As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2009
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F

(Mark One)
    
o
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b)
OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 
OR
  
 x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
  
 
OR
  
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 
OR
  
o
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the transition period from _____ to _____
  

Commission file number: 001-09531
 
TELEFÓNICA, S.A.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
KINGDOM OF SPAIN
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
Distrito C, Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n
28050 Madrid, Spain
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Lucila Rodriguez Jorge, Securities Legal Department
Distrito C, Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n, 28050 Madrid, Spain
Tel. +34 91 482 3734, Fax. +34 91 482 3768, e-mail: amv@telefonica.es

María García-Legaz Ponce, Head of Investor Relations,
Distrito C, Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n, 28050 Madrid, Spain
Tel. +34 91 482 8700, Fax. +34 91 482 8600, e-mail: ir@telefonica.es
(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:
 
Title of each class
  
Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares, nominal value €1.00 per share*
American Depositary Shares, each representing three
Ordinary Shares
  
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
     
Guarantees** by Telefónica, S.A. of the $1,000,000,000 Floating Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2009; $1,000,000,000 Fixed Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2011; $1,250,000,000 Fixed Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2016; $2,000,000,000 Fixed Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2036; $850,000,000 Floating Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2013; $750,000,000 Fixed Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2013; and $700,000,000 Fixed Rate
Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2017, each of Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U.
  
New York Stock Exchange
     
*
Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
 
**
Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the $1,000,000,000 Floating Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2009; $1,000,000,000 Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2011; $1,250,000,000 Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2016; $2,000,000,000 Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2036; $850,000,000 Floating Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2013; $750,000,000 Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior Notes Due 2013; and $700,000,000 Fixed Rate Guaranteed Senior notes Due 2017 each of Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telefónica, S.A.).
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
The number of outstanding shares of each class of capital stock of Telefónica, S.A. at December 31, 2008 was:
 
Ordinary Shares, nominal value €1.00 per share: 4,704,996,485
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes  x  No  o
 
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  o  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  o
 
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.
 
Large accelerated filer  x         Accelerated filer  o         Non-accelerated filer  o 
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
 
U.S. GAAP o  International Financial Reporting Standards as Issued by the international Accounting Standards Board x  Other o
 
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  o     Item 18  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes  o  No  x
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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Item 11.
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Item 13.
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Item 14.
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Item 15.
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Item 16.
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Item 16A.
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Item 16B.
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Item 16C.
 Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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Item 16D.
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Item 16E.
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Item 16G.
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180
Item 17.
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Item 18.
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Item 19.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Annual Report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report can be identified, in some instances, by the use of words such as “expect”, “aim”, “hope”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and similar language or the negative thereof or by the forward-looking nature of discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements appear in a number of places in this Annual Report including, without limitation, certain statements made in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors”, “Item 4. Information on the Company” , “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other things:
 
·  
the effect on our results of operations of competition in the Spanish telecommunications market and our other principal markets;
 
·  
trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations;
 
·  
acquisitions or investments which we may make in the future;
 
·  
our capital expenditures plan;
 
·  
our estimated availability of funds;
 
·  
our ability to repay debt with estimated future cash flows;
 
·  
our shareholder remuneration policies;
 
·  
supervision and regulation of the Spanish telecommunications sector and of the telecommunications sectors in other countries where we have significant operations;
 
·  
our strategic partnerships; and
 
·  
the potential for growth and competition in current and anticipated areas of our business.
 
Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The risks and uncertainties involved in our business that could affect the matters referred to in such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to:
 
·  
changes in general economic, business or political conditions in the domestic or international markets (particularly in Latin America) in which we operate or have material investments that may affect demand for our services;
 
·  
changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates or in credit risk in our treasury investments or in some of our financial transactions;
 
·  
general economic conditions in the countries in which we operate;
 
·  
existing or worsening conditions in the international financial markets;
 
·  
failure to maintain satisfactory working relationships with our joint venture partners;
 
·  
the actions of existing and potential competitors in each of our markets;
 
·  
the impact of current, pending or future legislation and regulation in countries where we operate;
 
·  
failure to renew or obtain the necessary licenses, authorizations and concessions to carry out our operations;
 
·  
the potential effects of technological changes;
 
·  
unanticipated service network interruptions;
 
·  
the impact of limitations in spectrum capacity;
 
·  
failure of suppliers to provide necessary equipment and services on a timely basis;
 
·  
the impact of unanticipated network interruptions;
 
·  
the effect of reports suggesting that radio frequency emissions cause health problems;
 
·  
the impact of impairment charges on our goodwill and assets as a result of changes in the regulatory, business or political environment; and
 
·  
the outcome of pending litigation.
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
 
 
CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
 
Our ordinary shares, nominal value €1.00 per share, are currently listed on each of the Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges and are quoted through the Automated Quotation System under the symbol “TEF”. They are also listed on various foreign stock exchanges such as the London, Buenos Aires and Tokyo stock exchanges. Our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Lima Stock Exchange. ADSs, each representing the right to receive three ordinary shares, are issued under a Deposit Agreement with Citibank, N.A., as depositary in the form of certificated ADSs (American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs) or uncertificated ADSs. Brazilian Depositary Shares (“BDSs”), each representing the right to receive one ordinary share, are listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange. BDSs are evidenced by Brazilian Depositary Receipts (“BDRs”) issued under a Deposit Agreement with Banco Bradesco, S.A., as depositary.
 
We delisted our shares from the Paris and Frankfurt stock exchanges in the first quarter of 2008.
 
As used herein, “Telefónica”, “Telefónica Group”, “Group” and terms such as “we”, “us” and “our” mean Telefónica, S.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
As used herein, “Atento” means Atento Holding, Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
As used herein, “O2 Group” means Telefónica O2 Europe Plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, “Telefónica O2 UK” means O2 (UK) Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries and “Telefónica O2 Germany” means O2 (Germany) GmbH & Co OHG and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
Below are definitions of certain technical terms used in this Annual Report:
 
·  
“Access” refers to a connection to any of the telecommunications services offered by the Telefónica Group. We present our customer base using this model because the integration of telecommunications services in bundled service packages has changed the way residential and corporate customers contract or purchase our services. Because a single customer may contract for multiple services, we believe it is more accurate to count the number of accesses, or services a customer has contracted for, as opposed to only counting the number of our customers. For example, a customer that has fixed line telephony service and broadband service represents two accesses rather than a single customer. In addition, we fully count the accesses of all companies over which we exercise control or joint control. The following are the main categories of accesses:
 
o  
Fixed telephony accesses: includes public switched telephone network, or PSTN, lines (including public use telephony), and integrated services digital network, or ISDN, lines and circuits. For purposes of calculating our number of fixed line accesses, we multiply our lines in service as follows: PSTN (x1); basic ISDN (x1); primary ISDN (x30, x20 or x10); 2/6 digital accesses (x30).
 
o  
Internet and data accesses: includes broadband accesses (retail asymmetrical digital subscriber line, or ADSL, satellite, fiber optic and circuits over 2 Mbps), narrowband accesses (Internet service through the PSTN lines) and other accesses, including the remaining non-broadband final client circuits.
 
o  
Pay TV: includes cable TV, direct to home satellite TV, or DTH, and Internet Protocol TV, or IPTV.
 
o  
Mobile accesses: includes contract and pre-pay mobile telephony.
 
o  
Unbundled local loop, or ULL: includes accesses to both ends of the copper local loop leased to other operators to provide voice and DSL services (fully unbundled loop, fully UL) or only DSL service (shared unbundled loop, or shared UL).
 
o  
Wholesale ADSL: means wholesale asymmetrical digital subscriber line.
 
o  
Other: includes other circuits for other operators.
 
Certain technical terms used with respect to our business are as follows:
 
 
iii
 
·  
“ARPU” is the average revenue per user per month.  ARPU is calculated by dividing total service revenue (excluding inbound roaming revenue) from sales to customers for the preceding 12 months by the weighted average number of customers for the same period, and then divided by 12 months.  ARPU is calculated using gross service revenue before deduction of wholesale discounts.
 
·  
“CDMA” means Code Division Multiple Access, which is a type of radio communication technology.
 
·  
“Commercial activity” includes the addition of new lines, replacement of handsets and changes in types of contracts.
 
·  
“Customer revenue” means service revenue less interconnection revenue.
 
·  
“Duo bundle” means broadband plus voice service.  We measure “Duo bundles” in terms of units, where each bundle of broadband and voice service counts as one unit.
 
·  
“Final clients accesses” means accesses provided to residential and corporate clients.
 
·  
“Gross adds” means the gross increase in the number of accesses in a period.
 
·  
“HSDPA” means High Speed Downlink Packet Accesses, which is a 3G mobile telephony communications protocol in the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) family, which allows networks based on UMTS to have higher data transfer speeds and capacity.
 
·  
“Interconnection revenue” means revenues received from other operators which use our networks to connect to our customers.
 
·  
“ISP” means Internet service provider.
 
·  
“LMDS” means local multipoint distribution service.
 
·  
“Local loop” means the physical circuit connecting the network termination point at the subscriber’s premises to the main distribution frame or equivalent facility in the fixed public telephone network.
 
·  
“MOU”, or minutes of use per month, is calculated by dividing the total number of voice minutes for the preceding 12 months by the weighted average number of mobile accesses for the same period, and then divided by 12 months.
 
·  
“MVNO” means mobile virtual network operator, which is a mobile operator that is not entitled to use spectrum for the provision of mobile services.  Consequently, an MVNO must subscribe to an access agreement with a mobile network operator in order to provide mobile access to their customers.  An MVNO pays such mobile network operator for using the infrastructure to facilitate coverage to their customers.  There are two types of MVNOs: (i) “pure MVNOs”, which are typically telecommunications companies without licensed frequency allocation and want to complete their telecommunications service portfolio (for example, ONO in Spain); and (ii) “reseller MVNOs”. which are companies that purchase wholesale mobile minutes and resell to end-users, and use their brand and distribution channel (for example, Carrefour in Spain).
 
·  
“Net adds” means the difference between the number of accesses at the end of the period and the beginning of a period.
 
·  
“Revenues” means net sales and rendering of services.
 
·  
“Service revenues” means revenues less revenues from handset sales.
 
·  
“Trio bundle” means broadband plus voice service plus IPTV.  We measure “Trio bundles” in terms of units, where each bundle of broadband, voice service and IPTV counts as one unit.
 
·  
“UMTS” means Universal Mobile Telecommunications System.
 
·  
“VoIP” means voice over Internet protocol.
 
·  
“Wholesale accesses” means accesses we provide to our competitors, who then sell such accesses to their residential and corporate clients.
 
 
PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
In this Annual Report, references to “U.S. dollars”, “dollars” or “$”, are to United States dollars, references to “pounds sterling”, “sterling” or “£” are to British pounds sterling, references to “reais” refer to Brazilian reais and references to “euro” or “€” are to the single currency of the participating member states in the Third Stage of the European Economic and Monetary Union pursuant to the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended from time to time.
 
Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 included elsewhere in this Annual Report including the notes thereto (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”), are prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”), which do not differ from IFRS as adopted by the European Union.
 
 
PART I
 
Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
 
A.    Directors and Senior Management
 
Not applicable.
 
B.    Advisers
 
Not applicable.
 
C.    Auditors
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 3.  Key Information
 
A.    Selected Financial Data
 
The following table presents our selected consolidated financial data.  It is to be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The consolidated income statement and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 set forth below are derived from, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements.  The consolidated income statement and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 set forth below are derived from Telefónica, S.A.’s consolidated financial statements for such years, which are not included herein.
 
Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
 
The basis of presentation and principles of consolidation are described in detail in Notes 2 and 3.q., respectively, to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
As of or for the year ended December 31,
  
   
2004(1)
    
2005(1)
    
2006(1)
    
2007
    
2008
  
    (in millions of euros, except share data)  
Revenues
     29,809       37,383       52,901       56,441       57,946  
Other income
     1,134       1,416       1,571       4,264       1,865  
Supplies
     (7,577 )     (9,999 )     (16,629 )     (17,907 )     (17,818 )
Personnel expenses
     (4,976 )     (5,532 )     (7,622 )     (7,893 )     (6,762 )
Other expenses
     (6,373 )     (8,212 )     (11,095 )     (12,081 )     (12,312 )
Depreciation and amortization
     (5,642 )     (6,693 )     (9,704 )     (9,436 )     (9,046 )
Operating income
     6,375       8,363       9,422       13,388       13,873  
Share of profit (loss) of associates
     (50 )     (128 )     76       140       (161 )
Net financial expenses
     (1,456 )     (1,790 )     (2,795 )     (2,851 )     (2,821 )
Net exchange differences
     (177 )     162       61       7       24  
Net financial income (expense)
     (1,633 )     (1,628 )     (2,734 )     (2,844 )     (2,797 )
Profit before taxes from continuing operations
     4,692       6,607       6,764       10,684       10,915  
Corporate income tax
     (1,451 )     (1,904 )     (1,781 )     (1,565 )     (3,089 )
Profit for the year from continuing operations
     3,241       4,703       4,983       9,119       7,826  
Profit from discontinued operations after taxes
     245       124       1,596       —       —  
Profit for the year
     3,486       4,827       6,579       9,119       7,826  
Minority interests
     (310 )     (381 )     (346 )     (213 )     (234 )
                                         
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent
     3,176       4,446       6,233       8,906       7,592  
Weighted average number of shares (thousands)
     4,987,751       4,870,852       4,778,999       4,758,707       4,645,852  
Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders (euros)(2)
     0.60       0.90       0.97       1.87       1.63  
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (euros)(2)
     0.64       0.91       1.30       1.87       1.63  
Earnings per ADS (euros)(2)(3)
     1.91       2.74       3.91       5.62       4.90  
Weighted average number of ADS (thousands)
     1,662,584       1,623,617       1,592,999       1,586,236       1,548,617  
Cash dividends per ordinary share (euros)
     0.40       0.50       0.55       0.65       0.90  
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
                                        
Cash and cash equivalents
     914       2,213       3,792       5,065       4,277  
Property, plant and equipment
     23,193       27,993       33,887       32,460       30,545  
Total assets
     60,079       73,174       108,982       105,873       99,896  
Non-current liabilities
     27,743       35,126       62,645       58,044       55,202  
Equity (net)
     12,342       16,158       20,001       22,855       19,562  
Consolidated Cash Flow Data
                                        
Net cash from operating activities
     10,131       11,139       15,414       15,551       16,366  
Net cash used in investing activities
     (5,808 )     (9,592 )     (28,052 )     (4,592 )     (9,101 )
Net cash (used in) from financing activities
     (3,937 )     (435 )     14,572       (9,425 )     (7,765 )
(1)
Telefónica Publicidad e Información, S.A. (TPI) was sold in 2006 and its results of operations for 2006 and the gain we recorded on its sale are included under “Profit from discontinued operations after taxes” for 2006.  Figures for 2005 and 2004 have been restated to present TPI’s results under the same caption.
 
(2)
The per share and per ADS computations for all periods presented have been presented using the weighted average number of shares and ADSs, respectively, outstanding for each period, and have been adjusted to reflect the stock dividends which occurred during the periods presented, as if these had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.
 
(3)
Each ADS represents the right to receive three ordinary shares.  Figures do not include any charges of the depositary.
 

Exchange Rate Information
 
As used in this Annual Report, the term “Noon Buying Rate” refers to the rate of exchange for euros, expressed in U.S. dollars per euro, in the City of New York for cable transfers payable in foreign currencies as certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes. The Noon Buying Rate certified by the New York Federal Reserve Bank for the euro on April 24, 2009 was $1.2978 = €1.00. The following tables describe, for the periods and dates indicated, information concerning the Noon Buying Rate for the euro. Amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars per €1.00.
 
   
Noon Buying Rate
  
Year ended December 31,
  
Period end
    
Average(1)
    
High
    
Low
  
2004
     1.3538       1.2478       1.3625       1.1801  
2005
     1.1842       1.2400       1.3476       1.1667  
2006
     1.3197       1.2661       1.3327       1.1860  
2007
     1.4603       1.3797       1.4862       1.2904  
2008
     1.3919       1.4698       1.6010       1.2446  
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
(1)
The average of the Noon Buying Rates for the euro on the last day reported of each month during the relevant period.
 
 
   
Noon Buying Rate
  
Month ended
  
High
    
Low
  
October 31, 2008
     1.4058       1.2446  
November 30, 2008
     1.3039       1.2525  
December 31, 2008
     1.4358       1.2634  
January 31, 2009
     1.3946       1.2804  
February 29, 2009
     1.3064       1.2547  
March 31, 2009
     1.3730       1.2549  
April 24, 2009
  
1.3458
    
1.2978
  
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
Monetary policy within the member states of the euro zone is set by the European Central Bank.  The European Central Bank has set the objective of containing inflation and will adjust interest rates in line with this policy without taking account of other economic variables such as the rate of unemployment.  It has further declared that it will not set an exchange rate target for the euro.
 
Our ordinary shares are quoted on the Spanish stock exchanges in euro.  Currency fluctuations may affect the dollar equivalent of the euro price of our shares listed on the Spanish stock exchanges and, as a result, the market price of our ADSs, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  Currency fluctuations may also affect the dollar amounts received by holders of ADSs on conversion by the depositary of any cash dividends paid in euro on the underlying shares.
 
Our consolidated results are affected by fluctuations between the euro and the currencies in which the revenues and expenses of some of our consolidated subsidiaries are denominated (principally the Brazilian real, pounds sterling, the Venezuelan bolivar, the Czech koruna (crown), the Argentine peso, the Chilean peso, the Peruvian nuevo sol, the Colombian peso and the Mexican peso).
 
B.    Capitalization and Indebtedness
 
Not applicable.
 
C.    Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.
 
D.    Risk Factors
 
In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report, prospective investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making any investment decision.  The risks described below are not the only ones that we face.  Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business and results of operations.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks, and investors could lose all or part of their investment.
 
Risks Relating to Our Business
 
A material portion of our operations and investments are located in Latin America, and we are therefore exposed to risks inherent in operating and investing in Latin America.
 
At December 31, 2008, approximately 36.3% of our assets were located in Latin America.  In addition, approximately 38.7% of our revenues for 2008 were derived from our Latin American operations.  Our operations and investments in Latin America (including the revenues generated by these operations, their market value and the dividends and management fees expected to be received therefrom) are subject to various risks linked to the economic, political and social conditions of these countries, including risks related to the following:
 
·  
government regulation or administrative polices may change unexpectedly and negatively affect our interests in such countries;
 
·  
currencies may be devalued or may depreciate or currency restrictions and other restraints on transfer of funds may be imposed;
 
·  
the effects of inflation or currency depreciation may result in certain of our subsidiaries having negative equity, which would require them to undertake a mandatory recapitalization or commence dissolution proceedings;
 
·  
governments may expropriate or nationalize assets or increase their participation in the economy and companies;
 
·  
governments may impose burdensome taxes or tariffs;
 
·  
political changes may lead to changes in the economic conditions and business environment in which we operate; and
 
·  
economic downturns, political instability and civil disturbances may negatively affect our operations.
 
Finally, our operations are dependent, in many cases, on concessions and other agreements with existing governments in the countries in which we operate.  These concessions and agreements, including their renewal, could be directly affected by economic and political instability, altering the terms and conditions under which we operate.
 
Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if we do not effectively manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate or financial investment risks.
 
We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of our business, including the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the impact of changes in interest rates, as well as the impact of changes of credit risk in our treasury investments or in some of our financial transactions.  We employ risk management strategies to manage this exposure, in part through the use of financial derivatives such as foreign currency forwards, currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements.  If the financial derivatives market is not sufficiently liquid for our risk management purposes, or if we cannot enter into arrangements of the type and
 
 
for the amounts necessary to limit our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations or if our counterparties fail to deliver on their commitments due to lack of solvency or otherwise, such failure could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.  Also, our other risk management strategies may not be successful, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.  Moreover, if the rating of our counterparties in treasury investments or in our financial transactions deteriorates significantly or if any of such counterparties were to fail in its obligations to us, we may suffer a loss of value in our investments, incur unexpected losses and assume additional financial obligations under these transactions, and such failure could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
For a more detailed description of our financial derivatives transactions, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Adverse economic conditions could reduce the purchase of our products and services.
 
Our business is impacted by general economic conditions and other similar factors in each of the countries in which we operate.  The current adverse economic environment and uncertainty about present global economic conditions may negatively affect the level of demand of existing and prospective customers, as our services may not be deemed critical for these customers.  Other factors that could influence customer demand include access to credit, consumer confidence and other general macroeconomic factors.
 
In addition, there could be other possible follow-on effects from the financial crisis on our business, including insolvency of key suppliers or customers.  A loss of customers or a reduction in purchases by our current customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow and may negatively affect our ability to meet our growth targets.
 
Existing or worsening conditions in the international financial markets may limit our ability to carry out our business plan.
 
The development and distribution of our services as well as the operation, expansion and upgrading of our networks and the fulfillment of our dividend payout commitment to our shareholders, require substantial financing.  Moreover, our liquidity and capital resource requirements may increase if we participate in other fixed line or mobile license award processes or make acquisitions.  We also have major capital resource requirements relating to, among other things, the development of distribution channels in new countries of operations and the development and implementation of new technologies.
 
If our ability to generate cash flow were to decrease, whether due to the current financial and economic crisis or otherwise, we may need to incur additional debt or raise other forms of capital to support our liquidity and capital resource requirements for the ongoing development and expansion of our business.
 
The current financial crisis affecting the international banking system and financial markets generally has resulted in a significant tightening of credit markets, a low level of liquidity in many financial markets and high volatility in credit, equity and currency markets.  Existing or worsening conditions in the international credit markets may make it more difficult and more expensive to refinance our financial debt (of which €7,014 million matures in 2009) or to incur additional debt.  For example, in February 2009 we issued €2 billion in principal amount of five-year bonds with a spread of 250 basis points over swaps, approximately 150 basis points higher than what we paid on bonds issued with the same tenor in May 2008, although in a lower principal amount (€1.25 billion).  In addition, our capacity to raise capital in the international capital markets would be impaired if our credit ratings were downgraded, whether due to decreases in our cash flow or otherwise.  Further, current market conditions may make it more difficult to renew our unused bilateral credit facilities scheduled to expire prior to December 31, 2009 (for an aggregate amount of €2,720 million).
 
The current financial and economic crisis may also make it more difficult and costly for us to launch a rights issue to our current shareholders or to raise additional equity capital if further funds were needed for pursuing our business plans.
 
The successful implementation of our strategy for our mobile operations in Brazil depends on the development of our joint venture company with Portugal Telecom, SGPS, S.A.
 
Our mobile business in Brazil is conducted through a 50/50 joint venture company, Brasilcel, N.V., or Brasilcel, which is jointly controlled by us and Portugal Telecom SGPS, S.A., or Portugal Telecom.  As a result of our less than controlling interest in this joint venture, we do not have absolute control over the operations of the venture.  As a result, there is an inherent risk for management or operational disruptions whenever a disagreement between us and our partner arises.  Therefore, we must cooperate with Portugal Telecom in order to implement and expand upon our business strategies and to finance and manage the operations of the joint venture.  If we do not manage to obtain the cooperation of Portugal Telecom or if a disagreement or deadlock arises we may not achieve the expected benefits from this joint venture, including economies of scale and opportunities to achieve potential synergies and cost savings.
 
Risks Relating to Our Industry
 
We face intense competition in most of our markets, which could result in decreases in current and potential customers, revenues and profitability.
 
We face significant competition in all of the markets in which we operate, and we are therefore subject to the effects of actions by our competitors in these markets.  Our competitors could:
 
·  
offer lower prices, more attractive discount plans or better services and features;
 
·  
develop and deploy more rapidly new or improved technologies, services and products;
 
·  
launch bundle offerings of one type of service with others;
 
·  
in the case of the mobile industry, subsidize handset procurement; or
 
·  
expand and enhance their networks more rapidly.
 
Furthermore, some of our competitors in certain markets have, and some potential competitors may enjoy, in certain markets, competitive advantages, including the following:
 
·  
greater brand name recognition;
 
·  
greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources;
 
·  
dominant position or significant market power;
 
·  
better strategic alliances;
 
·  
larger customer bases; and
 
·  
well-established relationships with current and potential customers.
 
To compete effectively with our competitors, we need to successfully market our products and services and to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the relevant markets, such as the introduction of new products and services by our competitors, pricing strategies adopted by our competitors and changes in consumer preferences and in general economic, political and social conditions.  If we are unable to effectively compete, it could result in price reductions, lower revenues, under-utilization of our services, reduced operating margins and loss of market share, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
We operate in a highly regulated industry, which could adversely affect our businesses.
 
As a multinational telecommunications company that operates in regulated markets, we are subject to different laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services.  Furthermore, the licensing, construction, operation and interconnection arrangements of our communications systems are regulated to varying degrees by the European Union, national, state, regional and local authorities.  Furthermore, our activities are subject to strict regulation in many of the countries and market segments in which we operate, particularly in many areas of the fixed telephony business.
 
Regulatory authorities regularly intervene in the offering and pricing of our products and services.  Furthermore, they could also adopt regulations or take other actions that could adversely affect us, including revocation of or failure to renew any of our licenses, authorizations or concessions, changes in the spectrum allocation, revocation of or failure to renew authorizations or concessions to offer services in a particular market, changes in the regulation of international roaming prices and mobile termination rates, introduction of virtual mobile operators, and regulation of the local loop.  Such regulatory actions could place significant competitive and pricing pressure on our operations, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
Regulatory policies applicable in many of the countries in which we operate are designed to increase competition in most of our market segments, especially in the fixed telephony, broadband and mobile telephony segments, including by, among other methods, granting new licenses in existing licensed territories in order to permit the entry of new competitors or imposing special rules and obligations upon currently present operators, such as the requirement for number portability in those countries where it has not yet been implemented.  Since these regulatory policies are designed to favor the entry and establishment of new operators, they are likely to have the effect, over time, of reducing our market share in the relevant markets in which we operate.
 
In addition, since we hold a leading market share in many of the counties where we operate, we could face regulatory actions by the European Union or national antitrust or competition authorities if it is determined that we have prevented restricted or distorted competition in such markets.  These authorities could prohibit us from taking further actions such as making further acquisitions or continuing to engage in particular practices or impose fines or other penalties on us, which, if significant, could result in loss of market share and harm to our financial performance and future growth.
 
Furthermore, we can expect the regulatory landscape to change in Europe as a consequence of the revised regulations resulting from the review of the common regulatory framework currently in place in the European Union.  These revised regulations are expected to be approved at the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010 and could result in increases in the regulatory pressure on the competitive environment in every national market.  This could lead national regulatory authorities to impose as a remedy in certain and exceptional circumstances the functional separation of the retail and wholesale operations of operators with significant market power, or the regulation and supervision of the wholesale and retail markets via the creation of a new European body composed of national regulatory authorities.
 
We may also face new regulatory initiatives in the area of mobile telecommunications in Europe, including increased regulatory pressure on international roaming tariffs for data and SMS services and on mobile termination rates.  In addition, we may also face pressure from regulatory initiatives in some European countries regarding the reform of spectrum rights of use and spectrum allocation.
 
Finally, the recent adoption of new regulations regarding wholesale services (such as access to ducts or dark fiber) in Spain may result in an increase of competitive pressures in the provision of high speed telecommunication services.  For further information regarding the matters discussed above and other aspects of the regulatory environments in which our businesses operate, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation”.
 
We operate under licenses, authorizations and concessions granted by government authorities.
 
Most of our operating companies require licenses, authorizations or concessions from the governmental authorities of the countries in which they operate.  These licenses, authorizations and concessions specify the types of services permitted to be offered by the operating company holding such license, authorization or concession.  The continued existence and terms of our licenses, authorizations and concessions are subject to review by regulatory authorities in each country and to interpretation, modification or termination by these authorities.  Moreover, authorizations, licenses and concessions as well as their renewal terms and conditions may be affected by political and regulatory factors.
 
The terms of these licenses, authorizations and concessions granted to our operating companies and conditions of the renewals of such licenses, authorizations and concessions vary from country to country.  Although license, authorization and concession renewal is not usually guaranteed, most licenses, authorizations and concessions do address the renewal process and terms.  As licenses, authorizations and concessions approach the end of their terms, we intend to pursue their renewal to the extent provided by the relevant licenses, authorizations or concessions, although we cannot guarantee that we will always complete this process successfully.
 
Many of our licenses, authorizations and concessions are revocable for public interest reasons.  The rules of some of the regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over our operating companies require us to meet specified network build-out requirements and schedules.  In particular, our existing licenses, authorizations and concessions typically require us to satisfy certain obligations, including, amongst others, minimum specified quality standards, service and coverage conditions and capital investment.  Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the imposition of fines or revocation or forfeiture of the license, authorization or concession for the relevant area. In addition, the need to meet scheduled deadlines may require our companies to expend more resources than otherwise budgeted for a particular network build-out.
 
For further information regarding the licenses and concessions of our operating companies, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation”.
 
The industry in which we operate is subject to rapid technological changes, which requires us to continuously adapt to such changes and to upgrade our existing networks.  If we are unable to adapt to such changes, our ability to provide competitive services could be materially adversely affected.
 
Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate and adapt in a timely manner to technological changes.  We expect that new products and technologies will emerge on a continuous basis and that existing products and technologies will further develop.  These new products and technologies may reduce the prices for our existing services or may be superior to, and render obsolete, the products and services we offer and the technologies we use and may consequently reduce the revenues generated by our products and services and require investment in new technology.  In addition, we may be subject to competition in the future from other companies that are not subject to regulation as a result of the convergence of telecommunications technologies.  As a result, it may be very expensive for us to upgrade our products and technology in order to continue to compete effectively with new or existing competitors.  Such increased costs could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
In particular, we must continue to upgrade our existing mobile and fixed line telephony networks in a timely and satisfactory manner in order to retain and expand our customer base in each of our markets, to enhance our financial performance and to satisfy regulatory requirements.  Among other things, we could be required to upgrade the functionality of our networks to accommodate increased customization of services, to increase coverage in some of our markets, or to expand and maintain customer service, network management and administrative systems.
 
Many of these tasks are not entirely under our control and may be affected by applicable regulations.  If we fail to execute these tasks successfully, our services and products may be less attractive to new customers and we may lose existing customers to our competitors, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
Spectrum capacity may become a limiting factor.
 
Our mobile operations in a number of countries may rely on our ability to acquire additional spectrum.  The failure to obtain sufficient capacity and spectrum coverage could have a material adverse impact on the quality of our services and on our ability to provide new services, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
 
Our business could be adversely affected if our suppliers fail to provide necessary equipment and services on a timely basis.
 
We depend upon a small number of major suppliers for essential products and services, mainly network infrastructure and mobile handsets.  These suppliers may, among other things, extend delivery times, raise prices and limit supply due to their own shortages and business requirements.  Furthermore, these suppliers may be adversely affected by current economic conditions.  If these suppliers fail to deliver products and services on a timely basis, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.  Similarly, interruptions in the supply of telecommunications equipment for our networks could impede network development and expansion, which in some cases could adversely affect our ability to satisfy our license terms and requirements.
 
We may be adversely affected by unanticipated network interruptions.
 
Unanticipated network interruptions as a result of system failures whether accidental or otherwise, including due to network, hardware or software failures, which affect the quality of or cause an interruption in our service, could result in customer dissatisfaction, reduced revenues and traffic and costly repairs and could harm our reputation.  We attempt to mitigate these risks through a number of measures, including backup systems and protective systems such as firewalls, virus scanners and building security.  However, these measures are not effective under all circumstances and cannot avert every action or event that could damage or disrupt our technical infrastructure.  Although we carry business interruption insurance, our insurance policy may not provide coverage in amounts sufficient to compensate us for any losses we may incur.
 
The mobile industry may be harmed by reports suggesting that radio frequency emissions cause health problems.
 
Over the last few years, the debate about the alleged potential effects of radio frequency emissions on human health has increased significantly.  In many cases, this has hindered the deployment of the infrastructures necessary to ensure quality of service.
 
Institutions and organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have stated that exposure to radio frequency emissions generated by mobile telephony, within the limits established, has no adverse effects on health.  In fact, a number of European countries, including Spain among others, have drawn up complete regulations reflecting the Recommendation of the Council of the European Union dated July 12, 1999.  These add planning criteria for new networks, thus ensuring compliance with the limits on exposure to radio frequency emissions.
 
Whether or not other research or studies conclude there is a link between radio frequency emissions and health, popular concerns about radio frequency emissions may discourage the use of mobile communication devices and may result in significant restrictions on both the location and operation of cell sites, either or both of which could have a detrimental impact on our mobile companies and consequently on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.  While we are not aware of any evidence confirming a link between radio frequency emissions and health problems and we continue to comply with good practices codes and relevant regulations, there can be no assurance of what future medical research may suggest.
 
Developments in the telecommunications sector have resulted, and may in the future result, in substantial write-downs of the carrying value of certain of our assets.
 
We review on an annual basis, or more frequently where the circumstances require, the value of each of our assets and subsidiaries to assess whether the carrying values of such assets and subsidiaries can be supported by the future cash flows expected to be derived from such assets and subsidiaries, including in some cases synergies included in their acquisition costs.  The current economic environment and changes in the short and medium term,
 
as well as changes in the regulatory, business or political environment may result in the necessity of recognizing impairment charges on our goodwill, intangible assets or fixed assets.
 
Although the recognition of impairments of tangible, intangible and financial assets result in a non-cash charge on the income statement, such charge would adversely affect our results of operations and consequently, our ability to achieve our growth targets.
 
Other Risks
 
We are involved in disputes and litigation with regulators, competitors and third parties.
 
We are party to lawsuits and other legal, regulatory and antitrust proceedings in the ordinary course of our business, the final outcome of which is generally uncertain.  Litigation and regulatory proceedings are inherently unpredictable.  An adverse outcome in, or any settlement of, these or other proceedings (including any that may be asserted in the future) could result in significant costs to us.  Such disputes and litigation (or settlements thereof) may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.  Moreover, our involvement in these disputes or proceedings may adversely affect our reputation.
 
For a more detailed description of current legal proceedings, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.
 
Item 4.   Information on the Company
 
A.     History and Development of the Company
 
Overview
 
Telefónica, S.A., is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, incorporated on April 19, 1924.  We are:
 
·  
a diversified telecommunications group which provides a comprehensive range of services through one of the world’s largest and most modern telecommunications networks;
 
·  
mainly focused on providing fixed and mobile telephony services; and
 
·  
present principally in Spain, Europe and Latin America.
 
The following significant events occurred in 2008:
 
·  
In March 2008, Telco, S.p.A., or Telco, acquired 0.9% of Telecom Italia S.p.A.’s, or Telecom Italia’s, ordinary share capital for an aggregate purchase price of €149.8 million, and as a result Telco’s voting rights in Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital increased from 23.6% to 24.5% and its dividend rights to 16.9%.  Our indirect stake in Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital as a result of this transaction has increased to 10.4%.
 
·  
On April 3, 2008, Vivo Participaçoes, S.A., or Vivo, completed the acquisition of 53.90% of the voting stock and 4.27% of the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., the controlling shareholder of Telemig Celular, S.A.  The total purchase price was 1,163 million Brazilian reais (equivalent to approximately €429 million at the transaction date).  Vivo also acquired the right held by the seller to subscribe in the future for paid up shares in Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. for a price of approximately 70 million Brazilian reais (equivalent to approximately €26 million at the agreement date).
 
·  
On April 8, 2008, Vivo, through its subsidiary Tele Centro Oeste IP, S.A., or TCO, launched a voluntary tender offer for shares representing up to one-third of the free float represented by the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and its subsidiary Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price of 63.9 and 654.7 Brazilian reais per share, respectively.  This offer, which concluded on May 15, 2008, had an acceptance rate of close
 
 
10
 
to 100%, which resulted in the acquisition by TCO of 31.9% and 6% of the preferred shares of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A., respectively.
 
·  
On July 15, 2008, we executed a deed of capital reduction to reflect the reduction of our capital through the cancellation of 68,500,000 of our treasury shares.  After such capital reduction our share capital stood at €4,704,996,485, made up of an equal number of ordinary shares.
 
·  
On September 17, 2008, we launched a tender offer through our Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda. subsidiary to acquire all the outstanding shares of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A., or CTC, that we did not already control directly or indirectly, amounting to 55.1% of CTC’s share capital.  This included all CTC shares listed on the Santiago de Chile and New York Stock Exchanges (represented by American Depositary Shares).
 
Upon completion of the acceptance period of the tender offer, a total of 496,341,699 shares issued by CTC were tendered, representing 94.11% of the shares to which the offer related and a total investment by us of approximately €640 million.
 
Upon settlement of the transaction, we increased our indirect ownership in CTC’s share capital from 44.9% to 96.75%.
 
On December 1, 2008 we, through our subsidiary Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda., made a second tender offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of CTC that we did not own, directly or indirectly, after settlement of the first offer (representing the remaining 3.25% of CTC’s share capital), on the same economic terms as the initial bid.  In January 2009, upon completion of the acceptance period of the second offer, our indirect ownership in CTC had increased from 96.75% of the total outstanding shares to 97.89%.
 
Business areas
 
We have implemented a regional, integrated management model based on three business areas, with each area in charge of the fixed and mobile telephone and other businesses within its borders:
 
·  
Telefónica Spain: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and valued added services and data businesses in Spain.
 
·  
Telefónica Europe: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and value added services and data businesses in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Isle of Man.
 
·  
Telefónica Latin America: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and value added services and data businesses in Latin America.
 
We are also involved in the media and contact center segments through Telefónica de Contenidos and Atento, respectively.
 
The following chart shows the organizational structure of the principal subsidiaries of the Telefónica Group at December 31, 2008, including their jurisdictions of incorporation and our ownership interest.  For further detail, see Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report.
 

 
(1)
Ownership in Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U. is held directly by Telefónica, S.A.
 
(2)
85.5% representing voting interest.
 
(3)
Ownership in Telefónica International Wholesale Services. S.L. (Spain) is held 92.51% by Telefónica, S.A. (Spain) and 7.49% by Telefónica Datacorp, S.A.U (Spain).
 
(4)
Ownership in O2 (Europe) Ltd. is held directly by Telefónica, S.A.
 
(5)
Companies held indirectly by Telefónica, S.A.
 
 
Telefónica, S.A., the parent company of the Telefónica Group, also operates as a holding company with the following objectives:
 
·  
coordinate the Group’s activities;
 
·  
allocate resources efficiently among the Group;
 
·  
provide managerial guidelines for the Group;
 
·  
manage the Group’s portfolio of businesses;
 
·  
foster cohesion within the Group; and
 
·  
foster synergies among the Group’s subsidiaries.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at Distrito C, Ronda de la Comunicación, s/n, Las Tablas, 28050 Madrid, Spain, and our registered offices are located at Gran Vía, 28, 28013 Madrid, Spain.  Our telephone number is +34 900 111 004.
 
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
 
Our principal capital expenditures excluding acquisitions during the three years ended December 31, 2008 consisted of additions to property, plant and equipment and additions to intangible assets.  In 2006, 2007 and 2008, our capital expenditures were €8,010 million, €8,027 million and €8,401 million, respectively.
 
Year ended December 31, 2008
 
Our capital expenditures increased 4.7% to €8,401 million in 2008 compared to €8,027 million in 2007, mainly as a result of investments made to support the growth in Telefónica Latin America’s broadband and pay TV businesses and to further develop ADSL and adapt existing loops to FTTx (fiber optic) technology in order to enhance coverage for new services in Spain and expand the coverage and capacity of our mobile networks in all regions.
 
Year ended December 31, 2007
 
Capital expenditures increased by 0.2% to €8,027 million in 2007 from €8,010 million in 2006 principally related to our investments in Spain in our growing Internet and broadband businesses, with significant investments related to ADSL and IP services, such as Imagenio, our IPTV business.  In Latin America capital expenditures were directed toward satisfying increased customer demand in our fixed line business (particularly in broadband and pay TV) and increasing coverage and capacity of our second generation, or GSM, networks and acquiring spectrum in Venezuela, Brazil and Panama to expand coverage and guarantee service quality in areas where traffic is heaviest.  In 2007, capital expenditures in Europe decreased primarily as a result of Telefónica O2 Germany bringing forward capital investment from 2007 into 2006 as part of our build-out of our mobile third generation, or 3G, network.
 
Year ended December 31, 2006
 
In 2006, capital expenditures increased by 46.4% from 2005, impacted by the acquisition of the O2 Group in 2006 and principally due to expenditures relating to investment in broadband networks in Spain and Latin America in response to the need to bring higher capacity and new services to households, triggered by higher-than-forecast customer and market growth.  We also made expenditures associated with a faster roll out of 3G networks, mainly in Germany.  In order to meet growing traffic and customer needs, investments were also made in GSM in Latin America (mainly Brazil).
 
Financial Investments and Divestitures
 
Our principal financial investments in 2008 were made by Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda., which invested €640 million for the acquisition of the additional 51.85% of CTC, and Vivo, which invested Brazilian reais 1,163 million (equivalent to approximately €429 million at the transaction date) for the acquisition of
 
 
53.90% of the voting stock and 4.27% of the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A.  
 
Our principal financial investments in 2007 were made by Telefónica (€2,314 million for the acquisition of indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia).  Our principal financial divestitures in 2007 were the sale of Airwave and Endemol N.V., or Endemol, for £1,932 million (equivalent to approximately €2,841 million at the transaction date) and €2,629 million, respectively.
 
Our principal financial investments in 2006 were made by Telefónica (€23,553 million for the acquisition of O2 plc, or O2).  Our principal financial divestitures in 2006 were the sale of TPI and a 6.6% stake in Sogecable, S.A., or Sogecable, for €1,816 million and €330 million, respectively.
 
Public Takeover Offers
 
The principal public takeover offers which occurred in 2008 and in 2009 through the date of this Annual Report were the following:
 
·  
On September 17, 2008, we launched a tender offer through our Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda. subsidiary to acquire all the outstanding shares of CTC that we did not already control directly or indirectly.  For more information on this transaction, see “—Overview”, above.
 
·  
On April 3, 2008, Vivo completed the acquisition of 53.90% of the voting stock and 4.27% of the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. as well as the rights held by the seller to subscribe in the future for paid up shares in Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A.  For more information on this transaction, see “—Overview”, above.
 
·  
On April 8, 2008, Vivo, through its subsidiary TCO, launched a voluntary tender offer for shares representing up to one third of the free float represented by the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and in its subsidiary Telemig Celular, S.A.  For more information on this transaction, see “—Overview”, above.
 
Furthermore, in accordance with Brazilian Corporations law, TCO submitted a mandatory tender offer on July 15, 2008, for all of the remaining voting stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price per share equivalent to 80% of the purchase price of the voting stock of these companies.
 
On December 19, 2008, approval was given by shareholders of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., Telemig Celular, S.A. and Vivo in their respective extraordinary meetings to reorganize the Vivo Group, whereby TCO IP was spun off.  Its assets were subsequently integrated under Telemig Celular, S.A. and Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., making Vivo a shareholder in both of these Brazilian companies, with direct and indirect stakes at December 31, 2008 amounting to 90.65% of Telemig Celular, S.A. and 58.9% of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A.  Both companies are included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidation perimeter using proportionate consolidation.
 
Recent Developments
 
The principal events that have occurred since December 31, 2008 are set forth below:
 
·  
On January 7, 2009, upon completion of the acceptance period for the second tender offer we made for CTC’s shares, our indirect stake in CTC increased to 97.89%.  For more information on this transaction, see “—Overview” above.
 
·  
On January 7, 2009, after the Italian courts rejected Ipse 2000 S.p.A.’s case regarding the UMTS license this company held, we paid an aggregate amount of €241.3 million corresponding to the annual license payments for 2006, 2007 and 2008.  At the date of this Annual Report, we owe an additional €151.7 million in this respect. See Note 21.b to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
·  
At its meeting of January 28, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to increase the amount of dividend corresponding to the 2009 fiscal year to €1.15 per share, to be payable in two tranches subject to the appropriate corporate resolutions.
 
·  
In accordance with the above, at its meeting of February 25, 2009, the Board of Directors agreed to propose to the 2009 annual shareholders’ meeting the payment of a dividend with a charge to reserves of a gross amount of €0.50 per outstanding share carrying dividend rights.
 
·  
On March 23, 2009, we signed an agreement with Vodafone to share network infrastructure in Germany, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom with detailed discussions ongoing in the Czech Republic.  This agreement is expected to reduce the environmental impact of both companies’ roll out activities due to the consolidation of existing sites and joint building of new sites.
 
·  
On April 1, 2009, we announced that the second tranche of the 50 million share buyback program announced on October 13, 2008 (as an extension of the share buyback program then in place) was completed on March 31, 2009.  Therefore, the share buyback program initiated on February 2008 for a total amount of 150 million shares has been concluded.
 
·  
On April 29, 2009, the Board of Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend of €0.50 per share from 2009 net income, such dividend to be paid on May 12, 2009. With this dividend and the last one paid in November 2008, we have achieved our commitment to distribute a dividend of €1.00 per share prior to the end of the first half of 2009.
 
For information related to our significant financing transactions completed in 2008 and through the date of this Annual Report, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Anticipated Sources of Liquidity”.
 
B.    Business Overview
 
We increased our customer base, measured in terms of total accesses, by 13.2% to 258.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 228.7 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  This growth was primarily driven by a 16.6% increase in mobile accesses, a 20.9% increase in broadband accesses and a 29.7% increase in pay TV accesses.  By geographic area, Telefónica Latin America increased its accesses by 18.0% to 158.3 million at December 31, 2008 from 134.1 million at December 31, 2007, primarily as a result of strong growth in broadband, net adds in its mobile business and an expanding pay TV customer base.
 
The following table shows our total accesses at the dates indicated.  The classifications and explanatory notes below also apply, to the extent applicable, to the tables detailing our accesses by business area and country elsewhere in this section.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007 (1)
    
2008 (1)(2)
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses (3)
     42,340.7       43,433.6       42,930.8  
Internet and data accesses
     12,170.9       13,156.6       14,654.3  
Narrowband accesses
     3,997.7       2,678.7       1,997.2  
Broadband accesses (4)
     7,974.8       10,320.2       12,472.1  
Other accesses (5)
     198.4       157.7       185.0  
Mobile accesses (6)
     145,125.1       167,781.1       195,598.9  
Pay TV accesses
     1,064.0       1,748.1       2,267.5  
Final clients accesses
     200,700.7       226,119.4       255,451.4  
Unbundled local loop accesses
     962.2       1,396.5       1,748.1  
Shared UL accesses
     527.7       776.4       602.3  
Full UL accesses
     434.5       620.1       1,145.8  
Wholesale ADSL accesses (7)
     1,288.6       571.7       534.7  
Other accesses (8)
     228.6       656.0       1,150.1  
Wholesale accesses
     2,479.4       2,624.2       3,433.0  
Total accesses
     203,180.2       228,743.6       258,884.4  
(1)
At January 1, 2007, Iberbanda accesses are included. At January 1, 2007, Group accesses have been reclassified, to include “fixed wireless” accesses under the caption of fixed telephony. These accesses were previously classified, depending on the country, under mobile or fixed accesses.
 
(2)
At January 1, 2008, fixed wireless public use telephony accesses are included under the caption “fixed telephony accesses”.
 
(3)
PSTN (including public use telephony) x1; ISDN basic access x1; ISDN primary access; 2/6 access x30. Includes the Group’s accesses for internal use.
 
(4)
Includes ADSL, satellite, fiber optic, cable modem and broadband circuits.
 
(5)
Includes remaining non-broadband final client circuits.
 
(6)
Includes accesses of Telemig from April 2008.
 
(7)
Includes unbundled lines by Telefónica O2 Germany.
 
(8)
Includes circuits for other operators.
 
Our Services and Products
 
Fixed business
 
The principal services we offer in our fixed businesses in Spain, Europe and Latin America are:
 
·  
Traditional fixed telecommunication services.  Our principal traditional fixed telecommunication services include PSTN lines; ISDN accesses; public telephone services; local, domestic and international long distance and fixed-to-mobile communications services; corporate communications services; supplementary value-added services (including call waiting, call forwarding, voice and text messaging, advanced voicemail services and conference-call facilities); video telephony; business-oriented value-added services; intelligent network services; leasing and sale of terminal equipment; and telephony information services.
 
·  
Internet and broadband multimedia services.  Our principal Internet and broadband multimedia services include narrowband switched access to Internet; Internet service provider service; portal and network services; retail and wholesale broadband access through ADSL, LMDS and satellite technologies; residential-oriented value-added services (including instant messaging, concerts and video clips by
 
 
16
 
streaming video, e-learning, parental control, firewall protection, anti-virus protection, content delivery and personal computer sales); television services such as Imagenio, our IPTV business, cable television and satellite television; companies-oriented value-added services, like puesto integral o puesto informático, which includes ADSL, computer and maintenance for a fixed price and VoIP services.
 
·  
Data and business-solutions services.  Our data and business-solutions services principally include leased lines; virtual private network, or VPN, services; fiber optics services; the provision of hosting and application, or ASP, service, including web hosting, managed hosting, content delivery and application, and security services; outsourcing and consultancy services, including network management, or CGP; and desktop services and system integration and professional services.
 
·  
Wholesale services for telecommunication operators.  Our wholesale services for telecommunication operators principally include domestic interconnection services; international wholesale services; leased lines for other operators’ network deployment; and local loop leasing under the unbundled local loop regulation framework.
 
Mobile business
 
We offer a wide variety of mobile and related services and products to personal and business customers.  Although the services and products available vary from country to country, the following are our principal services and products:
 
·  
Mobile voice services.  Our principal service in all of our markets is mobile voice telephony.
 
·  
Value added services.  Customers in most of our markets have access to a range of enhanced mobile calling features, including voice mail, call hold, call waiting, call forwarding and three-way calling.
 
·  
Mobile data and Internet services.  Current data services offered include Short Messaging Services, or SMS, and Multimedia Messaging Services, or MMS, which allow customers to send messages with images, photographs and sounds.  Customers may also receive selected information, such as news, sports scores and stock quotes.  We also provide mobile broadband connectivity and Internet access.  Through mobile Internet access, our customers are able to send and receive e-mail, browse the Internet, download games, purchase goods and services in m-commerce transactions and use our other data services.
 
·  
Wholesale services.  We have signed network usage agreements with several MVNOs in different countries.
 
·  
Corporate services.  We provide business solutions, including mobile infrastructure in offices, private networking and portals for corporate customers that provide flexible on-line billing.  Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U., or Telefónica Móviles España, offers corporate services through MoviStar Corporativo, and other advanced solutions for data developed for specific sectors.
 
·  
Roaming.  We have roaming agreements that allow our customers to use their mobile handsets when they are outside of our service territories, including on an international basis.
 
·  
Fixed wireless.  We provide fixed voice telephony services through mobile networks in Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
 
·  
Trunking and paging.  In Spain and Guatemala, we provide digital mobile services for closed user groups of clients and paging services.
 
·  
M-payment.  Through our subsidiary, Telefónica Móviles España, and together with Vodafone España, Orange and financial institutions and payment processing companies, we have a 13.36% interest in Mobipay España, a company incorporated to develop micro-payments via mobile technology.  We also have a 50% interest in Mobipay International, a company incorporated to expedite payments through mobile phones in an international setting. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. is the other 50% shareholder in Mobipay International.
 
The following sections provide a description of the main markets in which we operate.  Customer information on the markets in which we operate, including our market share based on accesses, are estimates that we have made based on annual reports and press releases made public by our competitors or information from local regulators in the respective markets.
 
Telefónica Spain Operations
 
Telefónica Spain provides fixed and mobile telephony services, Internet and data and pay TV services in Spain.
 
Telefónica Spain’s total accesses increased 2.0% to 47.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 46.4 million accesses at December 31, 2007. Total accesses at December 31, 2008 included 23.6 million mobile accesses, 15.3 million fixed telephony accesses, 5.7 million Internet and data accesses and 0.6 million pay TV accesses. Additionally, it included 1.7 million unbundled local loop accesses and 0.4 million of wholesale ADSL accesses.
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Spain.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007 (1)
    
2008 (1)
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     15,949.9       15,918.8       15,326.3  
Internet and data accesses
     4,842.0       5,321.8       5,670.0  
Narrowband accesses
     1,040.5       660.8       388.0  
Broadband accesses
     3,742.7       4,614.0       5,246.4  
Other accesses
     58.8       47.0       35.6  
Mobile accesses
     21,446.0       22,826.6       23,604.8  
Pre-pay accesses
     9,303.0       9,181.8       9,037.0  
Pay TV accesses
     383.0       511.1       612.5  
Final clients accesses
     42,620.8       44,578.2       45,213.6  
Wholesale accesses
     1,531.8       1,855.5       2,136.1  
Total accesses
     44,152.6       46,433.6       47,349.7  
(1)
At January 1, 2007, Iberbanda accesses are included.
 
