond its monthly contributions. The Fund is administered and managed by the relevant government agencies. Forfeited contributions totalling HK$0.2 million (2007 – HK$1 million) were used to
reduce the current year’s level of contribution.
F-66
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
35.
|
Equity Compensation Benefits
|
|
|
(a)
|
Share options of the Company
|
On September 17,
2004, the Company approved and adopted by a resolution of the then sole shareholder of the Company a share option scheme (the “Share Option Scheme”). The Share Option Scheme was further approved at the extraordinary general meeting of
shareholders of HWL on May 19, 2005, subsequently amended by written resolutions of the Directors of the Company passed on July 12, 2005 and February 9, 2006 respectively, and further amended by an ordinary resolution passed at the
extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on May 8, 2007 and the annual general meeting of HWL on May 22, 2008.
Share
options have been granted to directors and employees. The exercise price of the options granted is equal to the average closing price of the Company’s shares for the five business days immediately preceding the date of the offer for grant and
the closing price of the Company’s shares on such date, whichever is higher. The options are exercisable starting one year from the grant date; the options have a contractual option term of ten years. The Group has no legal or constructive
obligation to repurchase or settle the options in cash.
As at December 31, 2008, details of share options granted under the Share
Option Scheme are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option series
|
|
Number of
share options
granted
(in thousands)
|
|
|
Grant date
|
|
Expiry date
(4)
|
|
Exercise price
per share
option
|
|
|
2005 grant
|
|
76,300
|
|
|
August 8, 2005
|
|
August 7, 2015
|
|
HK$
|
1.95
|
(1)
|
|
2007 grant
|
|
13,850
|
|
|
November 23, 2007
|
|
November 22, 2017
|
|
HK$
|
4.51
|
(2)
|
|
2008 grant
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
December 12, 2008
|
|
December 11, 2018
|
|
HK$
|
2.20
|
|
|
2008 grant
|
|
4,383
|
(3)
|
|
December 15, 2008
|
|
December 14, 2018
|
|
HK$
|
4.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
The exercise price for the 2005 grant was adjusted from HK$8.70 to HK$1.95 per share on June 29, 2007 as a result of the payment of Transaction Special Dividend (Note 14)
and pursuant to the terms of the Share Option Scheme of the Company as amended by the ordinary resolution duly passed by shareholders of the Company and HWL on May 8, 2007 and May 22, 2008 respectively.
|
|
|
2.
|
The exercise price for 8,767 thousand share options under the 2007 grant was adjusted from HK$11.51 to HK$4.51 per share on December 2, 2008 as a result of the special
dividend paid in 2008 (Note 14) and pursuant to the terms of the Share Option Scheme of the Company as amended by the ordinary resolution duly passed by shareholders of the Company and HWL on May 8, 2007 and May 22, 2008 respectively.
|
|
|
3.
|
4,383 thousand share options with an exercise price of HK$11.51 per share under the 2007 grant were vested and unexercised as at the payment of the special dividend on
December 2, 2008 (see Note 14). Those share options were cancelled in accordance with the terms of the Share Option Scheme and the relevant option holders were granted a total of 4,383 thousand share options with an exercise price of
HK$4.51 per share on December 15, 2008 (the “Replacement options”).
|
|
|
4.
|
In accordance with the terms of the Share Option Scheme, one third of the share options are vested and exercisable on the expiry of each of the first, second and third year after
the date of the offer of grant, except for the Replacement options, which, upon acceptance, are vested and exercisable immediately from the date of the offer for grant.
|
F-67
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
35.
|
Equity Compensation Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Share options of the Company (continued)
|
The
movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average exercise price are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price per
share
|
|
Number of share
options involved
(thousands)
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise
price per
share
|
|
Number of share
options involved
(thousands)
|
|
|
As at January 1
|
|
HK$
|
8.70
|
|
50,457
|
|
|
HK$
|
4.72
|
|
47,783
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
HK$
|
11.51
|
|
13,850
|
|
|
HK$
|
3.28
|
|
9,383
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
HK$
|
1.95
|
|
(333
|
)
|
|
HK$
|
4.68
|
|
(2,450
|
)
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
HK$
|
11.51
|
|
(4,383
|
)
|
|
Exercised (Note 29)
|
|
HK$
|
5.88
|
|
(16,191
|
)
|
|
HK$
|
1.95
|
|
(32,183
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31
|
|
HK$
|
4.72
|
|
47,783
|
|
|
HK$
|
3.87
|
|
18,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The options under the 2005 grant were fully exercised during the year ended December 31,
2008.
As at December 31, 2008, out of the 18,150 thousand outstanding share options (2007 – 47,783 thousand),
4,383 thousand (2007 – 13,750 thousand) share options were exercisable. 32,183 thousand share options exercised in 2008 were all issued at HK$1.95 each (2007 – HK$8.70 each for 9,424 thousand shares and HK$1.95 each for
6,767 thousand shares). The related weighted average share price at the time of exercise was HK$9.94 per share (2007 – HK$13.51). Out of the 18,150 thousand outstanding share options, 8,767 thousand, 5,000 thousand and
4,383 thousand share options are expiring on November 22, 2017, December 11, 2018 and December 14, 2018 respectively.
F-68
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
35.
|
Equity Compensation Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(a)
|
Share options of the Company (continued)
|
The
Company uses the Black-Scholes model to measure the fair value of services received in return for share options granted with the following inputs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inputs into the model
|
|
2007 grant
|
|
2008 grant
|
|
|
Original
|
|
Modified
(1)
|
|
New Grant
|
|
Replacement
options
(2)
|
|
Risk-free interest rate (%)
(3)
|
|
3.145
|
|
1.626
|
|
1.559
|
|
1.496
|
|
Expected life (years)
|
|
5.5 to 6.5
|
|
5.0 to 5.5
|
|
5.5 to 6.5
|
|
4.5
|
|
Expected volatility (%)
(4)
|
|
28.00
|
|
37.68
|
|
37.68
|
|
37.68
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Subsequent to the adjustment in exercise price of 8,767 thousand share options under the 2007 grant on December 2, 2008, the inputs to measure the fair value of options
were reviewed and hence the weighted average fair value per option granted was increased from HK$2.66 to HK$2.84.
|
|
|
2
|
The Replacement options are accounted for in the same way as a modification of the original grant of share options. The inputs to measure the fair value of options were reviewed
and hence the weighted average fair value per option granted was increased from HK$2.53 to HK$2.77.
|
|
|
3
|
The risk-free interest rate was determined based on the yield of 5 or 7 year exchange fund notes at the period of grant/modification.
|
|
|
i.
|
The expected volatility for the 2007 grant was determined by taking the average of statistical analysis of daily share prices of the Company over the last one year up to
November 23, 2007 with ex-dividend share price adjusted and statistical analysis of daily share prices of the Company from date of dividend payment to November 23, 2007.
|
|
|
ii.
|
The expected volatility for the 2007 grant modification and 2008 grant was determined based on statistical analysis of daily share prices of the Company over last one year up to
November 24, 2008.
|
F-69
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
35.
|
Equity Compensation Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Employee stock option plans of Partner Communications Company Ltd.
|
Partner Communications became the Group’s subsidiary since April 2005.
In July 2004, the board of
directors of Partner Communications approved an employee stock option plan (as amended on March 1, 2006) (the “2004 Plan”) for options to be granted to employees under the provisions of the capital gain’s tax route provided for
in section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. A total number of 5,775,000 ordinary shares of Partner Communications (the “Partner Communications Shares”) were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of 5,775,000 options to be granted
without consideration. At the annual general meeting of the Company and HWL held on May 6, 2008 and May 22, 2008 respectively, shareholders of the Company and HWL approved the proposed refreshment of the maximum number of the Partner
Communications Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of all options to be granted under the 2004 Plan and any other share option scheme(s) of Partner Communications, by up to 8,142,000 Partner Communications Shares to be issued pursuant to
the 2004 Partner Share Option Plan, representing approximately 5.17% of Partner Communications Shares in issue as at the relevant date of approval. At the annual general meeting held on May 22, 2008, the shareholders of HWL also approved
certain additional amendments to the 2004 Plan, which include among others, (i) increasing the total number of Partner Communications Shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options to be granted under the 2004 Plan by 8,142,000 Partner
Communications Shares, (ii) introducing provisions to allow acceleration in vesting of unvested options or the exercise of vested options in the event of change in control or voluntary winding up of Partner Communications, and
(iii) allowing upon compliance with conditions specified therein, cashless exercise of vested options under the 2004 Plan.
The Partner
Communications Compensation Committee has the authority to determine the exercise price per share (the “Option Exercise Price”). The Option Exercise Price will be determined by taking the consideration of the average market price of
Partner Communications Shares for the 30 trading days preceding the day on which the options are granted, less 15%. The options vest in four equal annual batches, provided the employee is still in employment. The options are exercisable after the
day of vesting but no later than the expiration of the exercise period, which will be fixed by the Partner Communications Compensation Committee and will not exceed ten years from the date of grant.