Telefónica Spain - Fixed business
 
Telefónica Spain provides fixed telephony services in Spain through the operator Telefónica de España, S.A., or Telefónica de España.
 
Operations
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to the operations of Telefónica de España:
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     15,949.9       15,918.8       15,326.3  
Internet and data accesses
     4,842.0       5,321.8       5,670.0  
Narrowband accesses
     1,040.5       660,8       388.0  
Broadband accesses
     3,742.7       4,614.0       5,246.4  
Other accesses
     58.8       47.0       35.6  
Pay TV accesses
     383.0       511.1       612.5  
Final clients accesses
     21,174.9       21,751.6       21,608.8  
Wholesale line rental accesses
     –       –       9.5  
Unbundled local loop accesses
     939.0       1,353.9       1,698.0  
Shared UL accesses
     527.7       776.4       602.3  
Full UL accesses
     411.3       577.6       1,095.7  
Wholesale ADSL accesses
     586.4       495.5       423.8  
Other accesses
     6.4       6.0       4.7  
Wholesale accesses
     1,531.8       1,855.5       2,136.1  
Total accesses
     22,706.7       23,607.1       23,744.8  

The total Spanish fixed telephony market grew by an estimated 0.7% in 2008 in terms of number of accesses.  During the same period, Telefónica Spain’s fixed telephony accesses decreased by 3.7% to 15.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 15.9 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Telefónica Spain had net fixed telephony accesses losses of 0.6 million in 2008, higher than the 31.1 thousand net fixed telephony accesses losses recorded in 2007.
 
Estimated net adds in the total Spanish broadband market decreased 23.0% to 1.1 million in 2008 from 1.4 million in 2007.  The total Spanish broadband access market stood at an estimated 9.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Telefónica Spain’s broadband accesses increased 13.7% to 5.2 million at December 31, 2008 from 4.6 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
Beginning January 1, 2008, Telefónica Spain changed the business model for its Public Use Telephony, or PUT, service and related contracts in order to maximize its operations within the scope of the applicable regulatory framework (PUT revenues were 0.7% of Telefónica Spain’s 2007 revenues).  As a result, this business is now managed on a pure wholesale basis, with only net margin booked as revenues.  Prior to January 1, 2008, this business was managed on a retail basis and we recorded both gross revenues and the associated sales and marketing expenses required to promote PUT traffic through resellers as separate line items.
 
The estimated market share of unbundled local loops in the broadband access market in Spain increased to 18.3% at December 31, 2008 from almost 17% at December 31, 2007.  Unbundled local loops at December 31, 2008 amounted to 1.7 million accesses, of which 35.5% were shared access loops.
 
Telefónica Spain’s total wholesale ADSL accesses decreased 14.5% to 0.4 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 0.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007, mainly because of the migration to unbundled local loops.  In 2008, Telefónica Spain continued to increase its presence in the pay TV market, achieving a customer base of 0.6 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 0.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
Since 2005 Telefónica Spain has bundled ADSL products with other products in Duo bundles, which include voice services, and Trio bundles, which include voice and IPTV services. The total number of Duo and Trio bundles increased by 19.7% to 4.5 million units at December 31, 2008 from 3.8 million
 
 
units at December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2008, 85% of Telefónica Spain’s broadband accesses were included in Duo or Trio bundles compared to 80% at December 31, 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
One of our main priorities has been to satisfy customer needs and increase customer loyalty by improving the quality of our customer service and offering a wide range of integrated telecommunications services.  We have reinforced our strategy of customer segmentation in order to tailor our services to best meet the specific needs of each customer segment.  In addition, with the purpose of increasing our ability to distribute our products and services, we have signed agreements with large Spanish department stores to complement our traditional channels of distribution.
 
In 2008 we marketed new products and promotions to strengthen our position in the market for fixed-mobile convergence, both for residential and business customers.
 
In 2008 we were also very active in capturing new fixed telephony customers (which, in many cases, includes broadband customers as well) through “free-connection fee” campaigns.  These campaigns stimulated new adds, decreasing the net loss of fixed telephony lines.
 
During 2008 Telefónica Spain continued marketing bundled ADSL products, which included voice and IPTV services, and communicated to the Comisión del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones, or the CMT, its intention to start marketing Quadruple bundles, which include fixed telephony, mobile telephony, broadband access and IPTV services.
 
In July 2008 Telefónica Spain launched a new ADSL offer at 6Mb intended for the residential market and upgraded the existing base of 3Mb customers (for loops compatible with such speed) to 6Mb.
 
ADSL commercial campaigns carried out to capture new broadband customers were very intense during 2008, in particular the Semana Loca campaigns, which had very positive results for Telefónica Spain.  These campaigns introduced new promotions with attractive and competitive prices.
 
In 2008 Telefónica Spain also launched Fiber to the Home (FTTH) based services, including a new range of products and services named “FUTURA”.  This line of products includes high speed Internet (currently up to 30Mb), which allows Telefónica Spain to provide its customers with advanced IPTV services such as High Definition (HDTV) channels, Multiroom (allowing clients to watch different TV channels in different rooms) and Digital Video Recording (DVR).  This offer was launched in November 2008, once Telefónica Spain received permission from the CMT allowing it to commercialize such products.
 
In the business segment, we continued to promote our Puesto de Trabajo services, which is a package of services designed to meet the voice, data and IT needs for small- and medium-sized businesses.
 
The corporate customer service model employed by Telefónica Spain, which is focused on achieving the highest degree of efficiency in customer service, has the following features:
 
·  
a 24-hour personal customer service line for purchasing any type of product and service and handling customer queries;
 
·  
Telefónica stores (Tiendas Telefónica) where customers can test and buy the products we market, including the opening in 2008 of our flagship store at the historic Telefónica headquarters building on the Gran Vía (Madrid), which is the largest telecommunications store in Spain;
 
·  
the Telefónica “virtual” store (Telefónica On Line), accessible by Internet, which offers customers the ability to order and purchase online the majority of services and products we offer; and
 
·  
a customer service system for corporate customers, ranging from a telephone help line for businesses to the assignment of sales managers to address the needs of larger corporate clients.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica Spain’s main competitors in the fixed telephony market fall within three main categories:
 
·  
cable operators, such as Spanish nationwide cable operator ONO, which offers trio bundles, and regional cable operators;
 
·  
ULL operators, such as Orange and Ya.com (both directly or indirectly owned by France Telecom), Jazztel and Tele2 (owned by Vodafone); and
 
·  
large-business oriented operators, such as British Telecom and Colt, which offer voice and data VPNs.
 
With the acquisition of Tele2, Vodafone now offers bundles of “naked” ADSL plus home zone mobile voice and fixed numbering.
 
Telefónica Spain’s estimated market share at December 31, 2008 was as follows:
 
·  
fixed telephony accesses market share amounted to approximately 77% of retail accesses (down from approximately 81% at December 31, 2007);
 
·  
broadband market share amounted to approximately 57% of retail accesses (up from approximately 56% at December 31, 2007); and
 
·  
pay TV market share amounted to approximately 14% of the market in terms of accesses (up from approximately 13% at December 31, 2007).
 
In November 2008, the CMT approved “Wholesale Access for Telephone Lines”, or AMLT, a new product that allows operators to resell telephone lines to their final customers.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica Spain has made significant investments to develop its broadband access business through ADSL technology, strongly increasing the coverage and the development of Imagenio, our IPTV service.  Additionally Telefónica Spain has begun deploying a new fiber access network, or FTTX, which currently offers only limited coverage.
 
Telefónica Spain - Mobile business (Spain)
 
Telefónica Spain provides mobile services in Spain through the operator Telefónica Móviles España.
 
Operations
 
The Spanish mobile market exceeded 53.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008, which represented a penetration rate of 116%, an increase of more than 5 percentage points from December 31, 2007.  The Spanish mobile market showed growth as a result of a decline of mobile handset prices and per minute call rates, and the success of pre-pay calling plans, with strong competition in number portability and pressure on pricing, including termination rate reductions along with the entry of new competitors such as MVNOs.
 
The following table presents, at the dates or for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to Telefónica Spain’s mobile business.
 
   
At or for the year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
Total mobile accesses (in thousands)
     21,446.0       22,826.6       23,604.8  
Pre-pay accesses (in thousands)
     9,303.0       9,181.8       9,037.0  
MOU (minutes)
     156          161          156     
ARPU (in euros)
     32.9       32.3       30.4  

Our mobile customer base in Spain, measured in terms of accesses, increased 3.4% to 23.6 million accesses at December 31, 2008 compared to 22.8 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  This growth was primarily driven by a 6.8% increase in accesses in the contract segment.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 61.7% of our mobile accesses in Spain were through a contract, which represents an increase of 1.9 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
In the context of an increasingly competitive market, with strong competition in number portability and pressure on pricing, along with the entry of new competitors, Telefónica Móviles España estimated that it had the highest share of net adds in the Spanish mobile market in 2008 (approximately 31.3% based on accesses), thanks to its competitive tariff scheme, strong focus on high value customers and effective marketing and advertising strategies. Telefónica Spain’s mobile business achieved net adds of 0.8 million accesses in 2008, down from net adds of 1.4 million accesses in 2007, with a noteworthy number of net accesses gains in the contract segment, 0.9 million accesses in 2008, down sharply from 1.5 million in 2007.
 
Commercial activity fell by 2.4% to 11.7 million commercial actions in 2008.
 
In terms of portability, which is customers transferring their number to Telefónica Móviles España from a competitor, Telefónica Móviles España’s total net adds was a negative figure of 61.3 thousand lines in 2008.  However, by continuing to focus on the higher value customer segments, net portability adds of contract lines was a positive figure of 38.8 thousand lines in 2008.
 
In terms of usage, the volume of traffic carried by Telefónica Móviles España grew 3.3% to more than 65,000 million minutes in 2008 from over 63,300 million minutes in 2007.  “On net traffic”, which means traffic originated and terminated on our network, rose 2.8% in 2008 compared to 2007.  MOU decreased 2.8% to 156 minutes in 2008 from 161 minutes in 2007.
 
ARPU for Telefónica Spain’s mobile business decreased 5.9% to €30.4 in 2008 from €32.3 in 2007.  The decrease was partially driven by a decrease in voice ARPU of 8.5% to €25.2 in 2008 from €27.6 in 2007 as a result of increased competition, interconnection price cuts and roaming-out regulation.  Outgoing voice ARPU also decreased 7.4% to €21.2 in 2008 from €22.9 in 2007.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in data ARPU of 9.3% to €5.2 in 2008 from €4.8 in 2007, with outgoing data ARPU growing 10.5% to €4.7 in 2008 from €4.2 in 2007.
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica Spain’s customers held more than 6.2 million UMTS/HSDPA handsets, representing a penetration of 27% of our accesses base, excluding machine to machine, or M2M, an increase of 11.5 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
Telefónica Spain is focused on key initiatives to preserve its position as a leading mobile operator in the market, leading it to increase commercial efforts with measures including:
 
·  
in-depth market segmentation, with a focus on customer value;
 
·  
programs to promote customer loyalty;
 
·  
pricing policy to stimulate usage, including launching segmented packages and innovative tariff options; and
 
·  
leveraging of UMTS to develop new services, deploying the network ahead of competitors.
 
Since Telefónica Spain began providing mobile services in Spain, its sales and marketing strategy has been to generate increased brand awareness and customer satisfaction to achieve customer growth and increased revenues.  Telefónica Spain utilizes several types of marketing channels, including television, radio, exterior billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising.  Telefónica Spain also sponsors several cultural and sporting events in order to increase its brand recognition.
 
During 2008 Telefónica Spain’s main marketing campaigns focused on boosting demand for mobile broadband, with the launch of data flat rates, and by serving as the exclusive distributor in Spain of high-capacity data transmission devices such as the iPhone.  Also, we exclusively launched, during the launch campaign, the high-capacity data transmission devices “Nokia N96” and “Nokia N5800”.  In addition, Telefónica Spain offers ASSUS laptops, which allow customers to access mobile broadband services.  These favorable data rates and mobile broadband capable devices have been bundled by Telefónica Spain in order to promote an increase in the number of accesses and level of use of mobile broadband services in Spain.
 
With respect to mobile voice service, Telefónica Spain promoted access to medium-range mobile phones for pre-pay customers with the launch of “Movistar Mix”, and responded to the needs of cost control of different customer segments with different ranges of flat rate plans including: Planazos launched in October 2008 for residential customers that are high users of voice services, Autónomos Tú Eliges launched in September 2008 for independent professional customers, Megabonos in May 2008 for residential customers who are high users of messaging and Tarifa Plana Familiar in October 2008, designed for residential customers calling between family members.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica Spain’s main competitors in the Spanish market for mobile communications service are: Vodafone España, a subsidiary of Vodafone plc, Orange, which is the trade name of France Telecom España S.A., Yoigo, whose principal shareholder is TeliaSonera, and other MVNO operators.
 
Telefónica Spain’s estimated market share in Spain in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 44% at December 31, 2008 (down from approximately 45.1% at December 31, 2007.)
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica Spain’s digital network in Spain is based upon the GSM/UMTS standard.  The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica Spain’s international roaming agreements, enable its mobile customers to make and receive calls in more than 200 countries worldwide.  Telefónica Spain’s GSM/UMTS based network provides its customers with access to many of the most advanced mobile handsets and a full range of services and products.
 
In 2007 and 2008, Telefónica Spain invested an aggregate amount of approximately €1,333 million in building out and enhancing its networks in Spain and developing its technological platforms and information systems.  At December 31, 2008, Telefónica Spain’s GSM/GPRS digital network in Spain, which consisted of 113 switching centers and approximately 22,000 base stations, provided coverage to approximately 99% of the Spanish population. In 2008, Telefónica Spain accelerated the expansion of its UMTS network with 1,324 new base stations with a total of more than 9,200 UMTS base stations installed at the end of the year.
 
Telefónica Europe
 
Telefónica Europe’s principal activities are the provision of fixed and mobile telephony services, Internet and data and pay TV services in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic and the Isle of Man and of mobile telecommunications services in Ireland and Slovakia.
 
The Telefónica Europe business area was created in 2006 following our acquisition of the O2 Group.
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Europe.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     2,462.9       2,130.0       1,952.7  
Internet and data accesses
     607.1       880.0       1,354.5  
Narrowband accesses
     143.7       202.4       163.4  
Broadband accesses
     451.9       670.3       1,158.7  
Other accesses
     11.6       7.3       32.4  
Mobile accesses
     35,225.2       38,263.8       41,182.1  
Pay TV accesses
     15.6       73.2       114.5  
Final clients accesses
     38,310.9       41,347.0       44,603.8  
Wholesale accesses
     243.8       706.2       1,237.9  
Total accesses
     38,554.7       42,053.2       45,841.7  

Telefónica Europe’s total accesses increased 9.0% to 45.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 42.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Total accesses at December 31, 2008 included 41.2 million mobile accesses, 2.0 million fixed telephony accesses, 1.4 million Internet and data accesses and 0.1 million pay TV accesses.  Additionally, it included 1.2 million ADSL wholesale accesses.
 
United Kingdom – Telefónica O2 UK
 
Operations
 
The following tables present, at the dates or for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in the United Kingdom.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Internet and data accesses
     16.8       70.7       340.9  
Broadband accesses
     16.8       70.7       340.9  
Mobile accesses
     17,633.2       18,382.1       19,470.0  
Pre-pay accesses
     11,415.1       11,573.4       11,862.5  
Final clients accesses
     17,650.0       18,452.8       19,810.8  
Total accesses
     17,650.0       18,452.8       19,810.8  

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
MOU (minutes)
     171          190          207     
ARPU (in eros)
     33.4       34.4       30.0  


The mobile penetration rate in the United Kingdom increased four percentage points to 123% at December 31, 2008 from December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica O2 UK, Telefónica Europe’s operating company in the United Kingdom, had total net adds of 1.4 million accesses in 2008, 69.1% more than its net adds in 2007.  Total accesses increased 7.4% to 19.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008 compared to 18.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007 (excluding the Tesco mobile customer base, which is the result of a joint venture in which Telefónica O2 UK holds a 50% stake and whose customers use the Telefónica O2 UK network).
 
Telefónica O2 UK added 0.8 million contract accesses in 2008, bringing the total at December 31, 2008 to 7.6 million contract accesses, an increase of 11.7% from December 31, 2007.  Pre-pay accesses increased by 0.3 million accesses from December 31, 2007 to 11.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  At December 31, 2008 contract
 
accesses made up 39.1% of Telefónica O2 UK’s mobile customer base, compared to 37.0% at December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2008 Telefónica O2 UK had 0.3 million broadband accesses compared to 0.1 million broadband accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
Contract ARPU decreased to €53.3 in 2008 from €63.2 in 2007 (a decrease of 2.1% in local currency).  Pre-pay ARPU decreased to €15.5 in 2008 from €18.1 in 2007 (a decrease of 0.6% in local currency).  ARPU was €30.0 in 2008 down from €34.4 in 2007 (an increase of 1.4% in local currency).  This increase in local currency ARPU was caused by the higher proportion of contract accesses in the customer base, customer adoption of new products and services and the continued growth in data ARPU. MOU increased 9.1% to 207 minutes in 2008 from 190 minutes in 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In the United Kingdom, we use a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market Telefónica O2 UK’s products and services.
 
In 2008, Telefónica O2 UK continued its focus on high-value customers across various segments with offerings such as “Simplicity”, the 3G iPhone and mobile broadband.  In 2008, Telefónica O2 UK topped the list of fixed and mobile broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) in the United Kingdom for customer satisfaction, according to a recent report by JD Power and Associates published in February 2009.  The marketing firm conducted two customer satisfaction studies based on five factors that drive overall satisfaction with the provision of mobile and fixed broadband: performance and reliability, billing, cost, customer service/technical support, and offerings/promotions.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica O2 UK, estimated market share was approximately 25.9% at December 31, 2008 compared with approximately 24.6% at December 31, 2007, based on the number of mobile accesses.
 
In addition to Telefónica O2 UK, there are currently four other network operators in the UK mobile telecommunications market: Vodafone UK, a subsidiary of Vodafone plc, T-Mobile, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telecom, Orange, owned by France Telecom, and 3, owned by Hutchison Whampoa.  MVNOs operating in the UK market include Virgin Mobile and Fresh, owned by Virgin Media and The Carphone Warehouse Group, respectively, which both use T-Mobile’s network, and Tesco Mobile, a joint venture in which Telefónica O2 UK holds a 50% stake and which uses the Telefónica O2 UK network.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica O2 UK’s digital network in the United Kingdom is based upon the GSM/UMTS standard.  The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica O2 UK’s international roaming agreements, enables Telefónica O2 UK customers to make and receive calls in more than 200 countries worldwide.  At December 31, 2008, Telefónica O2 UK’s GSM/GPRS digital network consisted of approximately 11,482 base stations.
 
Telefónica O2 UK had rolled out ULL capabilities to 1,218 exchanges by the end of 2008, giving its broadband network population coverage of 65.9% in terms of the UK population.
 
Germany – Telefónica O2 Germany
 
Operations
 
The following tables present, at the dates or for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Germany.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
         
(in thousands)
        
Internet and data accesses
     19.0       74.7       214.8  
Broadband accesses
     19.0       74.7       214.8  
Mobile accesses
     11,024.8       12,471.5       14,198.5  
Pre-pay accesses
     5,544.1       6,235.0       7,231.5  
Final clients accesses
     11,043.8       12,546.2       14,413.3  
Wholesale accesses
     149.3       596.0       1,128.4  
Total accesses
     11,193.1       13,142.3       15,541.7  

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
MOU (minutes)
     127          131          138     
ARPU (in euros)
     24.2       20.4       17.4  

The mobile penetration rate in Germany increased to 132.4% at December 31, 2008, an increase of 16.2 percentage points compared to the penetration rate at December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica O2 Germany’s total customer base, in terms of accesses, increased by 2.4 million accesses from December 31, 2007 to 15.5 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Telefónica O2 Germany’s joint venture with Tchibo Mobile was responsible for 0.1 million of this increase in accesses from December 31, 2007 to 1.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008, while Telefónica O2 Germany’s “Fonic” low-cost brand, added 0.5 million accesses from December 31, 2007, giving it a customer base of 0.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008. In addition at December 31, 2008, 3.1 million of Telefónica O2 Germany’s accesses were on the “Genion S/M/L/XL” tariff structure, which is a flat rate tariff for calls made within and outside of the “Homezone”.
 
Throughout 2008 Telefonica O2 Germany continued its program of migrating customers from legacy to new tariffs such as “Genion S/M/L/XL” and “Inklusivpakete”, which offer significantly better value to the customer.
 
Telefónica O2 Germany had net adds of 0.7 million contract accesses and 1.0 million pre-pay accesses in 2008, bringing the pre-pay customer base at December 31, 2008 to 7.2 million accesses.
 
ARPU continued to decline in 2008, decreasing 14.9% to €17.4 in 2008 from €20.4 in 2007, partly as a result of an approximately 10% cut in the interconnection rate in November 2007, the level of competition in the German market and the previously described migration program.  Contract ARPU decreased 15.0% to €29.0 in 2008 from €34.1 in 2007.  Pre-pay ARPU decreased 11.0% to €5.9 in 2008 from €6.7 in 2007. MOU in 2008 was 138 minutes, an increase of 5.3% compared to 131 minutes in 2007.
 
At December 31, 2008 Telefónica O2 Germany had a customer base of 0.2 million broadband accesses. Telefónica O2 Germany reported 1.1 million ULL lines at December 31, 2008, up from 0.6 million lines at December 31, 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In 2008, Telefonica O2 Germany continued to build on its core strategy of increasing its distribution network, which was ahead of target with 725 shops at year end.  During 2008 Telefónica O2 Germany also launched the “O2 Handy flatrate” with a minimum contract duration of only six months. This contract offers a flat rate for calls to
 
other Telefónica O2 Germany customers and to fixed lines with a monthly flat fee of €15. Calls to other networks and SMSs are charged at 19 euro cents per minute or message.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica O2 Germany’s estimated market share in Germany was approximately 13.5% at December 31, 2008 compared to approximately 13.0% at December 31, 2007, based on number of mobile accesses.
 
Telefónica O2 Germany competes primarily with three other companies in the German market for mobile telecommunications.  These are T-Mobile, which is owned by Deutsche Telecom, Vodafone Germany, a subsidiary of Vodafone plc, and E-Plus, which is owned by KPN. Telefónica O2 Germany also competes with several MVNOs.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica O2 Germany’s digital network in Germany is based upon the GSM/UMTS standard.  The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica O2 Germany’s international roaming agreements, enables Telefónica O2 Germany customers to make and receive calls in more than 200 countries worldwide.
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica O2 Germany’s GSM/GPRS digital network consisted of approximately 8,951 base stations, the UMTS network consisted of approximately 3,161 base stations and there were approximately 5,887 shared GSM and UMTS base stations.
 
Czech Republic and Slovakia – Telefónica O2 Czech Republic and Telefónica O2 Slovakia
 
Telefónica Europe provides fixed and mobile telephony services in the Czech Republic and mobile telephony services in Slovakia, where it launched operations during the first quarter of 2007.
 
Operations
 
The following tables present, at the dates or for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in the Czech Republic.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     2,402.5       2,069.2       1,893.4  
Internet and data accesses
     560.3       719.1       779.5  
Narrowband accesses
     143.7       202.4       163.4  
Broadband accesses
     405.1       509.4       583.7  
Other accesses
     11.6       7.3       32.4  
Mobile accesses
     4,864.5       5,125.4       5,257.2  
Pre-Pay accesses
     2,989.7       2,881.5       2,737.9  
Pay TV accesses
     15.6       73.2       114.5  
Final clients accesses
     7,842.9       7,986.8       8,044.6  
Wholesale accesses
     94.5       110.2       109.5  
Total accesses
     7,937.4       8,097.0       8,154.1  

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
MOU (minutes)
     102          117          121     
ARPU (in eros)
     18.0       18.9       20.7  

The mobile penetration rate in the Czech Republic increased to 131% at December 31, 2008, five percentage points higher than the penetration rate at December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s fixed telephony accesses decreased by 8.5% to 1.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 2.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007, mainly as the result of fixed-to-mobile
 
substitution.  On a net basis, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic lost 47.3% less fixed telephony accesses in 2008 compared to 2007.  This improvement compared to 2007 is the result of our strategy of enhancing the quality of fixed lines by improving broadband (basic speed was upgraded up to 8 Mbps, four times higher than the previous speed offered at the same price) and aggressively priced bundled offers.
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s broadband accesses increased 14.6% compared to December 31, 2007 to 0.6 million accesses at December, 31 2008.  The IPTV customer base increased to 0.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008. These increases are primarily as a result of increased demand for these services in the Czech Republic.
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s mobile accesses increased 2.6% to 5.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008, from 5.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Contract accesses accounted for 47.9% of these accesses at December 31, 2008, up from 43.8% at December 31, 2007.  The number of pre-pay accesses decreased 5.0% to 2.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 2.9 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
ARPU increased to €20.7 in 2008 from €18.9 in 2007 (a reduction of 0.9% in local currency).  Pre-pay ARPU increased to €9.8 in 2008 from €8.9 in 2007 (a reduction of 2.0% in local currency).  Contract ARPU increased to €33.5 in 2008 from €32.7 in 2007 (a decrease of 6.7% in local currency primarily due to the introduction of flat-rate tariffs).
 
MOU for the year stood at 121 minutes, an increase of 3.6% compared to the 117 minutes in 2007.  The increase in traffic is due to the growing number of contract customers generating higher average MOU and the launch of “O2 Neon” tariffs.
 
Sales and marketing
 
The launch of “O2 Neon” tariffs designed to stimulate traffic through a simplified, flat tariff structure resulted in increased usage in 2008.  By the end of December 2008, 0.3 million customers subscribed for one of the O2 Neon tariffs and O2 Neon accesses accounted for 11% of mobile voice contract accesses.
 
Competition
 
There are currently two other primary competitors in the Czech Republic mobile telecommunications market.  These are Vodafone Czech Republic, which is owned by Vodafone plc, and T-Mobile, which is part of Deutsche Telecom AG.
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic had an estimated mobile market share of approximately 38.6% at December 31, 2008 compared to approximately 39.2% at December 31, 2007, based on number of mobile accesses.
 
The fixed telephony market consists of six large operators and a number of other smaller providers.  In voice the major competitors are Ceske Radiokomunikacie, U:fon, UPC and other cable operators which also provide integrated voice, Internet and pay TV offers.  Internet service is offered by all major mobile operators as well as a large volume of WiFi providers.  Pay TV is dominated by a number of cable and satellite companies, the biggest being UPC.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s digital network in the Czech Republic is based upon the GSM/UMTS standard.  The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s international roaming agreements, enables its customers to make and receive calls in more than 200 countries worldwide.
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s GSM/GPRS digital network consisted of 12,676 base stations.
 
Slovakia
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica O2 Slovakia’s total number of mobile accesses amounted to 0.5 million accesses, a decrease of 19.5% compared to December 31, 2007.  In the second half of 2008 Telefónica O2 Slovakia
 
 
launched the “O2 Fér” plan, a simple tariff which unifies pre-pay and contract rates and offers SIM-only products without a handset subsidy.
 
In 2008, Telefónica O2 Slovakia continued to roll out its own network infrastructure and by December 31, 2008 the company had more than 850 base stations, which fulfilled its license conditions.  Its network currently covers close to 90 percent of the population, which is nearly double that required by its license.
 
Ireland – Telefónica O2 Ireland
 
Operations
 
The following tables present, at the dates or for the periods indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Ireland:
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Total mobile accesses
     1,631.7       1,646.1       1,727.7  
Pre-pay accesses
     1,146.7       1,090.9       1,084.6  

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
MOU (minutes)
     236          248          245     
ARPU (in euros)
     45.2       45.9       43.2  

The mobile penetration rate in Ireland reached 121% at December 31, 2008, a five percentage point increase over the penetration rate at December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland had net adds of 0.1 million mobile accesses in 2008.  Telefónica O2 Ireland’s customer base, in terms of mobile accesses, increased 5.0% from December 31, 2007 to 1.7 million mobile accesses at December 31, 2008. Of Telefónica O2 Ireland’s total customer base, there were 0.1 million mobile broadband accesses at December 31, 2008, after a successful launch in July 2007.
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland had net adds of 0.1 million contract accesses in its mobile business in 2008, including the mobile broadband accesses mentioned above, an increase of 25.3% on December 31, 2007.
 
ARPU decreased by 5.9% in 2008 to €43.2 from €45.9 in 2007.  Contract ARPU decreased 11.9% to €72.5 in 2008 from €82.3 in 2007 due to the introduction of new customer offers and promotions.  Pre-pay ARPU decreased by 7.0% in 2008 to €27.0 in 2008 from €29.0 in 2007. MOU for the year was 245 minutes, a decrease of 1.1% from the 248 minutes in 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
During the second quarter of 2008, Telefónica O2 Ireland launched “O2 Clear” an innovative new monthly pay option that gives customers the opportunity to sign up to post pay tariffs on a SIM-only basis without having to commit to a long-term contract.  It was the first tariff of its kind in the Irish market. Later in the year Telefónica O2 Ireland introduced the 3G version of the iPhone and in December launched the “O2 Treats” program, a card which allows customers to spend up to €100 on different treats/activities for themselves or a friend.
 
Competition
 
There are currently three other primary competitors in the Irish mobile telecommunications market: Vodafone Ireland, which is part of Vodafone plc, Meteor, which is part of Babcock and Brown, and 3 Ireland, which is part of Hutchison Wampoa Ltd.
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland had an estimated market share of the Irish mobile market of approximately 32.5% at December 31, 2008 compared to approximately 32.3% at December 31, 2007 based on number of mobile accesses.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland’s digital network in Ireland is based upon the GSM/UMTS standard.  The prevalence of the GSM standard, together with Telefónica O2 Ireland’s international roaming agreements, enables Telefónica O2 Ireland customers to make and receive calls in more than 200 countries worldwide.
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica O2 Ireland’s GSM/GPRS digital network consisted of approximately 1,662 base stations.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
Telefónica Latin America provides fixed and mobile telephony, Internet and data services and pay TV services through the operators described in the following sections in the main Latin American markets. In addition, Telefónica Latin America’s other members include: Telefónica Empresas, Telefónica International Wholesale Services, or TIWS, the business unit responsible for other telecommunications operators and for managing our international services and the network which supports these services, and Terra Networks Latin América.
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Latin America.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007 (1)
    
2008 (1)(2)
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     23,916.9       25,381.0       25,644.5  
Internet and data accesses
     6,723.7       6,954.8       7,629.8  
Narrowband accesses
     2,813.5       1,815.6       1,445.8  
Broadband accesses
     3,780.3       5,035.9       6,067.0  
Other accesses
     130.0       103.4       117.0  
Mobile accesses (3)
     83,298.4       100,542.2       123,385.2  
Pay TV accesses
     665.3       1,163.8       1,540.5  
Final clients accesses
     114,604.4       134,041.8       158,200.1  
Wholesale accesses
     65.9       62.6       59.0  
Total accesses
     114,670.3       134,104.4       158,259.0  
(1)
At January 1, 2007, Group accesses have been reclassified, including “fixed wireless” accesses under the caption of fixed telephony. These accesses were previously classified, depending on the country, under mobile or fixed telephony accesses.
 
(2)
At January 1, 2008, fixed wireless public use telephony accesses are included under the caption “fixed telephony accesses”.
 
(3)
Includes accesses of Telemig from April 2008.
 
Telefónica Latin America’s total accesses increased 18.0% to 158.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 134.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Total accesses at December 31, 2008 include 123.4 million mobile accesses, 25.6 million fixed telephony accesses, 7.6 million Internet and data accesses and 1.5 million pay TV accesses. Additionally, it includes 0.1 million wholesale accesses.
 
The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 2008 regarding the principal Latin American operating companies of Telefónica Latin America.
 
Country
  
Company
  
Population
  
Interest
       
(in millions)
  
(%)
Brazil
  
Telecomunicações de São Paulo, S.A.—Telesp
  
40.6
 (*)  
87.95
  
   
Brasilcel, N.V.(1)
  
190.4
    
50.00
  
Mexico
  
Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V.
  
109.6
    
100.00
  
Panama
  
Telefónica Móviles Panamá, S.A.
  
3.4
    
100.00
  
Nicaragua
  
Telefónica Móviles Nicaragua, S.A.
  
5.4
    
100.00
  
Guatemala
  
Telefónica Móviles Guatemala, S.A.
  
13.5
    
100.00
  
El Salvador
  
Telefónica Móviles El Salvador, S.A. de C.V.
  
5.9
    
100.00
  
Venezuela
  
Telcel, S.A.
  
27.7
    
100.00
  
Colombia
  
Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP.
  
44.7
    
52.03
  
   
Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A.
        
100.00
  
Peru
  
Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A.
  
27.9
    
98.18
  
   
Telefónica Móviles Perú, S.A.C.
        
97.79
  
Ecuador
  
Otecel, S.A.
  
14.5
    
100.00
  
Argentina
  
Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
  
39.7
    
98.05
  
   
Telefónica Móviles Argentina S.A.
        
100.00
  
Chile
  
Telefónica Chile, S.A.
  
16.4
    
96.75
  
   
Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A.
        
100.00
  
Uruguay
  
Telefónica Móviles Uruguay, S.A.
  
3.3
    
100.00
  
 
(*)
Concession area only.
 
(1)
Jointly controlled and managed by Telefónica and Portugal Telecom.  Brasilcel is the holding company which controls the mobile operating company Vivo.
 
Brazil
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Brazil.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     12,107.1       11,960.0       11,661.9  
Internet and data accesses
     3,556.8       3,288.6       3,625.8  
Narrowband accesses
     1,856.6       1,155.9       996.4  
Broadband accesses
     1,608.2       2,069.6       2,557.8  
Other accesses
     92.0       63.1       71.6  
Mobile accesses(1)
     29,053.1       33,483.5       44,945.0  
Pre-pay accesses
     23,543.4       27,236.4       36,384.0  
Pay TV accesses
     —       230.9       472.2  
Final clients accesses
     44,716.9       48,963.1       60,704.9  
Wholesale accesses
     38.4       37.4       34.1  
Total accesses
     44,755.3       49,000.5       60,739.1  
 
(1)
Includes accesses of Telemig from April 2008.
 
Telefónica Latin America’s accesses in Brazil increased 24.0% to 60.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 49.0 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  This growth reflects a 34% year-on-year increase in Vivo’s (Telefónica Latin America’s jointly-controlled Brazilian mobile business) customer base and, to a lesser extent, the expansion of Telesp’s (Telefónica Latin America’s Brazilian fixed line business) broadband and pay TV businesses.  These increases were offset by a reduction in the number of fixed telephony accesses at Telesp and a decrease in narrowband Internet accesses primarily as a result of a strong migration to broadband accesses.
 
 
31
 
Brazil Fixed Business – Telecomunicações de São Paulo, S.A. – Telesp
 
Operations
 
Telesp provides fixed telephony and other telecommunications services in the Brazilian state of São Paulo under concessions and licenses from Brazil’s federal government.
 
Telesp’s fixed telephony, Internet and data and pay TV accesses increased 1.8% to 15.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 15.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007 primarily due to the growth of broadband and pay TV accesses, that offset the reduction in the number of fixed telephony accesses, within the context of increased fixed-to-mobile substitution as a result of strong growth in Brazil’s mobile sector, and a decrease in narrowband Internet accesses, as a result of migration to broadband solutions.  Telesp’s fixed telephony accesses decreased 2.5% to 11.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 12.0 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Of these fixed telephony accesses, 23.8% were pre-pay accesses or accesses with consumption limits.
 
The Brazilian broadband market continued to grow strongly in 2008. Telesp increased its broadband customer base by 23.6% to 2.6 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 2.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Since 2007 Telesp has marketed “Trio Telefónica”, a Trio bundle with different connection speed options and a range of pay TV content choices, including GloboSat content.  Telesp offers pay TV mainly through a DTH solution and, since the fourth quarter of  2007 after the acquisition of Navy Tree, also offers MMDS technology, reaching 0.5 million accesses at December 31, 2008, 0.3 million accesses more than at December 31, 2007.
 
Telesp’s voice traffic increased by 7.7% in 2008 (to 76,653 million minutes) compared to 2007, due mainly to growth in long distance traffic from mobile accesses as a result of a joint marketing strategy with Vivo, as well as a higher interconnection traffic coming primarily from mobile networks.  Fixed local traffic grew 3.4% despite the reduction in the number of fixed telephony accesses, driven by the implementation of flat rates and minutes bundles. Fixed-to-mobile traffic, measured in minutes, fell 1.7% in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of a strong migration of traffic to mobile networks.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Brazil, we employ a differentiated approach to marketing whereby we use a mix of human and technological resources (a specialized team and business intelligence tools, respectively), in addition to specific studies that allow us to target various market segments according to the relevant needs of the customers in each segment.  We continuously monitor market trends in an effort to develop new products and services that may address the future needs of our customers.
 
Telefónica Latin America employs the following strategies to deliver fixed telephony and other telecommunications solutions to residential, small and medium enterprises, or SMEs, and corporate customers in Brazil:
 
·  
person-to-person sales: customized sales services to achieve and preserve customer loyalty, customized consulting telecommunication services and technical and commercial support;
 
·  
telesales: a telemarketing channel;
 
·  
indirect channels: outsourced sales by certified companies in the telecommunications and data processing segments to provide an adequately sized network for our products and services;
 
·  
Internet: the Telefónica website;
 
·  
virtual shop for corporate clients: a “gateway” for our corporate customers to acquaint themselves with our portfolio through the Internet; and
 
·  
door-to-door: door-to-door sales of services by consultants in the State of São Paulo in order to approach more SMEs to convert them into Telefónica Negocios clients.
 
 
32
 
We offer bundled products, which include both local and long-distance traffic and minutes bundled with broadband, in response to a growing demand from our clients.  We believe that the trend towards bundled offers in Brazil will continue to grow, and that further developing such offers will be important to maintaining our competitiveness in the market.
 
Competition
 
Our fixed telephony business in Brazil currently faces strong competition in the corporate and premium residential segments in respect of several types of services.  In the corporate segment, there is strong competition in both voice services (local and long distance) and data transmission, resulting in greater retention costs to maintain client relationships.
 
Our main competitors in the corporate fixed telephony line segment are Oi, Intelig and Embratel, a subsidiary of Telmex International.  In the high-income residential service segment, we compete for long-distance customers with Embratel and for broadband customers with cable TV providers, mainly NET Serviços de Comunicação S.A., or Net.  For the local voice and high-income segments, we also face increasing competition from mobile telecommunications services, which have lower rates for certain types of calls, such as mobile-to-mobile calls. Such competition increases our advertising and marketing costs.  In 2008, we also saw the entry into the market of small VoIP operators, focused on low- and middle-income corporate clients and SMEs whose impact has not been significant at this point.  We are taking several steps to defend ourselves from increasing competition.  We are focused on improving our broadband products, by offering bundled services that include voice, broadband and television, and by increasing the access speed offered to our clients.  In addition, we are improving our market segmentation and developing more competitive products intended to defend our client base from our competitors’ product offerings and to defend our market share.
 
In the low-income, local fixed telecommunications segment, we face less direct competition due to the low profitability of this market.  The most significant competition is from pre-pay mobile telecommunications providers.
 
Telesp had an estimated market share in the fixed telephony market in the State of São Paulo of approximately 83.5% at December 31, 2008 based on the number of fixed telephony accesses, down from approximately 95.3% at December 31, 2007.  This decrease is mainly due to intense competition from Net, which offers its “Net Phone” service as part of its offer of pay TV and broadband.
 
Brazil mobile business – Brasilcel (Vivo)
 
Operations
 
With 150.6 million mobile accesses, Brazil ranked first in Latin America in terms of number of mobile accesses at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008, Brazil had an estimated mobile market penetration rate of 79%.
 
Telefónica and Portugal Telecom are 50:50 shareholders in Brasilcel, a joint venture which combines Telefónica’s and Portugal Telecom’s mobile businesses in Brazil.  This joint venture is the leading mobile operator in Brazil in terms of number of mobile accesses at December 31, 2008.  All of the operating companies participating in the joint venture have been operating under the brand name “Vivo” since April 2003.  The licensed areas of Brasilcel include 20 states in Brazil with an aggregate population of approximately 190.4 million people.
 
Vivo’s customer base, in terms of number of accesses, increased 34.2% to 44.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 33.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007. Of these, 8.6 million were contract accesses.  The primary factors contributing to this growth include the acquisition of Telemig, the wider range of handsets available, Vivo’s leadership in terms of brand and distribution chain, ongoing marketing campaigns for pre-pay traffic and an improved capacity to attract contract accesses with Vivo Escolha plans.  At December 31, 2008, 53.9% of residential contract accesses had subscribed to a Vivo Escolha plan, which is a customized plan that allows customers to choose the mix of services with an extra bunch of free voice minutes, messaging, or mobile Internet access, demonstrating the popularity of this offer.  These plans also helped to increase customer loyalty by encouraging increased minute consumption and maintaining the perception in the market of Vivo’s low prices relative to its competitors.  These
 
 
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plans are divided into different categories depending on the number of minutes included as well as additional upgrade features, such as extra SMS, extra minutes of long distance calls and extra MMS.
 
ARPU was €11.2 in 2008 compared to €11.9 in 2007 (a decrease of 5.8% in local currency), reflecting the increased proportion of “SIM only” accesses in the pre-pay customer base and control accesses in the contract customer base, despite continuous growth in data consumption.
 
Sales and marketing
 
Brasilcel actively manages its distribution channels, which consisted of approximately 11,300 points of sale at December 31, 2008. Also, pre-pay customers have access to a wide range of “recharge” points. Credit recharges can also be made by electronic transfers through the commercial banking network.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 19% of Brasilcel’s customer base were contract accesses and the remaining 81% were pre-pay accesses.  Contract accesses growth was driven by customer acquisition and retention campaigns focused on high-value customers, with an emphasis on the Vivo Escolha plans.
 
Competition
 
Vivo was the leading mobile operator in Brazil in terms of number of accesses at December 31, 2008.  The growth of the Brazilian market was considerable during the past years while being accompanied by an increase in competition due to the introduction of new competitors in the regions in which Vivo operates.  Vivo’s major competitors are subsidiaries of Telecom Italia, America Móvil and Oi.
 
Vivo’s estimated market share in terms of mobile accesses in the Brazilian mobile markets in which it operates was approximately 30% at December 31, 2008, down from approximately 36.7% at December 31, 2007.  Our market share at December 31, 2007 did not include the state of Minas Gerais, which we incorporated after acquiring Telemig in 2008, and the North East region, where we began operations at the end of 2008. The incorporation of these additional concessions resulted in a reduction of our overall market share in 2008 as we build our customer base in these regions.
 
Network and technology
 
The licenses granted to the companies integrated under the Vivo brand allow operations over the WCDMA, GSM, CDMA, CDMA 1XRTT, CDMA EVDO and TDMA systems.  Vivo offers both analog and digital services in the bands of 800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2100 MHz. In 2008 migration from the CDMA to the GSM network continued.  In 2008 Vivo reached national coverage with the acquisition of 13 of a total of 15 1900 MHz licenses which were auctioned in September 2008 and, with the acquisition of the J sub-strip of the 3G licenses auction carried out by ANATEL in December 2008, Vivo should be able to improve service quality in the areas with the highest traffic on its network. At the end of 2007 Vivo reached an agreement for the purchase of Telemig in order to complete national coverage, which was closed in April 2008.
 
Vivo’s GSM customer base at December 31, 2008 amounted to 31.1 million accesses, 69% of its total customer base.
 
 
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Mexico
 
Mexico mobile business – Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V.
 
Operations
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Mexico.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
     
(in thousands)
  
Total mobile accesses
     8,553.2       12,534.1       15,330.6  
Pre-pay accesses
     8,017.8       11,833.7       14,432.4  
Fixed wireless accesses
     2.0       3.6       133.6  
Total accesses
     8,553.2       12,537.6       15,464.2  

The mobile penetration rate in Mexico was approximately 71.7% at December 31, 2008 an increase of 8.3 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V.’s, or Telefónica Móviles México’s, customer base increased 23.3% to 15.5 million mobile accesses at December 31, 2008 from 12.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Of these, 0.9 million were contract accesses.  The increase was mainly the result of a 22.0% increase of pre-pay accesses in 2008 compared to 2007.
 
ARPU declined to €8.2 in 2008 compared to €9.3 in 2007 (a decrease of 4.3% in local currency), due to lower termination rates and usage.
 
Sales and marketing
 
During 2008, Telefónica Latin America, through Telefónica Móviles México launched innovative products to maintain current customers and attract additional ones.  In addition, Telefónica Móviles México focused on commercial activity and profitability while improving the quality of its network, which enabled the company to maintain robust customer growth during that year.
 
In Mexico, we use a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market our products and services.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 94.1% of our customers in Mexico were pre-pay accesses while approximately 5.9% were contract accesses.
 
Among business initiatives that improved Telefónica Móviles México’s competitive positioning, Telefónica Móviles México launched “1-2-3 Movistar” during the 2008 Christmas season, which is a new three level, per-minute rate plan which allows clients to choose according to their level of consumption.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica Móviles México is the second largest mobile operator in Mexico based on the number of mobile accesses, and competes with various mobile operators at the national level. Telefónica Móviles México’s principal competitor is Telcel, a subsidiary of América Móvil.  Other significant competitors are Nextel and Iusacell.
 
Telefónica Móviles México’s estimated market share in the Mexican mobile market in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 19.5% at December 31, 2008, up from approximately 18.3% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica Móviles México has 100% of its accesses on its GSM network.
 
 
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Venezuela
 
Venezuela mobile business – Telcel, S.A. – Telcel
 
Operations
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Venezuela.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
     
(in thousands)
  
Total mobile accesses
     8,826.2       9,434.0       10,584.0  
Pre-pay accesses
     7,520.2       8,900.3       9,970.7  
Fixed wireless accesses
     836.6       995.9       1,312.8  
Pay TV
     ––       ––       8.5  
Total accesses
     8,826.2       10,429.9       11,905.3  

The mobile penetration rate in Venezuela stood at an estimated 100.2% at December 31, 2008, an increase of 13.5 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica Latin America operates in Venezuela through Telcel, S.A., or Telcel, whose accesses increased 14.1% to 12.0 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 10.4 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  This growth was the result of net adds of over 1.5 million accesses in 2008. 66.3% of gross adds in 2008 were GSM, and GSM accesses made up over 55% of the total mobile accesses at December 31, 2008.
 
ARPU for 2008 was €16.9 compared to €16.3 in 2007 (an increase of 11.0% in local currency), reflecting the increased proportion of contract accesses in the customer base, customer adoption of new products and services and the continued growth in data revenues.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Venezuela, we use a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market our products.  At December 31, 2008, 5.8% of our mobile accesses in Venezuela were contract accesses (excluding fixed wireless accesses from the total number of mobile accesses), while approximately 94.2% were pre-pay.
 
In 2008 Telcel continued implementing its strategy of offering a wider range of handsets than its competitors, offering exclusive handsets, including the launch of the iPhone during the 2008 Christmas season, as well as increasing sales in fixed wireless.
 
Competition
 
The major competitors in the Venezuela mobile business are Movilnet and Digitel.  Movilnet is a mobile services communication provider owned by the public operator CANTV.  Movilnet currently uses CDMA and TDMA technologies although it has started the migration process to GSM. Digitel is a mobile communications provider that uses GSM technology.
 
According to the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, or CONATEL, CANTV is the incumbent operator in Venezuela with a 79.0% share of the fixed market, and a 41.4% share of the mobile market (through Movilnet) as of December 31, 2008.  CANTV is controlled by the government of Venezuela.
 
Telefónica’s estimated market share in the Venezuelan mobile market, in terms of mobile accesses, was 37.8% at December 31, 2008, down from approximately 39.6% at December 31, 2007.
 
 
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Network and technology
 
In Venezuela, we operate both digital and analog networks.  Our digital network is based on the CDMA and GSM standard and our analog network is based on N-AMPS. At December 31, 2008, approximately 55% of accesses in Venezuela were based on the GSM network.
 
Chile
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Chile.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     2,206.2       2,172.4       2,121.0  
Internet and data accesses
     557.7       686.8       743.8  
Narrowband accesses
     53.3       31.8       18.7  
Broadband accesses
     494.5       646.0       716.6  
Other accesses
     10.0       8.9       8.6  
Mobile accesses
     5,680.2       6,282.7       6,875.0  
Pre-pay accesses
     4,507.6       4,742.2       4,956.0  
Pay TV accesses
     94.2       219.9       263.0  
Final clients accesses
     8,538.4       9,361.7       10,002.7  
Wholesale accesses
     19.9       15.4       11.5  
Total accesses
     8,558.3       9,377.2       10,014.3  

At December 31, 2008 Telefónica Latin America managed a total of 10.0 million accesses in Chile, 6.8% more than at December 31, 2007, underpinned by growth in mobile accesses, which increased by 9.4% to 6.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 6.3 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Growth was also driven, to a lesser extent, by a 10.9% increase in broadband accesses to 0.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008 and a 19.6% increase in pay TV accesses to 0.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Fixed telephony accesses decreased 2.4% to 2.1 million at December 31, 2008.
 
Chilean fixed business – Telefónica Chile, S.A.
 
Operations
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Chilean fixed business through Telefónica Chile S.A., or Telefónica Chile (formerly Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, or CTC Chile), the leading fixed line telecommunications operator in Chile based on number of accesses, according to information provided by its competitors and regulatory authorities.  Telefónica Chile’s accesses increased 1.4% from December 31, 2007 to 3.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Telefónica Chile’s fixed telephony accesses decreased by 2.4% from December 31, 2007 to 2.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Broadband and pay TV accesses continued to grow in 2008, and Telefónica Chile managed 0.7 million broadband accesses at December 31, 2008, maintaining its leadership of the Chilean broadband market, in terms of accesses.
 
Telefónica Chile’s pay TV business grew to 0.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Telefónica Chile established itself as the second pay TV operator in Chile, by number of accesses.
 
Sales and marketing
 
One of our main priorities in the Chilean fixed telephony business is to satisfy customer needs by improving the quality of our customer service.  We continued our strategy of segmenting our customers in order to tailor our services to best meet the specific needs of each customer segment.
 
During 2008, Telefónica Chile and VTR, our main competitor in the broadband service market, twice increased the speed of their respective broadband networks during the year.  In addition, Telefónica Chile also launched
 
 
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“Prepaid Broadband Service” while VTR launched “Naked Broadband” in Chile, aiming to target more customer segments.
 
The customer service model developed by Telefónica Chile, which is aimed at achieving the highest degree of efficiency in customer service, features the following:
 
·  
personal customer service lines for purchasing any type of product and service and handling customer queries;
 
·  
Telefónica stores (Tiendas Telefónica) where customers can test and buy products marketed by Telefónica;
 
·  
Telefónica’s “virtual” store, accessible by Internet, which offers customers the ability to order and purchase online the majority of services and products offered by Telefónica; and
 
·  
a sophisticated customer service system for corporate clients, ranging from a telephone help line for small and medium-sized businesses to the assignment of sales managers to address the needs of larger corporate clients.
 
Competition
 
The competitive landscape in fixed telephony in Chile is marked by a significant fixed-to-mobile substitution effect.  The increased sales of  Duo and Trio bundles is the cornerstone of Telefónica Chile’s strategic focus, which aims to increase the number of revenue generating units per customer and, accordingly, revenue per customer.  VTR is our principal competitor in the Chilean fixed telephony market, though Telmex has made a strong entrance into Chile as a “3-play player” like Telefónica.
 
Telefónica Chile’s estimated market share at December 31, 2008 was as follows:
 
·  
broadband market share amounted to approximately 49.4% of retail broadband accesses (down from approximately 50.0% at December 31, 2007);
 
·  
fixed telephony accesses market share amounted to approximately 62.1% of retail fixed telephony accesses (down from approximately 64.8% at December 31, 2007); and
 
·  
pay TV market share amounted to approximately 17% of the market by number of pay TV accesses (the same percentage as at December 31, 2007).
 
Chilean mobile business – Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A.
 
Operations
 
The mobile penetration rate in Chile stood at an estimated 96.6% at December 31, 2008, an increase of 6.6 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Chilean mobile business through Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A., or Telefónica Móviles Chile, whose customer base increased 9.4% to 6.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008, making it the market leader in Chile in terms of mobile accesses.  Growth in the customer base was driven by net adds to the GSM service, which accounted for 97.2% of the total customer base, 7.7 percentage points more than at December 31, 2007.  The number of contract accesses rose by 24.6% to 1.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 1.5 million accesses at December 31, 2007, accounting for more than 64% of net adds in 2008.
 
ARPU was €12.3 in 2008 compared to €12.0 in 2007 (an increase of 8.3% in local currency).  The increase in local currency was driven by higher traffic and greater consumption by pre-pay customers.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Chile, we use a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market our products.
 
 
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Competition
 
We currently have three primary competitors in the Chilean market for mobile telephony, each of which provides services on a nationwide basis: Entel, Claro and Nextel.
 
Telefónica Móviles Chile’s estimated market share in the Chilean mobile sector in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 43.3% at December 31, 2008, down from approximately 44.0% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
In Chile, Telefónica Móviles Chile operates with TDMA, CDMA and GSM networks. GSM customers represented 97.2% of Telefónica Móviles Chile’s total customer base at December 31, 2008. In December 2007, the 3G network was launched, and Telefónica Móviles Chile had 0.1 million accesses on this network at December 31, 2008.
 
Argentina
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Argentina.
 
     
At December 31,
  
     
2006
      
2007
      
2008
  
     
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     4,636.3       4,682.5       4,603.1  
Fixed wireless accesses
     –       104.3       22.4  
Internet and data accesses
     973.7       1,149.9       1,284.3  
Narrowband accesses
     439.2       312.2       182.8  
Broadband accesses
     517.7       819.3       1,082.0  
Other accesses
     16.8       18.4       19.5  
Mobile accesses
     11,199.4       13,629.7       14,829.6  
Pre-pay accesses
     7,315.8       8,836.0       9,687.6  
Fixed wireless accesses
     140.7       –       –  
Final clients accesses
    
16,809.4
      
19,462.1
      
20,717.0
  
Wholesale accesses
     7.3       9.3       10.0  
Total accesses
    
16,816.6
      
19,471.4
      
20,726.9
  

Telefónica Latin America managed a total of 20.7 million accesses in Argentina at December 31, 2008, an increase of 6.4% from December 31, 2007.  This increase was underpinned by growth in mobile accesses, which increased by 8.8% to 14.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 13.6 million accesses at December 31, 2007, and by growth in the number of broadband accesses, which increased by 32.1% to 1.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 0.8 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
Argentina fixed business – Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
 
Operations
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Argentine fixed business through Telefónica de Argentina, S.A., or Telefónica de Argentina, the leading provider of fixed telephony services in Argentina in 2008 based on number of accesses, according to information provided by its competitors and regulatory authorities.
 
Telefónica de Argentina’s accesses increased 1.0% to 5.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 5.8 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  This modest growth was primarily driven by a 32.1% increase in broadband accesses to 1.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 0.8 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  The growth in broadband accesses was accompanied by a slight decrease in fixed telephony accesses of 1.7% to 4.6 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 4.7 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
 
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Total voice traffic (measured in minutes) remained almost stable during 2008 as compared to 2007 despite the sharp growth of mobile-to-fixed traffic.  Local and interconnection fixed-to-fixed traffic (measured in minutes) decreased 8.0% and 3.9%, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  These decreases were offset by an increase in mobile-to-fixed interconnection traffic of 18.8% over the same period.  Public use telephony traffic (measured in minutes) in 2008 decreased by 27.7% compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Argentina, Telefónica de Argentina uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market its fixed telephony products and services. Telefónica de Argentina has continued answering customers’ needs through the development of its broadband business and by providing them new value added services. Telefónica de Argentina also focused its product strategy on bundlings and packages, supported by commercial offerings like flat-rate plans (tarifa plana). In 2008, long distance flat-rate plans were launched. The flat-rate plan was primarily sold with the bundling of broadband access together with a local traffic plan. At December 31, 2008 approximately 58% of the broadband customer base subscribed to broadband through a bundled package.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica de Argentina is the incumbent provider of fixed telephony services in the southern region of Argentina. However, other licensees currently providing fixed telephony services include Telecom Argentina, S.A., Telmex Argentina, S.A., Impsat S.A. (acquired by Global Crossing in May 2007) and Port-Hable (Hutchison Telecommunications Argentina S.A.).  Claro, a mobile phone company owned by America Móvil, also competes in the fixed telephony market.
 
Telefónica de Argentina is using its expanded fiber-optic network in the northern region of Argentina to carry long-distance traffic and a multiservice network to provide local service in the three most important cities in the northern region of Argentina where Telecom Argentina, S.A. is the incumbent provider.  Telefónica de Argentina expanded and improved its network capacity by the construction of fixed wireless networks and the activation of new lines.
 
Telefónica de Argentina also competes with Grupo Clarín, a company with a growing broadband and TV businesses as a result of the merger of its affiliate Cablevisión with Multicanal in 2007.  In 2008, Telecentro, a small provider, without global coverage in the country, launched a triple-play offering reaching a customer base of around 40 thousand clients.
 
Telefónica had an estimated market share in the Argentine fixed telephony market of approximately 48.1% at December 31, 2008 based on number of fixed telephony accesses, down from approximately 48.5% at December 31, 2007.
 
Argentina mobile business – Telefónica Móviles Argentina, S.A.
 
Operations
 
The Argentine mobile market continued to grow at a strong pace in 2008, with an increase in its penetration rate from 98% to 110% at December 31, 2008, based on number of mobile accesses.
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Argentine mobile business through Telefónica Móviles Argentina, S.A., or Telefónica Móviles Argentina, whose accesses increased 8.8% to 14.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 13.6 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Telefónica Móviles Argentina also increased its number of contract accesses by 7.3% to 5.1 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 4.8 million accesses at December 31, 2007. Of Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s total customer base at December 31, 2008, 99.8% were on Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s GSM network, which represents an increase of 13.4 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
 
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ARPU for 2008 was €8.7 in 2008 compared to €8.5 in 2007 (an increase of 10.5% in local currency), reflecting customer adoption of new products and services (upgrades and more consumption), tariff increases and the continued growth in data revenues.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Argentina, Telefónica Móviles Argentina uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market its products.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 34.7% of our accesses in Argentina were contract accesses.
 
Competition
 
We currently have three competitors in the Argentine market for mobile communications services, each of which provides services on a nationwide basis: Telecom Personal, which is controlled by Telecom Italia through Telecom Argentina; Claro, controlled by América Móvil; and Nextel, owned by NII Holdings Inc.
 
Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s estimated market share in the Argentine mobile market in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 34.0% at December 31, 2008, down from approximately 35.3% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
In Argentina we operate on digital networks based upon GSM and UMTS technology. In 2008, Telefónica Móviles Argentina deactivated its analog network. At December 31, 2008, GSM accesses represented 99.8% of Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s accesses.
 
Colombia
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data related to our operations in Colombia.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     2,359.4       2,328.5       2,299.2  
Internet and data accesses
     70.9       200.3       395.9  
Narrowband accesses
     2.9       0.0       0.3  
Broadband accesses
     68.0       200.3       393.9  
Other accesses
     ―       ―       1.7  
Mobile accesses
     7,759.7       8,372.1       9,963.1  
Pre-pay accesses
     5,960.5       6,612.9       8,327.3  
Pay TV accesses
    
―
      
72.9
      
142.3
  
Final clients accesses
    
10,190.0
      
10,973.8
      
12,800.5
  
Wholesale accesses
    
―
      
―
      
2.9
  
Total accesses
    
10,190.0
      
10,973.8
      
12,803.4
  
 

Telefónica Latin America managed a total of 12.8 million accesses in Colombia at December 31, 2008, an increase of 16.7% from December 31, 2007.  This increase was underpinned by the sharp growth in mobile accesses, which increased 19.0% to 10.0 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 8.4 million accesses at December 31, 2007, and by growth in the number of broadband accesses, which increased 96.7% to 0.4 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 0.2 million accesses at December 31, 2007.
 
Colombian fixed business - Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP
 
Operations
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Colombian fixed telephony business through Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP, or Colombia Telecom, which is present in approximately 1,000 municipalities in
 
 
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Colombia.  In April 2006, Telefónica Internacional, S.A., acquired 50% plus one share of Colombia Telecom for approximately €289 million pursuant to an auction process.  In December, 2006 Colombia Telecom merged with Telefónica Data Colombia, S.A.  As a result of the merger, Telefónica Internacional, S.A.’s stake increased to 52.03%.
 
Colombia Telecom reached 2.8 million accesses at December 31, 2008, which represents an increase of 9.2% from 2.6 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Of these accesses, 0.4 million accesses were broadband accesses, which represents an increase in broadband accesses of 96.7% compared to December 31, 2007.  This increase in broadband accesses also helped to offset the decrease of 1.3% in fixed telephony accesses from December 31, 2007 to 2.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008.
 
Colombia Telecom also launched a pay TV product using satellite technology at the beginning of 2007, allowing it to begin offering Trio bundles (voice, broadband and pay TV). As of December 31, 2008, Colombia Telecom had 0.1 million pay TV accesses.
 
Colombia Telecom has a finance lease agreement with PARAPAT.  PARAPAT is the consortium which owns the telecommunications assets and manages the pension funds for the entities which were predecessors to Colombia Telecom and regulates the operation of assets, goods and rights relating to the provision of telecommunications services by Colombia Telecom.  This finance lease agreement includes the lease of the telecommunications assets and the transfer of these assets to Colombia Telecom once the last installment of the lease has been paid which, in accordance with the payment schedule, is expected to be in 2022.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Colombia, Colombia Telecom uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market its products.
 
In Colombia, we are currently pursuing a strategy to increase market penetration, by offering bundled products such as “Trio Telefónica”.
 
Competition
 
Colombia Telecom’s principal competitors in the Colombian market are Telmex and ETB.
 
Colombia Telecom had an estimated market share in the Colombian fixed telephony market of approximately 29.2% at December 31, 2008 based on number of fixed telephony accesses, down from approximately 30.6% at December 31, 2007.
 
Colombian mobile business – Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A.
 
Operations
 
At December 31, 2008 the Colombian mobile market had 44.7 million accesses, representing an estimated mobile penetration rate of 91.1%.  This penetration rate represents an increase of 15.9 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Colombian mobile business through Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A., or Telefónica Móviles Colombia, whose customer base increased by 19.0% from December 31, 2007 to 10.0 million accesses at December 31, 2008, 91.6% of which were GSM accesses.  The number of GSM accesses at December 31, 2008 represents a 10.1 percentage point increase from December 31, 2007.
 
In 2008 Telefónica Móviles Colombia focused on its commercial restructuring and increased the breadth and depth of its distribution capabilities.  Telefónica Móviles Colombia continued to expand its GSM coverage.  Also, Telefónica Móviles Colombia continued to work on a commercial offering with the same rate structure regardless of call destination.
 
 
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ARPU for 2008 was €6.8 in 2008 compared to €8.8 in 2007 (a decrease of 21.6% in local currency), reflecting the decreased proportion of contract accesses in the customer base and the reduction of interconnection tariffs, which came into force as a result of change in regulation in December 2007.
 
Sales and marketing
 
Telefónica Móviles Colombia uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market its products.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 16.4% of our mobile accesses in Colombia were contract accesses, while approximately 83.6% were pre-pay accesses.
 
Telefónica Móviles Colombia implemented, in the contract segment, commercial promotions geared toward achieving increased customer loyalty and new tariff plans focused on a single tariff to any destination with lower basic charges to attract customers.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica Móviles Colombia currently has two primary competitors in the Colombian market for mobile communications services: Comcel, which is owned by América Móvil, and Colombia Móvil, who operates under the brand “Tigo” and is owned by Millicom.
 
Telefónica Móviles Colombia’s estimated market share in the Colombian mobile market in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 24.5% at December 31, 2008, down from approximately 26.0% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
Telefónica Móviles Colombia operates digital networks based upon the GSM, CDMA 1XRTT and TDMA standards. At December 31, 2008, GSM accesses represented 91.6% of total accesses.
 
Peru
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Peru.
 
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     2,569.8       2,843.4       2,986.5  
Fixed wireless accesses
     ―       290.0       485.5  
Internet and data accesses
     525.5       623.1       728.9  
Narrowband accesses
     47.8       40.3       17.7  
Broadband accesses
     468.5       572.1       698.4  
Other accesses
     9.2       10.7       12.8  
Mobile accesses
     4,987.2       8,067.3       10,612.7  
Pre-pay accesses
     4,353.3       7,238.1       9,575.2  
Fixed wireless accesses
     71.3       ―       ―  
Pay TV accesses
    
557.2
       640.0      
654.5
  
Final clients accesses
     8,710.9      
12,173.8
      
14,982.6
  
Wholesale accesses
    
0.4
       0.5      
0.4
  
Total accesses
     8,711.4      
12,174.3
      
14,983,0
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica Latin America had 15.0 million accesses in Peru, which represents an increase of 23.1% from December 31, 2007.  This growth in accesses was primarily driven by a 31.6% increase in mobile accesses from December 31, 2008 to 10.6 million mobile accesses at December 31, 2008, mostly in the pre-pay segment.  The IRIS project, a collaboration between fixed telephony operators and mobile operators in Peru, which was launched in March 2007 with the aim of increasing fixed telephony and broadband penetration, also contributed to the overall growth in accesses.
 
 
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Peruvian fixed business – Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A.
 
Operations
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Peruvian fixed telephony business through Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A., or Telefónica del Perú, which at December 31, 2008 was the leading fixed line telecommunications operator in Peru based on number of fixed telephony accesses.
 
Telefónica del Perú had total accesses of 4.4 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of 6.4% from December 31, 2007, due primarily to increases in fixed wireless telephony and broadband accesses.  Fixed telephony accesses increased 5.0% from December 31, 2007 to 2.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of growth in fixed wireless accesses, which totaled 0.5 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Broadband accesses grew by 22.1% from December 31, 2007 to 0.7 million at December 31, 2008.  In addition, pay TV accesses totaled 0.7 million accesses at December 31, 2008 recording growth of 2.3% from December 31, 2007 primarily due to increased cable pay TV subscriptions.
 
Sales and marketing
 
Telefónica del Perú’s commercial strategy is based on achieving and maintaining high levels of market penetration by offering customized services to different customer segments, with marketing campaigns focused on maintaining customer loyalty and increasing the options available to potential customers.  The primary products offered by Telefónica del Perú include fixed telephony, broadband, pay TV, data and IT services.
 
During 2008 Telefónica del Perú launched Duo and Trio bundle promotions, which include, with a flat tariff structure, fixed telephony, broadband and pay TV.
 
In the long distance market, after elimination of pre-selection of Telefónica del Perú by default in 2007, Telefónica del Perú began to offer tariffs per second for its Hola Perú card and tariff reductions for long distance national public telephone-to-mobile calls.  These promotions have helped offset the effect of fixed-to-mobile substitution.
 
The reductions achieved in average tariffs for local fixed telephony are the result of implementation of a productivity factor as mandated by the Peruvian government and the execution of agreements established with the Peruvian government.  During 2007 Telefónica del Perú began implementation of an agreement reached with the Peruvian government in December 2006 to, among other things, reduce tariffs by up to 29% in basic fixed telephony plans, increase the period of validity for pre-pay fixed telephony cards to 180 days, reduce public telephony tariffs and implement per second tariff plans.
 
In the broadband market, Telefónica del Perú broadened its coverage in three regions: Ancash, Ica and Junín, as well as reduced “Giga ADSL” tariffs.
 
In pay TV, Telefónica del Perú announced the launch of Evolución Cable Mágico to increase customer value by adding more channels and improving service with certain digital offerings.  Additionally, Direct TV, Telefónica del Perú’s main competitor in the pay TV market, launched its pre-pay digital subscription TV which allows it to access low-income customers, while Telmex incorporated new channels to its offer.
 
Star Global Com was purchased by Telefónica del Perú in September 2008, adding 19 thousand accesses (13 thousand pay TV accesses and 6 thousand Internet accesses).
 
Competition
 
In 2008, Telmex and Americatel, Telefónica del Perú’s two primary competitors, focused on offering bundled products (local and long distance telephony together with broadband).
 
In October 2007 a pre-selection long distance service was implemented in Peru whereby customers must now dial a company code, pre-select an operator or use a pre-pay card to make a long-distance call.  This has resulted in an increase of competition in this market reducing prices in general.
 
 
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Telmex implemented an aggressive strategy to enter the residential market by offering a “triple play” service. The response from Telefónica del Perú consisted of increasing Trio bundle options at lower prices.
 
Telefónica del Perú had an estimated market share in the Peruvian fixed telephony market of approximately 94.0% at December 31, 2008, based on number of fixed telephony accesses, down from approximately 95.9% at December 31, 2007.
 
Peruvian mobile business – Telefónica Móviles Perú, S.A.C.
 
Operations
 
The pace of growth of the Peruvian mobile market accelerated in 2008, with an estimated mobile penetration rate of 60.6% at December 31, 2008, which represents an increase of 13.1 percentage points compared to December 31, 2007.
 
Telefónica Latin America conducts its Peruvian mobile business through Telefónica Móviles Perú, S.A.C., or Telefónica Móviles Perú, whose customer base increased 31.6% from December 31, 2007 to 10.6 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  This increase was primarily driven by a 32.3% increase in the number of pre-pay accesses from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.  In 2008, Telefónica Móviles Perú continued the migration to GSM technology, and at December 31, 2008, GSM accesses accounted for 89.6% of its total customer base, which represents an increase of 52.3% from December 31, 2007.
 
ARPU for 2008 was €6.0 in 2008 compared to €7.3 in 2007 (a decrease of 16.6% in local currency), as a consequence of reductions in both contract and pre-pay tariffs.
 
Sales and marketing
 
Telefónica Móviles Perú uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market its products.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 90.2% of Telefónica Móviles Perú’s mobile accesses were pre-pay accesses, while approximately 9.8% were contract accesses.
 
Competition
 
Telefónica Móviles Perú currently has two primary competitors in the Peruvian market for mobile telephony services: Claro, owned by América Móvil, and Nextel Perú.
 
New mobile price tariffs were launched by both Telefónica Móviles Perú and Claro at the beginning of 2008, which consist of mobile tariffs that do not differentiate between on-net and off-net calls.
 
Telefónica’s estimated market share in the Peruvian mobile market in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 62.6% at December 31, 2008, up from approximately 61.2% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
At December 31, 2008 Telefónica Móviles Perú operated both GSM and CDMA technology.  Its digital network is based upon the CDMA/CDMA 1XRTT standard, and Telefónica Móviles Perú launched its GSM network in February 2006. At December 31, 2008, approximately 89.6% of Telefónica Móviles Perú’s customer base was GSM accesses.
 
Ecuador
 
Ecuadorian mobile business – Otecel, S.A.
 
Operations
 
The Ecuadorian mobile market experienced strong growth in 2008, with an estimated mobile penetration rate of 81% by the end of the year, which represents an increase of 11 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
 
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The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data relating to our operations in Ecuador.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Total mobile accesses
     2,490.0       2,581.1       3,122.5  
Pre-pay accesses
     2,133.0       2,177.5       2,650.5  
Fixed wireless accesses
     1.7       1.3       89.4  
Total accesses
     2,490.0       2,582.4       3,211.9  

Telefónica Latin America conducts its Ecuadorian mobile business through Otecel, S.A., or Otecel, which had a customer base of 3.2 million accesses at December 31, 2008 an increase of 24.4% from 2.6 million accesses at December 31, 2007.  Of these, 83.1% were GSM accesses, representing an increase of 13 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
ARPU for 2008 was €6.7 in 2008 compared to €6.6 in 2007 (an increase of 8.9% in local currency), as a result of higher consumption.
 
Sales and marketing
 
In Ecuador, Otecel uses a broad range of marketing channels, including television, radio, billboards, telemarketing, direct mail and Internet advertising to market their products.  At December 31, 2008, approximately 84.9% of our mobile accesses in Ecuador were pre-pay accesses, while approximately 15.1% were contract accesses.
 
The number of accesses on the “movistar” and “multicolour” tariffs, which are preferential tariff plans for on-net and off-net calls, respectively, had an approximate three-fold aggregate increase to 2.7 million pre-pay accesses at December 31, 2008.
 
Competition
 
Otecel currently has two primary competitors in market for mobile communications services in Ecuador, Porta (América Móvil) and Alegro.
 
Telefónica’s estimated market share in the Ecuadorian mobile market in terms of mobile accesses was approximately 26.6% at December 31, 2008, up from approximately 26.0% at December 31, 2007.
 
Network and technology
 
Otecel operates both analog and digital networks. Its digital network is based upon the GSM standard and CDMA standard.
 
 
 
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Central America
 
Telefónica Central America (which includes Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua) reduced its commercial activity during 2008, compared to 2007, mainly due to the already high penetration levels reached, especially in El Salvador and Panama, implementation of a more selective commercial approach to capture higher value customers and intense competition.
 
At the end of 2008, the mobile penetration rate of the Central American market, where Telefónica operates, was 80.4%, which represents an increase of 11.2 percentage points from December 31, 2007.
 
The following table presents, at the dates indicated, selected statistical data related to our operations in Central America.
 
   
At December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Fixed telephony accesses
     320.3       393.4       437.2  
Internet and data accesses
     26.0       22.0       18.4  
Broadband accesses
     24.1       19.8       16.5  
Pay TV accesses
     14.0       —       —  
Mobile accesses
     3,618.6       5,009.9       5,702.0  
Total accesses
     3,978.9       5,425.3       6,157.6  

Telefónica Central América’s customer base increased by 13.5% from December 31, 2007 to 6.2 million accesses at December 31, 2008.  Of this, Telefónica Central América had 0.4 million fixed telephony accesses and 0.4 million mobile contract accesses.  Growth was fueled by the effectiveness of commercial campaigns carried out throughout 2008 based on new offers focused on competitive tariff plans.
 
ARPU for 2008 was €7.4 in 2008 compared to €9.7 in 2007 (a decrease of 17.7% on a constant euro basis), down sharply on a constant euro basis due to a decrease in usage and a lower proportion of contract accesses in the customer base.
 
Atento - Call Center Business
 
Atento offers integrated telephone assistance services as well as sophisticated customer relationship management services, such as the development and implementation of customer loyalty programs, telemarketing services and market research. In addition, Atento rents call centers and provides staff for such centers to third parties.  Atento has sought to diversify its client base and serves companies in the financial, consumer and energy sectors, as well as public institutions.  At December 31, 2008, Atento operated more than 95 call centers and had 132,121 call center personnel in 16 countries on three continents, including Europe (Spain and Czech Republic), America (Latin America) and Africa (Morocco).
 
Strategic Partnerships
 
China Unicom
 
In June 2005, Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U., or Telefónica Internacional, acquired through open market purchases 2.99% of the outstanding shares of CNC, a Chinese telecommunications company, for an equivalent of approximately €240 million.  In September 2005, Telefónica Internacional increased its stake in CNC to 5.0% of its outstanding shares through open market purchases for a total equivalent of approximately €424 million.
 
Subsequently, both companies entered into a strategic alliance agreement on November 14, 2005 and a supplemental agreement on November 12, 2006.
 
In January 2008, we agreed to acquire an additional stake of approximately 2.22% in CNC through our subsidiary Telefónica Internacional, which closed on September 22, 2008, for an approximate purchase price of €313 million.
 
In addition, in September 2008, Telefónica Internacional agreed to acquire an additional stake of approximately 5.74% of CNC’s share capital.  This acquisition was structured in two stages.  In the first stage of the acquisition, carried out in September 2008, Telefónica International acquired shares representing 2.71% of CNC for approximately €374 million.  Subsequently, on October 14, 2008 the merger between CNC and CU was carried out at an exchange ratio of 1,508 shares of the new company for each share of the former company.  After this merger, the second stage of the acquisition was carried out, which consisted of our acquisition of additional shares issued by the new company for an approximate purchase price of €413 million.
 
 
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After these acquisitions and the merger between CNC and CU, our stake in CU at December 31, 2008 stood at approximately 5.38%.
 
Portugal Telecom
 
At December 31, 2007, we held an 8.32% effective interest in Portugal Telecom (or 9.16% if shares held by Portugal Telecom in treasury are not counted as outstanding), our joint venture partner in Brazil.
 
In December 2008, Portugal Telecom bought back and cancelled 46,082,677 shares in line with its share buyback program.  This raised our direct and indirect ownership interest to 10.48%. In accordance with Portuguese securities regulation, which require us to dispose of any shares which bring our ownership stake over 10%, we sold 4,264,394 shares of Portugal Telecom, thereby lowering our stake to 10%.  We account for our interest in Portugal Telecom pursuant to the equity method.
 
Within the framework of our business cooperation with Portugal Telecom, we provide mobile services in Morocco (through Medi Telecom, S.A., in which we hold a 32.18% interest and share management responsibilities with Portugal Telecom) and Brazil (through Brasilcel, in which we hold a 50% interest and share management responsibilities with Portugal Telecom, under the brand name “Vivo”).
 
For more information on these joint ventures, please see “—Telefónica Latin America—Brazil—Brazil mobile business” above and “—Medi Telecom” below.
 
Medi Telecom
 
Telefónica Spain provides mobile services in Morocco through Medi Telecom, S.A., or Medi Telecom, in which Telefónica Móviles España holds a 32.18% interest and shares management responsibilities with Portugal Telecom, as described above.  Medi Telecom is one of three mobile operators in Morocco, with over 6.5 million accesses at December 31, 2008.
 
Medi Telecom commenced offering mobile services in Morocco in March 2000, eight months after it was awarded a GSM license covering the Moroccan national territory.  In 2005, Medi Telecom obtained a fixed telephony license and the company is currently constructing a fixed network using WiMax technology.
 
Telefónica Móviles España has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with other shareholders of Medi Telecom under which it has the right to appoint the chief executive officer of Medi Telecom and sales of shares in Medi Telecom are subject to a right of first refusal by the other shareholders in Medi Telecom.
 
The following table presents selected financial data relating to Medi Telecom based on our percentage ownership.
 
   
Millions of euros
  
 
As of
  
% Holding
    
Total assets(1)
    
Total liabilities(1)
    
Current revenues(1)
    
Profit for the year(1)
    
Carrying amount
    
Fair value
  
December 31, 2008
     32.18 %     1,217       951       464       30       95       N/A  
December 31, 2007
     32.18 %     1,275       1,023       447       24       91       N/A  
___________
(1)
Based on our proportionate interest.
 
Telecom Italia
 
Through a series of transactions throughout 2007 and 2008, we acquired an indirect holding of 10.4% in the voting shares of Telecom Italia (7.1% of the dividend rights).  The Telecom Italia group is principally engaged in the
 
 
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communications sector and, particularly, in telephone and data services on fixed lines for final and wholesale customers, in the development of fiber optic networks for wholesale customers in the provision of broadband services and Internet services, in domestic and international mobile telecommunications (especially in Brazil), in the television sector using both analog and digital terrestrial technology and in the office products sector. Telecom Italia operates primarily in Europe, the Mediterranean basin and in South America.  For more information, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects —Operating Results—Significant Transactions Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations in the Period Under Review” and “Item 10. Additional Information—Material Contracts”.  Telco, through which we hold our stake in Telecom Italia, is included in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method.
 
Regulation
 
As a telecommunications operator, we are subject to sector-specific telecommunications regulations, general competition law and a variety of other regulations.  The extent to which telecommunications regulations apply to us depends largely on the nature of our activities in a particular country, with traditional fixed telephony services usually subject to more extensive regulations, which can have a direct and material effect on our business areas, particularly in countries that favor regulatory intervention.
 
To operate our networks, we must obtain general authorizations, concessions or licenses from national regulatory authorities, or NRAs, in those countries in which we operate.  Licensing procedures also apply to our mobile operations with respect to radio frequencies. The duration of any particular license or spectrum right depends on the legal framework in the relevant country.
 
Electronic Communication Regulation in the EU
 
The EU legal framework for electronic communications services has been developed with the aim of reinforcing the liberalization of the market and improving the functioning of the EU internal market for telecommunications networks and services, which culminated in the adoption of the 2002 EU regulatory framework for electronic communications sector (the “EU Framework”). Such regulatory framework primarily consists of Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and service (“Framework Directive”) and of four specific Directives: Directive 2002/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on the authorization of electronic communications networks and services (“Authorization Directive”), Directive 2002/19/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities (“Access Directive”), Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (“Universal Service Directive”) and Directive 97/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the telecommunications sector (“Data Protection Directive”).  These Directives set forth the main principles and procedures that NRAs should follow with respect to regulation for the provision of electronic communications services.  The EU Framework establishes an authorization regime containing measures to ensure the universal provision of basic services to consumers and sets out the terms on which providers may access each other’s networks and services.
 
The e-Privacy Directive (2002/58/EC) (the “e-Privacy Directive”) complements and supplements the general Data Protection Directive in the area of electronic communications.  It provides for basic obligations to ensure the security and confidentiality of communications over EU electronic communications networks and gives consumers a set of tools to protect their privacy and personal data.
 
In 2006, the European Union established a new regulation regarding data retention of electronic communications data in order to ensure that electronic communication data are available for the purpose of the investigation, detection and prosecution of serious crimes.  These data retention rules set minimum standards for the type of data to be retained and the retention period.  The initial impact of this new regulation is estimated to be significant, although it will depend on the requirements established at the national level and the extent to which operators will be compensated for the costs associated with its implementation.  For further information regarding
 
 
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the matters discussed above and other aspects of the regulatory risks derived from the new regulation, see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks related to our business”.
 
Notably, the EU Framework also harmonizes the rules for deciding when regulation may be imposed on electronic communications providers.  In particular, it provides that electronic communications providers can generally only be subject to specific regulation in markets in which they have “significant market power”, or SMP.  The concept of SMP, for these purposes, has been aligned to the competition law concept of dominance, which essentially means a market position which allows a company to act independently of customers, suppliers and competitors.
 
Accordingly, the European Commission has identified in a Recommendation a list of relevant markets whose conditions may justify the application of ex ante specific regulation.  The Recommendation was published on February 2003 and it has been modified by another Recommendation published in December 2007, which reduces the relevant markets from 18 to 7.  In order to determine whether a company has SMP in any of the markets identified in the Recommendations, NRAs must conduct a market analysis for the relevant market.  When an NRA determines a company has SMP in a relevant market, that NRA must impose at least one obligation relating to price control, transparency, non-discrimination, accounting separation or access obligations.
 
Regulation with respect to roaming tariffs in the EU entered into force on June 30, 2007.  The regulation introduces a maximum level for the charges that operators may levy at wholesale level as well as maximum retail ceilings (referred to “Eurotariff”) for making and receiving calls while roaming in the EU.  The regulation is set to expire in 2010.  This regulation could be extended beyond that date if this market is not deemed to be effectively competitive.
 
A wholesale tariff price cap has been set at €0.28 per minute (excluding VAT) from August 30, 2008.  This will then decrease to €0.26 per minute (excluding VAT) from August 30, 2009.  The price caps for retail tariffs (excluding VAT) were initially set at €0.49 per minute for making a call and €0.24 per minute for receiving a call while roaming in the EU.  These caps were subsequently reduced to €0.46 per minute for making a call and €0.22 per minute for receiving a call from August 30, 2008 until August 30, 2009.  These price caps will be further reduced in September 2009 to €0.43 per minute and €0.19 per minute, respectively.
 
Currently, the roaming regulation only applies to voice calls within the EU regardless of whether such calls are pre-paid or pursuant to a contract.  It does not apply to other mobile phone services, such as SMS, MMS or data transfers.  However, the European Commission has adopted a proposal to reduce prices for SMS services by proposing an €0.11 price cap on roaming text messages (excluding VAT) and has proposed to regulate wholesale data roaming tariffs with a price cap of €1 per megabyte.  Pursuant to these proposals, on April 24, 2009, the European Parliament adopted changes to the existing roaming regulation for voice calls to extend its applicability for an additional two years and to expand its scope to include regulation of SMS and data roaming prices.  Most of the new rules will apply beginning in the summer of 2009 with some of the transparency measures coming into effect in spring of 2010.
 
Last revised in 2002, the EU Framework is currently under review, to take account of developments in electronic communications.  Hence, on November 13, 2007, the European Commission approved the Proposals for a Regulatory Framework for Electronic Communications, amending the Framework Directive, the Access Directive, the Authorization Directive, the Universal Service Directive, the e-Privacy Directive and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 on consumer protection cooperation.  The European Commission also approved a proposal establishing the European Electronic Communications Market Authority.  The approval of these proposals is foreseen at some point in 2009 or 2010.
 
In addition, the European Commission approved the Proposal for amending Council Directive 87/372/EEC on the frequency band 900 MHz in order to allow the use of such band by systems capable of providing electronic communication services not limited to GSM.
 
 
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EU Competition Law
 
The EU’s competition rules have the force of law in EU Member States and are, therefore, applicable to our operations in EU Member States.
 
The EC Treaty prohibits “concerted practices” and all agreements for undertakings that may affect trade between Member States and which restrict, or are intended to restrict, competition within the EU. It also prohibits any abuse of a dominant competitive position within the common market of the EU, or any substantial part of it, that may affect trade between Member States.
 
The EU Merger Regulation requires that all mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures involving participants meeting certain turnover thresholds be submitted to the EU Commission for review, rather than to the national competition authorities.  Under the amended EU Merger Regulation, market concentrations will be prohibited if they significantly impede effective competition in the EU common market.  European Commission and the EU Competition Commissioner are granted the authority to apply the European Competition framework.
 
Similar competition rules are set forth in each EU Member State’s legislation and are enforced by each of their national competition authorities, or NCAs.  All European countries where we have activities and referred to below are Member States of the EU.
 
Telefónica Spain
 
Spain
 
General regulatory framework
 
The legal framework for the regulation of the telecommunications sector in Spain is principally governed by the General Telecommunications Law (32/2003) and several Royal Decrees.
 
The General Telecommunications Law, among other things, sets forth rules regarding the new system of notification for electronic communications services, establishes the terms by which operators interconnect their networks, defines the universal service provision regime and subjects providers with SMP in particular telecommunications markets to specific obligations.
 
Regulatory supervision
 
The Telecommunications Market Commission, or the CMT, is the NRA responsible for regulating the telecommunications and audiovisual service markets in Spain.  The CMT supervises the specific obligations imposed on operators in the telecommunications market, and it has the requisite power to enforce its decisions whenever necessary.
 
The Framework Directive requires that NRAs have the power to issue binding decisions to resolve disputes arising in connection with obligations imposed under the regulatory framework.
 
The Spanish regulatory framework explicitly acknowledges the right for third parties who are affected by a Spanish NRA decision to challenge this decision before the appeal body.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Pursuant to the EU Framework, parties intending to operate a telecommunications network or engage in the provision of electronic communication services must notify the CMT prior to commencing such activity.  The CMT will register the telecommunications operator in the Public Operator Registry.  Every three years, operators must notify the CMT of their intention to continue offering electronic communications services or operating telecommunications networks.
 
 
 
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Concessions to use spectrum are awarded on a non-discriminatory basis by way of a competitive procedure. Telefónica Móviles España is entitled to provide mobile services on several spectrum bands.  Our main concessions are:
 
 
Technology
  
 
Duration
  
 
Ending Date
  
 
Extension Period
GSM 900
  
15 years
  
February 3, 2010
  
5 years
E-GSM 900
  
15 years
  
June 6, 2020
  
5 years
DCS-1800
  
25 years
  
July 24, 2023
  
5 years
UMTS
  
20 years
  
April 18, 2020
  
10 years

Market analysis
 
In accordance with the EU Framework, the Spanish NRA should identify those markets which lack effective competition, in which case it would impose specific obligations upon operators with SMP.  During 2008, the CMT conducted a second round of market analyses to determine which operators have SMP in which markets.
 
Fixed markets
 
Retail access to the public telephone network at a fixed location market; Retail market for calls at a fixed location and Retail lease lines market
 
In March 2006, and following a market analysis, the CMT concluded that Telefónica de España is an operator with SMP in the provision of retail access to the public telephone network service at a fixed location.  As an SMP operator, Telefónica de España has certain specific obligations and is subject to certain restrictions, the most relevant of which are maximum price caps for installation and monthly fees.  Telefónica de España also has obligations regarding carrier selection, cost accounting and accounting separation.
 
With respect to the retail market for calls at a fixed location market, on December 12, 2008, the CMT has determined that this market is competitive and, thus, it has resolved to withdraw all obligations imposed on Telefónica de España with respect to such market.
 
In 2006, the CMT identified Telefónica de España as an operator with SMP in the retail lease lines market, and imposed, among other obligations, the duty to provide access to a minimum set of lease lines under price controls.
 
Wholesale fixed call origination market
 
On March 22, 2007, the CMT adopted new regulations concerning call origination on the wholesale fixed call origination market, introducing additional obligations for Telefónica de España to provide wholesale access to its fixed network to other operators, allowing competitors to use its networks to provide access services and other associated services to their customers.
 
In December 2008, the CMT concluded that Telefónica de España is an operator with SMP in this market and it has requested that Telefónica de España offer wholesale service to assist other operators in offering IP telephony services and provide transparent information of migration to Next Generation Networks, or NGN, centrals, which implies the provision of broad information to competitors about network evolution.
 
Fixed call termination market on individual networks
 
As an operator with SMP in fixed call termination market on individual networks, Telefónica de España is required to submit an “Interconnection Reference Offer (OIR)” outlining the terms and conditions under which it will interconnect with other operators.
 
In December 2008, the CMT concluded that Telefónica de España is an operator with SMP in this market.  The CMT maintained its obligations for Telefónica de España to submit an Interconnection Reference Offer (OIR).  The CMT also added the obligation that Telefónica de España provide transparent information with respect to migration to NGN centrals, which implies the provision of broad information to competitors about network evolution.
 
 
 
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Mobile market
 
Mobile voice call termination
 
In September 2006, the CMT established a progressive reduction schedule for mobile termination rates (the “glide path”) from October 2006 to September 2009.
 
In December 2008, Telefónica Móviles España was again identified by the CMT as an operator with SMP in mobile voice call termination on individual mobile networks, and therefore continues to be subject to the obligations already imposed on it by the CMT and as well as the additional obligation to charge for seconds of usage according to a single termination price established by the CMT.  Before July 30, 2009, it is expected that the CMT will establish a new glide path for mobile voice call termination rates with a single price that includes a glide path for the fourth largest operator in the Spanish market with the objective of price convergence with the other operators in the market.
 
Mobile voice call origination
 
MVNOs are mobile operators that are not entitled to use spectrum for the provision of mobile services. Consequently, they must reach an access agreement with a mobile network operator in order to provide mobile access to their customers.
 
On February 2, 2006, the CMT established that mobile network operators collectively hold a dominant position in the mobile access and voice call origination market.  Mobile operators are, therefore, obliged to negotiate reasonable access to their network upon request from an MVNO, charging reasonable prices for access services provided.  MVNOs and mobile operators negotiate an access agreement on a commercial basis.  If parties are unable to reach an agreement independently, the CMT may intervene to resolve the dispute.
 
Wholesale (physical) network infrastructures access
 
In January 2009, the CMT concluded that Telefónica de España is an operator with SMP in the wholesale (physical) network infrastructures access market, and imposed the following obligations on Telefónica de España: access to full and shared unbundled access to copper loops, sub-loops and ducts, cost oriented tariffs and accounting separation, transparency and non-discrimination obligations including an “Unbundling Reference Offer” and a “Ducts Reference Offer”.  In February 2008, the CMT imposed similar obligations with respect to vertical access to buildings.
 
Wholesale broadband access
 
In January 2009, the CMT identified Telefónica de España as an operator with SMP in the wholesale broadband access market, and consequently the CMT has imposed on Telefónica de España the obligation to provide wholesale broadband access service until 30 Mbps to other operators in copper and fiber infrastructure.  The CMT also obliges Telefónica de España to publish a wholesale broadband access reference offer, provide cost-oriented tariffs and accounting separation, non-discrimination in network access and to communicate broadband retail changes in services prior to offering them in the market.
 
Universal service obligations
 
The General Telecommunications Law outlines provisions to ensure that certain basic telecommunications services are guaranteed to all Spanish citizens.
 
Universal service is defined, under the law, as a set of communication services guaranteed to all end users, irrespective of their geographic location, of a determined quality and at an affordable price.  Universal service ensures that all citizens receive a connection to the fixed line public network and network services, a telephone directory service, a sufficient number of public telephones and functional Internet access.  Additional provisions are included under the scope of universal service obligation, or USO, in order to ensure that users with disabilities and special social needs, including those with low incomes, have access to the services enjoyed by the majority of users.
 
 
 
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In December 2008, following applications by three operators, Telefonica de España was awarded a tender for the provision of directory enquiry services for a period of three years and it has also been designated for the provision of the remaining universal service elements for a period of two years by virtue of Order ITC/3808/2008.
 
To finance the USO, the General Telecommunications Law stipulates that the CMT must determine whether the net cost to provide universal service implies an unfair burden for the operators.  On September 2008, the CMT published a resolution which established net cost of USO for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, the obligation of operators to contribute to USO funding and the amount of contributions these operators must make.
 
Protection of consumers
 
On December 29, 2006, Law 44/2006 regarding the protection of consumers and users was approved.  Under this law, users may only be charged for services actually used.  Consequently, operators can only charge for the exact seconds of usage.  A draft law of User’s Rights has been adopted and is basically the compendium of the current Spanish users rights framework derived from: General Telecommunications Law 32/2003 (LGT), Royal Decree 424/2005 of April 15, 2005 (RSU) and Order ITC/912/2006 (Quality Order).
 
Service quality
 
On March 29, 2006, a regulation was approved which established certain quality of service, or QoS, obligations for electronic communications service providers such as including service level agreements, or SLAs, commitments in electronic communication retail contracts.  This regulation also requires operators to provide adequate information to customers in relation to service quality levels and detailed billing disclosure to customers.  Additionally, a standardized process for billing customers has been implemented under this regulation.
 
Data retention for law enforcement purposes
 
The 2006 Directive 2006/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the retention of data generated or processed in connection with the provision of publicly available electronic communications services or of public communications networks (“Data Retention Directive”) was incorporated into Spanish legislation on November 9, 2007.  Electronic communications operators are obliged to ensure the retention of data on electronic communications for a period of twelve months.
 
Additionally, Spain has implemented a register of pre-pay mobile customers in conjunction with these requirements.  Existing prepaid customers have a period of two years for the registration since the law entered into force and the new clients must be registered immediately.
 
Telefónica Europe
 
United Kingdom
 
The EU Regulatory Framework was implemented in the United Kingdom by the Communications Act in 2003. Under this act, responsibility for the regulation of electronic communications networks and services rests with the Office of Communications, or Ofcom.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica O2 UK has provided GSM services since July 1994. Its GSM license is of indefinite duration (GSM900: 2x17.4MHz and GSM1800: 2x5.8MHz). In April 2000 Telefónica O2 UK was awarded a UMTS license, which expires on December 31, 2021 (2 x 10MHz + 5MHz).
 
The license can be surrendered by the operator at any time.  However, Ofcom can only revoke the license if the licensee does not pay its fees, there has been a breach of the license or for reasons related to the management of the radio spectrum, provided that in such case the power to revoke may only be exercised after one year’s notice is given in writing and after Ofcom has considered any pertinent factors.  The UK Government may also revoke the license for national security reasons or in order to comply with the United Kingdom’s EU or other international obligations.
 
 
 
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In January 2009, the UK Government published the “Digital Britain” interim report, in which it proposed that UMTS licenses which currently expire in 2021 could be converted to indefinite licenses, subject to a yearly fee to be charged beyond the end of the current term.
 
The Digital Britain interim report also set out the UK Government’s views on the liberalization of the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for UMTS in light of the imbalance in spectrum holdings between the different UK mobile operators.  The UK Government invited mobile operators to agree a set of radio spectrum trades in order to address this issue by the end of April 2009.  If no agreement is reached, however, the Government has said that it will support an imposed solution.
 
In February 2009 Ofcom published a consultation document setting out Ofcom’s proposals for an imposed solution if the industry fails to reach an agreement by the end of April 2009.  Ofcom’s proposals would require Vodafone and Telefónica Europe to release some of the 900MHz spectrum which they currently hold (2x2.5MHz each, 10MHz in total) to allow a third operator to have access.
 
Future spectrum
 
On April 4, 2008 Ofcom announced a decision to award spectrum in the 2.6GHz and 2010MHz bands and indicated that it expected to auction this spectrum in July 2008.  T-Mobile and Telefónica O2 UK brought legal challenges against Ofcom’s decision to proceed with the auction, which challenges are still ongoing.  As a result of the legal proceedings, the auction is currently on hold.
 
Market reviews
 
On March 27, 2007, Ofcom published the charge controls to which mobile operators are subject for the provision of mobile call termination services from April 1, 2007 until March 31, 2011.  The charge control requires that Telefónica O2 UK’s average termination charges should be reduced to 5.1 pence per minute (at 2006-2007 prices) by the final year of the charge control period, and that the reduction should be implemented in four equal steps across the four years.  Ofcom’s decision imposing the price controls was appealed by British Telecommunications plc and Hutchison 3G UK Limited and, pursuant to those appeals, the level of the price cap is currently being investigated by the UK Competition Commission, or the CC.  In January 2009 the CC issued its final determination in which established that the reductions set by Ofcom were not sufficient.  As a result, it concluded that Telefónica O2 UK’s average termination charges should be reduced to 4.0 pence per minute (at 2006-2007 prices) by the final year of the charge control period.  Unless the CC’s conclusions are set aside by the court, a new price control will therefore be imposed in line with the determination of the CC.
 
Germany
 
The EU Regulatory Framework was implemented in Germany at the end of June 2004 by the Telecommunications Act.  Responsibility for regulation of electronic communications networks and services rests with the telecommunications regulator, Budesnetzagentur, or BNetzA.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica O2 Germany was awarded a GSM license for 1800MHz spectrum in October 1998, and in February 2007 Telefónica O2 Germany was awarded 900MHz GSM spectrum for GSM use.  Accordingly, Telefónica O2 Germany is now licensed to use GSM900 2x5MHz and GSM1800: 2x17.4MHz.  The GSM license expires on December 31, 2016.
 
Under Section 58 VIII TKG (the German Telecommunications Act) frequency assignments are limited in time, although a renewal or extension of the term is possible.  The federal network agency has not yet decided on the conditions for renewing the frequency assignments.  However, before expiration, we expect there to be a public hearing, and for BNetzA to set out its approach to renewal, including the terms on which the licenses will be extended (pricing, technology neutrality, etc.).
 
In August 2000 Telefónica O2 Germany was awarded a UMTS license, which expires on December 31, 2020 (2x9.9MHz).
 
 
 
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Market reviews
 
In August 2006, BNetzA completed its review of voice call termination on individual mobile networks and concluded that, as an operator with SMP, the charges Telefónica O2 Germany made to other operators for terminating calls on Telefónica O2 Germany network had to be reduced, requiring Telefónica O2 Germany to lower its call termination charges from €1.24 per minute to €0.994 per minute.  In 2007, Telefónica O2 Germany was required to reduce further its termination charges from €0.994 per minute to €0.880 per minute.  Telefónica O2 Germany has brought legal challenges of BNetzA’s 2006 and 2007 decision that Telefónica O2 Germany has SMP and against the imposition of regulatory remedies.  The Federal Administrative Court, as highest level of appeal, confirmed all regulatory remedies meaning that the price controls stay in force for all mobile operators.  All four German mobile operators filed a Constitutional Complaint in order to challenge the decision regarding SMP.  All other actions (regarding the amount of MTRs) are pending.  The new market analysis of BNetzA in 2008 again concluded that all MNOs have SMP and the decision on remedies does not contain changes in comparison to 2006. This 2008 decision has also been challenged by Telefónica O2 Germany.
 
In March 31, 2009 and as of April 1, 2009, BNetzA approved MTR for Telefónica O2 Germany at (0.714 per minute for a period of 20 months (until November 30, 2010)).
 
Spectrum
 
In February 2006, BNetzA decided to allocate 900MHz GSM spectrum to Telefónica O2 Germany.  This decision was challenged in the courts by German Railways Deutsche Bahn AG, and in the first instance the court refused the claim.  The applications for appeal of all parties involved have been granted by the relevant court.
 
At the end of 2007 BNetzA began a spectrum sale in the IMT2000/UMTS extension bands.  BNetzA has indicated that it will auction mobile spectrum at 2.6 GHz (70 MHz FDD / 50 MHz TDD ) together with available spectrum at 2.1 GHz (19,8 MHz FDD/19,2 MHz TDD) and 1.8 GHz (10 MHz FDD).  Due to technology neutrality, non-UMTS MNOs (e.g. WiMax) and due to three spectrum bands, additional new UMTS-entrants will be attracted.  For existing UMTS-MNOs there shall be no preferred spectrum award (following existing UMTS-license).  The licenses will last until December 31, 2025 and require 25% and 50% pop-coverage to be offered (by 2013 and 2015 respectively).  BNetzA has published a decision that the allocation will take place by way of an auction procedure. However, it is not yet clear how and when this will take place, most likely in 2010.
 
Czech Republic
 
The EU Regulatory Framework was implemented in the Czech Republic in 2005 by the Electronic Communications Act. Responsibility for regulation of electronic communications networks and services rests with the Czech Telecommunication Office, or CTO.  Governmental responsibility for the area of electronic communications lies with the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
 
Several changes occurred in the legal environment of the electronic communications market in the Czech Republic in 2007.  Act No. 127/2005 Coll. on electronic communications and on amendment of related laws was amended in respect of provisioning special price plans to the disabled as part of universal service and radio and television broadcasting.  Furthermore, an amendment to the act on radio and television broadcasting was passed, primarily to unblock the transition to terrestrial digital broadcasting.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic performs communication activities under the Electronic Communications Act based on a notification to and a certificate from the CTO number 516 as amended by later changes numbers 616/1, 516/2 and 516/3.
 
Mobile segment
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic provides mobile electronic communications services in the 900 and 1800 MHz frequency bands under the GSM standard on the basis of radio frequency assignment from CTO valid until February 7, 2016; in the 2100 MHz frequency band under the UMTS standard on the basis of radio frequency assignment
 
 
 
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from CTO valid until January 1, 2022; and in the 450 MHz frequency band using CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access, or CDMA) technology.
 
Market reviews
 
In accordance with the market analyses performed by the CTO, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic was designated an SMP entity in 12 Czech markets, both retail and wholesale.  The CTO started a second round of market analysis in 2007, the results of which are still pending.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
In April 2006, price regulations for access at a fixed point to the telephone network and for calls in the fixed network were abolished.  Subsequent analyses of the relevant markets showed that no further price regulation was necessary.  Additionally, provision of access at a fixed location was taken out of the scope of universal service in 2006.
 
Slovakia
 
Telefónica O2 Slovakia performs electronic communication activities under Act No. 610/2003 Coll., the Electronic Communications Act, (as amended) and General Authorization (as amended) issued by the Slovak NRA (the Telecommunications Office of Slovakia) based on a notification, as well as a number of allocation certificates issued by the NRA.
 
Responsibility for regulation of electronic communications networks and services rests with the Telecommunication Office of Slovakia.  Governmental responsibility for the area of electronic communications lies with the Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecommunications of Slovakia.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
On September 7, 2006, Telefónica O2 Slovakia was granted a license to provide electronic communications services by the means of the public electronic communications network using the GSM and UMTS mobile telephone network standards within Slovakia.  The license has been granted for 20 years and expires in September 2026. The commercial operations were launched on February 2, 2009.
 
Market analysis
 
In accordance with the market analyses performed by the NRA, Telefónica O2 Slovakia is proposed to be an SMP entity in the wholesale mobile termination market.  Price regulation is expected to be imposed upon Telefónica O2 Slovakia during the second half of 2009.
 
Ireland
 
In Ireland responsibility for the regulation of electronic communications networks and services rests with the Commission for Communications Regulation, or ComReg. The main legislation under which Telefónica O2 Ireland operates includes: the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, as amended, (45 of 1926), Post and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 as amended, (24 of 1983),Communications Regulation Acts 2002 (20 of 2002) and 2007 (22 of 2007), 3G Mobile Telephony Licensing Regulations (340 of 2003) and GSM Mobile Telephony Licensing Regulations (339 of 2003).
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland has provided GSM services since March 1997 after having been awarded a license in May 1996. Its GSM900 license has a duration of 15 years (GSM900: 2x7.2MHz) from 1996. In 2000 it was awarded an additional GSM1800 license (2x14.4MHz), which also has a term of 15 years. In October 2002 Telefónica O2 Ireland was granted a UMTS license, which has duration of 20 years (2 x 15MHz + 5MHz).
 
 
 
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The license can be surrendered by the operator at any time. However, ComReg can only revoke the license before its expiration date if the licensee does not pay its fees or if there has been a substantial breach of the terms of the license.
 
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources may also revoke the license for national security reasons, or in order to comply with EU or other international obligations.
 
Future mobile spectrum
 
In March 2008, ComReg published a draft strategy document for spectrum management during the period from 2008 through 2010. In July 2008, ComReg published a consultation proposing to auction spectrum in the 900MHz band.  A second consultation is expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2009, and an auction is currently expected to take place in the first quarter of 2010.
 