The board of directors of Partner Communications adopted the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”) and 2000 Employee Stock Option
Plan (the “2000 Plan”) in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Until November 2003, Partner Communications granted options to senior managers and other employees pursuant to the 1998 Plan and the 2000 Plan. In November 2003, the 1998 Plan and the
2000 Plan were amended to conform to the changes in the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (New Version), 1961. As a result, any grant of options after November 2003 would be subject to the terms of the 2000 Plan as so amended, referred to as the 2003
Amended Plan. Options granted under the 1998 Plan, 2000 Plan and 2003 Amended Plan, which were approved by Partner Communications prior to Partner Communications becoming a subsidiary of the Company in April 2005, will remain valid but no further
grant of options will be made under the aforesaid three Plans without the board of directors of Partner Communications approving relevant amendments being made necessary by the changes in Israeli laws and other regulatory requirements, as applicable
and until they are approved by shareholders of the Company and HWL respectively. On March 26, 2008, the board of directors of Partner Communications approved the termination of the 1998 Plan, the 2000 Plan and 2003 Amended Plan. Since then, no
further share options will be granted under these three plans, and all outstanding share options thereunder will remain valid and bear all terms and conditions of the relevant option plans.
F-70
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
35.
|
Equity Compensation Benefits (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Employee stock option plans of Partner Communications Company Ltd. (continued)
|
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the year was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
|
4.25
|
%
|
|
Weighted average expected life
|
|
4 years
|
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
Expected volatility
|
|
26
|
%
|
|
24
|
%
|
The movements in the number of share options outstanding and their related weighted average
exercise price are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise price
per share
(NIS)
|
|
Number of share
options involved
(thousands)
|
|
|
Weighted
average
exercise price
per share
(NIS)
|
|
Number of
share
options
involved
(thousands)
|
|
|
As at January 1
|
|
27.78
|
|
5,073
|
|
|
36.06
|
|
2,864
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
53.33
|
|
841
|
|
|
66.05
|
|
76
|
|
|
Forfeited/Expired
|
|
27.33
|
|
(246
|
)
|
|
29.62
|
|
(142
|
)
|
|
Exercised
|
|
27.00
|
|
(2,804
|
)
|
|
29.38
|
|
(567
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31
|
|
36.06
|
|
2,864
|
|
|
39.21
|
|
2,231
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 31
|
|
28.24
|
|
625
|
|
|
33.64
|
|
1,031
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36.
|
Ultimate Holding Company
|
As at December 31,
2008, the Company was owned as to 60.36% by HWL with the remaining shares being widely held. The Directors regarded HWL as the Company’s ultimate holding company.
|
37.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
For the purposes of
these financial statements, parties are considered to be related to the Group if the party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to exercise significant influence over the Group in making financial and operating decisions, or vice versa. Related
parties may be individuals (being members of key management personnel, significant shareholders and / or their close family members) or other entities and include entities which are under the significant influence of related parties of the Group
where those parties are individuals.
Related Party Group:
|
|
•
|
|
Hutchison Group — HWL together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
|
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation. Transactions between the Group and other related parties
during the year are summarized below:
|
|
(a)
|
Key management personnel remuneration
|
No
transaction has been entered with the directors of the Company (being the key management personnel) during the year other than the emoluments paid to them (being the key management personnel remuneration) as disclosed in Note 7(a).
F-71
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
37.
|
Related Party Transactions (continued)
|
|
|
(b)
|
Transactions with Hutchison Group:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Provision for fixed telecommunications and other services
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
(79
|
)
|
|
Provision for mobile telecommunications services
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
Rental expenses on lease arrangements
|
|
57
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
Bill collection services fee expenses
|
|
11
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
Roaming arrangement fee income
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
Sharing of services arrangements
|
|
29
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
Dealership services fee expenses
|
|
21
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
Global procurement services arrangements expense
|
|
26
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
Provision of data center services
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
Purchase of handset and accessories
|
|
1,239
|
|
|
1,101
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
Purchase of office supplies
|
|
7
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
Advertising and promotion expenses
|
|
17
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
Guarantee and other finance fees
|
|
95
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
Interest income on non-current amount due from a related company
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Purchase of equipment
|
|
—
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c)
|
Balances with Hutchison Group:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HK$ millions
|
|
Note
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Payables to related companies
|
|
(i)
|
|
(61
|
)
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
The payables to related companies arose during the ordinary course of business are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
During the year, the Group was granted a secured revolving credit and term loan facility of a maximum aggregate amount of US$2,500 million (approximately HK$19,376 million) from an
indirect subsidiary of HWL at an interest rate of LIBOR + 2.45% per annum with final maturity date on November 15, 2011. The facility is secured by the assets, rights and business and the issued share capital of the Company and any of its
subsidiaries that utilize the facility and is guaranteed by HWL. As at December 31, 2008, the Group had not used the facility.
|
F-72
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following events occurred
subsequent to December 31, 2008 up to the date of approval of these financial statements by the Board:
|
|
(a)
|
In January 2009, a jointly-controlled entity in which the Group effectively holds a 38% interest, was provisionally awarded a spectrum to operate Broadband Wireless Access services.