Market reviews
 
Telefónica O2 Ireland has been found to have SMP in the market for mobile termination. ComReg has previously decided to forebear from the imposition of regulated pricing so long as it could reach agreement with the main operators for a “glide path” for annual reductions in mobile termination rates.  The current glide path has resulted in Irish mobile termination rates being, on average, above the EU average, and discussions are currently in progress that will accelerate the reduction.  If agreement is not reached, ComReg will build a model and impose cost-based pricing.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
Brazil
 
Regulatory framework
 
The delivery of telecommunications services in Brazil is subject to regulation under the regulatory framework provided in the General Telecommunications Law enacted in July 1997.
 
The National Agency for Telecommunications, ANATEL, is the principal regulatory authority for the Brazilian telecommunications sector.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Concessions are granted for services provided in the public regime and authorizations are granted for services provided in the private regime.  The only service provided in both regimes is the switched fixed telephone service, or STFC. All other services are provided only in the private regime.
 
The main differences between the public regime and the private regime relate to the obligations imposed on the companies.  The concessionaires in the public regime, such as Telesp, have network expansion obligations (universal services obligations) and continuity of service obligations.  These obligations are not imposed on the companies which provide services in the private regime.
 
In the state of São Paulo, Telesp provides local and long distance STFC under the public regime.  In the other Brazilian states, Telesp provides local and long distance STFC under the private regime and broadband services under the private regime.
 
Telesp’s concession agreements (local and long distance) were extended in December 2005 for an additional period of 20 years.  These agreements contemplate possible revisions in their terms by ANATEL in 2010, 2015 and 2020. Telesp’s terms of authorization (local and long distance) were granted for an unlimited period of time.
 
Under the renewed concession agreements and during the 20-year renewal period, Telesp will be required to pay a biannual fee equal to 2% of its annual net revenue (excluding taxes and social contributions), for the provision of fixed-line public telecommunications services in its concession area (State of São Paulo) for the prior year.
 
 
 
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Brazilian telecommunications regulations require ANATEL to authorize private regime companies to provide local, national, and international long distance STFC.
 
On November 20, 2008, the Presidential Decree 6,654 altered the General Concessions’ Plan, enabling one economic group to hold two of the four existing area concessions for providing STFC services.  Thus, the Decree increased the flexibility of telecommunications provider groups as STFC concessionaries by allowing such providers to provide services in up to two General Plan regions.  Prior to the Decree telecommunications provider groups could offer STFC services in only one region.
 
Telesp also has an authorization to provide data and broadband services in the private regime in the State of São Paulo.
 
On December 4, 2002, ANATEL authorized the migration from the cellular mobile service, or SMC, regime to a new licensing regime, personal mobile service.  Brasilcel’s operators replaced all their old licensing titles granted under the old SMC regime with new personal mobile service authorization titles.  The new personal mobile service licenses include the right to provide mobile services for an unlimited period of time but restrict the right to use the spectrum according to certain schedules included in the licenses.  All Telefónica’s Brazilian mobile operating companies (the existing ones and some new acquisitions) were renamed “Vivo” with the exception of Teleming Celular.  The following licenses are held by our Brazilian mobile operating company, Vivo:
 
 
·
Vivo-Rio Grande do Sul (“A” Band) until 2022 (renewed in 2006);
 
 
·
Vivo-Rio de Janeiro (“A” Band) until 2020 (renewed in 2005);
 
 
·
Vivo-Espírito Santo (“A” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-Bahia (“A” Band) and Vivo-Sergipe (“A” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-São Paulo (“A” Band) until 2023 or 2024, for the cities of Ribeirão Preto and Guatapará (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-Paraná/Santa Catarina (“B” Band) until 2013;
 
 
·
Vivo-Distrito Federal (“A” Band) until 2021, (renewed in 2006);
 
 
·
Vivo-Acre (“A” Band), Vivo-Rondônia (“A” Band), Vivo-Mato Grosso (“A” Band) and Vivo-Mato Grosso do Sul (“A” Band) until 2024 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-Goiás/Tocantins (“A” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-Amazonas/Roraima/Amapá/Pará/Maranhão (“B” Band) until 2013;
 
 
·
Telemig Celular (Minas Gerais) (“A” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2007);
 
 
·
Telemig Celular (for the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Minas Gerais) (“E” Band) until 2020.
 
For “A” and “B” Bands, the renewal of licenses must be solicited 30 months before expiration. Spectrum rights may be renewed only once for a 15-year period, after which title to the license must be renegotiated.
 
For “E” Band, the renewal of licenses must be solicited between 36 and 48 months before expiration.  Spectrum rights may be renewed only once for a 15-year period, after which title to the license must be renegotiated.  In December 2007, ANATEL auctioned fifteen new licenses in the 1900 MHz radio frequency band, denominated as “L” Band. Vivo acquired 13 spectrum licenses in “L” Band.
 
 
·
Vivo-Rio Grande do Sul (“L” Band) until 2022 (renewed in 2006) or 2022 for the cities of the metropolitan area of Pelotas;
 
 
 
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·
Vivo-Rio de Janeiro (“L” Band) until 2020 (renewed in 2005);
 
 
·
Vivo-Espírito Santo (“L” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-Bahia (“L” Band) and Vivo-Sergipe (“L” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
 
 
·
Vivo-São Paulo (“L” Band) until 2023 or 2024, for the cities of Ribeirão Preto and Guatapará (renewed in 2008) or 2022 for the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of São Paulo;
 
 
·
Vivo-Paraná (excluding the cities of Londrina and Tamarana)/Santa Catarina (“L” Band) until 2013;
 
 
·
Vivo-Distrito Federal (“L” Band) until 2021, (renewed in 2006);
 
 
·
Vivo-Acre (“L” Band), Vivo-Rondônia (“L” Band), Vivo-Mato Grosso (“L” Band) and Vivo-Mato Grosso do Sul (“L” Band) until 2024 (renewed in 2008) or 2022 for the city of Paranaíba of Mato Grosso do Sul; and
 
 
·
Vivo-Goiás/Tocantins (“L” Band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008) or 2022 for the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Goiás; and Vivo-Alagoas/Ceará/Paraíba/Piauí/Pernambuco/Rio Grande do Norte (“L” Band), until 2022.
 
For “L” Band, the renewal of licenses must be solicited between 36 and 48 months before expiration.  Spectrum rights may be renewed only once for a 15-year period, after which title to the license must be renegotiated.
 
In April 2008, ANATEL auctioned 36 new licenses in the 1900-2100 MHz radio frequency bands (3G licenses). Vivo was awarded seven spectrum licenses in Band J and Telemig Celular was awarded two licenses.
 
 
·
Vivo-Rio Grande do Sul (including the cities of the metropolitan area of Pelotas) (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Rio de Janeiro (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Espírito Santo (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Bahia (“J” Band) and Vivo-Sergipe (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-São Paulo (including the cities of Ribeirão Preto and Guatapará and the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of São Paulo) (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Paraná (including the cities of Londrina and Tamarana)/Santa Catarina (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Distrito Federal (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Acre (“J” Band), Vivo-Rondônia (“J” Band), Vivo-Mato Grosso (“J” Band) and Vivo-Mato Grosso do Sul (including the city of Paranaíba) (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Goiás (including the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Goiás)/Tocantins (“J” Band) until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Alagoas/Ceará/Paraíba/Piauí/Pernambuco/Rio Grande do Norte (“J” Band), until 2023;
 
 
·
Vivo-Amazonas/Roraima/Amapá/Pará/Maranhão (“J” Band) until 2023; and
 
 
·
Telemig Celular (including the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Minas Gerais) (“J” Band) until 2023.
 
For “J” Band, the renewal of licenses must be solicited between 36 and 48 months before expiration. Spectrum rights may be renewed only once for a 15-year period, after which title to the license must be renegotiated.
 
 
 
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Prices and tariffs
 
ANATEL regulates rates for the STFC provided in the public regime.  Operators with licenses to operate under the personal mobile regime are authorized to increase basic plan tariffs only for inflation and only on an annual basis.  Operators are also allowed to establish non-basic tariffs and modify them without ANATEL’s prior approval.
 
Interconnection
 
In July 2005, ANATEL published a new regulation for interconnection among providers of telecommunications services, which require operators to issue a public document disclosing all of the conditions for the establishment of interconnection for all classes and types of services.
 
The SMP regime allows operators to freely negotiate interconnection rates with other operators. If they fail to reach an agreement, each operator may call upon ANATEL to determine the terms and conditions of interconnection.
 
Competition law
 
Brazilian competition regulation is based on Law No. 8,884 of June 11, 1994 which prohibits any practice aimed at restricting free competition, dominating the relevant market of goods or services, arbitrarily increasing profits, or abusively exercising dominant market position.  The Economic Law Office, or SDE, the Secretariat for Economic Monitoring, or SEAE, and the Administrative Council for Economic Defence, or CADE, are the agencies authorized to enforce the competition rules.
 
Mexico
 
Regulatory framework
 
The provision of all telecommunication services in Mexico is governed by the Federal Telecommunication Law and various service-specific regulations.  The governmental agencies which oversee the telecommunications industry in Mexico are the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, or SCT, and the Federal Telecommunications Commission, or COFETEL.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
In Mexico, authorizations to provide mobile telephony services (mobile and personal communication services, or PCS, for the 800MHz and 1.9GHz bands, respectively) are granted through concessions.  Currently, regarding the mobile licenses (800MHz), only one Band A and one Band B service provider may provide mobile telephony services in each region.  Regarding PCS licenses, there is no exclusivity in the provision of service, in each region by more than one operator.  In fact, there are currently three operators in each region.  These concessions were granted in 1998 and 2005 for a period of twenty years, and may be renewed for additional 20-year periods, subject to the fulfillment by the operator of certain terms and conditions.
 
In total, Telefónica Móviles México, and its subsidiaries and participated companies have 22 licenses granted by SCT, which enable it to provide telecommunications services:
 
 
·
Telefónica Móviles México’s mobile operating companies have been granted concessions to operate mobile telephony services on Band A until 2010. SCT granted licenses to Baja Celular Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., or Bajacel, dated July 17, 1990 Movitel del Noroeste, S.A. de C.V., or Movitel, also dated July 17, 1990 Telefonía Celular del Norte, S.A. de C.V., or Norcel, dated July 23, 1990 and Celular de Telefonía, S.A. de C.V., or Cedetel, dated August 2, 1990.  The renewal of those four concessions was requested in 2005. The renewal decision is still pending.
 
 
·
Furthermore, SCT granted to Telefónica Móviles México, through Pegaso Comunicaciones y Sistemas, S.A. de C.V. a license to provide public telecommunications services, on June 23, 1998, and nine spectrum licenses, dated October 7, 1998, in the 1900Mhz band to provide personal communication services in each of the nine PCS service region, and valid until 2018.  Those licenses may be extended for additional
 
 
 
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    twenty-year periods. For all of these licenses renewal was requested in 2008, and the renewal decision is still pending.  On April 21, 2005, SCT granted Telefónica México four more spectrum licenses in the same 1900MHz band, to provide the PCS service and have more bandwidth in regions 3, 5, 7 and 8, valid for 20 years, and with the possibility be renewed for up to 20 additional years.
 
 
·
SCT also granted to Grupo de Telecomunicaciones Mexicanas, S.A. de C.V., or GTM, a company in which Telefónica Móviles México has an interest, several licenses:
 
 
i)
on June 24, 1998, to install microwave links in 23GHz frequencies, for a period of 20 years;
 
 
ii)
on December 13, 1999, to install microwave links in 7GHz frequencies, for a period of 20 years, and that can be renewed;
 
 
iii)
on June 5, 2003, to install a public telecommunication network to provide domestic and international long distance service granted, for a period of 15 years, and that can be renewed; and
 
 
iv)
on March 28, 2006, GTM was authorized a renewal of the concession to provide fixed telephony and public telephony, nationwide for a period of 15 years, that can be renewed.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
Tariffs charged to customers are not regulated.  They are set by mobile operating companies and must be registered with COFETEL.  Rates do not enter into force until registered by COFETEL.
 
Interconnection
 
Mexican telecommunications regulations obligate all telecommunications network concessionaires to execute interconnection agreements on specific terms when requested by other concessionaires.  Interconnection rates and conditions may be negotiated by the parties.  However, should the parties fail to agree, COFETEL must fix the unresolved issues, including tariffs.
 
Foreign ownership/restrictions on transfer of ownership
 
Mexican foreign investment law restricts foreign investment in local fixed service and other telecommunications services to a maximum of 49% of the voting stock, unless the Mexican National Commission of Foreign Investment approves a higher percentage participation, which it can do only in the case of mobile telecommunications companies.
 
Bajacel, Movitel, Norcel, Cedetel and Pegaso, as mobile telecommunications companies, received the required approvals from the National Commission of Foreign Investment permitting our ownership of more than 49% of their outstanding voting capital.
 
GTM, a company in which Telefónica México has an interest, provides local fixed and long distance services. This operator complies with Mexican foreign investment law, and has a stock structure that includes the participation of its Mexican partner, Enlaces del Norte. S.A. de C.V., which has 51% of the voting stock.
 
Competition law
 
The Federal Economic Competition Law enacted in 1992 and amended on June 28, 2006 prohibits monopolies and any practices that tend to diminish, harm or impede competition in the production, processing, distribution or marketing of goods and services.  The Federal Competition Commission, or COFECO, is the administrative body empowered to enforce the Law.
 
 
 
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Venezuela
 
On June 1, 2000, the national legislative commission approved the Telecommunication Law. On February 1, 2006, the national legislative commission approved the Ley Habilitante that grants the President of the Republic capacity to enact decrees in relation to the telecommunication sector, though no formal modification to current law has been made.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telcel has been granted a mobile telephony concession to operate and offer mobile services in the 800 MHz band with national coverage, granted in 1991 and expiring on May 31, 2011 that may be extended for a term no longer than 20-year, subject to CONATEL´s discretion.  Telcel also holds a private network services concession, granted in 1993 and renewed on November 28, 2007, until December 15, 2025, that allows Telcel to offer point-to-point or point-to-multipoint private telecommunication services to corporations. In 2000, Telcel was granted a general license (Habilitación General) to offer local telephony services, national long distance services and international long distance services and to otherwise operate telecommunications networks for a 25-year period expiring on December 15, 2025. In 2001, Telcel obtained a concession to offer fixed wireless access services nationwide using wireless local loop technology.
 
On November 28, 2007, the National Telecommunications Commission, or CONATEL, in accordance with the Telecommunications Law, incorporated into the general license the rest of the services provided by Telcel: mobile, private networks, Internet access and transport.  On that same date, Telcel was granted a concession to operate in the 1990 MHz band for a period of 15 years, until November 22, 2022, renewable for a period of ten years.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
Under Venezuelan regulations, telecommunications operators are free to determine and set prices for the services that they offer, within the price cap established by the regulator.  However, exemptions to the free pricing regime may be applicable to market dominant operators, universal services projects or as a result of market distortions caused by anti-competitive conduct as determined by the Competition Agency.
 
Competition law
 
Venezuelan law governing competition is the Promotion and Protection of Free Competition Act 1992.  It prohibits monopolistic and oligarchic practices and other means that could impede, restrict, falsify, or limit the enjoyment of economic freedom.  The Office of the Superintendent for the Promotion and Protection of Free Competition is the agency empowered to apply the Competition Act.
 
Chile
 
Regulatory framework
 
The General Telecommunications Law No. 18,168 of 1982, as amended, establishes the legal framework for the provision of telecommunications services in Chile.
 
The main regulatory authority in Chile is the Under-Secretary of Telecommunications, or SUBTEL.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Under the General Telecommunications Law, companies must obtain licenses in order to provide fixed telecommunications services.  Licenses granted for public and intermediate services generally have 30-year terms and may be renewed indefinitely for 30-year periods at the request of the operator, though certain licenses held by Telefónica Chile have longer terms.
 
Telefónica Chile holds the following licenses for the provision of telecommunications services:
 
 
 
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·
Local telephony public service licenses.  Telefónica Chile holds a license for local telephone service in all regions of Chile for a 50-year renewable period which began on December 1982, except Regions X and XI, which were incorporated to such license in 1995.  In addition, Telefónica Chile holds various other renewable license for nationwide local telephone services oriented, exclusively, for rural localities  Telefónica Chile also holds a nationwide public service renewable license for data transmission for a 30-year period beginning as of July 1995, and four other public service renewable licenses for data transmission for a 30-year period beginning as of June 2008.
 
 
·
Multicarrier long-distance licenses.  Under the Multicarrier System, Telefónica Chile’s former long-distance subsidiary, Telefónica Mundo Larga Distancia S.A. (before Telefónica Mundo), held 30-year renewable licenses, for a period beginning as of November 1989, to install and operate a nationwide fiber-optic network, a network of base stations and other transmission equipment, and to provide domestic and international long-distance services, including voice, data and image transmission, throughout Chile.  In addition, Telefónica Mundo Larga Distancia S.A. held 30-year renewable licenses, for a period beginning as of June 1993, to nationwide public service data transmission.  Telefónica Chile’s other long-distance subsidiary, Globus, also held licenses for an indefinite term to provide domestic and international long-distance services through central switches and cable and fiber-optic networks nationwide.  After the merger of these subsidiaries in 2006, all the aforementioned licenses remain under the ownership of the same company, which is now known as Telefónica Larga Distancia.
 
 
·
Public service data transmission.  In addition to the 30-year data transmission license previously mentioned, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Empresas, holds, as of March 1987, nationwide public service data transmission licenses for an indefinite term.
 
 
·
Public service mobile telephony licenses.  Telefónica Móviles Chile holds licenses with indefinite terms, beginning as of November 1989, to provide public service mobile telephony services throughout Chile in the 800 megahertz frequency range.  Telefónica Móviles Chile also holds three concessions for the provision of mobile telecommunications services nationwide in the 1900 MHz band.  These concessions may be renewed for successive thirty-year periods as of 2002 at the request of the holder.
 
 
·
Limited television license.  Telefónica Chile’s subsidiary Telefónica Multimedia, has a license to establish, operate, and use a part of the spectrum of the 2.6 GHz bandwidth in Santiago, Chile, for an intermediate telecommunications service concession, authorizing the frequencies used to communicate voice, data and images, for a 30-year period beginning as of May 2008 Telefónica Multimedia also holds a license authorized by Resolution No. 47 enacted on November 28, 1990, amended by Resolution No. 1536 of 1994, and Resolution 1453 of 2002, to provide limited television service in 2,6 GHz. Since December 2005, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Multimedia, holds a nationwide 10-year renewable license to provide limited satellite television service.  Additionally, in January of 2006, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Multimedia, was assigned a limited television service license to provide the service nationwide in the main municipalities, except Region III, through Telefónica Chile’s xDSL broadband network for an indefinite period.  Moreover, in March 2007, a limited television service license was granted in order to provide this service, through the DSL broadband network, in the Santiago Metropolitan area, for an indefinite period.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
Under the General Telecommunications Law, maximum tariffs for telephony services are set every five years by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Economy.  In addition, the Competition Tribunal may subject any telephony service to price regulation, except for mobile telephone services to the public that are expressly exempted under the General Telecommunications Law.
 
The Competition Tribunal ruled in January 2009 that only some local telephone services were to be subject to tariff regulation (line connections, monthly fixed charges, variable traffics charges, and public payphone services are excluded).  Accordingly, it was determined that every local telephone company, within its service zones, would be regulated with respect to tariff levels and structure.  In addition, Telefónica Chile, in its capacity as a “dominant
 
 
 
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operator” (except in regions where other companies are the dominant operators), is regulated on a non-price basis, with requirements that it not engage in discriminatory pricing and that it give previous notice of plans and packages.
 
Interconnection
 
Interconnection is obligatory for all license holders with the same type of public telecommunications services and between telephony public services and intermediate services that provide long distance services.  The same requirement applies to holders of those intermediate service licenses, who are required to interconnect their networks to the local telephone network.
 
A “calling party pays” tariff structure was implemented on February 23, 1999.  Under this tariff structure, local telephone companies pay mobile telephone companies an access charge for calls placed from fixed networks to mobile networks. Local telephone companies may pass this interconnection charge on to their customers.  Every five years, SUBTEL sets the applicable tariffs for services provided through the interconnected networks.
 
Competition law
 
The principal regulation concerning competition in Chile is Decree No. 211 of 1973, whose current text was established in Decree Nº 1 of 2005.  Pursuant to the provisions of this law, acts or behavior involving economic activities that constitute abuse of a dominant market position, or limit, restrain, or distort free competition in a manner that injures the common economic interest in the national territory are prohibited.  The Competition Tribunal deals with infringements of competition law.
 
Argentina
 
Regulatory framework
 
The basic legal framework for the provision of telecommunications services in Argentina is set forth in the National Telecommunications Law (No. 19,798) of 1972 and in the specific regulations governing each type of telecommunications service.  Also, Decree 264/98 established a transitory period from a monopolistic market towards a free market, promoting the protection of small operators while imposing obligations on basic services licensees. Decree 764/00, established the new and actual regulatory framework rules for a free market, and includes interconnection, licenses, universal service and spectrum rules.
 
The following regulatory authorities oversee the Argentine telecommunications industry:
 
 
·
the National Communications Commission, or CNC, supervises compliance with licenses and regulations, and approves changes to mandatory goal and service requirements; and
 
 
·
the Secretariat of Communications, or SECOM, grants new licenses, regulates the bidding and selection processes for radio-spectrum authorizations, and approves the related bidding terms and conditions.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica de Argentina holds licenses for fixed line services, all granted for an unlimited period of time, which entitle it to provide fixed line telecommunications services; international telecommunications services; local services in the northern and southern regions; long distance, international and data transmission telecommunications services in the northern region; and Internet access and international data transmission services.
 
Telefónica Móviles de Argentina’s licenses for the provision of mobile services include PCS licenses and corresponding authorizations for use of spectrum for different regions, licenses and corresponding authorizations for use of spectrum for mobile telephone services for different regions; and licenses for trunking, or closed user group, services for different cities.
 
These licenses do not expire, but may be cancelled by the SECOM as the result of failure to comply with the terms of its license.
 
 
 
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Prices and tariffs
 
On October 21, 2003, Law No. 25,790 became effective, extending the term for the renegotiation of concession or licensing agreements with public utilities until December 31, 2004, which was subsequently extended until December 31, 2009.  This law also established that the decisions made by the Argentine government during the renegotiation process shall not be limited by, nor subject to, the stipulations contained in the regulatory frameworks currently governing concession or licensing agreements for the respective public utilities.  Renegotiated agreements may cover some aspects of concession or licensing agreements and may contain formulas to adjust such agreements or temporarily amend them.  As an investor in Argentina through Telefónica de Argentina, we commenced arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Argentina based on the Reciprocal Protection of Investments Treaty between Spain and Argentina for damages suffered by us because of the measures adopted by the Argentine government.  We have temporarily suspended our participation in these proceedings in light of an agreement we reached with the Argentine government on February 15, 2006.  If this agreement is approved by the Argentine Congress we plan to withdraw our claims against the Republic of Argentina.
 
Additionally, Decree No. 764/00 established that providers of telephone services may freely set rates and/or prices for their service which shall be applied on a non-discriminatory basis.  However, until the Secretary of Communications determines that there is effective competition for telecommunications services, the “dominant” providers in the relevant areas (which include Telefónica de Argentina) must respect the maximum tariffs established in the general tariff structure.  Providers may freely set their rates by areas, routes, long distance legs and/or customer groups so long as they are below the amounts established by the general tariff structure.
 
Also, the guidelines set forth in article 26 of Decree No. 1185/90 continue in effect for operators with significant market power.  These guidelines establish information obligations with which operators must comply with respect to tariffs, both toward clients and the national regulator.  This Decree also establishes the powers the regulator has to revise or revoke such tariffs.
 
Tariffs charged to customers for mobile services are not regulated in Argentina.
 
Interconnection
 
Decree No. 764/00 approved new rules for national interconnection and established interconnection standards and conditions with which telephone service providers must comply regardless of pre-existing agreements.  The rules for national interconnection set forth that interconnection agreements are to be freely negotiated between the relevant service providers, on a non-discriminatory basis.  The regulations also establish the obligation for dominant and significant market operators to unbundle their local loops and to allow competitors to use them on a reasonable basis.
 
Competition law
 
Law 25,156, on Protection of Competition prohibits any acts or behaviors related to the production or trade of goods or services, whose purpose or effect is to prevent, restrict or distort competition or market access, or that constitute abuse of dominant position in a market.  The National Commission for the Defense of Competition is the authority entrusted with application of the law.
 
Colombia
 
Regulatory framework
 
In Colombia, telecommunications are a public service, subject to state regulation and oversight. Law 72/89 and Decree 1900/90 establish the general regime for telecommunications and broadcasting services and networks.  Operators seeking to provide telecommunications services in Colombia must obtain a concession from the Colombian government. Concessions may be granted by license or contract.
 
In relation to value added services, by Decree 2870/07 the Communications Minister modified the authorization system.  To provide these services under the modified authorization system, operators must apply for a convergent title.  This title grants the right to provide convergent services like long distance communications, value added
 
 
 
 
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services and carrier services for a period of ten years (which can be extended for an additional ten years).  Convergent titles do not cover mobile telephony and television services.
 
Also, due to decree 2870, 2007, the regulatory framework shall be transformed towards a relevant market regulation.  In 2008 the Telecommunications Commission started the regulatory process to identify relevant markets, operators with dominance (SMP) and remedies via ex ante regulations.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Concessions for mobile services in the Eastern Region, the Caribbean Coast Region and the Western Region were granted in March 1994 for a ten-year period and extended for ten years until March 28, 2014.  At the expiration of this period, the concessions must be renegotiated.  Telefónica Móviles Colombia also holds two concessions to provide value added services nationwide, one granted in August 1997 initially for a ten-year period, extendible once for an additional ten years, and the other granted in December 1994 initially for a ten-year period, extended until December 2014.
 
Additionally, Telefónica Móviles Colombia holds concessions for carrier services nationwide, granted in June and November 1998 (initially for ten years and may be extended once for an additional ten years).  Due to decree 2870 of 2007, these concessions were transformed into a convergent title.  Ministry of Communications granted Telefónica Móviles on November 6, 2008 a convergent title to render carrier services for an additional ten-year period (which can be extended for an additional ten years).
 
With respect to fixed line services, Law 142/1994 establishes a general indefinite permission for all operators to operate as local exchange carriers in the national area.  Colombia Telecom holds a legal indefinite authorization since 1947 to operate as a long-distance carrier throughout Colombia and abroad.  Colombia Telecom holds a 20-year concession for offering value added services within Colombia and in-connection abroad, granted on November 8, 1991.
 
With respect to value added services, a national and in-connection abroad license was granted on December 2, 1994, for a ten-year period and was extended in 2004 until December 30, 2014.  The license that Celumovil had until 2007 has expired and cannot be renewed due to the decree 2870 of 2007.  As far as Colombia Telecom is concerned, pursuant to resolution No 4120 - November 8, 1991, the Minister of Communications granted its predecessor, Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, an authorization to provide value added services, telematic services and to extend a value added network for a 20-year period, until November 8, 2011.
 
Article 13 of Decree 1616/2003 establishes that Colombia Telecom can exploit the licenses, permissions, concessions and other authorizations which were granted to Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones to provide telecommunications services.  Consequently, Colombia Telecom has its authorization until to November 8, 2011.
 
Interconnection
 
Mobile and fixed operators in Colombia have the right to interconnect to other operators’ networks.  Before the intervention of regulatory authorities, operators must attempt direct negotiations.  Interconnection must assure compliance with the objectives of non-discriminatory treatment, transparency, prices based on costs plus a reasonable profit and promotion of competition.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
Mobile tariffs charged to customers are not regulated, although they may not be discriminatory.  Nevertheless fixed-to-mobile tariffs are subject to a price cap.  Rates are fixed by mobile operating companies and must be registered with the Comisión de Regulación de Telecomunicaciones.  The regulator set a price cap of 392 Colombian pesos per minute for fixed to mobile tariffs since November 1, 2006.  Local tariffs are regulated, but operators have the opportunity to offer several alternative plans that are not regulated although they must be registered.
 
Due to market regulation process, the Telecommunications Commission in December 2008, published a proposed amendment to modify the price cap of 392 to 200 Colombian pesos per minute for fixed to mobile communications.  This proposed amendment is currently subject to discussion with operators.
 
 
 
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Television services
 
In January 2007, Colombia Telecom signed a concession agreement with the Television Commission to provide DTH services for ten years.  This is a concession granted with a national scope.
 
In December 2008, the Television Commission published Agreement No. 006.  By this disposition the carry obligations of operators of closed television has been modified to require that regional channels be broadcast only in the cover area of the channel and only if it is possible technically.
 
Competition law
 
The Colombian Competition Law is incorporated in the Law No. 155/59 and Decree No 2153/92 on Restrictive Trade Practices.  The law prohibits entering in any agreement or engaging in any type of practice, procedure, or system that aims to limit free competition and abuse of a dominant position.  The Superintendent of Industry and Commerce is the Colombian competition authority.
 
Peru
 
Regulatory framework
 
The provision of telecommunications services in Peru is governed by the Telecommunications Law and related regulations.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
Telefónica del Perú provides fixed line telecommunications services based on concessions granted by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, or TMC. The concession term is for 20 years, which may be renewed totally or partially at Telefónica del Perú’s request.  Total renewal is for an additional 20-year period. Partial renewal is for periods of up to five additional years.  Two partial renewals have been approved, extending the concession term until 2023.
 
Providers of mobile services seeking to operate in Peru must obtain a non-exclusive license from the TMC. Licenses are granted by means of a license agreement entered into between the TMC and the licensee and set forth the licensee’s rights and obligations, including the regions where the licensee is authorized to operate.  Licenses are granted either by application or through a bidding process.
 
Telefónica Móviles Perú has a concession for the provision of mobile services on Sub Band A of the 850 MHz Band and Sub Band of 1900 MHz (in these bands, Telefónica Moviles Perú can also provide fixed wireless services) for a 20-year period, renewable upon request for identical periods.  It also holds concessions for offering international and domestic long distance carrier services, granted in February 2002 for a 20-year period. Additionally, it has a concession for the provision of wireless fixed telephony services on the 450 MHz and 900 MHz band for a 20-year period.  Both concessions were granted on March 3, 2008. It also holds the concessions for local carrier services, which expire between 2016 and 2022.  Concessions for domestic and international carrier services expire on February 5, 2019. In addition, it has a concession for local fixed telephony services for national coverage, granted on August 10, 1999 for a 20 year period.  These concessions may be renewed for successive 20-year periods.
 
Under the concessions to provide mobile services, mobile operators are obligated to meet certain quality service requirements with respect to call failure, radio-electric coverage and quality of communications.  These requirements are established on a yearly basis and are gradually increased in order to improve the quality of the service provided.
 
 
 
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Prices and tariffs
 
Tariffs for fixed telephony services must be approved by the National Regulatory Authority, the Organization for Supervision of Private Investment in Telecommunications, or OSIPTEL, in accordance with a price cap formula based on a productivity factor.  Rates charged by mobile providers to their customers have been subject to a free tariff regime supervised by OSIPTEL.  Tariffs must be reported to OSIPTEL prior to implementation.
 
Interconnection
 
Mobile service providers are required, upon request, to interconnect with other concession holders.  According to the principles of neutrality and non-discrimination contemplated in the Telecommunications Law, the conditions agreed upon in any interconnection agreement will apply to third parties in the event that those conditions are more beneficial than terms and conditions agreed upon separately.
 
Competition law
 
The general competition framework in Peru is based on the Legislative Decree No. 701.  This law prohibits any monopolistic practices, controls, and restraints on free competition and it is applied, in the telecommunication sector, by OSIPTEL.
 
Ecuador
 
Regulatory framework
 
The Special Telecommunications Law and the General Regulation to the Special Telecommunications Law establish the regulatory regime applicable to the provision of telecommunications services in Ecuador.
 
Licenses and concessions
 
After a new agreement with the Ecuadorian government, Otecel renewed its mobile telephony services concession which now allows Otecel to provide advanced mobile services, including 3G services.  The concession will expire on November 29, 2023 and may be extended for a subsequent 15-year period.
 
Beside the above mentioned concession, Otecel holds a concession to provide fixed and mobile services carrier services, which expires on April 22, 2017 and may be extended for a subsequent 15-year period and different licenses for the provision of mobile value added services and Internet mobile access, each of which expires on February 21, 2010 and may be extended for a subsequent ten-year period. It also holds a license to provide conventional Internet services, which expires on January 25, 2011 and may be extended for a subsequent ten-year period.
 
A monthly fee amounting to 1% of the invoiced revenues of mobile services must be paid by all operators holding concessions to the National Secretary of Telecommunications as a contribution to support universal service.  Otecel via its contract may cancel such fee by giving services to agreed zones within the National Plan for Universal Service.
 
Prices and tariffs
 
The mobile services concession of Otecel is subject to a maximum rate of $0.50 per minute for mobile services and a maximum rate of $0.10 per minute for rural public telephony.  Otecel may fix rates freely so long as it does not exceed these rates, and provided that it notifies the correspondent regulatory body 24 hours ahead of any price increase.
 
Otecel may fix rates freely under its carrier services concession.
 
 
 
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Other business lines in Latin America
 
 
Country
  
 
License/Concession and authorizations
  
 
Type of service
  
 
Spectrum
  
 
Band
  
 
Expiration
El Salvador
  
Concession
  
Telecommunications services(1)
  
25 MHz/800MHz
  
B Band
  
2018(2)
   
Concession
  
Telecommunications services(1)
  
30 MHz/1900MHz
  
C Band
  
2021
                     
Guatemala
  
Concession
  
Telecommunications services(1)
  
80 MHz/1900MHz
  
B, C, E and F Bands
  
2014(3)
   
Concession
  
Telecommunications services(1)
          
2014(3)
   
Concession
  
Telecommunications services(1)
          
2014(3)
                     
Nicaragua
  
Concession
  
Mobile telecommunications services
  
800 MHz
  
A Band
  
2013(4)
   
Concession
  
Mobile telecommunications services
  
Additional spectrum 1900
  
D Band
  
2013
                     
Panama
  
Concession
  
GSM/UMTS
  
800/1900 Mhz
  
A Band
  
2016(5)
                     
Uruguay
  
License
  
Mobile telephony
  
25 MHz 800 MHz
      
2022-2024(6)
 
(1)
According to the Telecommunications Law all of such concessions were granted to provide any telecommunications services.
 
(2)
Concessions for use of spectrum are granted for a 20-year period and may be renewed for additional 20-year periods upon execution of the proceedings set forth in the Telecommunications Law.
 
(3)
All of such concessions are granted for a 15-year term and may be renewed for subsequent fifteen-year terms at the request of the holder.  In order to renew a title, the holder must demonstrate before the regulatory body, that the spectrum was effectively used during the previous 15-year term.  All of these titles are set to expire in 2014.
 
(4)
Telefónica Móviles Nicaragua was granted a concession in 1992 for a ten-year period for the use of 25 MHZ of spectrum in the 800 MHz Band A to provide mobile telecommunications services, the regulatory entity granted to Telefónica Nicaragua 10 Mhz of additional spectrum in the 1900 Band D.  This concession was renewed for another ten-year period in 1998, and will expire on July 31, 2013.  The concession may be renewed for another ten-year period through negotiation with TELCOR two years prior to the expiration of the current concession, subject to the fulfillment of certain terms and conditions by the operator.
 
(5)
The concession period is for 20 years and expires in 2016.  This can be extended for another period in accordance with the concession contract.  The Panamanian government granted us the right to use 10 MHz (5+5) in the 1900 MHz Band until 2016, which can be extended for another period.
 
(6)
The expiration date depends on the spectrum concession: band 800 MHz (12.5MHz + 12.5MHz) – 20 years from July 2004; band 1900 MHz (5MHz + 5MHz) – 20 years from December 2002; and band 1900 MHz (5MHz + 5MHz) – 20 years from July 2004.
 
Seasonality
 
Our main business is not significantly affected by seasonal trends.
 
Patents
 
Our business is not materially dependent upon the ownership of patents, commercial or financial contracts or new manufacturing processes.
 
C.   Organizational Structure
 
See “—History and Development of the Company” and “—Business Overview.”
 
 
 
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D.   Property, Plant and Equipment
 
In 2007, we moved to our new central headquarters for the Telefónica Group, “Distrito C”, in Las Tablas (Madrid), Spain.
 
Fixed Networks
 
We have fixed networks in Spain, Latin America and Europe with a presence as incumbent in Spain, Argentina (the greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area and the southern portion of the country), Brazil (São Paulo), Chile, Peru, Colombia and the Czech Republic.
 
Following market trends, competitive environments, evolution of technologies and new multimedia and broadband services demanded by our customers, we have in recent years generally upgraded our networks as follows:
 
 
·
progressive introduction of broadband access technologies over copper: ADSL, ADSL2+, VDSL2, etc. increasing the bandwidth capacity of the accesses;
 
 
·
introduction of fiber access technologies (xPON) across different access scenarios: fiber to the home (FTTH), fiber to the building (FTTB), fiber to the curb (FTTC), fiber to the node (FTTN), etc., increasing the access speed up to 100Mbps;
 
 
·
making available powerful Internet Protocol/ Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) backbones and transmission technologies providing full connectivity to the rest of the network layers, such as access and control, to support services for all business and customer market segments (fixed and mobile);
 
 
·
migrating current time division multiplexing (TDM) switching networks (PSTN and ISDN) to new generation network (NGN) all IP packet networks;
 
 
·
introduction of IMS (Internet Multimedia Subsystem) in many countries to simplify the control of the network and ease both the development and launching of new services;
 
 
·
providing more intelligence to the network  to better manage its use, avoid saturations and frauds and to identify new business opportunities;
 
 
·
providing for fixed-to-mobile convergence of networks, services and operation support systems & business support systems (OSS&BSS) systems in the operations and countries where it is feasible to do so;
 
 
·
migrating and concentrating transport technologies from legacy ones, such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay (FR), leased lines at low speed, plesiocronous digital hierarchy (PDH) and synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), to the new generation of optical transport ones, such as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) and new generation - synchronous digital hierarchy (NG-SDH); and
 
 
·
deployment of new services such as pay TV, under the Imagenio brand, to customers connected through broadband accesses in Spain, Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
 
Mobile Networks
 
We have mobile networks in Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Morocco, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Uruguay. In the case of Brazil (Brasilcel –Vivo) and Morocco (Medi Telecom) the ownership of the networks is shared with Portugal Telecom (50.0% and 32.18% respectively).
 
We use a number of mobile technologies in the countries in which we operate, for example, GSM and UMTS in Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latin America and Morocco; CDMA in other
 
 
 
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 countries in Latin America (such as, Brazil and Colombia) and the Czech Republic and TDMA technology in certain other countries in Latin America (such as Venezuela).
 
We are continuing to work to upgrade our mobile networks in line with market trends, demand of new services from customers and the evolution of technologies. The main steps we are currently taking include:
 
 
·
progressive migration from TDMA and CDMA technologies to GSM or UMTS technologies in markets where it is convenient;
 
 
·
introduction of broadband into mobile access using technologies such as UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA;
 
 
·
deploying new services such as mobile television and exploring next generation music, video and game services based on Microsoft’s Playready technology;
 
 
·
exploring the feasibility of new technologies as WiMax, HSPA and LTE (Long Term Evolution) to provide mobile accesses with increased bandwidth;
 
 
·
HSPA: we have been committed to the deployment of this technology in countries in which we have presence and as of December 31, 2008 have increased our coverage up to around 80% in Europe and around 90% in Latin America; and
 
 
·
LTE: together with main vendors and sharing experience with other operators, we have extensively analyzed the opportunities LTE will bring as 4G mobile technology is used to complement current network technology by creating higher capacity at lower relative cost by user/traffic unit, and we intend to start testing this technology in 2009; and
 
 
·
providing for F-M convergence of networks and services in the operations and countries where it is feasible to do so.
 
Satellite communications
 
We hold a 13.23% interest in Hispasat, which leases capacity to Eutelsat, Intelsat, New Sky Satellite and occasionally ArabSat.
 
The services provided using satellite platforms include television contribution signal to feed cable and IPTV head ends, DTH television, VSAT mainly for telephony and Internet access in rural areas, emergency solutions, corporate communications and international communications with some countries in Africa and in Asia.
 
Submarine cables
 
We are one of the world’s largest submarine cable operators. We participate in approximately 25 international underwater cable systems (nine of which are moored in Spain) and own eleven domestic fiber optic cables.
 
There are submarine cable connections between Spain and Africa, America, Asia and Europe, respectively, that are jointly owned by us with other telecom operators.  The SAM-1 cable, which we own, has a length of approximately 22,000 kilometers underwater and 3,000 kilometers terrestrial and links different countries such as the United States, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
 
The principal services using the capacity of submarine cables are voice circuits, Internet and dedicated circuits for international traffic and for corporations and business customers.
 
Item 4A.    Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not applicable.
 
 
 
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Item 5.       Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
 
A.    Operating Results
 
Overview
 
We have implemented a regional, integrated management model based on three business areas, with each area in charge of the fixed and mobile telephone and other businesses within its borders.  Our areas are:
 
 
·
Telefónica Spain: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and valued added services and data businesses in Spain.
 
 
·
Telefónica Europe: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and value added services and data businesses in the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Isle of Man.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America: oversees the fixed and mobile telephone, broadband, Internet, pay TV and value added services and data businesses in Latin America.
 
We are also involved in the media and contact center segments through Telefónica de Contenidos and Atento, respectively.
 
Presentation of Financial Information
 
The information in this section should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report.  Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
 
At its meeting on July 26, 2006, our Board of Directors agreed to restructure the way in which we are managed in order to respond to the increasing convergence of fixed and mobile telephony in the markets in which we operate.  In order to adapt to this new environment, we have developed a regional, integrated management model, combining fixed line and mobile telephony services in order to offer customers the best integrated solutions and support in an era of fixed-mobile convergence.  We are managed as three business areas: Telefónica Spain, Telefónica Europe and Telefónica Latin America, each of which oversees the integrated fixed and mobile telephone and other businesses in its region.
 
Our three business areas form the basis of our segment reporting in our Consolidated Financial Statements for 2006, 2007 and 2008.  Prior to the creation in 2006 of these three geographical business areas, our management was structured along product and service lines, with each such product or service line managed separately.
 
Non-GAAP financial information
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization, or OIBDA, is calculated by excluding depreciation and amortization expenses from our operating income in order to eliminate the impact of generally long-term capital investments that cannot be significantly influenced by our management in the short term.  Our management believes that OIBDA is meaningful for investors because it provides an analysis of our operating results and our segment profitability using the same measure used by our management.  OIBDA also allows us to compare our results with those of other companies in the telecommunications sector without considering their asset structure.  We use OIBDA to track our business evolution and establish operational and strategic targets.  OIBDA is also a measure commonly reported and widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the telecommunications industry.  OIBDA is not an explicit measure of financial performance under IFRS and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies.  OIBDA should not be considered an alternative to operating income as an indicator of our operating performance, or an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.
 
 
 
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The following table provides a reconciliation of our OIBDA to operating income for the periods indicated.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
     19,126       22,824       22,919  
Depreciation and amortization expense
     (9,704 )     (9,436 )     (9,046 )
Operating income
     9,422       13,388       13,873  

The following tables provide a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income for us and each of our business areas for the periods indicated.
 
   
Year ended December 31, 2008
  
   
Telefónica Spain
    
Telefónica Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Others and Eliminations
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
     10,285       8,445       4,180       9       22,919  
Depreciation and amortization expense
     (2,239 )     (3,645 )     (3,035 )     (127 )     (9,046 )
Operating income
     8,046       4,800       1,145       (118 )     13,873  

   
Year ended December 31, 2007
  
   
Telefónica Spain
    
Telefónica Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Others and Eliminations
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
     9,448       7,121       4,977       1,278       22,824  
Depreciation and amortization expense
     (2,381 )     (3,559 )     (3,386 )     (110 )     (9,436 )
Operating income
     7,067       3,562       1,591       1,168       13,388  

   
Year ended December 31, 2006
  
   
Telefónica Spain
    
Telefónica Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Others and Eliminations
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
     8,647       6,571       3,708       200       19,126  
Depreciation and amortization expense
     (2,533 )     (3,671 )     (3,399 )     (101 )     (9,704 )
Operating income
     6,114       2,900       309       99       9,422  
 
Net financial debt and net debt
 
We calculate net financial debt by deducting the positive mark-to-market value of derivatives with a maturity beyond one year from the relevant balance sheet date and other interest-bearing assets (each of which are components of non-current financial assets in our consolidated balance sheet), current financial assets and cash and cash equivalents from the sum of (i) current and non-current interest-bearing debt (which includes the negative mark-to-market value of derivatives with a maturity beyond one year) and (ii) other payables (a component of non-current trade and other payables in our consolidated balance sheet).  We calculate net debt by adding to net financial debt those commitments related to financial guarantees, not considered as net financial debt, and those related to workforce reduction.  We believe that net financial debt and net debt are meaningful for investors because they provide an analysis of our solvency using the same measures used by our management. Neither net debt nor net financial debt as calculated by us should be considered an alternative to gross financial debt (the sum of current and non-current interest-bearing debt) as a measure of our liquidity.
 
 
 
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The following table provides a reconciliation of our net financial debt and net debt to gross financial debt at the dates indicated:
 
   
As of December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Non-current interest-bearing debt
     50,676       46,942       45,088  
Current interest-bearing debt
     8,381       6,986       8,100  
Gross financial debt
     59,057       53,928       53,188  
Other payables
     354       327       477  
Non-current financial assets(1)
     (1,794 )     (2,284 )     (4,439 )
Current financial assets
     (1,680 )     (1,622 )     (2,216 )
Cash and cash equivalents
     (3,792 )     (5,065 )     (4,277 )
Net financial debt
     52,145       45,284       42,733  
Commitments related to financial guarantees
     365       365       365  
Net commitments related to workforce reduction
     3,089       3,289       2,687  
Net debt
     55,599       48,938       45,785  
 
(1)
Positive mark-to-market value of derivatives with a maturity beyond one year from the relevant balance sheet date and other interest-bearing assets.
 
Significant Transactions Affecting the Comparability of our Results of Operations in the Periods Under Review
 
During the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, various changes occurred in our composition that affect the comparability of our operating results between the periods.  See Appendix I to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed description of the principal changes in our composition affecting our financial statements during the periods under review covered by our Consolidated Financial Statements.  The most significant changes are summarized below.
 
Tender offer for all the remaining outstanding shares of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
 
On September 17, 2008, we launched a tender offer through our subsidiary Telefónica Internacional to acquire all the outstanding shares of CTC that we did not already control directly or indirectly, amounting to 55.1% of CTC’s share capital.
 
Once the acceptance period had ended and the transaction had been settled on October 30, 2008 our indirect ownership in CTC increased from 44.9% to 96.75%.  This is the percentage that appears as the percentage of ownership as of December 31, 2008 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Subsequently, pursuant to Chilean law, on December 1, 2008, Telefónica Internacional launched a new tender offer for all the shares of CTC that it did not own directly or indirectly after settlement of the first offer, on the same economic terms.  The acceptance period for the second offer ended December 31, 2008, but was then extended to January 6, 2009, as allowed by Chilean law.
 
Upon the end of the acceptance period of the second tender offer, our indirect ownership percentage in CTC’s share capital had increased from 96.75% of all CTC’s outstanding shares, as reached in the first tender offer, to 97.89%.  The total payment for the two tranches was 553.64 million Chilean pesos, equivalent to approximately €647.6 million.
 
Sale of shareholding in Airwave O2, Ltd.
 
In April 2007, Telefónica O2 Europe, Plc, our wholly-owned subsidiary, sold 100% of the share capital of the UK company, Airwave O2, Ltd, for £1,932 million (equivalent to €2,841 million at the transaction date).  The sale produced a gain of €1,296 million, recognized under “Other income” in our consolidated income statement for 2007. See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
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Sale of shareholding in Endemol Investment Holding, B.V.
 
In May 2007, we signed an agreement to sell our 99.7% stake in the Dutch company Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. to a consortium owned by Mediacinco Cartera, S.L., Cyrte Fond II, B.V. and G.S. Capital Partners VI Fund, L.P, for €2,629 million.  The transaction was completed on July 3, 2007, producing a gain of €1,368 million, recognized under “Other income” in our consolidated income statement for 2007.  See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Acquisition of indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia
 
On April 28, 2007, we, together with our partners Assicurazioni Generali, S.p.A., Intesa Sanpaolo, S.p.A., Mediobanca, S.p.A. and Sintonía, S.A., entered into a co-investment agreement and shareholders’ agreement which established the terms and conditions of our acquisition of an indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia through an Italian company, Telco, in which we have a 42.3% interest.  Both agreements were modified on October 25, 2007 to include the Assicurazioni Generali Group companies, and the shareholders’ agreement was further amended on November 19, 2007.
 
On October 25, 2007 Telco acquired 100% of Olimpia, S.p.A., which held 18% of the voting shares of Telecom Italia. Also on that date, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (together with its group companies Alleanza Assicurazioni S.p.A., INA Assitalia S.p.A., Volksfürsorge Deutsche Lebenversicherung A.G. and Generali Vie S.A.) and Mediobanca S.p.A. contributed an aggregate of 5.6% of Telecom Italia’s voting shares to Telco.
 
On December 10, 2007, an agreement was reached to merge Olimpia, S.p.A. into Telco, as a result of which Telco’s entire stake in the voting shares of Telecom Italia (23.6%) became a direct stake.
 
In March 2008, Telco acquired an additional 121.5 million shares of Telecom Italia (representing 0.9% of its share capital), bringing its ownership to 24.5% of the voting rights and 16.9% of the dividend rights. As a result, we indirectly hold 10.4% of Telecom Italia voting rights and 7.1% of its dividend rights.  We account for our investment in Telco using the equity method.
 
For additional information on this acquisition see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and “Item 10. Additional Information—Material Contracts”.
 
Acquisition of the O2 Group
 
On January 23, 2006, we stated that we had complied with all the requirements of the full takeover offer for the O2 Group made on November 21, 2005, finalizing the acquisition of 100% of the company’s shares.
 
The acquisition price of the O2 Group amounted to the equivalent of €26,135 million (£17,887 million).  We include the O2 Group in our consolidation perimeter using the full consolidation method from January 31, 2006.
 
In the comparison below of our results of operations, we have provided certain comparisons on a “like-for-like” basis in order to present an analysis of the development of our results of operations from year-to-year.  To make such comparisons, we have utilized 12 months of operations of certain companies of the O2 Group for 2006 rather than the 11 months of 2006 (from January 31, 2006) in which the O2 Group was included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Merger with Telefónica Móviles
 
On July 29, 2006, we merged with Telefónica Móviles, with the dissolution of Telefónica Móviles and the block transfer of all its equity to us to cover the share exchange.  We delivered 244,344,012 of our treasury shares to the shareholders of Telefónica Móviles, representing approximately 7.08% of our share capital at that date.
 
 
 
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Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP
 
In April 2006, Telefónica Internacional, S.A. acquired 50% plus one share of Colombia Telecom in a public tender for €289 million.  We consolidate this company using the full consolidation method.
 
Sale of Telefónica Publicidad e Información, S.A. (“TPI”)
 
In July 2006, we accepted a public takeover bid launched by Yell Group Plc, or Yell, for 100% of the shares of TPI by tendering the 216,269,764 shares we owned in TPI, representing 59.905% of its share capital, for a total amount of €1,838 million.  See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  The gain on the disposal, which amounted to €1,563 million, and the results contributed by the TPI group through June 30, 2006 are recognized under “Profit after taxes from discontinued operations” in our consolidated income statement for 2006.
 
Significant Changes in Accounting Policies
 
We have applied the interpretation of IFRIC 11: IFRS 2: Group and Treasury Share Operations from January 1, 2008.  The adoption of this interpretation has not had a significant impact on our financial position in the initial period of application.
 
We have applied the interpretation of IFRIC 14: IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction from January 1, 2008.  The adoption of this interpretation has not had a significant impact on our financial position in the initial period of application.
 
We have applied the amendments to IAS 39 and IFRS 7: Reclassification of Financial Assets from July 1, 2008.  Their adoption has not had a significant impact on our financial position in the initial period of application.
 
At the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, IFRIC interpretation IFRIC 12: Service Concession Arrangements, with effect for the annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2008, had been published by the International Accounting Standards Board but not adopted by the European Union as of December 31, 2008.  The application of this interpretation would not have had an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In addition, at the date of preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements, the following IFRS and IFRIC interpretations had been published, but their application was not mandatory:
 
 
Standards and amendments
  
 
Mandatory application: annual periods beginning on or after
Amendment to IAS 23
Borrowing Costs
  
January 1, 2009 (*)
Amendment to IAS 1
Revised Presentation of Financial Statements
  
January 1, 2009
Revised IFRS 3
Business combinations
  
July 1, 2009
Amendment to IAS 27
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
  
July 1, 2009
Amendment to IFRS 2
Share-based Payment - Vesting Conditions and Cancellations
  
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IAS 32 and IAS 1
Puttable Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation
  
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 27
Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate
  
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IAS 39
 Eligible Hedged Items
  
July 1, 2009
Revised IFRS 1
First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
  
January 1, 2009
Improvements to IFRS
  
January 1, 2009 (**)
 
(*)
Borrowing costs related to qualifying assets capitalized as of January 1, 2009.
 
(**)
Improvements to IFRS 5 applicable for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009.
 
 
 
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Interpretations
  
 
Mandatory application: annual periods beginning  on or after
IFRIC 13
Customer Loyalty Programs
  
July 1, 2008
IFRIC 15
Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate
  
January 1, 2009
IFRIC 16
Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation
  
October 1, 2008
IFRIC 17
Distribution of Non-cash Assets to Owners
  
July 1, 2009
IFRIC 18
Transfers of Assets from Customers
  
July 1, 2009 (*)
 
(*)
Applicable for transfers carried out on or after July 1, 2009.
 
We are currently assessing the impact of the application of these standards, amendments and interpretations. From the analyses made, we estimate that their adoption will not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements in the initial period of application.  However, the changes introduced by the revised IFRS 3 and amendments to IAS 27 will affect future acquisitions and transactions with minority interests carried out on or after January 1, 2010.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes.  We base our estimates on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:
 
 
·
it requires us to make assumptions because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making our estimate; and
 
 
·
changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected may have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
The various policies that are important to the portrayal of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows include:
 
 
·
accounting for long-lived assets, including goodwill;
 
 
·
deferred taxes;
 
 
·
provisions; and
 
 
·
revenue recognition.
 
Accounting for long-lived assets, including goodwill
 
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, other than goodwill, are recorded at acquisition cost. If such assets are acquired in a business combination, the acquisition cost is the estimated fair value of the acquired property, plant and equipment or intangible assets.  Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with definite useful lives are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
 
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are, instead, subject to an impairment test on a yearly basis and whenever there is an indication that such assets may be impaired.
 
Accounting for long-lived assets and intangible assets involves the use of estimates for determining: (a) the fair value at the acquisition date in the case of such assets acquired in a business combination, and (b) the useful lives of the assets over which they are to be depreciated or amortized.  We believe that the estimates we make to determine an asset’s useful life are “critical accounting estimates” because they require our management to make estimates about technological evolution and competitive uses of assets.
 
 
 
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When an impairment in the carrying amount of an asset occurs, non-scheduled write-downs are made.  We perform impairment tests of identifiable intangible and long-lived assets whenever there is reason to believe that the carrying value may exceed the recoverable amount, which is the higher of the asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.  Furthermore, previously recognized impairment losses may be reversed when changes in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount indicate that an impairment loss recognized in prior periods no longer exists or may have decreased.
 
The determination of whether the impairment of long-lived and intangible assets is necessary involves the use of significant estimates and judgment that includes, but is not limited to, the analysis of the cause of potential impairment in value, the timing of such potential impairment and an estimate of the amount of the impairment, which requires the estimation of the future expected cash flows, discount rates and the fair value of the assets.
 
Specifically, management has to make certain assumptions in respect of uncertain matters, such as growth in revenues, changes in market prices, operating margins, and technology developments and obsolescence, discontinuance of services and other changes in circumstances that indicate the need to perform an impairment test.  Management’s estimates about technology and its future development require significant judgment because the timing and nature of technological advances are difficult to predict.
 
Goodwill arises when the cost of a business combination exceeds the acquirer’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed.  Goodwill is not amortized, but is, instead, subject to an impairment test on a yearly basis and whenever there is an indication that the goodwill may be impaired.
 
Non-scheduled write-downs of goodwill are made when an impairment in the carrying amount of goodwill occurs.  We review, on a regular basis, the performance of our cash-generating units.  We compare the carrying amount of the cash-generating unit to which the goodwill has been allocated with its recoverable amount.  The determination of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit involves extensive use of estimates and significant management judgment is involved.  Methods commonly used by us for valuations include discounted cash flow methods.
 
A significant change in the facts and circumstances that we relied upon in making our estimates may have a material impact on our operating results and financial condition.
 
Deferred taxes
 
Management assesses the recoverability of deferred tax assets on the basis of estimates of our future taxable profit.  The recoverability of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable profit during the periods in which the deferred tax assets are utilized.  In making this assessment, our management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable profit and tax planning strategies.
 
This assessment is carried out on the basis of internal projections, which are updated to reflect our most recent operating trends.  In accordance with applicable accounting standards, a deferred tax asset must be recognized for all deductible temporary differences and for the carry-forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary difference can be utilized.  Our current and deferred income taxes are impacted by events and transactions arising in the normal course of business as well as in connection with special and non-recurring items.  Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred tax assets and the timing of income tax payments.  Actual collections and payments may materially differ from these estimates as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated future transactions impacting our income tax balances.
 
Provisions
 
Provisions are recorded when, at the end of the period, we have a present obligation as a result of past events, whose settlement requires an outflow of resources that is considered probable and can be measured reliably.  This obligation may be legal or constructive, arising from, but not limited to, regulation, contracts, common practice or
 
 
 
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public commitments, which have created a valid expectation for third parties that we will assume certain responsibilities.  The amount recorded is the best estimation performed by the management in respect of the expenditure that will be required to settle the obligations, considering all the information available at the closing date, including the advice of external experts, such as legal advisors or consultants.
 
If we are unable to reliably measure the obligation, no provision is recorded and information is then presented in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Because of the inherent uncertainties in this estimation, actual expenditures may be different from the originally estimated amount recognized.
 
Revenue recognition
 
Connection fees
 
Revenues from connection fees originated when customers connect to our network are deferred over the average expected length of the customer relationship.
 
The expected customer relationship period is estimated based on recent historical experience of customer churn rates.  Significant changes in our estimations may result in differences in the amount and timing of revenues recognized.
 
Multiple-element arrangements
 
Arrangements involving the delivery of bundled products or services are assessed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the arrangement into individual component deliverables, each with its own revenue recognition criteria.
 
Revenue relating to the bundled contract is allocated to the different deliverables identified, based on their relative fair values (i.e., the fair value of each individual component deliverables in relation to the total fair value of the bundled deliverables).  Given that the handsets and airtime are price-sensitive and volatile in a competitive marketplace, the determination of fair values in the mobile phone business is quite complex.
 
Additionally, a significant change in the facts and circumstances upon which we based our fair value estimates may have an impact on the allocation of revenue among the different deliverables identified and, consequently, on future revenues.
 
Operating Environment
 
Our results of operations are dependent, to a large extent, on the level of demand for our services in the countries in which we operate.  Demand for services in those countries is affected by the performance of their respective economies, including gross domestic product, or GDP, growth, inflation, external accounts and unemployment rates.  As discussed below, the economies of the European countries in which we operate experienced a significant slowdown during 2008, whereas Latin American economies generally showed significant growth, though in many cases slower growth than experienced in the economic expansion of the period 2003 through 2007.
 
Operating environment by country
 
Spain
 
Our results of operations are dependent to a large extent on the level of demand for our services in Spain. In 2008, Spanish GDP grew by 1.1%, significantly less than the 3.8% average annual growth rate of the period 1998 through 2007.  This slowdown in growth was primarily explained by a strong deceleration of internal demand, especially household consumption which grew at an annual rate of 0.5% in 2008 compared to average annual growth of 3.7% during the period 1998 through 2007.  Growth in investment also slowed significantly, with an annual growth rate of 1.5% in 2008 compared to average annual growth of 4.2% during the period 1998 through
 
 
 
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2007. Inflation averaged 4.2% in 2008, above the 2.8% rate in 2007 and 3.6% rate in 2006.  Despite a higher average annual inflation rate in 2008, prices in 2008 experienced a high degree of volatility, and year-end inflation was 1.4% due to decreases in the price of food and fuel from the beginning of the year.  The current account deficit for 2008 reached 9.5% of GDP, compared with 10% in 2007 and 9% in 2006, whereas the unemployment rate stood at 13.9% at the end of the year, a notable increase with respect to the average rate of 8.6% in 2007 and 8.5% in 2006.  This significant rise in unemployment was the consequence of the worsening Spanish labor market during 2008, a year in which 619,000 jobs were lost as compared to average annual job creation of 700,000 jobs during the period 1998 through 2007.
 
United Kingdom
 
In 2008, the British economy grew 0.7%, compared with 3% in 2007 and 2.8% in 2006.  A sharp slowdown in domestic demand explained most of the deceleration in GDP growth. In addition, investment contracted at an annual rate of 3% in 2008, compared with annual growth of 6.8% in 2007 and 6% in 2006. The consumer price index increased by 3.6% in 2008 (average annual growth rate), compared with 2.3% in each of 2007 and 2006.  Energy prices and capacity constraints in the first half of the year were the main factors behind the growth in inflation during the year, which exceeded the Bank of England’s target rate of 2%.  Nevertheless, after reaching 5.1% in September, inflation started to decelerate sharply, helped by decreases commodity prices, a temporary VAT rate reduction of two percentage points and the worsening of demand outlook.  Employment increased by 0.8% in 2008, compared with an annual increase of 0.7% in 2007 and 1.9% in 2006 (Labor Force Survey).  As a result, the unemployment rate reached 6.5% at end 2008, compared to an average annual rate of 5.4% in 2007 and 5.4% in 2006.
 
Germany
 
In 2008, Germany’s GDP grew 0.9%, after 2.6% growth in 2007 and 3.1% growth in 2006.  This slowdown in growth was due to decreased investment primarily in construction and machinery and the negative contribution of the external sector to GDP growth (the first negative contribution to GDP growth since 2005).  The current account balance reached a surplus of 7% of GDP in 2008, thanks to a trade balance surplus equivalent to 8% of GDP as a result of a significant rate of growth in world trade during the first half of 2008 and the high degree of competitiveness of the German manufacturing sector.  Inflation averaged 2.7% in 2008 compared to 2.3% in 2007 and 1.8% in 2006, whereas at the end of 2008 it stood at 1.1%. 368,000 new jobs were created in 2008 compared to 685,000 jobs in 2007, which helped to reduce the average unemployment rate to 7.1% in 2008 compared to 8.4% in 2007 and 9.8% in 2006.
 
Czech Republic
 
In 2008 the Czech Republic’s economy grew by 3.1% compared to 6% in 2007 and 6.9% in 2006. The deceleration in GDP growth was mainly driven by lower domestic demand.  Private consumption increased by 2.9% in 2008 compared to 5.2% in 2007 and 5.4% in 2006, and fixed investment registered an annual growth rate of just 3.1%.  Net exports, however, added 1.9 percentage points to total GDP growth. Inflation closed 2008 at 3.6%, above the central bank’s target of 3%, compared to an annual average rate of 5.4% in 2007 and 1.7% in 2006.  The broad worsening of economic activity during the second half of 2008 contributed to the depreciation of the Czech crown against the euro by 7.6% since June 2008.  Nevertheless, due the strong appreciation registered during the first half of the year, the Czech crown registered an annual average appreciation of 10.1% against the euro, compared with an appreciation of 2.1% in 2007 and 4.9% in 2006.
 
Brazil
 
In 2008, Brazil’s GDP growth reached 5.1%, similar to the 5.7% recorded in 2007 and above the historical annual average since 2004 of 4.4%. Private consumption increased by an estimated 5.8% annual growth rate and investment grew at 13.8% over the year.  During 2008 foreign direct investment flows to Brazil reached $45.1 billion, compared to $34.6 billion in 2007 and $18.8 billion in 2006.  Brazil also sustained positive results in trade numbers, with a surplus of $24.8 billion in 2008, compared to $40.0 billion in 2007 and $46.4 billion in 2006.  As a result of these positive external flows, Brazilian international reserves increased from $180.3 billion in 2007 to $206.8 billion in 2008, which allowed the Brazilian government to continue to reduce its external debt to GDP ratio
 
 
 
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from 13.8% in 2007 to 12.6% in 2008.  Due to the international financial crisis, however, the country risk as measured by the average of JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus (EMBI+ Brazil) increased to 428 basis points at the end of 2008, compared to 221 basis points at the end of 2007.  The Brazilian currency depreciated 32% relative to the dollar, and closed 2008 at $2.34 to the real.  Due to the depreciation of the real and higher international commodity prices during the first half of 2008, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (IPCA), increased from an annual rate of 4.5% in 2007 to 5.9% in 2008, still below the upper limit of the central bank’s inflation target.  As a result, the Brazilian Central Bank increased interest rates. Since the end of 2007 and through 2008, the Selic rate has been increased from 11.25% to 13.75%.
 
Mexico
 
Mexico’s real GDP growth decelerated in 2008 to 1.4% compared to growth of 3.3% in 2007 and 5.1% in 2006. Inflation closed the year at 6.5%, above the central bank’s target of 3% (within a range of from 2% to 4%), due to intense pressures on international commodity prices in the first half of 2008 and government-led increases in domestic energy prices. Despite the slowdown, 2008 was characterized by macroeconomic stability, highlighted by sound public finances, financial markets dynamism, anchored inflation expectations and high levels of capital inflows, as underlined by foreign direct investment, which reached $18.6 billion. Regarding the external accounts, the current account deficit widened to 1.4% of GDP and the trade balance posted a deficit of $16.8 billion. However, the external imbalances were well financed by capital inflows and, as a consequence, international reserves held by the central bank reached a new record of $85.4 billion in 2008 (amounting to 7.9% of GDP). The exchange rate relative to the dollar dropped to a minimum in August to 9.86 Mexican pesos to the dollar, a level not seen since 2002. However, in the fourth quarter of 2008, within a context of changing expectations and global and domestic economic weakness, the exchange rate relative to the dollar depreciated sharply. It closed the year at 13.65 Mexican pesos to the dollar, 25% less than at the end of 2007 and 26% less than at the end of 2006.
 
Venezuela
 
As in the previous four years, the Venezuelan economy continued with positive results in 2008. GDP growth in 2008 slowed to 4.8% from 8.4% in 2007 and 10.3% in 2006, primarily as a result of growth of non-oil activities and the oil sector of 5.1% and 3.2%, respectively.  This economic environment was sustained on the growth of domestic aggregate demand of 5.5% in 2008 with increases in private consumption of 7.1% and public consumption of 5.7%, despite a decrease in investment of 2.4% over the same period. The national consumer price index (CPI) rose to 30.9% in 2008, which was higher than the 22.5% recorded in 2007 and the 17.0% recorded in 2006.  The unemployment rate at the end of December 2008 dropped to 6.1% which is similar to the rate in the same period of the previous year when it was 6.2%, both decreases relative to the 8.4% recorded at the end of 2006.  On the external front, the current account surplus reached $46.0 billion bringing the central bank’s gross international reserves to $43.1 billion.  In this framework, the official exchange rate was kept at 2.15 Venezuelan bolivars to the dollar. However, above all since September 2008, the local financial markets suffered from the external financial and economic stress, coupled with the uncertainty regarding local developments.  Hence, the parallel exchange rate was 2.5 times above the official exchange rate and the country risk, measured by means of the EMBI+ by JP Morgan, reached a maximum above 1,800 basis points (it finished 2007 in 506 basis points).
 
Chile
 
The Chilean economy grew by 3.4% in 2008, below the 5.1% and 4.2% recorded in 2007 and 2006, respectively.  On the demand side, the expansion was sustained by year-on-year growth in private consumption of 5.1% and investment of 18.5%, with the latter reaching one of its highest annual growth rates in recent years. The unemployment rate rose from an average annual rate of 7% in 2007 to 7.7% in 2008.  The year-end inflation rate stood at 7.1%, averaging 8.3% during 2008 due to continued increases in oil and food prices since the second half of 2007.  These increases were later reversed in the second half of 2008 with the spread of the financial crisis.  The trade balance surplus reached $10.2 billion in 2008, 60% less than the $23.6 billion recorded in 2007 and 55% less than the $22.6 billion recorded in 2006, as a result of lower average annual copper and other export commodities prices.  The Chilean peso year-end nominal depreciation against the dollar was 27%; however, comparing the average Chilean peso to dollar exchange rate in 2008 to the one in 2007, the depreciation was 0%.  Interest rates increased continuously in line with a tighter monetary policy oriented to bringing inflation back into the target range of between 2% and 4%.  The reference rate (Monetary Policy Rate), rose 225 basis points, closing 2008 at 8.25%.
 
 
 
 
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The fiscal surplus was approximately 5.2% of GDP in 2008.  Central government debt went up from 4.1% of GDP in 2007 to 5.2% in 2008, with approximately 85% of this being issued in domestic currency.  Public treasury foreign financial assets equaled $27 billion in 2008 (equivalent to 15% of GDP), which added to the $23.1 billions in foreign reserves at the central bank.  This gives the Chilean public sector a strong international financial position, since its total (domestic and foreign) debt is no larger than 15% of GDP.
 
Argentina
 
Argentina’s GDP growth for 2008 was 6.8%, close to the average annual growth rate over the period from 2003 through 2007 (8.8%), marking six years of GDP growth following the deep economic and political crisis of 2001 and 2002.  The peso depreciated by 9.6% relative to the U.S. dollar, closing 2008 at 3.45 pesos per U.S. dollar.  The official consumer inflation rate increased by 7.2% in 2008, while wholesale prices rose by 9.0% during the same period. The current account balance, following a 2007 surplus equivalent to 2.7% of GDP and 3.6% of GDP in 2006, reached a surplus of 2.3% of GDP in 2008.  The unemployment rate decreased to 7.3% at December 31, 2008 from 7.5% at December 31, 2007 and 8.7% at December 31, 2006, due to continued economic growth and the implementation of a wide range of social assistance programs with positive implications for alleviating poverty and diminishing disparities in the distribution of income.
 
Colombia
 
The Colombian economy grew at an annual rate of 2.5%, compared with 7.5% in 2007 and 6.8% in 2006, continuing one of the largest economic expansions of its recent economic history, though at a slower pace than in previous years.  The economic slowdown which began in 2008 should continue during 2009. Colombia’s growth should continue to slow in 2009 as a result of reduced domestic demand, which accounted for almost half of growth until 2007.  The boom in commodity prices, primarily minerals and oil, and the plunge of real interest rates were the key elements that spurred investment in the Colombian economy to its highest levels in years. Investment accounted for more than 25% of GDP in each of 2006, 2007 and 2008.  The unemployment rate, which went below 10% at the end of 2007, reached 10.9% in December 2008, compared with an average annual rate of 11.4% in 2007 and 10.9% in 2006.  However, despite a persistent high current account deficit during 2008 (estimated at 2.0% of GDP), and the declining of external economic conditions, Colombia managed to maintain large foreign direct investment inflows as its main source of external financing.  During the first nine months of 2008 the country received more that $8,000 million through foreign direct investment inflows, $2,000 million more than the figure received during the same period of 2007.  The Colombian peso relative to the dollar appreciated during the first half of the year, although it depreciated relative to the dollar in the second half, finishing 2008 11.4% below its value at the end of 2007. On average, however, the Colombian peso appreciated relative to the dollar by 5.7% compared to 2007.  It is estimated that the current account balance reached a deficit of 2% in 2008, below the 2.8% recorded in 2007 but above the 1.8% recorded in 2006, due to the positive evolution of oil prices in the first half of 2008.
 
Peru
 
During 2008, the Peruvian economy continued to show a high degree of soundness, with a GDP growth rate of 9.8% compared to 8.9% in 2007 and 7.7% in 2006.  This expansion was driven by an increase in domestic demand of 12.5%, with significant growth in private consumption and investment of 8.3% and 25.5%, respectively.  National urban employment grew 9.5%, while average family income grew 14.5%.  Consumer prices increased by 6.7% in December 2008, 3.7 percentage points above the upper limit of the central bank’s target of between 1%  and 3%, compared with 3.9% in 2007 and 1.1% in 2006.  Fiscal surplus was 2.1% of GDP, compared with 1.8% in 2007 and 1.5% in 2006, while foreign direct investment inflows decreased by 25%, compared with an increase of 57% in 2007 and 34% in 2006. In the foreign exchange market, the Peruvian sol appreciated on average 6.5% against the dollar, compared with an average appreciation against the dollar of 4.5% in 2007 and 1.4% in 2006.  However, as a consequence of high volatility in world financial markets, it depreciated strongly against the dollar in the last part of the year, which resulting in closing 2008 4.5% lower relative to the dollar than at the end of 2007.  Country risk, measured by the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI Peru), increased to 331 basis points, compared to 60 basis points in 2007, explained by the increase in risk aversion to emerging markets as a result of the uncertainty created by the world financial crisis.  Finally, Fitch and Standard & Poors’ rating agencies assigned investment grade status to Peruvian Long-Term Foreign Currency Debt “BBB-/outlook stable” due to a notable reduction of its external vulnerabilities and solid macroeconomic fundamentals.
 
 
 
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Ecuador
 
The Ecuadorian economy grew approximately at a rate of 6.4% in 2008 compared to 2.5% in 2007 and 3.9% in 2006, based on a good performance of private investment, which grew of 19.9% year-on-year, and public expenditure, which grew 10.5% year-on-year.  Consumer prices rose 8.8% in 2008, while the unemployment rate reached 10%.  In the external sector, the trade balance reached a surplus of $1,066 million, 25% less than in 2007, primarily as a result of the sharp correction in oil prices during the second half of 2008 and the global economic slowdown, which had an important effect over the country’s non-oil exports.  Ecuador’s non-oil trade deficit grew by 74% from 2007 to $7.6 billion at the end of 2008.  Because of this, the dollarization regime under which the country has operated since 2000 will very likely be under high stress during the beginning of 2009 and for as long as the difficult external environment (low commodity prices and economic weakness) affect Ecuador’s external and fiscal accounts. During late 2008, Ecuador lost $1.5 billion in free disposable international reserves.  Nevertheless, government sources have supported publicly the maintenance of dollarization regime.  On the political front, a new constitution was approved in September 2008 by a large majority and its implementation required previous changes in a few areas of economic activity.  At the end of 2008, the three main rating agencies downgraded Ecuadorian sovereign debt, with the result being an immediate increase in the cost of public and private financing due to a partial default declared by the government on its global bonds.  Country risk, measured by the Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI Ecuador) of JP Morgan, rose 4,117 points during 2008, well above the raise of 306 points in 2007.
 
Exchange Rate Fluctuations
 
We publish our Consolidated Financial Statements in euro.  Because a substantial portion of our assets, liabilities, revenues and profit are denominated in currencies other than the euro, we are exposed to fluctuations in the values of these currencies against the euro.  Currency fluctuations have had and may continue to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
We estimate that in 2008 variations in currencies decreased our consolidated cash flows by approximately €302 million and decreased our consolidated revenues by approximately 3%.  Currency fluctuations can also have a significant impact on our balance sheet, particularly equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, when translating the financial statements of subsidiaries located outside the euro zone into euro. For example, in 2008 equity attributable to equity holders of the parent decreased by €3,708 million due to the translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, principally due to the depreciation of the pound sterling and Brazilian real relative to the euro.
 
We estimate that in 2007 variations in currencies decreased our consolidated cash flows by approximately €261 million and decreased our consolidated revenues by approximately 1.2%.  In addition, in 2007 equity attributable to equity holders of the parent decreased by €1,427 million due to the translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, principally due to the depreciation of the dollar and pound sterling relative to the euro and the appreciation of the Brazilian real and the Czech crown relative to the euro.
 
We estimate that in 2006 variations in currencies decreased our consolidated cash flows by approximately €372 million and increased our consolidated revenues by approximately 1.6%.  In 2006 equity attributable to equity holders of the parent decreased by €302 million due to the translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, principally due to the depreciation of the Brazilian real and Mexican peso relative to the euro and the appreciation of the pound sterling and the Czech crown relative to the euro.
 
 
 
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The table below sets forth the average exchange rates against the euro of the dollar and the key currencies that impacted our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated.  Positive percentage changes represent a decline in the value of the applicable currency relative to the euro, and negative percentage changes represent increases in the value of the applicable currency relative to the euro.
 
   
2006(1)
Average
    
2007(1)
Average
    
2008(1)
Average
    
% change 2006 to 2007
Average
    
% change 2007 to 2008
Average
  
Pound Sterling
     0.68       0.68       0.79       0.41 %     16.12 %
U.S. Dollar
     1.25       1.37       1.46       9.08 %     6.94 %
Brazilian Real
     2.73       2.66       2.66       (2.46 )%     (0.09 )%
Argentine Peso
     3.86       4.26       4.63       10.52 %     8.67 %
Peruvian Nuevo Sol
     4.11       4.28       4.29       4.24 %     0.29 %
Chilean Peso
     665.33       714.64       758.73       7.41 %     6.15 %
Mexican Peso
     13.66       14.95       16.24       9.44 %     8.60 %
Venezuelan Bolivar(2)
     2.69       2.94       3.15       9.16 %     6.98 %
Czech Crown
     28.34       27.76       24.97       (2.05 )%     (10.04 )%
Colombian Peso
     2,949.85       2,837.13       2,873.56       (3.82 )%     1.15 %
Guatemalan Quetzal
     9.55       10.50       11.07       9.99 %     5.40 %
 
Source: Central treasury bank of the respective countries.
 
 
(1)
These exchange rates are used to convert the income statements of our subsidiaries from local currency to euro.
 
 
(2)
In 2007, a new currency, the Venezuelan Bolivar, was launched. Conversion from the old Venezuelan currency to the new Venezuelan Bolivar is made by dividing the amount of the old Venezuelan currency by 1,000.
 
In the comparison below of our results of operations, we have provided certain comparisons at constant exchange rates in order to present an analysis of the development of our results of operations from year-to-year without the effects of currency fluctuations.  To make such comparisons, we have converted certain financial items into euros using the prior year’s average exchange rate.
 
We describe certain risks relating to exchange rate fluctuations in “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors”, and we describe our policy with respect to limiting our exposure to short-term fluctuations in exchange rates under “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.
 
Regulation
 
We are subject to regulation in the different markets where we operate, particularly with regard to the prices we can charge for certain of our goods and services in certain jurisdictions as well as our need to comply with certain obligations, which has a significant effect on our profitability. For more information regarding regulation in the markets in which we operate, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation”.
 
 
 
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Group Results of Operations
 
A summary of our results of operations for 2006, 2007 and 2008 and certain consolidated revenue and expense items as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated is shown below.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
Total
    
Percentage of revenues
    
Total
    
Percentage of revenues
    
Total
    
Percentage of revenues
  
   
(in millions of euros, except percentage of revenues, share and per share data)
  
Revenues
     52,901       100.0 %     56,441       100.0 %     57,946       100.0 %
Other income
     1,571       3.0 %     4,264       7.6 %     1,865       3.2 %
Supplies
     (16,629 )     (31.4 )%     (17,907 )     (31.7 )%     (17,818 )     (30.7 )%
Personnel expenses
     (7,622 )     (14.4 )%     (7,893 )     (14.0 )%     (6,762 )     (11.7 )%
Other expenses
     (11,095 )     (21.0 )%     (12,081 )     (21.4 )%     (12,312 )     (21.2 )%
Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA)(1)
     19,126       36.2 %     22,824       40.4 %     22,919       39.6 %
Depreciation and amortization
     (9,704 )     (18.3 )%     (9,436 )     (16.7 )%     (9,046 )     (15.6 )%
Operating income
     9,422       17.8 %     13,388       23.7 %     13,873       23.9 %
Share of profit (loss) of associates
     76       0.1 %     140       0.2 %     (161 )     (0.3 )%
Net financial income (expense)
     (2,734 )     (5.2 )%     (2,844 )     (5.0 )%     (2,797 )     (4.8 )%
Corporate income tax
     (1,781 )     (3.4 )%     (1,565 )     (2.8 )%     (3,089 )     (5.3 )%
Profit for the year from continuing operations
     4,983       9.4 %     9,119       16.2 %     7,826       13.5 %
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
     1,596       3.0 %     —       —       —       —  
Profit for the year
     6,579       12.4 %     9,119       16.2 %     7,826       13.5 %
Minority interest
     (346 )     (0.7 )%     (213 )     (0.4 %)     (234 )     (0.4 )%
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company
     6,233       11.8 %     8,906       15.8 %     7,592       13.1 %
 
(1)
For a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, see “—Operating Results—Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP financial information—Operating income before depreciation and amortization”.
 
Overview
 
We believe that our results of operations for 2008 reflect the value of our diversified business and our ability to successfully execute our operations, particularly under difficult economic conditions and intense competition across all of our business lines and in most countries where we operate.  Despite the fact that revenue increased only modestly, we believe that the solid growth that we have achieved in the number of accesses in 2008 highlights our potential for organic growth, the value of our geographic and business area diversification coupled with an efficient cost structure and our ability to take advantage of synergies through an integrated management structure.
 
We continued to increase our customer base, measured in terms of total accesses, by 13.2% to 258.9 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 228.7 million accesses at December 31, 2007, which was a 12.5% increase from the 203.2 million accesses we had at December 31, 2006.  This growth from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008 was primarily driven by a 16.6% increase in mobile accesses, a 20.9% increase in broadband accesses and a 29.7% increase in pay TV accesses, which more than offset our loss of fixed telephony accesses and narrowband accesses as these technologies continue to be substituted by customers for mobile and broadband technologies, respectively.  Growth in our total number of accesses from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, was primarily driven by strong growth in mobile and broadband accesses.
 
As was the case from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, by geographic area, Telefónica Latin America had the largest percentage increase in accesses from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, with an increase of
 
 
 
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18.0% to 158.3 million accesses at December 31, 2008 from 134.1 million accesses at December 31, 2007. This growth in Telefónica Latin America’s accesses from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008 represented 80.1% of our total increase in accesses for the period and, as in the period from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007, was primarily driven by strong growth in its mobile business, increased broadband sales and an expanding pay TV customer base.  Telefónica Latin America’s access growth was achieved in a region with fierce competition, both in mobile and broadband markets, which put further pressure on our tariff structures.
 
By access type, we increased mobile accesses by 16.6% to 195.6 million (including approximately 4.0 million accesses of Telemig, which we incorporated in April 2008) at December 31, 2008 from 167.8 million at December 31, 2007, which was a 15.6% increase from the 145.1 million mobile accesses we had at December 31, 2006.  Growth in mobile accesses represented 92.3% of our total increase in accesses from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.  Contributions to net adds from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, by country, were dominated by countries in Latin America, with the highest growth in Brazil (7.5 million additional mobile accesses, excluding the previously mentioned mobile accesses of Telemig), Mexico (2.8 million additional mobile accesses) and Peru (2.5 million additional mobile accesses).  In Europe, Germany was a strong contributor to the growth in mobile accesses with 1.7 million additional mobile accesses from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.  In Spain and Europe, the competitive environment remained intense and continued to put downward pressure on our tariff structures, which resulted in revenue growth not keeping pace with access growth. In addition, further downward pressure was placed on our revenues from mobile accesses as a result of regulatory action in the European Union and certain Latin American countries, which resulted in decreased interconnection and roaming rates during the period.
 
We also significantly increased broadband accesses by 20.9% to 12.5 million at December 31, 2008 from 10.3 million at December 31, 2007, which was a 29.4% increase from the 8.0 million broadband accesses we had at December 31, 2006.  We increased our number of broadband accesses from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2008 primarily as a result of robust demand for Duo and Trio bundles, including broadband, pay TV and fixed telephony, which have made a significant contribution to the development of the broadband market and to increased customer loyalty. From December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008, we increased broadband accesses by 13.7% in Spain to 5.2 million, by 20.5% to 6.1 million in Latin America and by 72.9% to 1.2 million in Europe. At December 31, 2008, in Spain more than 85% of our broadband accesses were included in Duo or Trio bundles, while in Latin America the weight of packaged products continued to grow, with 49% of broadband accesses bundled in Duo and Trio bundles at the same date.  This growth in broadband accesses more than offset the continued decrease in narrowband accesses from 4.0 million accesses at December 31, 2006 to 2.7 million accesses at December 31, 2007 to 2.0 million accesses at December 31, 2008.
 
Finally, we increased pay TV accesses by 29.7% to 2.3 million at December 31, 2008 from 1.7 million at December 31, 2007, which was a 64.3% increase from the 1.1 million pay TV accesses we had at December 31, 2006.  The continued growth in pay TV accesses from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2008 was primarily as a result of further market penetration in the areas in which this service is available, which as of December 31, 2008, included Spain, the Czech Republic, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, and the success of bundling this service with others.
 
The strong growth in our customer base from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008 under difficult economic circumstances translated into a moderate increase of 2.7% in revenues in 2008 compared to 2007.  Negative exchange rate effects resulted in a reduction of our revenue growth by 3.0 percentage points, while changes in our consolidation perimeter, reduced such growth by a further 1.2 percentage points.  This modest increase in revenues led to a small increase in OIBDA to €22,919 million in 2008 from €22,824 million 2007, which amount in 2007 included non-recurring gains on the sales of Airwave (€1,296 million) and Endemol (€1,368 million).  Operating income rose 3.6% to €13,873 million in 2008 from €13,388 million in 2007, while profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company decreased 14.8% to €7,592 million in 2007 from €8,906 million in 2008.  This decrease in profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company was primarily the result of the inclusion in 2007 of non-recurring gains on the sales of Airwave and Endemol and an increase in corporate income tax from €1,565 million in 2007 to €3,089 million in 2008.
 
The strong growth in our customer base from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007 resulted in an increase of 6.7% in revenues in 2007 compared to 2006.  Negative exchange rate effects resulted in a reduction of our
 
 
 
 
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revenue growth for 2007 compared to 2006 by 1.2 percentage points, while changes in our consolidation perimeter, contributed 0.5 percentage points to such growth.  This growth, together with the above-mentioned non-recurring gains on disposals made during 2007, led to increases in 2007 compared to 2006 of 19.3% in OIBDA, 42.1% in operating income and 42.9% in profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company.
 
Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007
 
Revenues
 
The strong growth in our customer base translated into a mild increase of 2.7% in revenues to €57,946 million in 2008 compared to €56,441 million in 2007.  Negative exchange rate effects resulted in a reduction of our revenue growth by approximately 3.0 percentage points, while changes in our consolidation perimeter reduced such growth by another 1.2 percentage points.  Revenue growth was also affected by a high level of competition in every market in which we operate.
 
By geographic area, Telefónica Latin America contributed the greatest percentage to our revenues in 2008, accounting for 38.3% of the total, which represents an increase of 2.7 percentage points from 2007.  Telefónica Spain contributed 36.0% of our 2008 revenues and Telefónica Europe contributed the remaining 24.7%.
 
Other income
 
Other income decreased to €1,865 million in 2008 compared to €4,264 million in 2007.  Other income in 2008 included the €143 million gain on the sale of our stake in Sogecable.  In 2007, other income mainly included the gains on the sales during the year of our holdings in Airwave and Endemol for €1,296 million and €1,368 million, respectively.
 
Total expenses
 
Total expenses include supplies, personnel expenses and other expenses (mainly external services and taxes). Total expenses do not include depreciation and amortization.
 
Our total expenses decreased 2.6% to €36,892 million in 2008 compared to €37,881 million in 2007.  On a constant euro basis, total expenses would have increased 0.9% from 2007 to 2008, less than the growth in revenues over the same period, primarily as a result of our efficiency initiatives and a general downward trend in expenses.
 
Supplies.  Supplies decreased 0.5% to €17,818 million in 2008 compared to €17,907 million in 2007.  On a constant euro basis, supplies would have grown 3.6% from 2007 to 2008, primarily as a result of higher interconnection expenses at Telefónica Latin America and Telefónica O2 UK.
 
Personnel expenses.  Personnel expenses decreased 14.3% to €6,762 million in 2008 compared to €7,893 million in 2007 (a decrease of 12.4% on a constant euro basis). Our 2007 personnel expenses were affected by non-recurring personnel reorganization expenses of €1,199 million.  The average workforce during 2008 reached 251,775 employees, with a net increase of 7,723 employees compared to 2007, mainly due to the workforce increases within Atento.  Excluding employees of Atento, our average number of employees in 2008 would have decreased by 2,218 employees to 124,885 employees compared to 2007, partly due to the exclusion of Airwave and Endemol from our 2008 consolidation perimeter.
 
Other expenses.  Other expenses are mainly comprised of external services, which consist of commercial expenses related to our business (such as commissions to distributors of services, marketing and advertising expenses and customer service related expenses), network maintenance expenses, general administrative expenses and subcontracted services expenses, as well as certain types of taxes.  Other expenses also include changes in operating allowances and other operating expenses.  Other expenses increased 1.9% to €12,312 million in 2008 from €12,081 million in 2007, principally driven by higher other expenses from Telefónica Latin America, mainly in Brazil, Venezuela and Chile due to outsourcing activities and commissions, as well as the increased costs associated with the acquisition and retention of customers in Telefónica Europe due to fierce competition.
 
 
 
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Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA)
 
As a result of the foregoing, our OIBDA increased 0.4% to €22,919 million in 2008 compared to €22,824 million in 2007.
 
Telefónica Spain contributed 44.9% of our 2008 OIBDA, while Telefónica Latin America and Telefónica Europe contributed 36.8% and 18.2%, respectively.
 
Our OIBDA margin decreased to 39.6% in 2008 compared to 40.4% in 2007.  OIBDA for 2007 was affected by the inclusion of non-recurring capital gains recorded on the disposition of Airwave and Endemol.  For a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, see “—Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP financial information—Operating income before depreciation and amortization”.
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Our depreciation and amortization decreased 4.1% to €9,046 million in 2008 compared to €9,436 million in 2007, with Telefónica Europe and Telefónica Spain primarily responsible for the decrease as a result of exchange rate effects and a decrease in the average value of plant subject to depreciation, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization in 2008 includes the amortization of the purchase price allocation made following the acquisitions of the O2 Group (€689 million) and Telefónica O2 Czech Republic (€131 million).
 
Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, our operating income increased 3.6% to €13,873 million in 2008 from €13,388 million in 2007.
 
Share of profit (loss) of associates
 
Our share of profit (loss) of associates amounted to a loss of €161 million in 2008 compared to a gain of €140 million in 2007, primarily as a result of the net adjustment Telco made to the valuation of its investment in Telecom Italia.  To estimate the adjustment to be recorded by the Telefónica Group, we took the value of the estimated synergies that we expect to achieve by improving certain processes in our operations in Europe as a result of certain alliances reached with Telecom Italia.  As a result of this revaluation, we recorded a loss of €209 million in 2008, which more than offset share of profits we recorded in respect of our interest in Portugal Telecom.
 
Net financial income (expense)
 
Net financial expense decreased 1.6% to €2,797 million in 2008 compared to €2,844 million in 2007, primarily as a result of a €240 million reduction in financial expenses due to the decrease of average total debt outstanding in 2008 compared to 2007, which was partially offset by an increase in financial expenses of €218 million in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of an increase in the average interest rate on our average net debt for 2008 to 5.95% (6.00%, excluding positive exchange rate differences) compared to 5.59% in 2007.  Management of the present value of pre-retirement plan commitments and other positions associated to mark-to-market positions, also had a positive impact of €93 million, which was €9 million more than in 2007.  Positive exchange rate differences were €24 million in 2008 compared to €7 million in 2007, reflecting the impact of higher profit on the U.S. dollar positions at December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007.  Excluding the impact of positive exchange rate differences, net financial expense was €2,821 million in 2008 and €2,851 million in 2007.
 
Corporate income tax
 
Corporate income tax increased to €3,089 million in 2008 compared to €1,565 million in 2007, implying an effective tax rate of 28.3%, while our cash outflow with respect to taxes was lower than the provision in 2008 due to our application of tax losses generated in previous years and pending deductions.  The primary reason for our significantly lower tax provision in 2007 was our disposal of Endemol in 2007, which generated a loss for tax purposes.
 
 
 
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Minority interests
 
Our minority interests increased by 10.2% to a negative figure of €234 million in 2008 compared to a negative figure of €213 million in 2007, primarily as a result of higher profits at Telesp and Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, which we account for as minority interests.
 
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company
 
As a result of the above, our profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company decreased 14.8% to €7,592 million in 2008 compared to €8,906 million in 2007.  One of the major factors contributing to our lower profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company in 2008 compared to 2007 was our inclusion of non-recurring capital gains from the dispositions of Airwave and Endemol in our 2007 profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company.
 
Results of Operations by Business Area For 2007 and 2008
 
The table below sets forth the contribution to our results of operations by each of our three principal business areas and other companies for 2007 and 2008. Revenues are presented for each of the business areas after elimination of sales to other members of the Telefónica Group.  See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Revenues
     56,441       57,946  
Telefónica Spain
     20,683       20,838  
Telefónica Europe
     14,458       14,309  
Telefónica Latin America
     20,078       22,174  
Other companies & eliminations
     1,222       625  
Other Income
     4,264       1,865  
Telefónica Spain
     466       348  
Telefónica Europe
     1,518       395  
Telefónica Latin America
     648       609  
Other companies & eliminations
     1,632       513  
Expenses (1)
     37,881       36,892  
Telefónica Spain
     11,701       10,901  
Telefónica Europe
     10,999       10,524  
Telefónica Latin America
     13,605       14,338  
Other companies & eliminations
     1,576       1,129  
Depreciation and amortization
     9,436       9,046  
Telefónica Spain
     2,381       2,239  
Telefónica Europe
     3,386       3,035  
Telefónica Latin America
     3,559       3,645  
Other companies & eliminations
     110       127  
Operating income
     13,388       13,873  
Telefónica Spain
     7,067       8,046  
Telefónica Europe
     1,591       1,145  
Telefónica Latin America
     3,562       4,800  
Other companies & eliminations
     1,168       (118 )
(1)
Expenses as used in this table and in the below discussion include supplies expenses, personnel expenses and other expenses. It does not include depreciation and amortization.
 
 
 
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Telefónica Spain
 
Revenues
 
Beginning January 1, 2008, Telefónica Spain changed the business model for its PUT service and related contracts in order to maximize its operations within the scope of the applicable regulatory framework (PUT revenues were 0.7% of Telefónica Spain’s 2007 revenues).  As a result, this business is now managed on a pure wholesale basis, and net margin is recorded as revenues.  During 2007, this business was managed on a retail basis and we recorded both gross revenues and the associated sales and marketing expenses required to promote PUT traffic through resellers as separate line items.
 
Telefónica Spain’s revenues increased 0.7% to €20,838 million in 2008 from €20,683 million in 2007.
 
Revenues from Telefónica Spain’s fixed business increased 1.4% to €12,581 million in 2008 from €12,401 million in 2007 principally due to the growth of Internet and broadband service revenues.
 
 
·
Revenues from traditional accesses include all revenues from our customers for rental and connection to public switched telephone network (PSTN) lines (for basic telephony service), ISDN lines (for integration of voice, data and video services), corporate services, PUT, additional recharges and advertising in telephone booths.  Revenues from traditional accesses increased 6.2% to €2,944 million in 2008 compared to €2,772 million in 2007, partially as a result of revenues derived from recognizing the Universal Service Cost provided for the period 2003 through 2005, which we accounted for in 2008 as revenues of €182.8 million.
 
 
·
Revenues from traditional voice services decreased 7.4% to €4,436 million in 2008 compared to €4,792 million in 2007.  Excluding the impact of the change in the business model applicable to PUT services, as described above, traditional voice revenues would have decreased by 3.5%.  This evolution is mainly affected by lower fixed-to-mobile traffic, the decrease of effective prices in international traffic and the increasing importance of traffic included in national flat tariff plans.
 
 
·
Revenues from Internet and broadband services increased 8.7% to €3,017 million in 2008 compared to €2,775 million in 2007.  Retail broadband service revenues increased 11.6% in 2008 compared to 2007, and accounted for 2.2 percentage points of Telefónica Spain’s, fixed business revenues growth.  At the same time, wholesale broadband service revenues increased 2.6% in 2008 compared to 2007, mainly due to revenues associated with our larger customer base for unbundled local loop in 2008.
 
 
·
Revenues from data services grew 2.6% to €1,190 million in 2008 from €1,160 million in 2007.
 
 
·
Revenues from information technology services grew 1.2% to €443 million in 2008 from €437 million in 2007.
 
Revenues from Telefónica Spain’s mobile business decreased 0.1% to €9,684 million in 2008 from €9,693 million in 2007, due to lower consumption by customers in terms of MOU and lower incoming revenues in terms of ARPU.  Customer revenues increased 1.2% to €6,943 million in 2008 from €6,863 million in 2007, while interconnection revenues decreased 9.4% to €1,243 million in 2008 from €1,372 million in 2007, due primarily to the reduction in interconnection rates.  Roaming-in revenues fell 9.9% to €198 million in 2008 from €220 million in 2007 due to the downward trend in roaming and wholesale prices.  Revenue from handset sales increased 3.6% to €1,227 million from €1,184 million in 2007.
 
Expenses
 
Telefónica Spain’s total expenses decreased 6.8% to €10,901 million in 2008 from €11,701 million in 2007, principally due to lower personnel expenses, as described below.
 
 
·
Supplies decreased 0.7% to €4,604 million in 2008 from €4,639 million in 2007, mainly due to lower interconnection expenses.
 
 
 
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·
Personnel expenses decreased 23.7% to €2,375 million in 2008 from €3,111 million in 2007.  Personnel expenses were affected in 2007 by non-recurring reorganization costs of €667 million.
 
 
·
Other expenses decreased 0.7% to €3,922 million in 2008 from €3,951 million in 2007, principally due to a 2.3% decrease in external expenses to €3,212 million in 2008 from €3,287 million in 2007.  This decrease in external expenses was mainly as a result of the change in the business model applicable to PUT services, as well as the fact that external expenses were affected in 2007 by Telefónica Spain’s recording of an EU fine provision of €151.9 million in that year.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in other expenses in 2008 primarily due to the recognition in 2008 of the Universal Service Cost for the period 2003 through 2005.
 
In the fixed business, total expenses decreased 9.7% to €6,799 million in 2008 from €7,532 million in 2007, principally due to a decrease in personnel expenses.
 
 
·
Supplies decreased 1.5% to €2,962 million in 2008 from €3,008 million in 2007 mainly due to lower interconnection expenses and fewer equipment purchases.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses decreased 21.6% to €2,071 million in 2008 from €2,642 million in 2007, principally due to the non-recurrence in 2008 of personnel restructuring charges recorded in 2007.  The average number of employees for the fixed business in 2008 was 31,243, a 6.0% reduction in comparison with the average number of employees in 2007.
 
 
·
Other expenses decreased 6.1% to €1,766 million in 2008 from €1,881 million in 2007, principally due to a 5.4% decrease in external expenses to €1,336 million in 2008 from €1,413 million in 2007 partially as a result of the change in the business model applicable to PUT services as well as the inclusion in 2007 of the non-recurring EU fine provision described above.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in other expenses in 2008 primarily due to the recognition of the Universal Service Cost in 2008 for the period 2003 through 2005 in an amount of €73 million.
 
Telefónica Spain’s total expenses related to its mobile business decreased 0.7% to €5,502 million in 2008 from €5,541 million in 2007.  Total expenses in 2007 were affected by the provision of €154 million related to a personnel reorganization program.  Excluding this provision in 2007, Telefónica Spain’s expenses related to its mobile business would have increased by 2.1% from €5,387 million in 2007 to €5,502 million in 2008:
 
 
·
Supplies decreased 0.4% to €2,667 million in 2008 from €2,677 million in 2007 due to decreases in interconnection and roaming expenses.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses decreased 34.6% to €299 million in 2008 from €457 million in 2007, principally due to the non-recurrence in 2008 of personnel restructuring charges recorded in 2007.  Excluding the aforementioned provision, personnel expenses would have decreased by 1.5% to €299 million in 2008 from €304 million in 2007.
 
 
·
Other expenses increased 5.4% to €2,537 million in 2008 from €2,407 million in 2007 due to higher customer management expenses, the growth in network costs and the impact of the recognition in 2008 of the Universal Service Cost for the period 2003 through 2005.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Spain’s OIBDA increased 8.9% to €10,285 million in 2008 from €9,448 million in 2007.  Telefónica Spain’s OIBDA, as a percentage of Telefónica Spain’s revenues, was 49.4% in 2008 compared to 45.7% in 2007.
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Spain’s depreciation and amortization decreased 6.0% to €2,239 million in 2008 from €2,381 million in 2007, principally due to a decrease in the average value of assets subject to depreciation in 2008 compared to 2007.
 
 
 
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Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Spain’s operating income increased 13.9% to €8,046 million in 2008 from €7,067 million in 2007.
 
Telefónica Europe
 
Revenues
 
Telefónica Europe’s revenues decreased 1.0% to €14,309 million in 2008 from €14,458 million in 2007.  Telefónica Europe’s 2008 revenues were negatively affected by the decline of the pound sterling to euro exchange rate.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 UK decreased to €7,052 million in 2008 from €7,403 million in 2007 (an increase of 10.6% in local currency). The local currency increase in revenues was primarily driven by an increase in Telefónica O2 UK’s customer base and ARPU growth.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 Germany increased 1.5% to €3,595 million in 2008 from €3,541 million in 2007. The increase was mainly the result of the increase of broadband revenues in 2008.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 Ireland decreased 3.4% to €957 million in 2008 compared to €991 million in 2007. The decrease was mainly the result of a lower customer spending in terms of euros and lower usage in terms of minutes.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, including Slovakia operations, increased by 14.4% to €2,581 million in 2008 from €2,257 million in 2007 (an increase of 2.9% in local currency) driven by growth in Slovakia in the year after launch of mobile services in that market.  Revenues in the Czech fixed line segment increased 0.2% in local currency compared to 2007, while the mobile business was the key driver of growth with an increase in revenues of 2.8% in local currency.
 
Expenses
 
Telefónica Europe’s total expenses decreased 4.3% to €10,523 million in 2008 from €10,999 million in 2007.
 
 
·
Supplies decreased 2.6% to €6,611 million in 2008 from €6,787 million in 2007, mainly due to the decline of the pound sterling to euro exchange rate over the period.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses decreased 14.9% to €1,340 million in 2008 from €1,575 million in 2007 principally due to the non-recurrence in 2008 of personnel restructuring charges recorded in 2007.
 
 
·
Other expenses decreased 2.4% to €2,573 million in 2008 from €2,637 million in 2007, mainly due to the decrease in external services.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Europe’s OIBDA decreased 16.0% to €4,180 million in 2008 from €4,977 million in 2007. OIBDA in 2007 included non-recurring capital gains from the sale of Airwave of €1,296 million and personnel reorganization and other non-recurring charges totaling €338 million related to the UK, Irish and German businesses.  OIBDA in 2008 included €174 million as the result of the release in 2008 of provisions made in respect of potential contingencies which were not realized once these risks had dissipated.
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 UK decreased 4.3% to €1,839 million in 2008 from €1,923 million in 2007 (an increase of 11.1% in local currency).
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Germany increased 62.9% to €770 million in 2008 from €473 million in 2007.  The increase was the result of cost reduction measures and the inclusion in 2007 of non-recurring personnel reorganization expenses.
 
 
 
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·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Ireland decreased 4.7% to €301 million in 2008 from €316 million in 2007.
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, including Slovakia operations, increased 14.7% to €1,159 million in 2008 from €1,010 million in 2007 (an increase of 3.2% in local currency).
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Europe’s depreciation and amortization decreased 10.4% to €3,035 million in 2008 from €3,386 million in 2007 mainly due to exchange rate effects.
 
Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Europe’s operating income decreased 28.1% to €1,145 million in 2008 from €1,591 million in 2007. The decrease was the result of the 16% decrease in OIBDA, primarily due to the previously described sale of Airwave in 2007, which was not offset by a decrease of 10.4% in depreciation and amortization.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
Revenues
 
Revenues at Telefónica Latin America increased 10.4% to €22,174 million in 2008 from €20,078 million in 2007 (an increase of 14.2% on a constant euro basis). On a constant euro basis, the countries contributing most to this revenue growth were Brazil (4.7 percentage points), Venezuela (2.8 percentage points) and Argentina (2.4 percentage points).
 