Following the payment in cash of a spectrum utilization fee of HK$518 million and the provision of a performance bond in the amount of HK$150 million to the OFTA, a unified carrier license for this spectrum was issued to the jointly-controlled
entity in March 2009.
|
|
|
(b)
|
In April 2009, the Group acquired an additional 5% equity interest and certain shareholder loan interests in its Indonesia operations.
|
|
|
(c)
|
In April 2009, the Group: (i) entered into a loan agreement to advance US$55 million (approximately HK$426.3 million) to a subsidiary of HCPT’s minority shareholder at an
interest of 3% per annum; (ii) acquired, for consideration of US$1, the benefits of shareholder loans of approximately US$91.4 million made by HCPT’s minority shareholder to HCPT; and (iii) was granted an option to purchase up to 2,274,615
shares of HCPT exercisable by notice in writing at any time during a twenty-year period and on an unlimited number of occasions. The exercise of the option is conditional upon any prior approval from, registrations with or notifications to any
government bodies in Indonesia, including Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board and the Ministry of Communications, that may be legally required at the relevant time to effect the transfer of the shares and upon obtaining
shareholders’ approval.
|
|
|
(d)
|
In April 2009, the facility entered into with an indirect subsidiary of HWL as mentioned in Notes 2(a) and 37(c)(ii) was amended and restated, pursuant to which an indirect
subsidiary of HWL agreed to make available to the Group a senior secured term loan/revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate amount of US$1,790 million (approximately HK$13,872.5 million). The facility bears interest at the rate of LIBOR +
2.45% per annum.
|
|
|
(e)
|
In May 2009, the Group completed the Distribution as described in more detail in Note 14(b).
|
|
39.
|
US Dollar Equivalents
|
The US dollar equivalents of
the figures shown in the financial statements are supplementary information and have been translated at HK$7.7499 to US$1.00. Such translation should not be construed as representations that the Hong Kong dollar amounts represent, or have been or
could be converted into, US dollar at that or any other rate.
F-73
HUTCHISON TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
40.
|
Principal Subsidiaries and Jointly-controlled Entities
|
Particulars of the principal subsidiaries and jointly-controlled entities as at 31 December 2008 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidiaries and jointly-controlled
entities
|
|
Place of
incorporation /
registration and
operation
|
|
Currency
|
|
Nominal value
of issued
ordinary share
capital /
registered
capital
|
|
Percentage of
equity interest
attributable to
the Group
|
|
|
Principal activities
|
|
#
|
|
BFKT (Thailand) Limited
(Note 1)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
THB
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
Network leasing
|
|
#
|
|
HCL Network Partnership
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
10,000
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Telecommunications network equipment leasing and provision of ancillary services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited
(Note 1)
|
|
Thailand
|
|
THB
|
|
950,000,000
|
|
36
|
%
|
|
Marketing of mobile telecommunications services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Global Communications Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
20
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Fixed-line communications
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison GlobalCentre Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
2
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Data centre facilities services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison MultiMedia Services Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
20
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Provision of internet services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunication Services Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
20
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications retail operations
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
20
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Provision of management and treasury services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications Information Technology (Shenzhen) Limited
|
|
China
|
|
HK$
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Provision of information technology services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications International (HK) Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
2
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Provision of management services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Private) Limited
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
LKR
|
|
875,000,000
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telephone (Macau) Company Limited
|
|
Macau
|
|
MOP
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
76
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
#
|
|
Hutchison Telephone Company Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
1,258,120
|
|
76
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
#
|
|
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
|
|
Israel
|
|
NIS
|
|
1,578,874
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
#
|
|
PT. Hutchison CP Telecommunications
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
IDR
|
|
649,890,000,000
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
*
|
|
PLDT Italy S.r.l
(Note 2)
|
|
Italy
|
|
Euro
|
|
10,000
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
|
*
|
|
Genius Brand Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
HK$
|
|
10,000
|
|
38
|
%
|
|
Mobile telecommunications services
|
Note
:
|
1.
|
In addition to the Group’s 49% and 36% beneficial interest in each of BFKT (Thailand) Limited and Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited respectively as disclosed above,
the Group also holds call options over 51% and 30% beneficial interest in each of BFKT (Thailand) Limited and Hutchison CAT Wireless MultiMedia Limited, respectively.
|
|
2.
|
PLDT Italy S.r.l (“PLDT”) is a contractual arrangement whereby the Group is one of the joint venture partners. Each of the two joint venturers will fund and manage PLDT
on a 50:50 basis. The Group has no equity interest in PLDT but has the right to subscribe 50% of its equity interest at par value.
|
|
*
|
Jointly-controlled entities
|
F-74
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