In 2008, Brazil continued to make the largest contribution to Telefónica Latin America’s revenues (38.8%) followed by Venezuela (12.5%) and Argentina (11.4%).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America revenues from Brazil increased to €8,606 million in 2008 from €7,662 million in 2007 (an increase of 12.2% in local currency), with both fixed and mobile businesses contributing (increases of 8.2% and 22.3%, respectively, in local currency).  With respect to Vivo, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Brazil, revenues increased to €2,932 million in 2008 from €2,396 million in 2007 (an increase of 22.3% in local currency), driven by strong growth in the customer base, an increase in outgoing revenues as a result of plan upgrades by existing customers, increased focus on mobile broadband, and by the acquisition of Telemig in the second quarter of 2008.  With respect to Telesp, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Brazil, revenues increased to €6,085 million in 2008 from €5,619 million in 2007 (an increase of 8.2% in local currency).  This increase was due to the growth of broadband, pay TV and data/IT services, which have increased as a percentage of total revenues (16.3% in 2008 compared to 12.9% in 2007).  Traditional fixed line revenues also grew (2.7% in local currency), mainly driven by higher fixed-to-mobile traffic and more value added services, which helped to offset the decrease in accesses and public telephony revenues.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Venezuela increased to €2,769 million in 2008 from €2,392 million in 2007 (an increase of 23.9% in local currency), primarily driven by higher growth in service revenues of 14.6% (an increase of 22.6% in local currency).  This growth in local currency was greater than the 14.1% rate of growth in the customer base over the same period.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America revenues from Argentina increased to €2,527 million in 2008 from €2,264 million in 2007 (an increase of 21.3% in local currency).  Of this, Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s revenues increased to €1,585 million in 2008 from €1,353 million in 2007 (an increase of 27.3% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by an increase of 18.0% in service revenues (an increase of 28.2% in local currency).  Revenues in the fixed line business increased to €1,027 million in 2008 from €984 million in 2007 (an increase of 13.5% in local currency), with the traditional fixed line business contributing 3.1 percentage points to this growth, the Internet business contributing 5.8 percentage points and data and IT businesses contributing 3.0 percentage points.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Chile increased to €1,936 million in 2008 from €1,814 million in 2007 (an increase of 13.3% in local currency).  Growth was primarily driven by the mobile, broadband
 
 
 
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    and pay TV businesses, which offset the decline in the traditional fixed telephony business.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Chile, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Chile, revenues increased to €1,051 million in 2008 from €930 million in 2007 (an increase of 20.0% in local currency).  Service revenues increased 13.4% in 2008 (an increase of 20.3% in local currency), driven by growth in ARPU.  This trend was underpinned by migration to GSM technology, growth in the contract customer base (27.9% of Telefónica Móviles Chile’s mobile accesses were contract access at December 31, 2008 compared to 24.5% at December 31, 2007), plan upgrades and the sale of minute bundles and value added services.  With respect to Telefónica Chile, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Chile, revenues in 2008 remained relatively unchanged from 2007 at €974 million (an increase of 6.1% in local currency).  Pay TV services growth and increased broadband penetration drove the local currency increase in Internet and broadband revenues, offsetting a decrease in revenues from the traditional fixed telephony business.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Mexico increased to €1,631 million in 2008 from €1,431 million in 2007 (an increase of 23.8% in local currency).  This growth was underpinned by service revenues growth of 21.6% in 2008 (an increase of 32.1% in local currency).  This increase in local currency was greater than the 22.8% rate of growth in the customer base over the same period.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Peru increased to €1,627 million in 2008 from €1,513 million in 2007 (an increase of 7.6% in local currency).  Revenue growth was primarily driven by outgoing revenues in the pre-pay segment of the mobile business and broadband services and by pay TV in the fixed line business.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Perú, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Peru, revenues increased to €773 million in 2008 from €603 million in 2007 (an increase of 28.4% in local currency), driven primarily by revenue growth in the pre-pay segment.  Service revenues increased 20.0% in 2008 (an increase of 20.1% in local currency).  With respect to Telefónica del Perú, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Peru, revenues decreased to €977 million in 2008 from €1,031 million in 2007 (a decrease of 5.1% in local currency).  This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenues from public use telephony and fixed telephony as a consequence of Telefónica del Perú no longer being the default provider of long distance services as well as the continued migration of customers to mobile rather than fixed services.  In the second half of 2008, Telefónica del Perú lowered the rates on calls from public use telephony to mobile, which slowed the pace of revenue decreases from public use telephony.  In contrast, revenues from broadband and pay TV increased over the same period (21.0% and 6.0% in local currency, respectively).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Colombia decreased to €1,490 million in 2008 from €1,569 million in 2007 (a decrease of 3.9% in local currency).  The growth in Internet and broadband revenues in the fixed business and service revenues derived from the mobile business did not offset the reduction of interconnection tariffs implemented by Colombian regulation in December 2007.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Colombia, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Colombia, revenues decreased to €815 million in 2008 from €869 million in 2007 (a decrease of 5.1% in local currency). Service revenues decreased 6.6% in 2008 (a decrease of 5.5% in local currency) primarily due to a regulated reduction of interconnection tariffs. Revenues for the fixed line telephony business decreased to €710 million in 2008 from €739 million in 2007 (a decrease of 2.9% in local currency) primarily due to the lower revenues from traditional fixed telephony services not compensated by increased broadband and pay TV revenues.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Central America decreased to €568 million in 2008 from €585 million in 2007 (an increase of 4.2% in constant euro terms).  This growth in constant euro terms was primarily driven by improved commercial performance in the region.  Service revenues grew 5.2% in constant euro terms in 2008 compared to 2007.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Ecuador increased to €318 million in 2008 from €291 million in 2007 (an increase of 16.8% in local currency).  Service revenues increased 13.1% in 2008 (an increase of 20.8% in local currency).
 
 
 
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Expenses
 
Telefónica Latin America’s total expenses increased 5.4% in 2008 to €14,338 million from €13,605 million in 2007.
 
 
·
Supplies increased 7.0% to €6,371 million in 2008 from €5,953 million in 2007, mainly due to higher interconnection costs and an increase in the cost of handsets driven by growth of gross adds and upgrades.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil increased to €2,479 million in 2008 from €2,045 in 2007 (an increase of 21.1% in local currency), principally due to the increase of interconnection mobile costs as a result of outgoing traffic growth and higher co-billing costs in the fixed line business as a result of higher services traffic and more data services out of São Paulo.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela decreased to €770 million in 2008 from €780 million in 2007 (an increase of 5.5% in local currency), principally due to lower handsets costs (generally, GSM handsets are less expensive than CDMA handsets) that partially compensated for higher roaming interconnection costs.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina increased to €650 million in 2008 from €556 million in 2007 (an increase of 27.0% in local currency), principally due to higher interconnection costs as a result of higher traffic and capacity needs as well as higher inflation.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €503 million in 2008 from €472 million in 2007 (an increase of 13.0% in local currency), principally due to higher inflation, mobile interconnection costs, mobile handsets upgrades, purchases of pay TV content and the construction of increased broadband capacity.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico decreased to €716 million in 2008 from €732 million in 2007 (an increase of 6.3% in local currency). This increase in local currency was primarily due to an increase in interconnection costs driven by the growth of traffic and an increase in contract segment commercial activity.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Peru increased to €413 million in 2008 from €386 million in 2007 (an increase of 6.9% in local currency). This increase was primarily driven by increased marketing efforts in both the mobile and fixed line businesses, and an increase in mobile traffic and interconnection tariffs.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia decreased to €394 million in 2008 from €530 million in 2007 (a decrease of 24.8% in local currency), principally due to a reduction in interconnection tariffs implemented in December 2007.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador increased to €112 million in 2008 from €109 million in 2007 (an increase of 9.5% in local currency), principally due to an increase in interconnection costs driven by a growth of traffic.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America decreased 8.0% to €1,735 million in 2008 from €1,886 million in 2007, principally due to the non-recurrence in 2008 of personnel restructuring charges recorded in 2007.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil decreased to €513 million in 2008 from €547 million in 2007 (a decrease of 6.3% in local currency), primarily as a result of the non-recurrence in 2008 of expenses associated with Telesp’s program for restructuring its workforce in 2007.
 
 
 
96
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela increased to €131 million in 2008 from €108 million in 2007 (an increase of 30.4% in local currency), principally due to the effects of higher inflation on wages.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina decreased to €303 million in 2008 from €323 million in 2007 (an increase of 2.0% in local currency). This increase in local currency was due to higher expenses in the mobile business which offset reduced expenses in the fixed line business due to reduced headcount as a result of restructuring of the workforce realized during 2007.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €182 million in 2008 from €169 million in 2007 (an increase of 14.7% in local currency). This increase was primarily driven by the implementation in 2008 of new labor legislation in Chile and higher inflation.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico increased to €96 million in 2008 from €86 million in 2007 (an increase of 20.7% in local currency) principally due to an increase in the average number of employees in 2008 compared to 2007 and an increase in average wages.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Peru decreased to €159 million in 2008 from €251 million in 2007 (a decrease of 36.7% in local currency). 2007 personnel expenses were affected by a non-recurring €108 million charge related to workforce restructuring.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia decreased to €122 million in 2008 from €123 million in 2007 (an increase of 0.4% in local currency), primarily driven by workforce restructuring costs in both the mobile and fixed line businesses.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador increased to €26 million in 2008 from €24 million in 2007 (an increase of 16.4% in local currency), principally due to an increase in the average number of employees.
 
 
·
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America increased 8.1% to €6,232 million in 2008 from €5,767 million in 2007, principally due to an increase in customer service activities and higher costs associated with the retention and acquisition of customers.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil increased to €2,543 million in 2008 from €2,354 million in 2007 (an increase of 9.3% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by higher sales and recharge commissions in the mobile business due to commercially aggressive offers and higher FISTEL (a regulatory tax linked to net adds of customers) costs due to stronger customer base growth in Vivo.  Other expenses also increased in the fixed line business mainly due to higher call center and maintenance expenses, primarily as a result of the growth of broadband and pay TV clients.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela increased to €553 million in 2008 from €449 million in 2007 (an increase of 31.7% in local currency), driven primarily by increased network expenses due to the launch of a GSM network and higher operational taxes and acquisition costs.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina increased to €678 million in 2008 from €626 million in 2007 (an increase of 17.1% in local currency), principally as a result of higher inflation and a broader range of services offered.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €556 million in 2008 from €477 million in 2007 (an increase of 18.6% in local currency), principally due to increased customer service activities and network upgrades and repairs.
 
 
 
97
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico decreased to €430 million in 2008 from €468 in 2007 (a decrease of 1.1% in local currency), due to the implementation of measures to control commissions and marketing and logistics costs.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Peru increased to €467 million in 2008 from €404 million in 2007 (an increase of 11.2% in local currency), principally due to the higher commission expenses, increased customer service activities and mobile advertising as a result of higher commercial activity.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia increased to €515 million in 2008 from €476 million in 2007 (an increase of 9.6% in local currency), principally due to higher bad debt allowances in the mobile business.
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador increased to €93 million in 2008 from €86 million in 2007 (an increase of 15.4% in local currency), principally due to an increase in commercial activity and the tax paid for the renewal of the mobile license.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA, increased 18.6% to €8,445 million in 2008 from €7,121 million in 2007 (an increase of 22.5% on a constant euro basis).  By country, Venezuela contributed most to OIBDA growth (5.1 percentage points), followed by Brazil (4.0 percentage points) and Mexico (3.9 percentage points).  In absolute terms, in 2008 Brazil was the largest contributor to Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA, accounting for 39.7% of the total, followed by Venezuela at 15.7% and Argentina at 10.9%.
 
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in 2008 as a percentage of Telefónica Latin America’s revenues for the same period was 38.1%, 2.6 percentage points higher than in 2007.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Brazil increased to €3,359 million in 2008 from €3,056 million 2007 (an increase of 9.8% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Venezuela increased to €1,328 million in 2008 from €1,060 million 2007 (an increase of 34.0% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Argentina increased to €919 million in 2008 from €788 million 2007 (an increase of 26.7% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Chile increased to €740 million in 2008 from €716 million 2007 (an increase of 9.7% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Mexico increased to €420 million in 2008 from €179 million 2007 (an increase of 154.2% in local currency). The increase was the result of cost control measures and revenue growth.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Peru increased to €621 million in 2008 from €482 million 2007 (an increase of 29.0% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Colombia increased to €515 million in 2008 from €503 million 2007 (an increase of 3.6% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Central America decreased to €217 million in 2008 from €236 million 2007 (a decrease of 1.5% on a constant euro basis).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Ecuador increased to €92 million in 2008 from €73 million 2007 (an increase of 35.0% in local currency).
 
 
 
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Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Latin America’s depreciation and amortization increased 2.4% to €3,645 million in 2008 from €3,559 million in 2007.
 
Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Latin America’s operating income increased 34.8% to €4,800 million in 2008 from €3,562 million in 2007.
 
Atento
 
Revenues
 
Atento’s revenues increased by 10.8% to €1,301 million in 2008 from €1,174 million in 2007. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by an increase in the customer activity of Telefónica, primarily in Brazil, Peru, Morocco and Central America, partially offset by a lower activity in Spain.
 
Expenses
 
Atento’s expenses increased 10.0% to €1,120 million in 2008 from €1,018 million in 2007 primarily due to the increase in structural costs from the leasing of capacity associated with the growth of the business. This growth in expenses was partially offset by migrating services from the Spanish market to Latin American markets, which limited the growth of personnel expenses.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
Atento’s OIBDA increased 15.4% to €186 million in 2008 from €161 million in 2007, driven by an increase in activity and a slower growth rate for operational expenses.
 
Operating income
 
Atento’s operating income increased 17.4% to €154 million in 2008 from €131 million in 2007.
 
Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to year ended December 31, 2006
 
Revenues
 
Our revenues increased by 6.7% to €56,441 million in 2007 from €52,901 million in 2006, primarily as a result of an increase of our customer base, measured in terms of total accesses, by 12.5% to 228.5 million at December 31, 2007 from 203.2 million at December 31, 2006.  Negative exchange rate effects resulted in a reduction of our revenue growth by 1.2 percentage points, while changes in the consolidation perimeter contributed 0.5 percentage points to such growth.  By type of access, revenues derived from mobile services and broadband were the main drivers underpinning our organic revenue growth, with increases in 2007 compared to 2006 of 11.1% and 22.6%, respectively.
 
Other income
 
Other income mainly includes the gains on the sales during the year of the holdings in Airwave and Endemol for €1,296 million and €1,368 million, respectively.  Also included are gains on the disposal of properties in line with our real estate efficiency plan via the selective sale of properties, which amounted to €161 million in 2007.
 
Expenses
 
Total expenses include supplies, personnel expenses and other expenses (mainly external services and taxes).  Total expenses do not include depreciation and amortization expense.  Total expenses increased 7.2% to €37,881 million in 2007 from €35,346 million in 2006, primarily due to changes in our consolidation perimeter, increased
 
 
 
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marketing efforts carried out in Latin America and Europe and the impact of operational and personnel reorganization plans which we expect will boost efficiency in the coming years.
 
Supplies.  Supplies increased 7.7% to €17,907 million in 2007 from €16,629 in 2006 (an increase of 9.0% on a constant euro basis).  Stripping out changes to the consolidation perimeter and on a constant euro basis, supplies would have increased by 9.2% from 2006 to 2007, mainly due to higher interconnection expenses at Telefónica Latin America and Telefónica O2 UK.
 
Personnel expenses.  Personnel expenses increased 3.6% to €7,893 million in 2007 from €7,622 million in 2006 (an increase of 4.6% on a constant euro basis) as a result of an increase in our average number of employees to 244,052 from 227,137 in 2006.  This increase in the average number of employees was the result of net hires at the Atento Group, our call center business, and the inclusion of new companies in our consolidation perimeter. Excluding employees of the Atento Group, our average number of employees in 2007, 127,102, would have been approximately the same as our average number of employees in 2006.  Personnel expenses included personnel reorganization expenses of €1,199 million in 2007 compared to €1,084 million in 2006.  These reorganization expenses included:
 
 
·
€667 million relating to the 2003-2007 redundancy program and a new personnel reorganization program for 2008 (commenced in 2007) at Telefónica Spain;
 
 
·
€318 million relating to personnel reorganization programs implemented in 2007 (which will continue in force throughout 2008) at Telefónica Latin America; and
 
 
·
€158 million relating to personnel reorganization programs implemented in Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland by Telefónica Europe.
 
Other expenses.  Other expenses are mainly comprised of external services, which consist of commercial expenses related to our business (such as commissions to distributors of services, marketing and advertising expenses and customer service related expenses), network maintenance expenses, general administrative expenses and subcontracted services expenses, as well as taxes.  Other expenses also include changes in operating allowances and other operating expenses.  Other expenses increased 8.9% to €12,081 million in 2007 from €11,095 million in 2006, principally due to our early termination of the roaming agreement in Germany with T-Mobile which resulted in us provisioning part of other expenses.  Other expenses also increased as a result of increased commercial activity at Telefónica Latin America and in Telefónica Spain’s fixed line business.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA)
 
As a result of the foregoing, OIBDA increased 19.3% to €22,824 million in 2007 from €19,126 million in 2006. Stripping out gains from the sale of Airwave (€1,296 million) and Endemol (€1,368 million), OIBDA growth would have been 5.4% year-on-year.  For a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, see “—Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP financial information—Operating income before depreciation and amortization”.
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization in 2007 decreased 2.8% to €9,436 million in 2007 from €9,704 million in 2006, principally due to decreases in depreciation and amortization in 2007 compared to 2006 at Telefónica Spain and Telefónica Latin America of 6.0% and 3.0%, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization in 2007 also decreased by 0.4% compared to 2006 at Telefónica Europe and include the purchase price allocations in the O2 Group acquisition (€802 million) and the Telefónica O2 Czech Republic acquisition (€158 million).
 
Operating income
 
Operating income increased 42.1% to €13,388 million in 2007 from €9,422 million in 2006.  The increase was the result of the 19.3% increase in OIBDA and 2.8% decrease in depreciation and amortization.  Disregarding the effects of the Airwave and Endemol disposals, operating income for 2007 would have increased by 13.8% compared to 2006.
 
 
 
100
 
Share of profit (loss) of associates
 
Share of profit of associates increased 83.3% in 2007 to €140 million from €76 million in 2006.  The increase was primarily due to Portugal Telecom and Lycos Europe, which in April sold its investment in the Czech-based IP provider Seznam, c.z.  The improvement was also driven by the fact that Sogecable and The Link have not been consolidated under the equity method since the fourth quarter of 2006.
 
Net financial income (expense)
 
Net financial expense increased 4.0% to €2,844 million in 2007 compared to €2,734 million in 2006, primarily as a result of the increase in our average cost of debt due to higher interest rates in Europe and a higher percentage of debt in Latin America as compared to 2006.  These factors resulted in an increase in financial expenses of €207 million in 2007 compared to 2006, which was offset by a €200 million reduction due to the decrease of average total debt outstanding in 2007.  Management of the present value of pre-retirement plan commitments and other positions associated to mark-to-market positions, also had a positive impact of €84 million, which was €42 million less than in 2006.  Positive exchange rate differences were €7 million in 2007 compared to €61 million in 2006, reflecting the impact of the appreciation of the euro against the dollar at December 31, 2007 compared to December 31, 2006.  Excluding the impact of positive exchange differences, net financial expense was €2,851 million in 2007 and €2,795 million in 2006.  The average cost of debt calculated on average net total debt for 2007 was 5.59% (5.61% excluding positive exchange differences) compared to 5.03% in 2006.
 
Corporate income tax
 
Corporate income tax decreased by 12.1% to €1,565 million in 2007 compared to €1,781 million, which implies an effective tax rate of 14.65% for the year.  However, our cash outflow was lower as a result of loss carry forwards generated in previous years.
 
Our effective tax rate for 2007 was affected by several items that resulted in it being significantly reduced compared to 2006.  The primary causes of this reduction were the disposal of Endemol, which generated a fiscal loss, the tax reforms in the United Kingdom, which resulted in a reduction in deferred liabilities, and the disposal of Airwave, which produced other income but which did not have any fiscal impact.
 
Minority interests
 
Minority interests decreased by 38.5% to €213 million in 2007 from €346 million in 2006, primarily due to the merger by absorption of Telefónica Móviles into Telefónica in July 2006.  Minority stakes in Telesp and Telefónica O2 Czech Republic accounted for most of the profit attributable to minority interests.
 
Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company
 
As a result of the above, profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent company increased 42.9% in 2007 to €8,906 million from €6,233 million in 2006.
 
 
 
 
 
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Results of Operations by Business Area For 2006 and 2007
 
The table below sets forth the contribution to our results of operations by each of our three principal business areas and other companies for 2006 and 2007.  Revenues is presented for each of the business areas after elimination of sales to other members of the Telefónica Group.  See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
As described above under “—Presentation of Financial Information” in 2006 we restructured the way in which we are managed in order to respond to the increasing convergence of fixed and mobile telephony in the markets in which we operate.  As a result of this reorganization, our segment reporting in our Consolidated Financial Statements is done on the basis of our three integrated, geographic business areas.  Prior to our reorganization in 2006, we did not prepare our segment reporting at regional levels.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Revenues
     52,901       56,441  
Telefónica Spain
     19,751       20,683  
Telefónica Europe (1)
     13,159       14,458  
Telefónica Latin America
     18,088       20,078  
Other companies & eliminations
     1,903       1,222  
Expenses (2)
     35,346       37,881  
Telefónica Spain
     11,504       11,701  
Telefónica Europe (1)
     9,691       10,999  
Telefónica Latin America
     12,030       13,605  
Other companies & eliminations
     2,121       1,576  
Depreciation and amortization
     9,704       9,436  
Telefónica Spain
     2,533       2,381  
Telefónica Europe (1)
     3,399       3,386  
Telefónica Latin America
     3,671       3,559  
Other companies & eliminations
     101       110  
Operating income
     9,422       13,388  
Telefónica Spain
     6,114       7,067  
Telefónica Europe (1)
     309       1,591  
Telefónica Latin America
     2,900       3,562  
Other companies & eliminations
     99       1,168  
(1)
Includes the O2 Group consolidated as from February 2006.
 
(2)
Expenses as used in this table and in the below discussion include supplies, personnel expenses and other expenses. It does not include depreciation and amortization.
 
Telefónica Spain
 
Revenues
 
Telefónica Spain’s revenues increased 4.7% to €20,683 million in 2007 from €19,751 million in 2006.
 
Revenues from Telefónica Spain’s fixed business amounted to €12,401 million in 2007, a year-on-year increase of 3.7%. This increase was largely driven by strong Internet and broadband service revenues and, to a lesser extent, data and IT services, as well as voice and traditional access revenues.
 
 
·
Revenues from traditional access include all revenues from our customers for rental and connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) lines (for basic telephony service), ISDN lines (for integration of voice, data and video services), corporate services and public use telephony and additional charges and advertising in telephone booths.  Revenues from traditional access increased by 0.1% to €2,772 million in 2007 compared to €2,768 million in 2006, mainly due to a 2.0% increase in the PSTN line monthly fee and fewer losses of fixed telephony accesses relative to 2006.
 
 
 
·
Revenues from traditional voice services decreased by 1.6% to €4,792 million in 2007 compared to €4,868 million in 2006.  This decrease was mainly attributable to the decline in the average price per minute, in particular on national voice traffic.  In 2007, Telefónica Spain’s estimated share of fixed traffic remained stable in comparison to 2006, at approximately 65%.
 
 
·
Revenues from Internet and broadband services increased by 15.5% to €2,775 million in 2007 compared to €2,403 million in 2006.  Retail broadband service revenues increased 24.2% in 2007 compared to 2006, which accounted for 3.8 percentage points of the 2007 revenue growth recorded by Telefónica Spain’s fixed line business.  Growth in these revenues slowed through 2007 due to a decline of 19.0% in retail broadband net adds in 2007 compared to 2006.  At the same time, wholesale broadband service revenues decreased by 11.3% in 2007 compared to 2006, mainly as a result of the migration of wholesale ADSL to unbundled loops.
 
 
·
Revenues from data services grew by 7.8% to €1,160 million in 2007 from €1,076 million in 2006.
 
 
·
Revenues from information technology services grew 11.6% to €437 million in 2007 from €392 million in 2006.
 
Revenues from Telefónica Spain’s mobile business increased by 5.4% to €9,693 million in 2007 from €9,199 million in 2006, primarily driven by service revenues, which increased by 4.5%.  The main income of services revenues is customer revenues, which increased by 8.0%, while interconnection revenues decreased by 8.6% to €1,372 million in 2007 from €1,500 million in 2006, due primarily to the reduction in interconnection rates.  Roaming-in revenues fell by 12.4% to €220 million in 2007 from €251 million in 2006 due to the downward trend in wholesale prices.  Revenues from handset sales increased 11.9% to €1,184 million from €1,058 million in 2006.
 
Since January 1, 2007 we have accounted for our pre-pay sales and top-up commissions as costs rather than as a decrease in revenues.  Also, as of January 1, 2007 we now report the revenues and costs of portability transit routing at the net amounts rather than gross.  The net effect of this change was neutral at the OIBDA level in 2007, although revenues from Telefónica Spain’s mobile business would have been 5.1% higher in 2007 if these accounting changes were not made.
 
Expenses
 
Telefónica Spain’s total expenses increased 1.7% to €11,701 million in 2007 from €11,504 million in 2006, principally due to an increase in supplies and other expenses and a decrease in personnel expenses.
 
 
·
Supplies increased 5.5% to €4,639 million in 2007 from €4,396 million in 2006, mainly due to increased expenses with Internet and pay TV, under the Imagenio brand, and an increase in handset purchases in the mobile business.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses decreased 9.4% to €3,111 million in 2007 from €3,436 million in 2006, principally due to the impact of lower personnel reorganization costs.  Total personnel reorganization costs for year 2007 amount to €667 million at Telefónica Spain.
 
 
·
Other expenses increased 7.6% to €3,951 million in 2007 from €3,673 million in 2006, principally due to a 4.5% increase in external expenses to €3,287 million in 2007 from €3,146 million in 2006, due to increased commercial activity and public use telephony expenses and the EU Fine Provision (€151.9 million) included in 2007.  The fine is a result of the decision by the European Union dated July 4, 2007, related to the case COMP/38.784 Wanadoo España against Telefónica.  We have decided to fully provision the fine, without deserting the right to fully disagree with the aforementioned decision and with the imposed fine, that is to be opposed by Telefónica in the corresponding European Union Court of Justice on a timely and legal basis.
 
In the fixed business, total expenses decreased 2.4% to €7,532 million in 2007 from €7,715 million in 2006, principally due to a decrease in personnel expenses.
 
 
 
·
Supplies increased 1.2% to €3,008 million mainly due to expenses associated with Internet and Pay TV, under the Imagenio brand.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses decreased 14.9% to €2,642 million in 2007 from €3,105 million in 2006, principally due to the lower personnel reorganization costs in 2007.  The average number of employees in 2007 was 33,229, a 4.2% reduction in comparison with the average number of employees in 2006 for the fixed business.
 
 
·
Other expenses increased 14.8% to €1,881 million in 2007 from €1,638 million in 2006, principally due to a 8.5% increase in external expenses to €1,413 million in 2007 from €1,302 million in 2006, due to increased commercial activity and public use telephony expenses and the EU Fine Provision that amounted to €151.9 million in 2007.
 
In Telefónica Spain’s mobile business, we have modified the way we present financial data in 2007.  In 2006, Telefónica Móviles’s holding costs were assigned to Telefónica Móviles España while in 2007, holding costs of the Spanish business unit were directly and solely assigned to Telefónica Spain.
 
Telefónica Spain’s total expenses related to its mobile business increased 7.6% to €5,541 million in 2007 from €5,152 million in 2006, impacted by the provision of €154 million related to a new personnel reorganization program.  Disregarding this provision the growth in Telefónica Spain’s expenses related to its mobile business would have increased by 4.6% to €5,387 million in 2007, which represents a greater cost efficiency.
 
 
·
Supplies increased by 7.5% to €2,677 million in 2007 from €2,490 million in 2006 due to increases in handset consumption as a result of accesses growth.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses grew by 46.0% to €457 million in 2007 from €313 million in 2006, primarily as a result of the provision for the new personnel reorganization program.  Excluding the aforementioned provision, personal expenses would have decreased by 3.0% to €303 million in 2007.
 
 
·
Other expenses increased 2.5% to €2,407 million in 2007 from €2,349 million in 2006 due to higher customer management expenses, the growth in network costs and the increase in commercial actions in order to attract additional customers and increase current customer loyalty and satisfaction.
 
The increase in expenses is also a result of a change in the way we account for pre-pay top-up commissions, which as of January 1, 2007, are accounted for as expenses rather than recognized as a decrease in revenues.  Had we not made these accounting changes, expenses would have increased by 5.8% in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Spain’s OIBDA increased 9.3% to €9,448 million in 2007 from €8,647 million in 2006.
 
Telefónica Spain’s OIBDA, as a percentage of Telefónica Spain’s revenues, was 45.7% in 2007 compared to 43.8% in 2006.
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Spain’s depreciation and amortization decreased 6.0% to €2,381 million in 2007 from €2,533 million in 2006, principally due to lower capital expenditures than in prior years.
 
Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Spain’s operating income increased 15.6% to €7,067 million in 2007 from €6,114 million in 2006.
 
 
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Telefónica Europe
 
The Telefónica Europe area was created in 2006 and the principal companies included within this unit were consolidated for the first time as of February 1, 2006 (in the case of the O2 Group) and July 1, 2005 (in the case of Telefónica O2 Czech Republic).
 
Revenues
 
Telefónica Europe’s revenues increased by 9.9% to €14,458 million in 2007 from €13,159 million in 2006. Telefónica Europe’s 2007 revenues were negatively affected by the decline of the sterling/euro exchange rate.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 UK increased to €7,403 million in 2007 from €6,265 million  in the eleven month period ended December 31, 2006 (an increase of 18.7% in local currency), driven by an increase in Telefónica O2 UK’s customer base and ARPU growth. On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of revenues in 2006, revenue growth was 9.5%.
 
 
·
Telefónica O2 Germany includes Telefónica Deutschland and comparable 2006 figures have been restated on this basis.  Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 Germany increased 6.7% to €3,541 million in 2007 from €3,320 million in the eleven month period ended December 31, 2006.  On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of revenues in 2006, revenue decreased by 1.9% in 2007 compared to 2006 as traffic growth failed to offset the major price cuts made over the year.
 
 
·
Revenue derived from Telefónica O2 Ireland increased by 11.9% to €991 million in 2007 compared to €885 million in the eleven month period ended December 31, 2006, driven by an increase in Telefónica O2 Ireland’s customer base and ARPU growth.  On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of revenues in 2006, revenue growth was 2.8%.
 
 
·
Revenues derived from Telefónica O2 Czech Republic increased to €2,257 million in 2007 from €2,148 million in 2006 (an increase of 2.9% in local currency).  Revenues in the Czech fixed line segment were flat in 2007 compared to 2006, while mobile business was the key driver of this growth.
 
Expenses
 
Telefónica Europe’s total expenses increased 13.5% to €10,999 million in 2007 from €9,691 million in 2006.
 
 
·
Supplies increased 13.9% to €6,787 million in 2007 from €5,959 million in 2006.  The increase in customer base figures has driven an increase in interconnection costs.  Moreover, there was intense competition in the mobile communications sector during the year which led to a significant increase in commercial activity and hardware expenses.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses increased 17.2% to €1,575 million in 2007 from €1,344 million in 2006.  These expenses were affected by exceptional charges in 2007 related to personnel reorganizations throughout Telefónica Europe’s operating segments.
 
 
·
Other expenses increased 10.4% to €2,637 million in 2007 from €2,388 million in 2006.  The costs related to the establishment of the Slovakian operations were a major driver in the increase in other expenses in 2007 as well as costs related to the launch of DSL services in Germany and the United Kingdom during the year.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
OIBDA increased by 34.2% to €4,977 million in 2007 from €3,708 million in 2006.  2007 OIBDA included the capital gain from the sale of Airwave of €1,296 million and personnel reorganization and other non-recurring charges totaling €338 million related to the UK, Irish and German businesses.
 
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 UK increased to €1,923 million in 2007 from €1,777 million in the 11 month period to December 31, 2006 (an increase of 8.7% in local currency).  On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of OIBDA in 2006, Telefónica O2 UK’s OIBDA grew 1.0% in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Germany decreased 18.9% to €473 million in 2007 from €583 million in the 11 month period to December 31, 2006.  On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of OIBDA in 2006, Telefónica O2 Germany’s OIBDA decreased 24.2% in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Ireland increased by 2.0% to €316 million in 2007 from €310 million in the 11 month period to December 31, 2006.  On a like-for-like basis using 12 months of OIBDA in 2006, Telefónica O2 Ireland’s OIBDA decreased 6.6% in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
 
·
OIBDA in Telefónica O2 Czech Republic increased to €1,010 million in 2007 from €985 million in 2006 (an increase of 0.5% in local currency).
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Europe’s depreciation and amortization decreased 0.4% to €3,386 million in 2007 from €3,399 million in 2006.
 
Operating income
 
Telefónica Europe’s operating income increased to €1,591 million in 2007 from €309 million in 2006, primarily due to the previously described sale of Airwave.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
Revenues
 
Revenues at Telefónica Latin America increased 11.0% to €20,078 million in 2007 from €18,088 million in 2006 (an increase of 14.5% on a constant euro basis).  On a constant euro basis, the countries contributing most to this revenue growth were Mexico and Venezuela with respective contributions of 3.2 and 3.1 percentage points.
 
In 2007, Brazil continued to make the largest contribution to Telefónica Latin America’s revenues (38.2%) followed by Venezuela (11.9%) and Argentina (11.3%).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America revenues from Brazil increased to €7,662 million in 2007 from €7,238 million in 2006 (an increase of 3.2% in local currency) primarily due to an increase in Vivo’s sales, which offset Telesp’s lower revenues.  With respect to Vivo, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Brazil, revenues increased to €2,396 million in 2007 from €2,005 million in 2006 (an increase of 16.5% in local currency).  Service revenues increased 21.4% in 2007 compared to 2006 (an increase of 18.4% in local currency), largely driven by higher interconnection revenues after the elimination of the Bill & Keep rule in July 2006.  This law governed interconnection services between mobile operators. It required that billing and payments could be made between operators only if the traffic in one direction corresponded to more than 55% of the total traffic between the two operators.  With respect to Telesp, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Brazil, revenues decreased to €5,619 million in 2007 from €5,565 million in 2006 (a decrease of 1.5% in local currency).  This decrease in revenues was due primarily to the decrease in traditional business revenues, attributable to the loss of basic telephony billable lines, a change in customer mix with a higher percentage of lines with consumption limits, the negative tariff adjustment made in July 2006 and a 20% reduction in local interconnection tariffs in January 2007.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Venezuela increased to €2,392 million in 2007 from €2,041 million in 2006 (an increase of 27.8% in local currency), primarily driven by higher growth in service revenues of 27.1% in 2007 compared to 2006 than in the rate of growth of the customer base over the same period.
 
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America revenues from Argentina increased to €2,264 million in 2007 from €2,164 million in 2006 (an increase of 15.7% in local currency).  Of this, Telefónica Móviles Argentina’s revenues increased to €1,353 million in 2007 from €1,260 million in 2006 (an increase of 18.7% in local currency).  This was primarily driven by an increase of 9.8% (21.4% in local currency) in service revenues.  Revenues in the fixed line business increased to €984 million in 2007 from €991 million in 2006 (an increase of 9.9% in local currency), with the traditional fixed line business contributing to 45% of this growth, the Internet business contributing 40%, and data and IT businesses accounting for the remainder.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Chile increased to €1,814 million in 2007 from €1,706 million in 2006 (an increase of 14.3% in local currency).  Growth was primarily driven by the mobile telephony, broadband and pay TV businesses, which offset the decline in the traditional fixed telephony business.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Chile, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Chile, revenues increased to €930 million in 2007 from €796 million in 2006 (an increase of 25.5% in local currency).  Service revenues increased 23.0% in 2007 compared to 2006 (an increase of 23.0% in local currency), driven by growth in ARPU.  This trend is underpinned by migration to GSM technology, growth in the contract customer base (24.5% of Telefónica Móviles Chile’s mobile accesses were contract access at December 31, 2007 compared to 20.6% at December 31, 2006), plan upgrades and the sale of minute bundles and value added services.  With respect to Telefónica Chile, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Chile, revenues in 2007 increased to €974 million in 2007 from €1,006 million in 2006 (an increase of 4.0% in local currency).  The launch of pay TV services in June 2006 and increased broadband penetration drove the increase in Internet and broadband revenues, offsetting a decrease in revenues from traditional business.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Colombia increased to €1,569 million in 2007 from €1,182 million in 2006 (an increase of 27.9% in local currency), reflecting the first time consolidation of Colombia Telecom in May 2006 and strong growth in Internet and broadband revenues and service revenues derived from the mobile business.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Colombia, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Colombia, revenues increased to €869 million in 2007 from €779 million in 2006 (an increase of 7.4% in local currency).  Service revenues increased by 17.7% in 2007 compared to 2006 (an increase of 13.4% in local currency), which is above the growth of the average customer base over the same period and despite the impact of the reduction in interconnection rates from December 2007.  Revenues for the fixed line telephony business increased to €739 million in 2007 from €417 million in 2006 primarily due to the incorporation of eight month of operations of Colombia Telecom in 2006 versus a full year in 2007.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Peru increased to €1,513 million in 2007 from €1,428 million in 2006 (an increase of 10.5% in local currency).  Revenue growth was primarily driven by outgoing revenues in the pre-pay segment of its mobile business and broadband services and by television in its fixed business.  With respect to Telefónica Móviles Perú, Telefónica Latin America’s mobile business in Peru, revenues increased to €603 million in 2007 from €447 million in 2006 (an increase of 40.5% in local currency), driven by the growth of the revenues in the pre-pay segment.  Particularly noteworthy was the significant growth in service revenues by 44.5% in 2007 compared to 2006 (an increase of 46.1% in local currency).  This percentage growth in revenue exceeded the growth in the average customer base, demonstrating the success of promotions made in pre-pay card top-ups with “Double” and “Triple” play campaigns.  With respect to Telefónica del Perú, Telefónica Latin America’s fixed line business in Peru, revenues decreased to €1,031 million in 2007 from €1,097 million in 2006 (a decrease of 2.0% in local currency).  This decrease was primarily due to a decrease of public use telephony and basic telephony service, affected by the cut in tariffs following the agreements made with the government in 2006.  The decrease was also a result of a decline in revenues from long distance traffic due to the abolition of pre-selection by default in October 2007.  In contrast, revenues from broadband and pay TV increased over the same period.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Mexico increased 58.5% to €1,431 million in 2007 from €988 million in 2006.  This growth was underpinned by strong growth of 65.4% in service revenues in 2007
 
 
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compared to 2006, which was greater than the 46.6% rate of growth in the customer base over the same period, demonstrating increased usage by customers.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Central America increased 15.9% in constant euro terms to €585 million in 2007 from €556 million in 2006.  This growth was primarily driven by healthy commercial performance in the region.  Service revenues grew by 16.9% in constant euro terms in 2007 compared to 2006.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s revenues from Ecuador increased to €291 million in 2007 from €290 million in 2006 (an increase of 9.5% in local currency).  Service revenues decreased 8.2% in 2007 compared to 2006 (an increase 0.2% in local currency).
 
Expenses
 
Telefónica Latin America’s total expenses increased 13.1% in 2007 to €13,605 million from €12,030 million in 2006.
 
 
·
Supplies increased 15.1% to €5,953 million in 2007 from €5,172 million in 2006, mainly due to interconnection costs and an increase in the cost of handsets driven by growth of gross adds and upgrades.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil increased to €2,045 million in 2007 from €1,753 in 2006 (an increase of 13.8% in local currency), principally due to the increase of interconnection mobile costs as a result of the end of the Bill & Keep rule in June 2007 and the higher co-billing costs for its fixed line business on account of higher personal mobile services traffic.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela increased to €781 million in 2007 from €757 million in 2006 (an increase of 12.6% in local currency), principally due to increased commercial activity.  This increase was partially offset by a lower cost of handsets as a consequence of the GSM launch in January 2007.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina increased to €556 million in 2007 from €528 million in 2006 (an increase of 16.4% in local currency), principally due to higher interconnection costs as a result of higher traffic and capacity necessities.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €472 million in 2007 from €402 million in 2006 (an increase of 26.4% in local currency), principally due to mobile interconnection rates, mobile handsets upgrades, purchases of pay TV content and the construction of increased broadband capacity.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia increased to €530 million in 2007 from €423 million in 2006 (an increase of 20.7 % in local currency), principally due to increase in interconnection costs driven by the growth of offnet traffic and sales of GSM handsets for technology migration driven to CDMA/TDMA customers in mobile business.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Peru increased to €386 million in 2007 from €351 million in 2006 (an increase of 14.9% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by increased marketing efforts in both the mobile and fixed line businesses and an increase in mobile traffic.
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico increased to €732 million in 2007 from €499 million in 2006 (an increase of 60.5% in local currency).  This increase was primarily due to an increase in interconnection costs driven by the growth of traffic and an increase in commercial activity.
 
Supplies or Telefónica Latin America in Central America increased 14.5% in constant euro terms to €217 million in 2007 from €209 million in 2006, principally due to an increase in roaming-out cost and an increase in the cost of handsets driven by growth of gross adds and upgrades.
 
 
Supplies for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador increased to €109 million in 2007 from €107 million in 2006 (an increase of 11.8% in local currency), principally due the increase in interconnection costs driven by a growth of traffic.
 
 
·
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America increased 19.7% to €1,886 million in 2007 from €1,575 million in 2006, principally due to an accrual in Argentina and Peru related to workforce restructurings.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil increased to €547 million in 2007 from €513 million in 2006 (an increase of 4% local currency), primarily as a result of normal business growth.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela increased to €108 million in 2007 from €94 million in 2006 (an increase of 24.3% in local currency), principally due to the effects of higher inflation on wages.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina increased to €323 million in 2007 from €230 million in 2006 (an increase of 54.6% in local currency), principally due to an increase in salaries approved during the year and costs associated with the restructuring of the fixed line business’s workforce, which was initiated in the second half of 2006 and accelerated at the end of 2007.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €169 million in 2007 from €171 million in 2006 (an increase of 6.4% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by new labor legislation in Chile and growth in the inflation rate.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia increased to €123 million in 2007 from €86 million in 2006 (an increase of 37.4% in local currency), primarily driven by workforce restructuring costs in both the mobile and fixed line businesses.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Peru increased to €251 million in 2007 from €161 million in 2006 (an increase of 62.6% in local currency), principally due to the accrual in the fixed business of €108 million related to workforce restructuring costs.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico increased to €86 million in 2007 from €83 million in 2006 (an increase of 13.5% in local currency) principally due to increase in the number of employees and an increase in wages.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Central America increased to €39 million in 2007 from €39 million in 2006 (an increase of 10.2% on a constant euro basis), principally due to increased personnel costs in the Commercial and Structure areas.  The increase in personnel costs in the Structure area were due to the increase of the numbers of employees, and in the Commercial area, to an increase in commercial activity.
 
Personnel expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador remained static at €24 million in 2007 (an increase of 9.5% in local currency), principally due to an increase in local currency wages due to inflation and an increase in compensation related to a profit sharing scheme given higher net income in the year.
 
 
·
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America increased 9.2% to €5,766 million in 2007 from €5,282 million in 2006, principally due to the increase in the purchase of external services driven by high commercial activity.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Brazil increased to €2,385 million in 2007 from €2,232 million in 2006 (an increase of 4.2% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by higher sales and recharge commissions in the mobile business due to commercial aggressiveness and higher FISTEL (a regulatory charge fixed as a percentage of revenues) costs due to stronger customer base growth.  Other expenses also increased in the fixed line business due to higher bad debt allowances and call center expenses.
 
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Venezuela increased to €449 million in 2007 from €387 million in 2006 (an increase of 26.5% in local currency), driven primarily by increased network expenses due to the launch of a GSM network, operational taxes and increased higher bad debt expenses.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Argentina increased to €641 million in 2007 from €636 million in 2006 (an increase of 11.4% in local currency), principally due to an increase in the use of  external services, particularly commercial costs such as call center usage, advertising, commissions, and distribution costs related with an increase in commercial activity.  Other expenses also increased as a result of higher prices for services such as rents or energy.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Chile increased to €477 million in 2007 from €436 million in 2006 (an increase of 17.5% in local currency), principally due to increased customer service activities and network upgrades and repairs.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Colombia increased to €495 million in 2007 from €371 million in 2006 (an increase of 28.3% in local currency), principally due to higher bad debt allowances in both the fixed and mobile businesses and network maintenance expenses in mobile business.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Peru increased to €417 million in 2007 from €353 million in 2006 (an increase of 23.1% in local currency), principally due to the higher commission expenses, increased customer service activities and mobile advertising as a result of higher commercial activity.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Mexico increased to €468 million in 2007 from €461 in 2006 (an increase of 11.3% in local currency).  This increase was primarily driven by higher commercial activity, which resulted in increased costs for commissions, marketing and logistics.
 
Other expenses for Telefónica Latin America in Ecuador decreased to €86 million in 2007 from €98 million in 2006 (an decrease of 4.4% in local currency), principally due to a decrease in commercial activity and lower commissions per gross add.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA increased 8.4% to €7,121 million in 2007 from €6,571 million in 2006 (an increase of 11.5% on a constant euro basis).  By country, Venezuela contributed most to OIBDA growth (5.2 percentage points), followed by Mexico (3.1 percentage points).  In absolute terms, in 2007 Brazil was the largest contributor to Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA, accounting for 43.1% of the total, followed by Venezuela at 14.9% and Argentina at 11.1%.
 
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in 2007 as a percentage of Telefónica Latin America’s revenues for the same period was 35.5%, 0.9 percentage points lower than in 2006.  This decrease was primarily the result of personnel reorganization provisions during 2007 of €318 million.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Brazil decreased to €3,026 million in 2007 from €3,068 million 2006 (an increase of 3.8% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Venezuela increased to €1,060 million in 2007 from €815 million 2006 (an increase of 42.0% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Argentina decreased to €773 million in 2007 from €792 million 2006 (an increase of 8.0% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Chile increased to €716 million in 2007 from €711 million 2006 (an increase of 8.2% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Colombia increased to €485 million in 2007 from €328 million 2006 (an increase of 42.5% in local currency).  The increase is partially explained by the fact that Colombia Telecom was not consolidated in these figures until May 2006.
 
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Peru decreased to €469 million in 2007 from €579 million 2006 (an increase of 15.6% in local currency).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Mexico increased to €179 million in 2007 from €11 million 2006.
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Central America increased to €236 million in 2007 from €205 million 2006 (an increase of 26.7% on a constant euro basis).
 
 
·
Telefónica Latin America’s OIBDA in Ecuador increased to €73 million in 2007 from €64 million 2006 (an increase of 24.8% in local currency).
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
Telefónica Latin America’s depreciation and amortization decreased 3.0% to €3,559 million in 2007 from €3,671 million in 2006.
 
Operating income
 
As a result of the foregoing, Telefónica Latin America’s operating income increased 22.8% to €3,562 million in 2007 from €2,900 million in 2006.
 
Atento
 
Revenues
 
Atento’s revenues increased by 14.4% to €1,174 million in 2007 from €1,027 million in 2006.  The increase in revenues was primarily driven by an increase in the activity of Atento’s main customers and the obtainment of new accounts, primarily in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Argentina and Venezuela.  Growth in these Latin American markets offset a decrease in revenues from Spain, which is increasingly being replaced by countries in Latin America and Morocco as a base for call centers.
 
Expenses
 
Atento’s expenses increased 14.6% to €1,018 million in 2007 from €888 million in 2006 primarily due to the increase in structural costs from the leasing of capacity associated with the growth of the business.  This growth in expenses was partially offset by the migration of services from the Spanish market to Latin America, which reduced personnel costs, and a change in the composition of Atento’s expenses as a result of the reduced role of Atento’s Spanish business within the Atento group.
 
Operating income before depreciation and amortization
 
Atento’s OIBDA increased 13.9% to €161 million in 2007 from €142 million in 2006, driven by the increase in activity and a decrease in call centers’ platform maintenance costs and commercial and administrative costs.
 
Operating income
 
Atento’s operating income increased 15.5% to €131 million in 2007 from €113 million in 2006.
 
 
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B.   Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash Flow Analysis
 
The table below sets forth consolidated cash flow information for the periods indicated. Positive figures refer to cash inflows and those in parenthesis refer to cash outflows.
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
IFRS
  
(in millions of euros)
  
Net cash from operating activities
     15,414       15,551       16,366  
Net cash used in investing activities
     (28,052 )     (4,592 )     (9,101 )
Net cash (used in) from financing activities
     14,572       (9,425 )     (7,765 )

Net cash from operating activities
 
Net cash from operating activities increased 5.2% to €16,366 million in 2008 from €15,551 million in 2007.  In 2007, the increase was 0.9% from €15,414 million in 2006.
 
In 2008, we had cash received from customers (€69,060 million) less cash paid to suppliers and employees (€48,500 million) totaling €20,560 million, 2.3% more than the €20,105 million generated in 2007.  This slight increase was largely driven by our strong position in our main markets, extensive business diversification and strategic commitment to growth in our operating markets.  In 2007, cash received from customers less cash paid to suppliers and employees rose 6.9% compared to €18,810 million in 2006, due mostly to the contribution of synergies arising from the integrated management of operations, cost cutting and growth in revenues.
 
Cash received from customers increased by 2.9% to €69,060 million in 2008 from €67,129 million in 2007.  This growth was the result of modestly higher revenue due to the growth in accesses, which in turn was due to the success of the commercial campaigns to win and retain customers.  In 2007, cash received from customers increased by 11.4% to €67,129 million from €60,285 million in 2006 for mainly the same reasons.
 
Cash paid to suppliers and employees in 2008 rose 3.1% to €48,500 million from €47,024 million in 2007.  This increase was primarily attributable to greater commercial efforts in the various geographic areas while maximizing the efficiency of the cost structure and to higher interconnection charges.  Cash payments to suppliers and employees in 2007 rose 13.4% from €41,475 million in 2006 due also to greater commercial efforts in the various geographic areas, while maximizing the efficiency of the cost structure, and to higher interconnection charges.
 
As was the case in 2007 compared to 2006, payments for employee benefits expense were higher in 2008 compared to 2007, in line with the increase in average headcount over the period.
 
Payments for net interest and other finance expenses in 2008 decreased 10.2% to €2,894 million from €3,221 million in 2007 mostly due to the decrease in our debt outstanding over the period.  In 2007 payments for net interest and other finance expenses increased 35.8% from €2,372 million in 2006, primarily due to the repayment of coupons on bonds and debentures issued in 2006 and to the impact of the increase in interest rates on the higher average debt balance.
 
Taxes paid in 2008 fell 3.0% to €1,413 million from €1,457 million in 2007, which was 32.5% increase over the €1,100 million paid in 2006 due to the higher profit stated in 2007 corresponding to the Latin America subsidiaries.
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased by €4,509 million in 2008 to €9,101 million from €4,592 million in 2007.  This net increase was primarily attributable to the following investments in 2008: the acquisitions of Telemig by Brasilcel for €347 million, of shares of CNC and CU for €688 and €424 million, respectively, and of a 51.8% of CTC from minority shareholders for €640 million.  This net increase was partially offset by a 22.2%
 
 
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decrease in payments on investments in companies, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired, from €2,798 million in 2007 to €2,178 million in 2008.  The main investment in 2007 was for a 42.3% stake in Telco for €2,314 million.
 
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by €23,460 million in 2007 to €4,592 million from €28,052 million in 2006.  This net decrease was due mainly to the decline in payments on investments in companies, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired, to €2,798 million in 2007 from €23,757 million in 2006, which was partially offset by the above-mentioned investment in Telco.  The main investment in 2006 was the acquisition of O2 for €23,553 million.
 
Payments on investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in 2008 totaled €7,889 million, an increase of €615 million from 2007, driven by further investment in fiber optics, 3G technology, pay TV technology and ADSL.  Payments on investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in 2007 increased 5.0% from 2006, to €7,274 million in 2007 from €6,933 million in 2006.
 
Proceeds on disposals of companies, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed, amounted to €686 million in 2008 mainly due to the €648 million obtained from the sale of Sogecable.  In 2007, the figure was €5,346 million, as a result of our disposals of stakes in Airwave and Endemol for €2,841 million and €2,107 million, respectively.  In 2006, proceeds on disposals of companies, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed, amounted to €2,294 million, including €1,816 million from the sale of TPI and €330 million from the partial divestment in Sogecable.
 
Net cash (used in) from financing activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities in 2008 totaled €7,765 million, down from €9,425 million in 2007.  The €1,660 million decline is primarily due to a decrease in the repayment of financing as a result of a decrease in our average outstanding net debt in 2008 to €45,785 million compared to €48,938 in 2007.  The €23,997 million decrease in 2007 from 2006 was mostly the result of the financing transactions, mainly the repayment of part of the financing arranged in prior years as a result of our plan to refinance the loan arranged to finance the acquisition of O2 shares.
 
Anticipated Uses of Funds
 
Our principal liquidity and capital resource requirements consist of the following:
 
 
·
capital expenditures for existing and new operations;
 
 
·
acquisitions of new licenses or other operators or companies engaged in complementary or related businesses;
 
 
·
costs and expenses relating to the operation of our business;
 
 
·
dividend, other shareholder remuneration, and pre-retirement payments; and
 
 
·
debt service requirements relating to our existing and future debt.
 
We have announced a capital expenditure target of below €7,500 million for 2009, in 2008 constant euro terms, excluding any spectrum licenses which we may acquire and investments in our Real Estate Efficiency Program in Spain, a multi-year program related to the optimization of our real estate assets and rented properties in Spain, with significant year-on-year decreases in capital expenditures expected across regions.  In 2009, we expect to continue investing mainly in our 3G and broadband networks to meet existing growth opportunities related to broadband, increased network traffic and the offering of new products and services utilizing new or evolving technologies.  By region, our capital expenditures will be mainly directed to Latin America, as we view this region to possess the most growth potential for the Group, but we will manage spending depending on the needs of each country and return on potential investments, as our main goal is to sustain the cash flow generation.  Nevertheless, we expect to continue to make significant investments in our mobile and fixed networks due to increased usage and the need to offer new services and greater functionality afforded by new or evolving technologies.  Our principal capital expenditures are described in “Item 4. Information on the Company”.  Our anticipated amounts of capital expenditures and investments in affiliates and the underlying assumptions are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual capital
 
 
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expenditures and investments in affiliates may be less than or exceed these amounts.  See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.
 
We may also use funds to acquire new licenses or other operators or companies engaged in complementary or related businesses.
 
We also have liquidity requirements related to the costs and expenses relating to the operation of our business, our dividend, shareholder remuneration and pre-retirement payment commitments and financial and real estate investments.  In 2008, with respect to these items, we had the following principal cash expenditures: €2,224 million in connection with our share buyback program, €4,165 million in connection with the payment of dividends on Telefónica S.A. shares, €920 million in connection with the satisfaction of commitments under pre-retirement plans and €1,327 million in connection with financial and real estate net investments (mainly related to the acquisition of additional shares of CTC, CU and Telemig, which partially offset the cash received from the sale of our stake in Sogecable).
 
We also have liquidity requirements related to debt service requirements in connection with our existing and future debt.  At December 31, 2008, we had gross financial debt of €53,188 million compared with €53,928 million at December 31, 2007.  For the amortization schedule of our consolidated gross financial debt at December 31, 2008, see “—Anticipated Sources of Liquidity” below.  Our net financial debt amounted €42,733 million at December 31, 2008 compared to €45,284 million at December 31, 2007.  For a reconciliation of net financial debt to gross financial debt (the sum of current and non-current interest-bearing liabilities), see “—Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP financial information—Net financial debt and net debt”.
 
For a discussion of our liquidity risk management policy, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Anticipated Sources of Liquidity
 
Cash flows from operations are our primary source of cash funding for existing operations, capital expenditures, interest obligations and principal payments.  We also rely on external borrowings, including a variety of short- and medium-term financial instruments, principally bonds and debentures, and borrowings from financial institutions.  Cash and cash equivalents are mainly held in euro and euro-denominated instruments.  We believe that, in addition to internal generation of funds, our medium-term note program, our euro commercial paper program, our corporate domestic promissory note program and available lines of credit will provide us with substantial flexibility for our future capital requirements as existing debt is retired.  As of the date of this Annual Report, our management believes that our working capital is sufficient to meet our present requirements.
 
 
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The following table shows the amortization schedule of our consolidated gross financial debt at December 31, 2008, as stated in euro using the European Central Bank buying rate for euro on such date.  We may have exchange rate financial derivatives instruments assigned to the underlying debt instruments.  In 2008, the average interest rate on our average consolidated net debt was 5.95% (6.0% excluding positive exchange differences).  The table below includes the fair value of those derivatives classified as financial liabilities (negative mark-to-market) under IFRS (€747 million).  It does not include the fair value of derivatives classified as financial assets (positive mark-to-market) under IFRS (€1,086 million).  For a further description of liquidity risk faced by us, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and for a description of our financial liabilities, see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
   
AMORTIZATION SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
  
 
 
(in millions of euros)
  
Non-convertible euro and foreign currency debentures and bonds
     2,006       4,057       3,205       1,859       4,192       11,111       26,430  
Promissory notes and commercial paper
     1,595       –       –       –       –       –       1,595  
Other marketable debt securities
     –       –       115       –       –       1,939       2,054  
Loans and other payables (principal and interest accrued)
     4,499       2,054       6,467       3,781       1.686       4,439       22,926  
Other financial liabilities
     –       –       –       –       –       183       183  
Total
     8,100       6,111       9,787       5,640       5,878       17,672       53,188  
(*)
Estimated future interest payments as of December 31, 2008 on our interest-bearing-debt are as follows: €2,429 million in 2009, €2,193 million in 2010, €1,827 million in 2011, €1,533 million in 2012, €1,286 million in 2013 and €8,714 million in subsequent years. With respect to floating rate debt, we estimate future interest payments as the forward rates derived from yield curves quoted for the different currencies on December 31, 2008.
 
In 2008, we issued five-year bonds in an aggregate principal amount of €1,250 million, with an annual interest rate of 5.58%.  In 2009 through the date of this Annual Report, as a part of our refinancing plan to enhance the Group’s flexibility, we issued five-year bonds in an aggregate principal amount of €2,000 million, with an annual interest rate of 5.431%, on February 3, 2009, and seven-year bonds in an aggregate principal amount of €1,000 million, with an annual interest rate of 5.496%, on April 1, 2009.  On February 13, 2009, Telefónica, S.A. signed an agreement with the banks involved in its €6,000 million credit facility granted on June 28, 2005 and maturing on June 28, 2011, to extend the maturity of  €4,000 million of the €6,000 million drawn-down in exchange for the payment of additional fees and an upward adjustment in interest rates, as follows: (i) the maturity date for €2,000 million outstanding was extended to June 28, 2012 and (ii) the maturity date for the remaining €2,000 million outstanding was extended to June 28, 2013.
 
At December 31, 2008, we had unused committed credit lines of approximately €7,400 million, all of which bear interest at a floating rate based on market indices, principally the Euro Interbank Offered Rate, or EURIBOR and the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR.  An aggregate of €2,720 million in principal amount of such credit lines are scheduled to expire prior to December 31, 2009.
 
Our borrowing requirements are not significantly affected by seasonal trends.
 
The table below sets forth the ratings of our short- and long-term debt as of the date of this Annual Report. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, may be subject to revision at any time and should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
 
Rating Agency
  
Issuer
  
Long-Term Debt
  
Short-Term Debt
  
Outlook
  
Last Update
Moody’s
  
Telefónica, S.A.
  
Baa1
  
P-2
  
Positive
  
February 17, 2009
JCR
  
Telefónica, S.A.
  
A
  
–
  
Stable
  
December 17, 2008
Standard & Poor’s
  
Telefónica, S.A.
  
A-
  
A-2
  
Stable
  
December 2, 2008
Fitch
  
Telefónica, S.A.
  
A-
  
F-2
  
Stable
  
November 25, 2008

 
·
Moody’s, on February 17, 2009, raised Telefónica S.A.’s rating outlook to “Baa1/positive outlook” from “Baa1/stable outlook”.
 
 
 
·
JCR, the Japanese rating agency, on December 17, 2008, upgraded its credit rating for Telefónica, S.A. to “A/stable outlook” from “A-/stable outlook”.
 
 
·
Standard & Poor’s, on December 2, 2008, upgraded its rating of Telefónica S.A. from “BBB+/positive outlook” to “A-/stable outlook”.
 
 
·
Fitch, on November 25, 2008, upgraded its rating from “BBB+/positive outlook” to “A-/stable outlook”.
 
Our ability to use external sources of financing will depend in large part on our credit ratings.  We believe that we are well-positioned to raise capital in financial markets.  However, negative conditions in the financial markets or a downgrade of any of the ratings of our debt by any of Fitch, Moody’s, JCR and/or Standard & Poor’s may increase the cost of our future borrowing or may make it more difficult to access the public debt markets.  In connection with the credit rating agencies’ review of our debt ratings, the rating agencies may give considerable weight to the general macroeconomic and political conditions, the performance of our businesses in countries where we operate, our financial and shareholder remuneration policy, our acquisition policy, our ability to integrate acquisitions and our ability to refinance debt.
 
Intragroup Loans
 
We lend funds to our operating subsidiaries, directly or through holding companies that head our different lines of business.  At December 31, 2008, we had loans outstanding totaling €15,453 million (€18,497 million at December 31, 2007) to companies in the Telefónica Group (including subsidiaries located in Latin American countries) compared to €18,497 million at December 31, 2007.  These funds are derived from retained cash flows, loans, bonds and other sources (such as asset disposals).
 
C.    Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
 
We continue to be firmly committed to technological innovation as a key tool for achieving sustainable competitive advantages, preempting market trends and differentiating our products.  Through the introduction of new technologies and the development of new products and business processes, we seek to become a more effective, efficient and customer-oriented Group.
 
We have developed an open innovation model for the management of technological innovation in order to promote the application of technical research to the development of commercial products and services.  We focus on certain applied research and development, or R&D, priorities which are aligned with our strategy.  This model promotes open innovation initiatives such as the creation of a venture capital fund and participation in enterprise collaboration forums, among other things.  It also makes use of the knowledge developed at technological centers, universities, and start-up companies, among other sources, and encourages innovation in collaboration with other agents, who will become “technological partners”, including clients, universities, public administrations, suppliers, content providers and other companies.  We believe that differentiating our products from those of our competitors and improving our market position cannot be based solely on acquired technology.  We also believe it is important to foster R&D activities in an effort to achieve this differentiation and to advance other innovation activities.  Our R&D policy is aimed at:
 
 
·
developing new products and services in order to gain market share;
 
 
·
fostering customer loyalty;
 
 
·
increasing revenues;
 
 
·
improving management;
 
 
·
improving business practices; and
 
 
·
increasing the quality of our infrastructure and services to improve customer service and reducing costs.
 
 
In 2008, we undertook technological innovation projects focusing on profitable innovation, process efficiency, the creation of new sources of revenues, customer satisfaction, the consolidation of our presence in new markets and technological leadership.  Our technological innovation activities are an integral part of our strategy to create value through broadband, IP network, wireless and new generation (fiber optic) networks communications.
 
In addition, in 2008 we undertook projects to promote increased access to information technology, new services focused on new Internet business models, advanced user interfaces, mobile TV and other broadband services.  These projects, among others, were undertaken based on our objective to quickly identify emerging technologies that might have a relevant impact on our businesses, and to test such technologies with trials relating to new services, applications and platform prototypes.
 
In 2008, new business and operational support systems were developed and existing systems were improved.
 
Most of our R&D activities are carried out by Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo S.A.U., or Telefónica I+D, our wholly owned subsidiary, which works principally for our lines of business.  In performing its functions, Telefónica I+D receives assistance from other companies and universities.  Telefónica I+D’s mission focuses on improving our competitiveness through technological innovation and product development.  Telefónica I+D leads experimental and applied research and product development to increase the range of our services and reduce operating costs.  It also provides technical assistance to our Latin American and European operations.  Telefónica I+D’s activities include the following:
 
 
·
development of new products and fixed telephone services, particularly the development of such value added services as broadband, digital home, mobile communications and Internet services for the public, corporate, mobile TV and multimedia sectors;
 
 
·
development of new modes of communications for communities, telemedicine, home and company telemonitoring and new infrastructure to provide such services, such as the Internet protocol environment and new generation networks, such as fiber optics;
 
 
·
development of innovative solutions for the real time provisioning, operating and billing of our networks and services, which includes the development of management systems designed to strengthen infrastructure and its quality;
 
 
·
development of business support systems to better identify customer characteristics in order to provide innovative solutions; and
 
 
·
applied research to undertake, understand and develop those aspects, opportunities and specialty new technologies for the evolution of our different businesses.
 
In 2008, approximately 44% of Telefónica I+D’s funding assigned to R&D was for the benefit of the business in Spain, 28% for businesses in Latin America, 22% for Telefónica (primarily the Corporate Innovation Program, which includes projects with a medium- to long-term focus involving two or more business units) and 6% for our other subsidiaries, such as Telefónica O2 Europe.
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica I+D had 1,233 employees, who also collaborated with qualified professionals from 84 companies and 54 universities.
 
Our total R&D expenses were €588 million, €594 million and €668 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.  These expenses represented 1.1%, 1.1% and 1.2% of our consolidated revenues, respectively.  These figures have been calculated using the guidelines set out in the OECD Manual.  These guidelines include expenses for research and development that, because of timing of projects or accounting classifications, we do not include in their entirety in our consolidated balance sheet.
 
D.    Trend Information
 
We are an integrated diversified telecommunications group that offers a wide range of services, mainly in Spain, Europe, and Latin America.  Our activity is based upon providing fixed and mobile services, Internet and
 
 
data, pay TV and value added services, among others.  In addition, our holdings in CU and Telecom Italia create opportunities for strategic alliances that reinforce our competitive position, scale and efficiency.
 
Our business is impacted by general economic conditions and other similar factors in each of the countries in which we operate.  The current adverse economic environment and uncertainty about present global economic conditions may negatively affect the level of demand of existing and prospective customers, as our services may not be deemed critical for these customers.
 
As a multinational telecommunications company that operates in regulated markets, we are subject to different laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in which we provide services.  We can expect the regulatory landscape to change in Europe as a consequence of the revised regulations resulting from the review of the common regulatory framework currently in place in the European Union.  In addition, we may also face pressure from regulatory initiatives in some European countries regarding tariffs, the reform of spectrum rights of use and spectrum allocation.
 
We face intense competition in most of our markets, and we are therefore subject to the effects of actions by our competitors.  The intensity of the competition may deepen, having an impact on tariff structures, consumption, market share and commercial activity, which could result in decreases in current and potential customers, revenues and profitability.
 
However, we are in a strong competitive position in the markets where we operate and, in an uncertain environment, we believe we can thrive by maintaining or strengthening our position further by increasing our focus on meeting customer needs.  We intend to continue to seek and take advantage of growth opportunities, such as by boosting both fixed and mobile broadband services and by furthering the development of services beyond connectivity, information technology services and related businesses.  We seek to lead the industry by anticipating trends in the new digital environment.
 
We will continue transforming our operating model to increase our operational efficiency and capture the synergies arising from our integrated approach to businesses, processes and technologies and will maintain a regional approach to tackle this transformation more efficiently.  At the same time, we will continue to be strongly committed to technological innovation as a key tool for achieving sustainable competitive advantages, anticipating market trends and differentiating our products.  We continually seek to become a more efficient and customer-oriented Group, by introducing new technologies and developing new products and business processes.
 
In Spain, we will continue to intensify our commercial focus on offering higher quality services, by increasing the effectiveness of our sales channels and further improving our networks to increase customer satisfaction and extend our advantage over our competitors.  We will seek to strengthen relations with our customers through targeted commercial offerings, developing new forms of marketing and bundling services more effectively, taking into account the different geographical areas, and pushing for growth in fixed and mobile broadband services.  Efficiency will continue to play a very important role in all areas of management, both in commercial and operational areas, including systems, networks and processes.
 
In Latin America, our strategy is based on a regional model that captures growth and efficiency of scale without losing sight of the local management of the client.  The mobile business will continue to play a fundamental role as an engine of regional growth.  That is why we continue to further improve the capacity and coverage of our networks, adapting our distribution network and enhancing customer loyalty policies.  With regard to the fixed telephony business, we will encourage the increase of broadband speed and expand the supply of bundled services. We will further advance efficiency, in operational and commercial terms, and synergies achievement by implementing global, regional and local projects.
 
In Europe, customers will remain at the center of our strategy and management priorities in the region, by offering them best value and driving the mobile and fixed broadband services to maintain our customer satisfaction advantage over our competitors.  Various initiatives will be implemented to improve our operating efficiency.
 
 
In summary, Telefónica will continue strengthening its business model to make it more efficient and capture the synergies arising from the integrated approach of businesses, processes and technologies, while maintaining its commitment to technological innovation and strengthening its competitive position by focusing even more on the client.
 
E.    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have commitments that could require us to make material payments in the future.  These commitments are not included in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008 although they are described in the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  These commitments primarily relate to put rights pursuant to which third parties can require us to purchase some or all of their interests in certain of our subsidiaries or joint ventures, as in the case of Brasilcel and Colombia Telecom, and contingent obligations in the form of guarantees.  For additional detail on our off-balance sheet commitments, see Note 21(b) to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
F.    Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
 
The following table describes our contractual obligations and commitments with definitive payment terms which may require significant cash outlays in the future.  The amounts payable (including accrued interest payments) are as of December 31, 2008.  For additional information, see our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
 
   
Payments Due by Period
  
   
Total
    
Less than 1 year
    
1-3 years
    
4-5 years
    
More than 5 Years
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Financial liabilities (1)(2)
     53,188       8,100       15,898       11,518       17,672  
Operating lease obligations (3)
     5,848       898       1,450       1,124       2,376  
Purchase obligations (4)
     2,770       1,294       562       330       584  
Other liabilities (5)
     1,734       1,734       –       –       –  
Total
     63,540       10,732       17,348       12,972       20,632  
 
(1)
Capital (finance) lease obligations are not calculated separately and are instead included as part of our long-term debt obligations.
 
(2)
This item includes the fair value of those derivatives classified as financial liabilities (negative mark-to-market) under IFRS.  Future interest payments as of December 31, 2008 on our interest-bearing-debt are as follows: €2,429 million in 2009, €2,193 million in 2010, €1,827 million in 2011, €1,533 million in 2012, €1,286 million in 2013 and €8,714 million in subsequent years.  With respect to floating rate debt, we estimate future interest payments as the forward rates derived from yield curves quoted for the different currencies on December 31, 2008. It does not include the fair value of derivatives classified as financial assets (positive mark-to-market) under IFRS.  For a more detailed description of our financial derivative transactions, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.
 
(3)
Our operating lease obligations have in some cases extension options conditioned on the applicable law of each country.  Accordingly, we have included only those amounts that represent the initial contract period.
 
(4)
This item includes definitive payments due for agreements to purchase goods (such as network equipment) and services.
 
(5)
“Other liabilities” include long-term obligations that require us to make cash payments, excluding financial debt obligations included in the table under “Financial Liabilities” above.  Because of the nature of the risks covered by “Other liabilities” such as “Other provisions”, it is not possible to determine a reliable schedule of potential payments, if any.  For details of the composition of “other provisions” see Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
For details of the composition of, and changes in, our debt, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Anticipated Sources of Liquidity” and Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
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Item 6.      Directors, Senior Management and Employees
 
A.    Directors and Senior Management
 
During 2008, our Board of Directors met 11 times. At April 30, 2009, our Board of Directors had met four times during 2009.  At April 30, 2009, our directors, their respective positions on our Board and the year they were appointed to such positions were as follows:
 
Name
  
Age
  
First Appointed
  
Current Term Ends
Chairman
            
César Alierta Izuel(1)
  
63
  
1997
  
2012
             
Vice-chairmen
            
Isidro Fainé Casas(1)(2)
  
66
  
1994
  
2011
Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)
  
58
  
2005
  
2011
             
Members (vocales)
            
Julio Linares López(1)(8)
  
63
  
2005
  
2011
José María Abril Pérez (1)(3)(5)
  
57
  
2007
  
2013
José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda(5)(6)(9)
  
60
  
2003
  
2013
Jose María Álvarez –Pallete López
  
45
  
2006
  
2012
David Arculus (5)(6)
  
62
  
2006
  
2011
Eva Castillo Sanz (9)
  
46
  
2008
  
2013
Carlos Colomer Casellas(1)(8)(10)(11)
  
65
  
2001
  
2011
Peter Erskine(1)(8)(9)(10)
  
57
  
2006
  
2011
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero (1)(4)(5)(6)(7)(10)
  
67
  
2001
  
2011
Luiz Fernando Furlán(5)
  
62
  
2008
  
2013
Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo (1)(4)(5)(7)(9)(10)(11)
  
63
  
2002
  
2012
Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera(6)(7)(8)(10)(11)
  
45
  
2002
  
2012
Antonio Massanell Lavilla(2)(4)(7)(8)(11)
  
54
  
1995
  
2011
Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho (1)(5)(6)(7)
  
50
  
2007
  
2013
 
(1)
Member of the Executive Commission of the Board of Directors.
 
(2)
Nominated by Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (“La Caixa”).
 
(3)
Nominated by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (“BBVA”).
 
(4)
Member of the Audit and Control Committee of the Board of Directors.
 
(5)
Member of the International Affairs Committee.
 
(6)
Member of the Regulation Committee.
 
(7)
Member of the Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee.
 
(8)
Member of the Innovation Committee.
 
(9)
Member of the Strategy Committee.
 
(10)
Member of the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee.
 
(11)
Member of the Service Quality and Customer Service Committee.
 
Board Committees
 
At April 30, 2009, the committees of our Board of Directors and members thereof are as follows:
 
Executive Commission
 
Our Board of Directors has expressly delegated all of its authority and power to the Executive Commission except as prohibited by Spanish corporate law, under our Articles of Association, or under our Board Regulations.  This commission is made up of fewer directors and meets more frequently than our Board of Directors.  The members of the Executive Commission are Mr. César Alierta Izuel, Mr. Isidro Fainé Casas, Mr. Julio Linares López, Mr. José María Abril Pérez, Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas, Mr. Peter Erskine, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero, Mr.
 
 
120
 
Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo, Mr. Javier de Paz Mancho and Mr. Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín García-Ovies, as secretary.
 
Audit and Control Committee
 
The Audit and Control Committee functions are regulated by our bylaws and our Board Regulations.  The Audit and Control Committee has the primary objective of providing support to our Board of Directors in its supervisory and oversight functions, specifically having the following responsibilities:
 
 
·
to report, through its chairman, to our general meeting of shareholders on matters raised at the general meeting of shareholders relating to the functions and matters of competence of the committee;
 
 
·
to propose to our Board of Directors to submit to our general meeting of shareholders the appointment of our auditors referred to in Article 204 of the Stock Company Act, as well as, when appropriate, the terms of their engagement, scope of professional assignment and revocation or non-renewal of their appointment;
 
 
·
to supervise the internal audit services;
 
 
·
to have an understanding of the process for gathering financial information and the internal control systems; and
 
 
·
to maintain the necessary relations with the auditors to receive information on all matters that may put their independence at risk, and any other matters related to the process of auditing our accounts, as well as to receive information and maintain communication with our auditors as required by laws relating to the audit process and with respect to technical regulations on auditing.
 
The Audit and Control Committee meets at least once per quarter and as many times as considered necessary. During 2008, the Audit and Control Committee met 12 times and, as of the date of this Annual Report, had met four times in 2009.  The members of the Audit and Control Committee are Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo (chairman), Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero and Mr. Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar.
 
Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee
 
The Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, reporting to our Board of Directors with respect to proposals for the appointment, re-election and removal of directors, members of the Executive Committee and the other committees of our Board of Directors and top members of our management and management of our subsidiaries.  In addition, the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for proposing to the Board of Directors, within the framework established in the bylaws, the compensation for the directors and reviewing it periodically to ensure that it is in keeping with the tasks performed by them, as provided in Article 35 of the Board Regulations, to propose to the Board of Directors, within the framework established in the bylaws, the extent and amount of the compensation, rights and remuneration of a financial nature, of the Chairman, the executive directors and the senior executive officers of Telefónica, including the basic terms of their contracts, for purposes of contractual implementation thereof and to supervise compliance with Telefónica’s internal rules of conduct and the corporate governance rules thereof in effect from time to time.
 
The members of the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero (chairman), Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas, Mr. Peter Erskine, Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo and Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera. During 2008, the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee met nine times, and as of the date of this Annual Report, had met three times in 2009.
 
Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee
 
The Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee is responsible for reviewing our personnel policy and making proposals to our Board of Directors regarding our personnel policy, corporate reputation, responsibility and the promotion of our values within the Telefónica Group.  The Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee met five times during 2008, and as of the date of this Annual
 
 
Report had met twice in 2009.  The members of the Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee are Mr. Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho (chairman), Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero, Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo, Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera, Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla and Mr. Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar.
 
Regulation Committee
 
The Regulation Committee’s main objective is to monitor the main regulatory matters which affect us.  Another responsibility of the Regulation Committee is to act as a communication and information channel between our management team and our Board of Directors concerning regulatory matters.  The members of the Regulation Committee are Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera (chairman), Mr. José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda, Mr. David Arculus, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero, Mr. Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar and Mr. Javier de Paz Mancho. During 2008, the Regulation Committee met four times, and as of the date of this Annual Report, had met three  times in 2009.
 
Service Quality and Customer Service Committee
 
The Service Quality and Customer Service Committee is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the standards of quality of the main services we provide.  The Service Quality and Customer Service Committee acts as an information channel between our senior management team and our Board of Directors.  The members of the Service Quality and Customer Service Committee are Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla (chairman), Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo, Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas and Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera. During 2008 the Service Quality and Customer Service Committee met five times, and as of the date of this Annual Report, had met twice in 2009.
 
International Affairs Committee
 
The International Affairs Committee is responsible for analyzing international events and matters that affect the Telefónica Group and reporting these events and possible consequences to our Board of Directors.  The International Affairs Committee pays close attention to events taking place in countries where we have operations and which may affect our competitive position, corporate image and financial results.  The International Affairs Committee also oversees our non-profit foundations in such countries.  The members of the International Affairs Committee are Mr. José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda (chairman), Mr. José María Abril Pérez, Mr. David Arculus, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero, Mr. Luiz Fernando Furlán, Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Ángulo, Mr. Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar and Mr. Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho.  During 2008, the International Affairs Committee met four times, and as of the date of this Annual Report had met once in 2009.
 
Innovation Committee
 
The Innovation Committee is responsible for advising and assisting in all matters regarding innovation.  Its main object is to examine, analyze and periodically monitor the Group’s innovation projects, provide guidance and help ensure the implementation and development of innovation initiatives across the Group.  The members of the Innovation Committee are Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas (chairman), Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera, Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla, Mr. Peter Erskine and Mr. Julio Linares López.  During 2008, the Innovation Committee met two times, and as of the date of this Annual Report, had met twice in 2009.
 
Strategy Committee
 
The Strategy Committee was formally established by the Board of Directors’ meeting held on December 17, 2008.  Without prejudice to any other tasks that the Board of Directors may assign thereto, the primary duty of the Strategy Committee is to support the Board of Directors in the analysis and implementation of the global strategy policy of the Telefónica Group.  The members of the Strategy Committee are Mr. Peter Erskine (chairman), Mr. José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda, Mrs. Eva Castillo Sanz and Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo. The Strategy Committee did not meet during 2008, and as of the date of this Annual Report, had met four times in 2009.
 
 
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Biographies of Directors
 
Mr. César Alierta Izuel serves as our Executive Chairman and Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Alierta began his career in 1970 as general manager of the capital markets division at Banco Urquijo, S.A. in Madrid, where he worked until 1985. Subsequently, he founded and served as chairman of Beta Capital Sociedad de Valores, S.A. which he combined as from 1991 with his post as chairman of the Spanish Financial Analysts’ Association (Asociación Española de Analistas Financieros).  Between 1996 and November 1999, he was director and chairman of Tabacalera, S.A. At that time Tabacalera, S.A. changed its name into Altadis, S.A. (following its merger with the French Group, Seita-Société Nationale D’Éxplotation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes) and he became director and chairman of Altadis, S.A. He has also been a member of the board of directors of the Madrid Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Madrid), Plus Ultra Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. and of Iberia, S.A.  On January 1997, Mr. Alierta was appointed as a director of Telefónica and on July 26, 2000, he was appointed as our Executive Chairman.  Mr. Alierta is director of Telecom Italia since November 8, 2007 and of China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited since October 15, 2008.  Mr. Alierta holds a law degree from the University of Zaragoza and an MBA from Columbia University (New York) and is currently a member of the Columbia Business School Board of Overseers.
 
Mr. Isidro Fainé Casas serves as Vice-Chairman of our Board of Directors. For over 40 years, Mr. Fainé has worked in several financial institutions, including amongst others: Banco Atlántico, S.A., (1964), Banco de Asunción (Paraguay) (1969), Banco Riva y García, S.A. (1973), Banca Jover, S.A. (1974), and Banco Unión, S.A. (1978).  Mr. Fainé is currently chairman of Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (“la Caixa”), chairman of Abertis Infraestructuras, S.A., vice-chairman of Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros, and second vice-chairman of Repsol YPF, S.A.  He is also member of the board of directors of Criteria CaixaCorp, S.A., Banco Portugués de Investimento, S.A. (BPI), Hisusa, Holding de Infraestructuras y Servicios Urbanos, S.A., Societé des Autoroutes du Nord et de l’Est de la France, and Grupo Financiero Inbursa.  Mr. Fainé holds a doctorate degree in economics, a diploma in Alta Dirección (Senior Management) from IESE Business School (Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa) and an ISMP in business administration from Harvard University.  He is a member of the Real Academia de Ciencias Económicas y Financieras.
 
Mr. Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar serves as Vice-Chairman of our Board of Directors.  In 1966 he joined Banco de Vizcaya, S.A. In 1983, Mr. Nafría Aznar was appointed general manager of Induban, S.A. (Banco de Financiación Industrial) in Bilbao.  In 1988 he worked as regional manager for Aragón, Navarra y Rioja at Banco Bilbao Vizcaya (BBV). In 1990, he was appointed business manager of BBV.  In April 1998, he was appointed director of the board of directors and general manager of BBV in Mexico.  In July 2000, he was appointed chief executive officer and director of the board of directors of Grupo Financiero BBA Bancomer (GFBB).  In December 2001, he was appointed member of the executive committee of BBVA and in January 2003 he became general manager of BBVA America.  Since January 2005 he has been the Retail Banking Manager in Spain and Portugal for BBVA.  He is now in early retirement. Since February 2009, he is chairman of the board of directors of Metrovacesa, S.A.
 
Mr. Julio Linares López serves as a director of our Board of Directors and as our Chief Operating Officer since December 19, 2007.  In May 1970, he joined our Research and Development Center, where he held several positions until he was appointed head of our Technology Department.  In April 1990, he was appointed General Manager of Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo, S.A.  In December 1994, he became deputy general manager of Marketing and Services Development department in the commercial area and subsequently, deputy general manager for Corporate Marketing.  In July 1997, he was appointed chief executive officer of Telefónica Multimedia S.A. and chairman of Telefónica Cable and Producciones Multitemáticas, S.A.  In January 2000, he was appointed executive chairman of Telefónica de España, S.A., a position which he held until December 2005, when he was appointed our managing director for Coordination, Business Development and Synergies of Telefónica.  He is currently member of the board of directors of Telecom Italia.  Mr. Linares holds a degree in telecommunications engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid).
 
Mr. José María Abril Pérez serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  From 1975 to 1982 he served as financial manager of Sociedad Anónima de Alimentación (SAAL).  Since then, and until he joined the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Group (BBVA), he was financial manager of Sancel-Scott Ibérica, S.A. In 1985 he joined Banco Bilbao, S.A. as managing director of Investment Corporate Banking.  From January to April 1993, he was appointed
 
 
executive coordinator of Banco Español de Crédito, S.A.  In 1998, he became general manager of the Industrial Group of BBVA. In 1999, he was appointed member of the executive committee of the BBVA Group.  He has also been a member of the board of directors of Repsol, S.A., Iberia S.A. and Corporación IBV.  In 2002 he became managing director of Wholesale and Investment Banking Division and member of the executive committee of BBVA, and he is now in early retirement.  Until July 2007, he was vice president of Bolsas y Mercados Españoles, S.A. He is currently member of the board of directors of Advancell, S.A.  He holds a degree in economics from the University of Deusto (Bilbao, Spain) and he has been professor at such university for nine years.
 
Mr. José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  In December 1974 he joined the Spanish Diplomatic Corps (Cuerpo Diplomático) and served from 1976 to 1992 as Secretary of the Spanish Embassy in Brussels, Cultural Counselor of the Spanish Delegation to Mexico, Chief Director for Eastern European Affairs, Director of Atlantic Affairs in the Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministry, Counselor to the Spanish Permanent Representation to NATO in Brussels, Minister-Counselor of the Spanish Embassy in the Soviet Union, General Director of the National Commission for the 5th Centennial of the Discovery of the Americas, and Deputy General Director for Eastern Europe Affairs in the Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministry.  From 1993 to 2002, Mr. Fernando de Almansa was appointed Chief of the Royal Household by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, and is currently Personal Advisor to His Majesty the King.  He is also substitute director of BBVA Bancomer México, S.A. de C.V. and member of the board of directors of Médi Telecom.  He holds a law degree from the University of Deusto (Bilbao, Spain).
 
Mr. José María Álvarez-Pallete López serves as a director of our Board of Directors and, since July 2006, as General Manager of Telefónica Latin America. He began his career at Arthur Young Auditors in 1987. In 1988, he joined Benito & Monjardín/Kidder, Peabody & Co., where he held various positions in the research and corporate finance departments. In 1995, he joined Valenciana de Cementos Portland, S.A. (Cemex) as head of the Investor Relations and Studies department. In 1996 he was promoted to chief financial officer of Cemex Group in Spain, and in 1998, to chief administration and financial officer in Indonesia, headquartered in Jakarta, and he was appointed member of the Board of Cemex Asia, Ltd.  In February 1999 he joined the Telefónica Group as general manager of Finance for Telefónica International, S.A.  In September of the same year he was promoted to chief financial officer of Telefónica. In July 2002, he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Telefónica Internacional, S.A. Mr. Álvarez-Pallete holds a degree in economics from the Complutense University of Madrid.  He also studied economics at the Université Libre de Belgique and holds an International Management Programme from the Panamerican Institute of Executive Business Administration (IPADE) and an advance research degree from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid.
 
Sir David Arculus serves as a director of our Board of Directors. From 1998 to 2001, he was chairman of Severn Trent Plc. and IPC Group Ltd. From 2002 to 2004, he was chairman of Earls Court and Olympia Ltd. From 2004 to January 2006, he served as chairman of O2 (now Telefonica Europe). Sir David Arculus was deputy president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) until 2006 and is currently a member of the board of directors of Pearson, Plc.  He is also chairman of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. In 1972 he received an MBA from the London Business School.  In 1996, he received his master’s degree in engineering and economics from Oriel College, Oxford, and in 2003 he received a degree Honoris Causa from the University of Central England.
 
Ms. Eva Castillo Sanz serves as a director of our Board of Directors. Ms. Castillo began her career at the Spanish broker Beta Capital Sociedad de Valores, S.A., where she worked for five years.  After that, she worked for another five years for Goldman Sachs International in London in the International Equities department.  In 1997 Ms. Castillo joined Merrill Lynch as head of Equity Markets for Spain and Portugal. In 1999, she was promoted to Country Manager for Spain and Portugal and in 2000 she became chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Spain.  After that, Ms. Castillo was appointed chief operating officer for EMEA Equity Markets.  In October 2003 she was appointed head of Global Markets & Investment Banking in Spain and Portugal, as well as president of Merrill Lynch Spain.  Currently she heads Global Wealth Management business operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including Merrill Lynch Bank (Suisse) and the International Trust and Wealth Structuring business.  She is a member of the Merrill Lynch EMEA Executive Committee, the Global Wealth Management Executive and Operating Committees.  Ms. Castillo holds degrees in business, economics and law (ICADE – 3) from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas of Madrid.
 
 
Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  Mr. Colomer began his career in 1970 as marketing vice-chairman of Henry Colomer, S.A.  In 1980, he was appointed chairman and general manager of Henry Colomer, S.A. and Haugron Cientifical, S.A.  In 1986, he was also appointed president of Revlon for Europe.  In 1989, he became chairman of Revlon International and in 1990, he was appointed executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Revlon Inc.  In 2000, he was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of the Colomer Group. Mr. Colomer is chairman of the Colomer Group.  He is also director of Indo Internacional, S.A., chairman of Ahorro Bursátil, S.A. SICAV and Inversiones Mobiliarias Urquiola, S.A. SICAV.  Mr. Colomer has a degree in economics from the University of Barcelona and an MBA from IESE Business School (Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa).
 
Mr. Peter Erskine serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  He began his career in the field of marketing and brand management in Polycell and in Colgate Palmolive.  He worked for several years at the Mars Group, serving as vice-chairman for Europe of Mars Electronics.  In 1990 he was appointed vice-president of Marketing and Sales of Unitel. From 1993 to 1998, he held a number of senior positions, including director of British Telecom  (BT) Mobile and president and chief executive officer of Concert.  In 1998 he became managing director of BT Cellnet. Subsequently, in 2001 he became chief executive officer and a director of the board of directors of Telefónica O2 Europe, Plc (now Telefonica Europe).  In 2006 he became executive chairman of Telefónica O2 Europe, Plc and from July 2006 until December 2007 he served as general manager of the business unit Telefónica Europe. In 2008, he joined the Telecom Advisory Boards of Apax Partners and MacQuarie European Infrastructure Fund, and become a member of the Strategy Advisory Committee of Henley Management Centre.  In January 2009 he joined the Board of Ladbrokes P.L.C. as a non executive director.  Currently, he is also member of the advisory board of the University of Reading Business School.  In 1973, he received a degree in psychology from Liverpool University.
 
Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herrero serves as a director of our Board of Directors. From 1968 to 1969 he was assistant to the financial manager of Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico, S.A. From 1969 to 1985, he worked in Banco Urquijo, S.A. holding several positions as analyst, manager of Industrial Investments and as a representative in several subsidiaries in his capacity as member of the board of directors of Banco Urquijo, S.A.  From 1985 to 1996 he was a member of the board of directors and manager of Corporate Finance of Beta Capital Sociedad de Valores, S.A., of which Mr. Ferrari was a co-founder.  From 1996 until 2000 served as chairman and chief operating officer of Beta Capital, S.A.  He has a doctorate in industrial engineering from the Industrial Engineers Technical School of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) and holds an MBA from Harvard University.
 
Mr. Luiz Fernando Furlán serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  Throughout his career he has been a member of the board of directors of several companies in Brazil and abroad such as Embraco, S.A. (Brasmotor Group-Brazil) and Panamco (Pan American Beverages, Inc. – USA).  He was also member of the consulting board of IBM in Latin America and of ABN Amro Bank in Brazil, as well as chairman of Brazilian Chicken Exporters Association (ABEF), Brazilian Association of Public Owned Companies (ABRASCA) and of Mercosur European Union Business Forum (MEBF). He also was vice-president of Sao Paulo Entrepreneurs Association (FIESP).  From 2003 to 2007 he was Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil. Currently he is also chairman of the board of directors of Sadia, S.A. and of Amazonas Sustainability Foundation and member of the board of directors of Redecard S.A. and Amil Participações S.A., and member of the Advisory/Consultive Board of Panasonic (Japan) and McLarty & Associates (USA).  He holds a degree in chemical engineering from the Industrial Engineering Faculty of São Paulo and in business administration from University of Santana (São Paulo), with specialization in financial administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (São Paulo).
 
Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  He began his career in 1966 in Cortefiel, S.A. and served in several management positions since then.  From 1976 to 1985 Mr. Hinojosa was general manager of Cortefiel, S.A. and from 1985 until 2006 he served as chief executive officer of the company, a post which he combined with his appointment as chairman since 1998.  From 1991 through 2002, he served as a director of Banco Central Hispano Americano, S.A. and as a director of Portland Valderribas, S.A.  He has also served as a director of Altadis, S.A.  He currently serves as a director of Dinamia Capital Privado, S.A., SCR.  Mr. Hinojosa has a degree in industrial engineering from the Industrial Engineers Technical School of the
 
 
Polytechnic University of Madrid (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid).
 
Mr. Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera serves as a director of our Board of Directors.  Mr. Isla began his career in 1988 as Government Attorney (Abogado del Estado), and he joined the Body of Government Attorneys that year, in the first position of the candidates, for the Spanish Ministry of Transportation, Tourism and Communications.  In 1991 he moved to the General Management of the Legal Services of the Spanish Government (Dirección General del Servicio Jurídico del Estado).  From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Isla served as general manager of the Legal Services Department of Banco Popular, S.A. In 1996, he was appointed general manager of the National Heritage Department of the Treasury Department of Spain (Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda).  He also served as General Secretary of Banco Popular Español, S.A. from 1998 to 2000.  In July 2000, Mr. Isla was appointed chairman of the board of Grupo Altadis and co-chairman of the company.  Since June 2005, Mr. Isla is the deputy chairman and chief executive officer of Inditex, S.A. Mr. Isla has a degree in law from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid.
 
Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla serves as a director of our Board of Directors. In 1971 he joined the Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (“la Caixa”), where he held several posts and in 1990, he was appointed assistant manager and secretary of the Steering Committee.  In the same year, he was appointed member of the board of directors of VidaCaixa, S.A., Seguros de la Caixa, S.A., Socredit (Monaco), and Sociedad Española de Medios de Pago, S.A. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Massanell served as Chairman of the Steering Committee of Sistema 6000 de la Confederación Española de Cajas de Ahorros.  Mr. Massanell is currently executive deputy general manager of la Caixa and a member of the boards of directors of e-La Caixa 1, S.A., Port Aventura, S.A. Espacio Pyme, S.A., Boursorama, S.A. and Caixa Capital Risc, S.G.E.C.R., S.A.  He is also chairman of Serveis Informátics La Caixa and Fundació Barcelona Digital. Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla holds a degree in economics from the University of Barcelona.
 
Mr. Francisco Javier De Paz Mancho serves as a director of our Board of Directors. From 1990 to 1993, he was Secretary to the Board of the Spanish Consumers Association (Unión de Consumidores de España, UCE).  From 1993 to 1996, he served as general manager of Internal Trade of the Spanish Ministry of Tourism and Commerce.  From 1994 to 1996, he was chairman of the Observatory of Trading of the Spanish Ministry of Tourism and Commerce (Observatorio de la Distribución Comercial del Ministerio de Comercio y Turismo); from 1996 to 2004, he was corporate strategy manager of the Panrico Donuts Group. From 1998 to 2004, he served as director of Mutua de Accidentes de Zaragoza (MAZ) and of the Panrico Group.  From 2004 to 2006, he was director of Tunel de Cadí, S.A.C. and from 2003 to 2004, he served as chairman of the Patronal Pan y Bollería Marca (COE).  From 2004 to 2007, he was chairman of the National Company MERCASA. He has also been a member of the board of directors of Altadis, S.A., and of the Economic and Social Board and its permanent commission.  From July 2006, he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Chambers Board (Consejo Superior de Cámaras).  Mr. de Paz has a diploma in publicity and information and followed studies in law.  He followed a Programa de Alta Dirección de Empresas from the IESE Business School (Instituto de Estudios Superiores de la Empresa, University of Navarra).
 
Executive Officers/Management Team
 
At April 30, 2009, our executive management team was composed of six general managers, in addition to our three executive officers who are also directors on our Board of Directors.
 
Name
  
 
Position
  
 
Appointed
  
 
Age
César Alierta Izuel
  
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
  
2000
  
63
Julio Linares López
  
Chief Operating Officer
  
2007
  
63
José María Álvarez –Pallete López
  
General Manager of Telefónica Latin America
  
2002
  
45
Guillermo Ansaldo Lutz
  
General Manager of Telefónica Spain
  
2007
  
47
Matthew Key
  
General Manager of Telefónica Europe
  
2007
  
46
Santiago Fernández Valbuena
  
General Manager of Finances and Corporate Development
  
2002
  
51
Luis Abril Pérez
  
Technical General Secretary to the Chairman
  
2002
  
61
Calixto Ríos Pérez
  
General Manager of Internal Audit
  
2002
  
64
Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín García-Ovies
  
General Legal Secretary and Secretary to the Board
  
2003
  
54
 

Biographies of the Executive Officers and Senior Management
 
We present below the biographies of our executive officers and senior management who do not also serve on our Board of Directors.
 
Mr. Guillermo Ansaldo Lutz serves as Managing Director of Telefónica Spain since December 2007, and he is also member of the Executive Committee of Telefónica. From 1989 to 2000 he worked for McKinsey & Company holding different positions in Spain and Argentina. In 1995, he was appointed partner of McKinsey & Company in Argentina. From 2000 to 2004 he was the chief executive officer of Telefónica de Argentina, S.A. and since April 2005, he held the position of chief executive officer of Telefónica de España, S.A. He holds a degree in industrial engineering from the Universidad de Buenos Aires and an MBA from The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College.
 
Mr. Matthew Key serves as General Manager of Telefónica Europe and is a member of the Executive Committee of Telefónica.  From 1984 until 1998 he was in charge of different responsibilities beginning in Arthur Young, in the Grand Metropolitan Plc (1988), in Coca Cola & Schweppes Beverages Ltd (1993-1995), then he started working in Kingfisher Plc and finally from 1998 to 2002 he moved to Vodafone Plc. From 2000 to 2002 he worked as non–executive director in Vodafone Egypt.  He has served as chairman and non-executive director of Telco Mobile since 2003. From 2003 to 2005 he was non-executive director of Link Stores.  In February 2002, he was appointed chief financial officer of Telefónica O2 UK until December 2004.   In January 2005, he was appointed chief executive officer of Telefónica O2 UK. He holds a degree in economics from the Birmingham University.
 
Mr. Santiago Fernández Valbuena serves as General Manager of Finance and Corporate Development since December 2002 and is a member of the Executive Committee of Telefónica.  He has served as our chief financial officer since July 2002.  He joined Telefónica Group in 1997 as chief executive officer of Fonditel, Telefónica’s pension assets manager.  Previously, he was the managing director of Societé Génerale Equities, and also head of Equities & Research at Beta Capital in Madrid.  Mr. Fernández Valbuena served as president of the Research Commission at the Spanish Institute of Financial Analysts.  He has held senior teaching positions with the MBA programs of the Manchester Business School and Instituto de Empresa.  He holds a degree in economics from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid and he also holds an M.S. and a PhD degree in economics and finance from Northeastern University in United States.
 
Mr. Luis Abril Pérez serves as our Technical General Secretary to the Chairman.  Mr. Abril started his professional career as a microeconomics professor in the Universidad Comercial de Deusto, where he went on to head its Finance Department. In 1978, he moved to Banco de Vizcaya, S.A. as treasury director and then worked as head of the president’s Technical Department.  During his work with the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Group (1988 to 1991), he acted as general director for the Asset Management division.  From 1994 to 1999, Mr. Abril acted as general director for Banco Español de Crédito, S.A. (Banesto), and he later acted as general director for Communications for Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. (1999 to 2001).  Mr. Abril holds a degree in economics and a law degree from the Universidad Comercial de Deusto and he also holds an MBA from the North European Management Institute, Oslo, Norway.
 
Mr. Calixto Ríos Pérez serves as our General Manager of Internal Audit. In 1973, Mr. Ríos joined Banco Exterior de España, S.A. as the General Manager of Extebank in New York City.  Subsequently he was appointed chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Extebandes, in Venezuela.  Later, Mr. Ríos returned to Madrid as the general manager of International Banking Subsidiaries of Banco Exterior de España, S.A.  In 1990, he was appointed chief executive officer responsible for overseeing the construction, management and marketing of the Olympic Village for the Olympic games of Barcelona and a year later was appointed chief financial officer of Tabacalera, S.A.  After the merger of Tabacalera with the French company, Seita, he was appointed advisor to the chairman and head of Strategy and Planning.  In November 2000, he joined the Telefónica Group as general manager for Institutional Relations, and in July 2002 he was appointed general manager for Internal Auditing and Communications.  He holds a degree in economics from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid.
 
 
127
 
Mr. Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín García-Ovies serves as our General Secretary and Secretary to our Board of Directors.  He began his career in Arthur Andersen, first working for its audit department and later for its tax department.  In 1982, he became a Government Attorney (Abogado del Estado) and started working for the Local Tax Authorities in Madrid (Delegación de Hacienda de Madrid).  Afterwards he was assigned to the State Secretariat for the European Communities and later to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.  He has been general secretary and secretary of the Board of Elosúa, S.A., Tabacalera, S.A., Altadis, S.A. and Xfera Móviles, S.A.  He has also held teaching positions in Instituto Católico de Administración y Dirección de Empresas (ICADE), Instituto de Empresa and Escuela de Hacienda Pública.
 
B.    Compensation
 
The compensation of Telefónica’s directors is governed by Article 28 of Telefónica’s bylaws, which states that the aggregate compensation amount that Telefónica may pay to all of its directors as remuneration and attendance fees shall be fixed by the shareholders at the general meeting of shareholders, and such amount shall remain unchanged until the shareholders decide to modify it.  The Board of Directors shall determine the exact amounts to be paid within such limit and the distribution thereof among the directors.  In this respect, on April 11, 2003, our shareholders set the maximum gross annual amount to be paid to the Board of Directors at €6 million.  This includes fixed payments and fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors’ advisory or control committees described above.  In addition, the compensation provided for above is in addition to other professional or employment compensation accruing to the directors by reason of any executive or advisory duties that they perform for the Group, other than the supervision and collective decision-making duties inherent in their capacity as directors.
 
Therefore, the compensation paid to Telefónica directors in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Commission and/or any of the advisory and control committees consists of a fixed amount payable monthly plus fees for attending the meetings of the Board’s advisory or control committees.  In this respect, it was also agreed that from September 2007 executive board members, other than the Chairman, would only receive compensation for discharging their executive duties as stipulated in their respective contracts and not in their capacity as directors.
 
The following table presents the fixed annual amounts paid to directors for membership in the Board of Directors, Executive Commission and any advisory or control committees.
 
 
Position
  
 
Board of Directors
  
 
Executive Commission
  
 
Advisory or Control Committees
   
(in euros)
Chairman
  
300,000
  
100,000
  
28,000
Vice Chairman
  
250,000
  
100,000
  
       –
             
Board member (vocal):
  
 
     
 
Executive
  
         –
  
         –
  
       –
Proprietary
  
150,000
  
100,000
  
14,000
Independent
  
150,000
  
100,000
  
14,000
Other external
  
150,000
  
100,000
  
14,000

In addition, each director is paid a fee of €1,250 for attendance at each meeting of an advisory or control committee.
 
Total compensation paid to Telefónica directors for discharging their duties in 2008 amounted to €3,922,333 in fixed compensation and €215,000 in fees for attending advisory or control committee meetings.  It should also be noted that the compensation paid to Telefónica directors for serving as members on the Boards of other Telefónica Group companies amounted to €1,349,794.  In addition, the directors who are members of the regional advisory committees (Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia) and the Telefónica Corporate University Advisory Council, received additional aggregate compensation of €88,750 in 2008.
 
 
128
 
The following table presents the breakdown by item of the compensation and benefits paid to Telefónica directors for discharging their duties in 2008:
 
         
 
    
Other Board Committees
        
Board Members
  
Board of Directors
    
Executive Commission
      
Fixed payment
      
Attendance fees
      
Total
  
               
(in euros)
              
Chairman
                              
César Alierta Izuel
     300,000       100,000       –       –       400,000  
Vice chairmen
                                        
Isidro Fainé Casas
     250,000       100,000       –       –       350,000  
Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar
     250,000       –       51,334       30,000       331,334  
Members
                                        
Julio Linares López
     –       –       –       –       –  
José María Abril Pérez
     150,000       100,000       14,000       1,250       265,250  
José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda
     150,000       –       42,000       11,250       203,250  
José María Álvarez-Pallete López
     –       –       –       –       –  
David Arculus
     150,000       –       23,333       6,250       179,583  
Eva Castillo Sanz
     137,500       –       –       –       137,500  
Carlos Colomer Casellas
     150,000       100,000       36,167       11,250       297,417  
Peter Erskine
     150,000       100,000       17,500       8,750       276,250  
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero
     150,000       108,333 (*)     82,833       37,500       378,666  
Luiz Fernando Furlán
     137,500       –       11,667       5,000       154,167  
Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo
     150,000       100,000       84,000       43,750       377,750  
Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera
     150,000       –       72,333       18,750       241,083  
Antonio Massanell Lavilla
     150,000       –       47,833       30,000       227,833  
Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho
     150,000       100,000       56,000       11,250       317,250  
Total
     2,575,000       808,333       539,000       215,000       4,137,333  
(*)
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero was appointed member of the Executive Commission on December 19, 2007 and therefore the compensation for that month is included in this figure.
 
In addition, the breakdown of the total paid to executive directors César Alierta Izuel, Julio Linares López and José María Álvarez-Pallete López for discharging their executive duties by item is as follows:
 
 
Item
  
2008
  
   
(in euros)
  
Salaries
     5,704,005  
Variable compensation (1)
     7,885,683  
Compensation in kind (2)
     76,746  
Contributions to pension plans
     25,444  
 
(1)
“Variable compensation” in 2008 includes a multi-year variable payment under the Extraordinary Cash Incentive Program of  €2,075,189 for the fulfillment of certain targets and operating and business metrics established for the Group for 2005-2007. This payment was made in the first half of 2008.
 
(2)
“Compensation in kind” includes life and other insurance premiums (general medical and dental insurance).
 
In addition, under the Pension Plan for Senior Executives, the Telefónica Group made total contributions in 2008 on behalf of executive directors of €1,860,754.  The Pension Plan for Senior Executives is wholly funded by Telefónica.  This plan envisages annual defined contributions equivalent to specific percentages of the relevant executives’ fixed remuneration, in accordance with their professional category, and extraordinary contributions in accordance with the circumstances of each such executive as detailed in the plan.  See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Under the Performance Share Plan approved at the general shareholders’ meeting of June 21, 2006 and described in more detail below, the maximum number of shares corresponding to the first, second and third phases of the Performance Share Plan will be given on July 1, 2009, July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011, respectively, to each of Telefónica’s executive directors if all the terms established for such delivery are met is as follows: for César Alierta Izuel, 129,183, 116,239 and 148,818 shares, respectively; for Julio Linares López 65,472, 57,437 and 101,466
 
 
shares, respectively; and for José María Álvarez-Pallete López 62,354, 53,204 and 67,644 shares, respectively.  See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
It should be noted that the non-executive directors do not receive and did not receive in 2008 any compensation in the form of pensions or life insurance, nor do they participate in the share-based payment plans linked to Telefónica’s share price.
 
In addition, we do not grant and did not grant in 2008 any advances, loans or credits to the directors, or to our top executives, in accordance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
In 2008, our six executive officers (which for these purposes, are understood to be individuals who perform senior management functions in a company reporting directly to the management bodies, executive committees or to the chief executive officer, including the person in charge of the internal audit, excluding those that are also members of the Board of Directors), were paid a total compensation package of €13,223,911 in the aggregate (including amounts paid pursuant to the Extraordinary Cash Incentive Program mentioned in footnote (1) to the table above).
 
In addition, the maximum number of shares corresponding to the first, second and third phases of the Performance Share Plan described below to be delivered to these senior executives as a group, if all the established terms are met, is 157,046 shares, 130,911 shares and 306,115 shares, respectively.  Finally contributions made on behalf of these six executives under the Pension Plan for Senior Executives mentioned above amounted to an aggregate amount of €911,041 in 2008.
 
Furthermore, in 2008, Antonio Viana-Baptista, who stepped down from his executive duties on January 31, 2008, received €8,584,000 of severance in accordance with his senior management contract dated October 21, 1998.  In 2008, Mr. Viana-Baptista also received €3,289,972 for the following items: (i) fixed and variable compensation; (ii) compensation in kind; (iii) a long-service bonus accrued for the period 2005 through 2007 and (iv) settlement of accrued credits and similar receivable.
 
Finally, executive officer contracts, including those of executive directors, generally include a severance clause entitling such executives to three years of salary plus another year based on the length of service with us.  The annual salary on which the indemnity is based is the director’s last fixed salary and the average amount of the last two variable payments received by contract.
 
Incentive Plans
 
In each of 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Telefónica Group had the following incentive payment plans linked to the share price of Telefónica, S.A. in effect.
 
Telefónica, S.A. share plan: “Performance Share Plan”
 
At the general meeting of shareholders of Telefónica, S.A. on June 21, 2006, its shareholders approved the introduction of a long-term incentive plan for managers and senior executives of Telefónica, S.A. and other Telefónica Group companies.  Under this plan, selected participants who meet the qualifying requirements are given a certain number of Telefónica, S.A. shares as a form of variable compensation.
 
The Performance Share Plan was initially intended to last seven years. It is divided into five phases, each three years long, beginning on July 1 (the “Start Date”) and ending on June 30 three years later (the “End Date”).  At the start of each phase the number of shares to be awarded to Performance Share Plan beneficiaries is determined based on their success in meeting targets set.  The shares are delivered, assuming targets are met, at the End Date of each phase. Each phase is independent from the others.  The first started on July 1, 2006 (with shares to be delivered, if targets are met, from July 1, 2009) and the fifth phase begins on July 1, 2010 (with any shares earned delivered from July 1, 2013).
 
Award of the shares is subject to a number of conditions:
 
 
·
The beneficiary must continue to work for us throughout the three years of the phase, subject to certain special conditions related to departures.
 
 
 
·
The actual number of shares awarded at the end of each phase will depend on success in meeting targets and the maximum number of shares assigned to each executive.  Success is measured by comparing the total shareholder return, or TSR, which includes both the share price of and dividends on our shares, with the TSRs of a basket of listed telecommunications companies that comprise the comparison group.  Each employee who is a member of the plan is assigned at the start of each phase a maximum number of shares.  The actual number of shares awarded at the end of the phase is calculated by multiplying this maximum number by a percentage reflecting degree of success at the date in question.  This will be 100% if the TSR of Telefónica is equal to or better than that of the third quartile of the comparison group and 30% if Telefónica’s TSR is in line with the average.  The percentage rises on a linear basis for all points between these two benchmarks. If the TSR is below average no shares are awarded.
 
The maximum number of the shares issuable in each of the three outstanding phases at December 31, 2008 is as follows:
Phase
  
Nber of shares
  
 
Unit value (euros)
  
 
End date
1st phase July 1, 2006
  
6,530,615
  
6.43
  
June 30, 2009
2nd phase July 1, 2007
  
5,556,234
  
7.70
  
June 30, 2010
3rd phase July 1, 2008
  
5,286,980
  
8.39
  
June 30, 2011

The Performance Share Plan is equity-settled via the delivery of shares to the participants.  Accordingly, an expense of €8 million, €23 million and €38 million of employee benefits was recorded in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
To ensure that we have enough shares to meet our obligations at the end of the phase begun in 2006, we bought an instrument from a financial institution that will deliver to us, at the end of the phase, a number of shares determined using the same measure of success as the plan, i.e. an instrument that mirrors the features of the plan.  The cost of this instrument was €46 million, which in unit terms is €6.43 per share, assuming the maximum number of shares under this instrument.  See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
For the third phase, we have arranged a financial instrument under the same conditions as for the first phase, with possible delivery to us of up to 2,500,000 shares under such instrument.  The cost of the financial instrument is €25 million, equivalent to €9.96 per share assuming the maximum number of shares under this instrument.  See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Telefónica, S.A. share option plan targeted at Telefónica Europe employees: “Performance Cash Plan”
 
In addition to the Performance Share Plan, another plan called the “Performance Cash Plan”, operating under the same conditions as the Performance Share Plan is targeted at employees of Telefónica Europe.  This plan entails delivery to Telefónica Europe executives of a specific number of theoretical options in Telefónica, S.A. which, in the event, would be cash-settled at the end of each phase via a payment equivalent to the market value of the shares on settlement date up to a maximum of three times the value of the theoretical options, established for each phase, of the shares at the delivery date.
 
The value of the theoretical options is established as the average share price in the 30 days immediately prior to the start of each phase, except for the first phase, where the average share price during the 30 days immediately prior to May 11, 2006 (€12.83) was taken as the reference.
 
The estimated duration of this plan is also seven years, with five phases, each of three years, commencing on July 1 of each year, starting in 2006.
 
Like the Telefónica, S.A. Performance Share Plan, the performance rate for setting payments is measured based on the TSR on Telefónica shares with respect to the comparison group’s TSRs, in line with the following criteria:
 
 
·
Below average 
    0%
 
·
Average 
  30%
 
·
Equal to or higher than the third quartile
 100%
 
 
The number of options assigned to the three phases outstanding at December 31, 2008 was 446,498.
 
The fair value at December 31, 2008 of the options delivered in each phase in force at that time was €15.85 per option.  This value is calculated by taking the Telefónica share price and including the estimated TSR and is updated at each year end.
 
C.    Board Practices
 
Please see “—Directors and Senior Management” above.
 
D.    Employees
 
Employees and Labor Relations
 
The table below sets forth the average number of employees at the dates indicated for the Telefónica Group during 2006, 2007 and 2008 and each of the consolidated companies of the Group which comprise our different lines of business and other consolidated subsidiaries.
 
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
Average
    
Year-end
    
Average
    
Year-end
    
Average
    
Year-end
  
Telefónica Spain
     39,169       38,616       37,688       35,792       35,708       35,562  
Telefónica Latin America
     48,315       47,833       48,844       49,946       49,990       49,849  
Telefónica Europe
     26,248       27,844       29,249       29,305       28,828       28,888  
Subsidiaries and other companies
     111,744       118,703       128,271       133,444       137,249       142,736  
Total
     225,476       232,996       244,052       248,487       251,775       257,035  
TPI Group
     1,661       —       —       —       —       —  
Total
     227,137       232,996       244,052       248,487       251,775       257,035  

The number of employees shown in the table above corresponds to the consolidated companies.  It is also worth highlighting the large number of employees at the various companies of the Atento Group performing call center activities included in the total numbers above, with an average of 126,890 in 2008 and 132,013 at December 31, 2008.
 
Of our total employees at December 31, 2008, approximately 50.8% were women (47.6% at December 31, 2007).
 
Employee Benefits
 
We have a pension plan for our Spanish employees. Our contribution corresponds to 4.51% of an employee’s fixed salary (for those employees who joined Telefónica de España S.A.U. before June 30, 1992 the amount is 6.87%).  The obligatory minimum employee contribution is 2.2%. This plan is fully funded.
 
As of December 31, 2008, 54,819 of our employees were members of the pension plan managed by our subsidiary Fonditel Entidad Gestora de Fondos y Pensiones, S.A. (57,675 employees as of December 31, 2007 and 58,259 at December 31, 2006).  The total amount contributed in 2008 by the different Telefónica Group companies was €98 million (€95 million in each of 2007 and 2006).
 
In addition, in 2006, we approved a Management Benefits Plan (Retirement Plan) for senior executives, wholly funded by us, which complements the current pension plan.  This Management Benefits Plan envisages annual defined contributions by Telefonica equivalent to specific percentages of the executives’ fixed remuneration, in accordance with such executive’s professional category, and extraordinary contributions in accordance with the circumstances of each executive, payable in line with the conditions of this plan.
 
No provision was made for this Management Benefits Plan by us, as its operation has been fully outsourced to an investment fund that is responsible for its operation.



E.    Share Ownership
 
At April 30, 2009, the following members of our Board of Directors beneficially owned directly or indirectly an aggregate of 5,939,376 shares, representing approximately 0.126% of our capital stock.
 
 
Name
  
No. of Shares Beneficially Owned
  
César Alierta Izuel(1)
     0.084 %
Isidro Fainé Casas
     0.007 %
Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar
     0.000 %
Julio Linares López
     0.004 %
José María Abril Pérez
     0.000 %
José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda
     0.000 %
Jose María Álvarez-Pallete López
     0.003 %
David Arculus
     0.000 %
Eva Castillo Sanz
     0.001 %
Carlos Colomer Casellas(2)
     0.001 %
Peter Erskine
     0.001 %
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero(3)
     0.012 %
Luiz Fernando Furlán
     0.000 %
Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo
     0.011 %
Pablo Isla Alvarez de Tejera
     0.000 %
Antonio Massanell Lavilla
     0.000 %
Javier de Paz Mancho
     0.000 %

(1)
Since March 2, 2007, Mr. Alierta Izuel holds 8,200,000 European call options over our shares with an exercise price of €22, which, if exercised, must be exercised on March 2, 2011 and settled in cash. In addition to this, since April 11, 2008, he holds 2,000,000 European call options over our shares with an exercise price of €30, which, if exercised, must be exercised on March 2, 2011 and settled in cash.
 
(2)
On April 6, 2009, Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas reported to the Spanish Securities Markets Commission (CNMV) the sale of 14,815 puts over Telefónica, S.A. shares, with an exercise price of  €13.50, as well as the sale of 24,000 puts over Telefónica, S.A. shares with an exercise price of €12.50. These puts, if exercised, must be exercised on December 16, 2009 and settled in cash.
 
(3)
In connection with his acquisition of 485,000 shares of Telefónica, S.A., made on October 11, 2007, Mr. Ferrari holds 485,000 put warrants over our shares with an exercise price of €18.48 that, if exercised, must be exercised on October 11, 2010.
 
At April 30, 2009, members of our executive management team (excluding members of our Board of Directors listed above) beneficially owned an aggregate 604,177 of our shares, representing approximately 0.013% of our capital stock.
 
None of our directors or executive officers beneficially owned shares representing one percent or more of our share capital at April 30, 2009.
 
None of our directors and executive officers held options in respect of shares representing one percent or more of our share capital at April 30, 2009.
 
Item 7.    Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
 
A.    Major Shareholders
 
General
 
At April 30, 2009, we had 4,704,996,485 shares outstanding, each having a nominal value of €1 per share.  All outstanding shares have the same rights.
 
 
 
133
 
At December 31, 2008, according to information provided to us, beneficial owners of 3% or more of our voting stock were as follows:
 
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
  
Number of Shares
    
Percent
  
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.
     243,263,872       5.170 %
Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (“la Caixa”) (1)
     235,880,793       5.013 %
 
(1)
La Caixa’s main position in Telefónica is held through Criteria Caixacorp, S.A.
 
To the extent that our shares are represented by account in the book-entry form, we do not keep a shareholder registry and our ownership structure cannot be known precisely.  Based on the information available to us there is no individual or corporation that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries may exercise any type of control over us.  Nevertheless, we have certain shareholders whose holdings are considered material.
 
At December 31, 2008, approximately 204,537,084 of our shares were held in the form of ADSs by 926 holders of record, including Cede & Co., the nominee of the Depository Trust Company.  The number of ADSs outstanding was 68,179,028 at December 31, 2008.
 
Ownership Limitations
 
There are no limitations with respect to the ownership of our assets or share capital except those derived from the application of the reciprocity principle.  Article 6 of the General Telecommunications Law, or the GTL, provides for the application of the reciprocity principle under existing international treaties or agreements signed and ratified by Spain.  The Spanish government, upon request, may authorize exceptions to the reciprocity principle contained in the GTL.
 
B.    Related Party Transactions
 
During 2008 and through the date of this Annual Report, none of our directors and no member of our management team has been involved in any related party transactions with us.
 
Our Articles of Association grant our Board of Directors the exclusive power to authorize any transactions with major shareholders or our directors and any proposed transaction affecting a company where one of our Board members is an executive or a shareholder.  Prior to authorizing any such transaction, our Board will receive an opinion from the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee addressing the fairness of the transaction to our shareholders and us.  Any of our directors that may have an interest in the proposed transaction must abstain from voting on the proposed transaction.
 
Two of our major shareholders are financial institutions.  We have entered into related party transactions with both companies within our ordinary course of business, and always on arm’s length terms.  During 2008, the executed transactions were generally loans or capital markets transactions provided to us by these financial institutions and agreements for us to provide telecommunications and broadband services to such institutions.
 
Related Party Transactions with Significant Shareholders
 
The main transactions between Telefónica Group companies and our significant shareholders were the following:
 
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. and subsidiaries comprising its consolidated group “BBVA”:
 
 
·
Financing transactions arranged under market conditions, with approximately €436 million drawn down at December 31, 2008 (€367 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
·
Time deposits under market conditions amounting to €355 million at December 31, 2008 (€364 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
 
134
 
 
·
Derivative transactions arranged at market conditions, for a total nominal amount of approximately €6,930 million at December 31, 2008 (€7,160 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
·
Guarantees granted by BBVA under market conditions for approximately €13 million at December 31, 2008 (€18 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
·
Services, mainly telecommunications and telemarketing, rendered by Telefónica Group companies to the BBVA Group, under market conditions.
 
 
·
In 2007, Telefónica acquired an 8.65% stake in Atento, N.V. from the BBVA Group at market conditions.
 
Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona, “la Caixa”, and subsidiaries comprising the consolidated group:
 
 
·
Financing transactions arranged under market conditions, with approximately €682 million drawn down at December 31, 2008 (€247 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
·
Time deposits under market conditions amounting to €368 million at December 31, 2008 (€1,022 million at December 31, 2007).
 
 
·
Derivative transactions entered into under market conditions, for a total nominal amount of approximately €1 million in 2007. There is no amount in 2008.
 
 
·
The telecommunications services rendered by Telefónica Group companies to La Caixa group companies under market conditions.
 
Agreements with Subsidiaries
 
On March 29, 2006, each of the Board of Directors of Telefónica and Telefónica Móviles approved a merger plan for the acquisition of Telefónica Móviles by Telefónica.  The exchange ratio was set at four ordinary shares of Telefónica for every five shares of Telefónica Móviles.  The Board of Directors of Telefónica Móviles also approved the proposal to pay two special cash dividends for a total amount of €0.435 per Telefónica Móviles share and was approved by Telefónica Móviles’ shareholders at the annual general shareholders’ meeting.
 
Intra-Group Loans
 
We are the parent company of the Telefónica Group and operate through our subsidiaries and affiliated companies.  We coordinate group policies, including financial policy and, in some cases, actual financial management is conducted by us.  Most of the transactions we perform with other members of the Telefónica Group relate to financing transactions, including covering their needs for funds and providing interest rate and exchange rate hedges.
 
At December 31, 2008, as recorded in our parent company accounts, we loaned a total of €15,453 million (€18,497 million at December 31, 2007) to companies of the Telefónica Group while companies of the Telefónica Group and their associates loaned us a total of €46,694 million (€49,656 million at December 31, 2007), of which €12,331 million (€13,805 million at December 31, 2007) was loaned to us by Telefónica Europe, B.V. and €17,771 million (€16,206 million at December 31, 2007) was loaned to us by Telefónica Emisiones S.A.U., our financing subsidiaries devoted to raising funds in the capital markets, and €12,671 million (€14,737 million at December 31,
 
 
 
135
 
2007) was loaned to us by Telefónica Finanzas, our subsidiary in charge of financial support for Telefónica Group companies. This amount also includes the balance of a loan to Telefónica Móviles España (from the merger with Telefónica Móviles) for €3,402 million.
 
With respect to the balances with associated companies, the line item “Investments in Associates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2008, presents an amount of €49 million (€75 million at December 31, 2007) that includes a long-term balance of €49 million (€74 million at December 31, 2007) with Medi Telecom.
 
C.    Interests of Experts and Counsel
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 8.    Financial Information
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Please see Item 18.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
Telefónica and its group companies are party to several legal proceedings which are currently in progress in the courts of law and the arbitration bodies of the various countries in which the Telefónica Group is present.
 
Based on the advice of our legal counsel it is reasonable to assume that these legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial position or solvency, regardless of the outcome.  We highlight the following unresolved legal proceedings:
 
Procedures deriving from the voluntary bankruptcy proceeding initiated by Sistemas e Instalaciones de Telecomunicaciones, S.A.U. (SINTEL).
 
Sintel, a subsidiary of Telefónica until its sale to the Mastec Group in April 1996, was declared bankrupt in 2001 following a proceeding hearing by the Madrid Court of First Instance.  As a result of the company’s insolvency and liquidation, two criminal proceedings were initiated affecting, among other individuals and corporate entities, Telefónica, S.A. and certain of its directors.  These proceedings were subsequently added to single preliminary proceedings before Federal Examining Court no. 1.  After a lengthy process, on December 12, 2007, such court ruled that the case be dismissed and that actions against all the Telefónica, S.A. directors initially charged be dropped, acquitting them of any responsibility.  The criminal proceeding for the offence of criminal insolvency and crimes against the Spanish Treasury continued only for directors and executives of Sintel, S.A. in office after the sale of the company by Telefónica, S.A. This ruling was appealed.
 
In its judgment of January 16, 2009, Section 4 of the Criminal Court of the Spanish National Court of Justice rejected all the appeals filed against the initial partial dismissal of the cause.  Accordingly, the directors involved, as well as Telefónica, S.A., and Telefónica de España, S.A.U. were cleared of responsibility.
 
Contentious proceedings in connection with the takeover bid for Terra Networks, S.A. and its subsequent merger with Telefónica, S.A.:
 
Proceedings derived from the takeover bid
 
On May 29, 2003, certain Terra Networks, S.A. shareholders filed two class actions with the Supreme Court of New York State against Telefónica, Terra Networks, S.A. and certain directors of Terra Networks, S.A.
 
These actions alleged mainly that the Telefónica, S.A. offer was below the intrinsic value of Terra Networks, S.A. shares. Since the actions were brought, both have remained inactive.
 
The World Association of Shareholders of Terra Networks, S.A. (ACCTER) filed an appeal for judicial review at the National Appellate Court against the ruling of June 19, 2003 by the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) authorizing the takeover offer by Telefónica, S.A. for Terra Networks, S.A. Telefónica
 
 
 
136
 
appears as an intervening non-party in the procedure.  The appeal was rejected by the National Appellate Court by a ruling issued on January 24, 2006, against which ACCTER filed an administrative appeal.  This appeal was rejected by a ruling issued on November 25, 2008 by the Third Section of the Supreme Court of Administrative Appeals, with the appellants charged for the court costs.
 
Proceedings derived from the merger
 
On June 30, 2005, ACCTER and its president, on his own account, filed a complaint contesting the merger resolution adopted at the shareholders’ meeting of Terra Networks, S.A. held on June 2, 2005.  The Spanish Court of First Instance rejected the claim by a ruling on July 14, 2006.  ACCTER and its president appealed this new ruling, which appeal was again rejected by the Barcelona Regional Court in a ruling issued April 7, 2008.
 
On September 26, 2006, Telefónica was notified of the claim filed by former shareholders of Terra Networks, S.A. (Campoaguas, S.L., Panabeni, S.L. and others) alleging breach of contract in respect of the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus of the initial public offering of shares of Terra Networks, S.A. dated October 29, 1999.  The case was heard on November 27, 2008, with a judgment to follow in due course.
 
Claim before the Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) against the Argentine government.
 
As a result of the enactment by the Argentine government of Public Emergency and Exchange Rules Reform Law 25,561, of January 6, 2002, Telefónica considered that the terms and conditions of the share transfer agreement approved by Decree 2332/90 and the pricing agreement ratified by Decree 2585/91, both of which were executed by Telefónica with the Argentine government, had been affected appreciably, since the law rendered ineffective any dollar or other foreign currency adjustment clauses, or indexation clauses based on price indexes of other countries, or any other indexation mechanism in contracts with the public authorities.  The law also required that prices and rates derived from such clauses be denominated in pesos at an exchange rate of one peso to one U.S. dollar.
 
Accordingly, since negotiations with the Argentine Government were unsuccessful, on May 14, 2003, Telefónica filed a request for arbitration with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) pursuant to the Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between the Argentine Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.  On December 6, 2004, Telefónica filed the “Memorial” or claim with the ICSID. The ICSID Court is currently considering a plea filed by the Argentine government alleging that the matter is outside its jurisdiction.
 
On February 15, 2006, Telefónica Argentina signed a memorandum of understanding with the Argentine government as a prerequisite to reaching an agreement to renegotiate the transfer contract pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 of Law 25,561.  This memorandum of understanding could put an end to the litigation.
 
Among other issues, the memorandum of understanding envisaged the suspension by Telefónica de Argentina and Telefónica, for a period of 210 working days, of all claims, appeals and demands planned or underway, with the administrative, arbitrational or legal courts of Argentina or abroad, which were based on events or measures taken as a result of emergency situation established by Law No. 25,561 with regard to the Transfer Agreement and the license granted to Telefónica Argentina.  This suspension became effective on October 6, 2006 and has been extended on several occasions for periods of six months, the last of which was authorized by the ICSID on October 6, 2008.
 
On April 6, 2009, the parties notified the ICSID that they are in advanced negotiations in order to reach an out-of-court settlement.
 
Appeal for judicial review of the Spanish Competition Court (TDC) ruling of April 1, 2004.
 
On April 1, 2004, the TDC ruled that Telefónica de España had engaged in unfair trade practices prohibited under Article 6 of Antitrust Law 16/1989, dated July 17, and Article 82 of the EC Treaty, consisting in the abuse of a dominant market position, by conditioning the provision of certain services to the non-existence of predialing arrangements with rival operators and running disloyal advertising campaigns.  It imposed a fine of €57 million.
 
 
 
137
 
Telefónica de España filed an appeal for judicial review of this decision.  On January 31, 2007, the National Appellate Court ruled in favor of the appeal, thereby overturning the TDC’s ruling.  The State attorney filed an appeal to overturn the Supreme Court ruling, which Telefónica has contested.  The appeal is currently awaiting judgment.
 
Cancellation of the UMTS license granted to Quam GMBH in Germany.
 
In December 2004, the Germany Telecommunications Market Regulator revoked the UMTS license granted in 2000 to Quam GmbH, in which Telefónica has a stake.  After obtaining a suspension of the revocation order, on January 16, 2006, Quam GmbH filed a suit against the order with the German courts.  This claim sought to overturn the revocation order and, if this failed, to be reimbursed for the total or partial payment of the original amount paid for the license.
 
This claim was rejected by the Cologne Administrative Court. Quam GmbH has appealed the decision before the Supreme Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia and such appeal remains outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report.
 
Appeal against the European Commission ruling of July 4, 2007 against Telefónica de España’s broadband pricing policy.
 
On February 22, 2006, we were sent a statement of objections, initiating disciplinary proceedings for conduct that goes against Article 82 of EC Treaty rules.  Subsequently, on July 9, 2007, the European Commission issued a decision, imposing a fine of €152 million on us and Telefónica de España S.A.U.  The ruling charged us with applying a margin squeeze between the prices we charged competitors to provide regional and national wholesale broadband services and our retail broadband prices using ADSL technology from September 2001 to December 2006.  We and Telefónica de España, S.A.U. both filed appeals to overturn the decision before the Court of First Instance of the European Community.  The Kingdom of Spain also lodged an appeal to overturn the decision. Meanwhile, France Telecom and the Spanish Association of Bank Users (AUSBANC) filed requests to intervene, to which we have submitted our comments.
 
Appeal against the decision by Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) regarding the inclusion of interconnection and network usage revenues in the Fundo de Universalização de Serviços de Telecomunicações (FUST).
 
The Brasilcel (Vivo) group operators appealed ANATEL’s decision modifying the basis for calculating amounts payable into the Fund for Universal Access to Telecommunications Services, or FUST, a fund to pay for telecommunications services providers’ obligations to provide universal service (fixed line and mobile). The FUST’s income consists of 1% of the operators’ gross operating revenues.
 
According to ANATEL criteria, revenues obtained from transfers received by other operators (interconnection and network usage) should be included in FUST’s taxable income, with no deduction of interconnection expenses from the tax base.
 
The operators of Brasilcel, together with other mobile operators, requested a stay of execution in order to be able to continue calculating the FUST calculation basis exclusive of said revenues.  Their petition was rejected on January 24, 2006.  However, on March 13, 2006, the plaintiffs were granted an injunction allowing that revenues from transfers received by other operators be excluded from the base for calculating the FUST’s taxable income.
 
In addition, at the same time Telecomunicações de São Paulo, S.A.—Telesp and Telefónica Empresas S.A., together with other fixed line operators through ABRAFIX (Associação Brasileira de Concessionárias de Serviço Telefonico Fixo Comutado), requested an injunction that would allow them to continue including these revenues and deducting expenses from FUST’s taxable income.  The request was rejected on January 9, 2006. On April 17, 2006 an injunction was granted, allowing ANATEL’s decision to modify the revenues included in taxable income for the FUST’s calculation to not have any retroactive effect.
 
ANATEL filed an appeal to overturn this ruling on April 29, 2008 before Brasilia Federal Regional Court no. 1 and such appeal remains outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report.
 
 
 
138
 
Proceeding before the Prague District Court against the ruling of the Czech Telecommunications Office dated December 22, 2003.
 
On December 22, 2003, the Czech Telecommunications Office issued a ruling that required Cesky Telecom (now Telefónica O2 Czech Republic) to pay T-Mobile Czech Republic, a.s. 898 million Czech crowns (equivalent to approximately €26 million) in interconnection fees (call termination) for the period from January to November 2001.
 
At the petition of Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, the court granted a stay of execution on the Czech Telecommunications Office’s ruling during the judicial procedure.
 
On October 27, 2006, the District Court of Prague issued a ruling rejecting Telefónica O2 Czech Republic’s action, considering that the decision corresponded to an administrative proceeding.  This ruling was appealed and upheld by the Appellate Court, bringing the civil proceeding to an end.
 
As a result, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic filed a new suit before the administrative courts requesting that the execution of the Czech Telecommunications Office’s ruling be suspended.  The procedure arising from this suit is still pending as of the date of this Annual Report.
 
Although this administrative procedure had yet to be resolved, in 2007 T-Mobile Czech Republic asked Prague District Court 3 to execute the ruling of December 23, 2003 entailing an amount of 1,859 million Czech crowns (equivalent to approximately €57 million) (in principal and interest).  The court accepted the petition and on May 23, 2007 issued a ruling to initiate the execution against any asset of Telefónica O2 Czech Republic.  Recently, Telefónica O2 Czech Republic requested that the execution ordered by Prague District Court 3 be limited to certain assets or be ruled inadmissible.  No definitive ruling has yet been made.
 
In order to avoid the effects of the execution order, and in addition, unlock the freezing order existing on the Telefónica O2 Cezch republic assets (in amounts much higher than the ones claimed), Telefónica O2 Czech Republic paid to T-Mobile  Czech Republic the disputed amount.  However, the litigation will continue with the aim of Telefónica O2 Czech Republic recovering the amount paid, by filing the appropriate action on the belief that there are reasonable grounds for such recovery.
 
Tax proceedings.
 
For information on legal proceedings related to tax matters, see Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Dividend information and shareholders’ return
 
Dividend background
 
At the annual general shareholders’ meeting held on April 30, 2004, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend of €0.20 per share and a distribution of a share premium of €0.20 per share payable in cash.  The first payment of €0.20 per share payable from 2003 net income was made on May 14, 2004, and the second payment of €0.20 per share from additional paid-in capital reserve was made on November 12, 2004.
 
On February 23, 2005, our Board of Directors approved an interim dividend of €0.23 per share payable in cash from 2004 net income.  The dividend was paid on May 13, 2005.
 
At our annual general shareholders’ meeting held on May 31, 2005, our shareholders approved the distribution of a share premium of €0.27 per share payable in cash, which was made on November 11, 2005, and the distribution of our treasury stock among our shareholders in the proportion of one share for every 25 shares held, charged against paid-in capital reserve.  This distribution was executed on June 2005.
 
On February 28, 2006, our Board of Directors resolved to distribute an interim dividend of €0.25 per share payable in cash from 2005 net income.  The dividend was executed on May 12, 2006. On September 27, 2006, our Board of Directors resolved to distribute an interim dividend of €0.30 per share payable in cash from 2006 net income.  The payment of this dividend was executed on November 10, 2006.
 
 
 
139
 
At the annual general shareholders’ meeting held on May 10, 2007, our shareholders approved the payment of a final cash dividend of €0.30 per share payable from 2006 net income.  The dividend was paid on May 17, 2007.
 
On September 26, 2007, Telefónica’s Board of Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend from 2007 net income, of a fixed gross amount of €0.35 per share.  The distribution was executed on November 14, 2007.
 
Our annual general shareholders’ meeting, held on April 22, 2008, approved the payment of a final dividend of €0.40 per share from 2007 net income.  The dividend was paid on May 13, 2008.
 
On September 24, 2008, our Board of Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend from 2008 net income, of a fixed gross amount of €0.50 per share.  The dividend was paid on November 12, 2008.
 
On January 28, 2009, our Board of Directors approved a proposal to increase the dividend corresponding to the 2009 fiscal year to a total amount of €1.15 per share, to be payable in two tranches.
 
In accordance with the above, at its meeting of February 25, 2009, the Board of Directors agreed to propose to the 2009 annual shareholders’ meeting the payment of a dividend with a charge to reserves of a gross amount of €0.50 per share carrying dividend rights.
 
On April 29, 2009, our Board of Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend from 2009 net income, of a fixed gross amount of €0.50 for each outstanding share with the right to receive dividends, to be paid on May 12, 2009. With this dividend and the last one paid in November 2008, we have achieved our commitment to distribute a dividend of €1.00 per share prior to the end of the first half of 2009.
 
The table below sets forth the annual cash dividends per share paid by us from net income for each of the periods listed.
 
 
Year ended December 31,
  
Cash dividends per share
  
   
(euro)
  
2008
     0.50  
2007
     0.75  
2006
     0.60  
2005
     0.25  
2004
     0.23  

Treasury shares and share buyback program
 
We held the following Telefónica, S.A. shares as treasury shares at the dates indicated:
 
   
Number of shares
    
Acquisition price
(euro per share)
    
Trading
price (1)
(euro per share)
    
Market value(2)
(in millions of euros)
    
Percentage of
our capital stock (3)
  
Treasury shares at December 31, 2008
     125,561,011       16.68       15.85       1,990       2.66867 %
Treasury shares at December 31, 2007
     64,471,368       16.67       22.22       1,433       1.35061 %
Treasury shares at December 31, 2006
     75,632,559       14.04       16.12       1,219       1.53689 %
 
(1)
Closing price of our shares on the Automated Quotation System of the Spanish stock exchange at the indicated dates.
 
(2)
Market value is calculated as trading price times number of shares held on treasury at the indicated dates.
 
(3)
Calculated using capital stock at each date.
 
Telefónica S.A. is the only Group company which owns any Telefónica, S.A. shares.
 
 
 
 
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The following transactions involving treasury shares were carried out in 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Number of shares
  
Treasury shares at December 31, 2008
     125,561,011  
Acquisitions
     129,658,402  
Disposals
     (68,759 )
Share cancellation
     (68,500,000 )
Treasury shares at December 31, 2007
     64,471,368  
Acquisitions
     149,099,044  
Disposals
     (12,621,573 )
Lycos and Endemol employee share option plans
     (4,750 )
Exchange of Telefónica. S.A. shares for Telefónica Móviles. S.A. shares
     (147,633,912 )
Treasury shares at December 31, 2006
     75,632,559  

The amount paid to acquire Telefónica, S.A. shares in 2008 was €2,225 million (€2,324 million in 2007). Meanwhile, €1 million of treasury shares were sold in 2008 (€210 million in 2007).
 
At December 31, 2008, we held put options on 6 million Telefónica, S.A. shares. At December 31, 2007, we did not hold any call or put options on Telefónica, S.A. shares.
 
Consistent with Telefónica’s commitment to shareholder remuneration, in 2003 we announced our commitment to dedicate a minimum of €4 billion to the acquisition of Telefónica, S.A. shares over the period from 2003 to 2006.  In April 2005 we announced our decision to execute a renewed and extended €6 billion share buyback program until 2007.
 
On February 27, 2008, and within our shareholder remuneration policy, our Board of Directors announced the launching of a new 2008 share buyback program for a total amount of 100 million Telefónica, S.A. shares.  On October 13, 2008, we announced an increase in the program size by 50%, implying the acquisition of 50 million shares in addition to the 100 million shares already bought since the beginning of the year.  As of March 31, 2009, we completed the second tranche of the program.  Therefore the share buyback program for a total amount of 150 million shares was concluded.
 
The execution schedule of both programs was dependent on the pace of cash flow generation, the share price, and other market conditions, and subject to any applicable limitations established by law, regulations or our bylaws.
 
In accordance with our commitment to cancel the shares purchased as part of the share buyback programs, our annual general shareholders’ meeting held on May 10, 2007, approved the reduction of our share capital by €147,633,912, by canceling 147,633,912 shares of treasury stock.  This capital reduction was completed in June 2007.
 
Further, our annual general shareholders’ meeting held on April 22, 2008 approved the reduction of our share capital by the amount of €68,500,000 by means of the cancellation of 68,500,000 shares of our treasury stock. This capital reduction was completed in July 2008.  This capital reduction required us to amend Article 5 of our bylaws, relating to share capital, which as of the date of this Annual Report stands at €4,704,996,485, made up of an equal number of ordinary shares, all of a single series and with a nominal value of €1 per share, totally paid in.
 
Item 9.    The Offering and Listing
 
A.    Offer and Listing Details
 
General
 
Our ordinary shares, nominal value €1.00 each, are currently listed on each of the Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges and are quoted through the Automated Quotation System under the symbol “TEF”.  They are also listed on various foreign exchanges such as the London, Buenos Aires and Tokyo stock exchanges. Our BDSs are listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange.  Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Lima Stock Exchange.
 
 
 
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In the first quarter of 2008 we delisted our shares from the Paris and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
 
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low quoted closing prices, as adjusted for all stock splits, for our shares on the Madrid Stock Exchange, which is the principal Spanish market for our shares, and our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange:
 
   
Per Share
(in euros)
    
Per ADS
(in dollars)
  
   
High
    
Low
    
High
    
Low
  
Year ended December 31, 2004
     13.96       11.20       56.70       40.59  
Year ended December 31, 2005
     14.56       12.32       56.63       43.41  
Year ended December 31, 2006
     16.40       11.92       64.91       44.34  
Year ended December 31, 2007
     23.26       15.20       103.11       60.44  
Year ended December 31, 2008
     22.78       12.73       101.92       47.65  
Quarter ended March 31, 2007
     17.22       15.20       68.05       60.44  
Quarter ended June 30, 2007
     17.07       16.16       69.32       64.24  
Quarter ended September 30, 2007
     19.63       16.44       83.81       67.27  
Quarter ended December, 31, 2007
     23.26       18.89       103.11       80.20  
Quarter ended March 31, 2008
     22.78       17.89       101.92       82.18  
Quarter ended June 30, 2008
     19.54       16.76       91.87       78.79  
Quarter ended September 30, 2008
     17.95       15.99       83.26       72.02  
Quarter ended December 31, 2008
     17.35       12.73       72.74       47.65  
Month ended October 31, 2008
     17.35       12.73       72.74       47.65  
Month ended November 30, 2008
     15.88       14.37       61.65       52.56  
Month ended December 31, 2008
     16.35       15.46       70.87       57.54  
Month ended January 31, 2009
     16.42       13.93       68.09       54.20  
Month ended February 28, 2009
     14.80       13.69       57.48       51.73  
Month ended March 31, 2009
     15.27       13.96       62.55       56.06  
Month ended April 30, 2009 (through April 24, 2009)
  
15.54
    
14.88
    
61.88
    
57.69
  
 
Source: Madrid Stock Exchange Information and Bloomberg.
 
On April 24, 2009, the closing price of our shares on the Automated Quotation System of the Spanish stock exchanges was €14.95 per share, equal to $19.40 at the Noon Buying Rate for cable transfers in euro as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on that date.
 
Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TEF”. Citibank, N.A. is the depositary issuing ADSs  in form of certificated ADSs (American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs) or uncertificated ADSs pursuant to the Deposit Agreement dated as of November 13, 1996, as amended as of December 3, 1999 and as further amended as of June 23, 2000 and as of March 9, 2007 among Telefónica, the Depositary and the holders from time to time of ADSs. Each ADS represents the right to receive three shares.
 
At December 31, 2008, approximately 204,537,084 of our shares were held in the form of ADSs by 926 holders of record, including Cede & Co., the nominee of The Depository Trust Company. The number of ADSs outstanding was 68,179,028 at December 31, 2008.
 
Spanish Securities Market Legislation
 
The Spanish Securities Markets Act (Ley del Mercado de Valores, or the LMV), enacted in 1988 and further amended, regulates the primary and secondary securities markets in Spain by establishing principles for their organization and operation, rules governing the activities of persons and institutions operating in these markets and a system for their supervision. This legislation and the regulation implementing it (mainly, as far as private issuers are concerned, Royal Decree 1310/2005, of November 4, in relation to the issuance of securities and its admission to listing in official secondary markets, and Royal Decree 1362/2007, of October 19, concerning the transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market):
 
·
establishes an independent regulatory authority, the CNMV, to supervise the securities markets;
 
·
establishes the rules for surveillance, supervision and sanction provided for the representation of transferable securities by book entries or by certificate;
 
 
 
142
 
·
establishes a framework for the issuance of securities;
 
·
establishes a framework for trading activities;
 
·
establishes the disclosure obligations of issuers, particularly the obligation to file annual audited financial statements and to make public quarterly financial information;
 
·
establishes the framework for tender offers;
 
·
establishes the code of conduct for all market participants; and
 
·
regulates market abuse infringements.
 
On March 11, 2005 Royal Decree Law 5/2005 was approved, modifying the LMV in order to implement the Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading. The Directive: (i) harmonizes the requirements for the process of approval of the prospectuses in order to grant to the issuer a single passport for such document, valid throughout the European Union; (ii) incorporates the application of the country of origin principle by which the prospectus will be approved by the Member States of the European Union where the issuer has its registered office but it also introduces as a new matter the possibility that in certain circumstances, such as issues with high minimum denominations (€1,000 or more), the issuer may designate the relevant European Union competent authority for prospectus approval.
 
Subsequently, Royal Decree 1310/2005 partially developed the LMV in relation to the admission to trading of securities in the official secondary markets, the sales or subscription public offers and the prospectus required to those effects.
 
Royal Decree 1333/2005 developed the LMV in relation to market abuse, implementing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, relating insider dealing and market manipulation practices (“market abuse”).
 
On April 12, 2007 Law 6/2007 was approved, modifying the LMV in order to implement the Directive 2004/25/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to public tender offers and the Directive 2004/109/EC relating to the transparency of issuers. Law 6/2007 intends: (i) to encourage an efficient market for corporate control, while protecting the rights of minority shareholders of listed companies and (ii) to enforce transparency in financial markets.
 
In relation to public tender offers, Law 6/2007 (i) establishes the cases in which a company must launch a takeover bid over the whole share capital of the relevant company; (ii) establishes that takeover bids shall be launched once a specific stake on the share capital of the company has been reached; (iii) adds new obligations for the board of directors of the target companies of the takeover bid in terms of defensive measures against the takeover bid; (iii) regulates the squeeze-out and sell-out procedure when a 90% of the share capital is held following a takeover bid. Royal Decree 1066/2007 completes the regulation currently in place for takeover bids in Spain.
 
Regarding transparency of issuers whose shares are accepted to trading on an official market, Law 6/2007 (i) modifies the reporting requirements of the periodic financial information of listed companies and issuers of listed securities; (ii) establishes a new disclosure regime for significant shareholders; (iii) adds new information and disclosure requirements for issuers of listed securities; (iv) establishes a civil liability procedure of the issuer and board of directors in connection with the financial information disclosed by issuers of securities; and (v) confers new supervisory powers upon the CNMV with respect to the review of accounting information.
 
On December 19, 2007 Law 47/2007 was approved, modifying the LMV in order to implement the Directive 2004/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, on Markets in Financial Instruments (MiFID); the Directive 2006/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on organizational requirements and operating conditions regarding the Market in Financial Instruments Directive, and the Directive 2006/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions. Its principal aim is to establish a general legal framework for financial markets in the European Union, in particular with regard to
 
 
143
 
 
financial services, as well as to ensure appropriate transparency for investors through a regular flow of the relevant information concerning security issuers. Amongst other things, the new regime (i) establishes new multilateral trading facilities for listing shares apart from the stock markets; (ii) reinforces the measures for the protection of investors; (iii) establishes new organizational requirements for investment firms; (iv) implements new supervisory powers for CNMV, establishing cooperation mechanisms amongst national supervisory authorities.
 
Securities Trading in Spain
 
The Spanish securities market for equity securities consists of four stock exchanges located in Madrid, Bilbao, Barcelona and Valencia and the Automated Quotation System, or Mercado Continuo. During 2008, the Automated Quotation System accounted for the majority of the total trading volume of equity securities on the Spanish stock exchanges.
 
Automated Quotation System
 
The Automated Quotation System links the four Spanish stock exchanges, providing those securities listed on it with a uniform continuous market that eliminates certain of the differences among the local exchanges. The principal features of the system are the computerized matching of buy and sell orders at the time of entry of the order. Each order is executed as soon as a matching order is entered, but can be modified or canceled until executed. The activity of the market can be continuously monitored by investors and brokers. The Automated Quotation System is operated and regulated by Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A., a corporation owned by the companies that manage the stock exchanges. All trades on the Automated Quotation System must be placed through a brokerage firm, an official stock broker or a dealer firm that is a member of a Spanish stock exchange. Beginning January 1, 2000, Spanish banks were allowed to become members of Spanish stock exchange and, therefore, can trade through the Automated Quotation System.
 
In a pre-opening session held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each trading day, an opening price is established for each security traded on the Automated Quotation System based on a real-time auction. The regime concerning opening prices was changed by an internal rule issued by the Sociedad de Bolsas. The new regime sets forth that all references to maximum changes in share prices will be substituted by static and dynamic price ranges for each listed share, calculated on the basis of the most recent historical volatility of each share, and made publicly available and updated on a regular basis by the Sociedad de Bolsas. The computerized trading hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., during which time the trading price of a security is permitted to vary by up to the stated levels. If, during the open session, the quoted price of a share exceeds these static or dynamic price ranges, Volatility Auctions are triggered, resulting in new static or dynamic price ranges being set for the share object of the same. Between 5:30 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. a closing price is established for each security through an auction system similar to the one held for the pre-opening early in the morning.
 
Trading hours for block trades are also from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., certain trades may occur outside the computerized matching system without prior authorization from Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A. at a price within the range of 5% above the higher of the average price and closing price for the day and 5% below the lower of the average price and closing price for the day if there are no outstanding bids or offers, respectively, on the system matching or bettering the terms of the proposed off-system transaction and, if, among other things, the trade involves more than €300,000 and more than 20% of the average daily trading volume of the stock during the preceding three months. These trades must also relate to individual orders from the same person or entity and be reported to the Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A. before 8:00 p.m. At any time trades may take place (with the prior authorization of the Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A.) at any price if:
 
·
the trade involves more than €1.5 million and more than 40% of the average daily volume of the stock during the preceding three months;
 
·
the transaction derives from a merger or spin-off process, or from the reorganization of a group of companies;
 
·
the transaction is executed for the purposes of settling a litigation or completing a complex group of contracts; or
 
 
 
144
 
·
Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A. finds other justifiable cause.
 
Information with respect to the computerized trades between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. is made public immediately, and information with respect to trades outside the computerized matching system is reported to Sociedad de Bolsas, S.A. by the end of the trading day and published in the Boletín de Cotización and in the computer system by the beginning of the next trading day.
 
Please note that the regime set forth above may be subject to change, as article 36 of the LMV, which defines trades in Spanish Exchanges, has been recently revised, in virtue of Law 47/2007. Thus, the Spanish stock exchanges are currently reviewing their trading rules in light of this new regulation.
 
Clearance and settlement system
 
The Sociedad de Gestión de los Sistemas de Registro, Compensación y Liquidación de Valores S.A.U., formerly Iberclear, was created by the Ley 44/2002 de Medidas de Reforma del Sistema Financiero, enacted on November 22, 2002 to increase the efficiency of the Spanish financial markets. Such law introduced a new article, 44-bis to the LMV which established the framework for the constitution of Sociedad de Gestión de los Sistemas de Registro, Compensación y Liquidación de Valores S.A.U.
 
Iberclear is regulated by the Spanish Securities Act and where appropriate by Royal Decree 505/1987 of April 3, 1987, Royal Decree 166/1992 of February 14, 1992, and by any other related regulation. This company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bolsas y Mercados Españoles, Sociedad Holding de Mercados y Sistemas Financieros, S.A. (Bolsas y Mercados Españoles), has the following functions:
 
 
·
bookkeeping of securities represented by means of book entries admitted to trading in the stock markets or in the public debt book entry market;
 
 
·
managing the clearance and settlement system for the brokerage transactions in the stock markets and at the public debt book entry market; and
 
 
·
providing technical and operational services directly linked to the registry, clearance and settlement of securities, or any other service required by Iberclear to be integrated with any other registry, clearance, and settlement systems.
 
Iberclear will provide the CNMV, the Bank of Spain and the Ministry of Economy with the information that these entities may request regarding the registry clearance and settlement performed within the systems managed by Iberclear.
 
Transactions carried out on the Spanish stock exchanges are cleared and settled through Iberclear.
 
Only members of the system are entitled to use Iberclear, and membership is restricted to authorized broker members of the Spanish stock exchanges, the Bank of Spain (when an agreement, approved by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance, is reached with Iberclear) and, with the approval of the CNMV, other brokers not members of the Spanish stock exchanges, banks, savings banks and foreign settlement and clearing systems. The clearance and settlement system and its members are responsible for maintaining records of purchases and sales under the book-entry system. Shares of listed Spanish companies are held in book-entry form. Iberclear, which manages the clearance and settlement system, maintains a registry reflecting the number of shares held by each of its member entities (each, an entidad participante) as well as the amount of such shares held on behalf of beneficial owners. Each member entity, in turn, maintains a registry of the owners of such shares. Spanish law considers the legal owner of the shares to be the member entity appearing in the records of Iberclear as holding the relevant shares in its own name or the investor appearing in the records of the member entity as holding the shares.
 
The settlement of any transactions must be made three business days following the date on which the transaction was carried out.
 
Obtaining legal title to shares of a company listed on a Spanish stock exchange requires the participation of a Spanish official stockbroker, broker-dealer or other entity authorized under Spanish law to record the transfer of
 
 
 
145
 
shares. To evidence title to shares, at the owner’s request, the relevant member entity must issue a certificate of ownership. In the event the owner is a member entity, Iberclear is in charge of the issuance of the certificate with respect to the shares held in the member entity’s name.
 
Brokerage commissions are not regulated. Brokers’ fees, to the extent charged, will apply upon transfer of title of shares from the Depositary to a holder of ADRs in exchange for such ADSs, and upon any later sale of such shares by such holder. Transfers of ADSs do not require the participation of an official stockbroker. The Deposit Agreement provides that holders depositing shares with the Depositary in exchange for ADSs or withdrawing shares in exchange for ADSs will pay the fees of the official stockbroker or other person or entity authorized under Spanish law applicable both to such holder and to the Depositary.
 
B.    Plan of Distribution
 
Not applicable.
 
C.    Markets
 
Please see “—Offer and Listing Details” above.
 
D.    Selling Shareholders
 
Not applicable.
 
E.    Dilution
 
Not applicable.
 
F.    Expenses of the Issue
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 10.    Additional Information
 
A.    Share Capital
 
Not applicable.
 
B.    Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
Our bylaws (estatutos) have been amended as our share capital was reduced in July 2008. According to this amendment, article 5 was amended to reflect this change as follows:
 
1.      The share capital is 4,704,996,485 euros, represented by 4,704,996,485 ordinary shares in a single series and with a nominal value of one euro each, which have been fully paid up.
 
2.      The shareholders acting at the general shareholders’ meeting may, subject to the requirements and within the limits established by law for such purpose, delegate to the Board of Directors the power to increase the share capital.
 
The following summary describes certain material considerations concerning our capital stock and briefly describes certain provisions of our bylaws and Spanish law.
 
Corporate Objectives
 
Article 4 of Title I of our bylaws sets forth our corporate purposes:
 
 
·
The provision and operation of all kinds of public or private telecommunications services and, for such purpose, the design, installation, maintenance, repair, improvement, acquisition, disposition,
 
 
 
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    interconnection, management, administration of, and any other activity not included in the preceding enumeration with respect to, all kinds of telecommunications networks, lines, satellites, equipment, systems and technical infrastructure whether now existing or to be created in the future, including the premises in which any and all of the foregoing items are located;
 
 
·
the provision and operation of all kinds of services that are ancillary or supplemental to or result from telecommunications services;
 
 
·
the research and development, promotion and application of all kinds of component principles, equipment and systems directly or indirectly used for telecommunications;
 
 
·
manufacturing and production activities and, in general, all other forms of industrial activity in connection with telecommunications; and
 
 
·
acquisition, disposition and, in general, all other forms of commercial activity in connection with telecommunications.
 
Director Qualification
 
In order to be elected as a director, a person must have held a number of our shares representing a nominal value of no less than €3,000 for at least three years prior to his or her election.  These shares may not be transferred so long as such person remains a director.  This requirement does not apply to any person who, at the time of his or her appointment, has either a labor or professional relationship with the company or is expressly exempted from such requirement by a vote of at least 85% of the Board of Directors.
 
Interested Transactions
 
When a director or persons related to him or her has an interest in a transaction with us or with any of the companies of our Group, such transaction (if unrelated to the ordinary course of our business or if not performed on an arm’s length basis) must be presented to the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. Such committee shall assess the transaction from the point of view of equal treatment of shareholders and the arm’s length basis of the transaction.  The performance of such transactions require the authorization of our Board of Directors, after the favorable report of the committee.  The interested director must refrain from participating in votes that affect such transaction.
 
Significant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices
 
Corporate governance guidelines
 
In Spain, companies with securities listed on a Spanish stock exchange are expected to follow the Conthe Code published in May 2006, which contains corporate governance and shareholder disclosure recommendations.  It combines and substitutes the former Spanish Corporate Governance Codes: the Olivencia Code of Good Governance and the Aldama Report. Spanish listed companies are required by law to publish an Annual Report on Corporate Governance and also to publish corporate governance information on their websites.  We base our corporate governance procedures on the recommendations of the Conthe Code.  As part of our corporate governance procedures, we have adopted regulations for our Board of Directors that govern, among other things, director qualification standards, responsibilities, compensation, access to management information, the Board of Directors’ purpose and each of our Board committee’s purpose and responsibilities.  Moreover, we have a Regulation of the General Shareholders’ Meeting that aims to reinforce its transparency, providing shareholders with a framework guaranteeing and facilitating exercise of their rights.  The Annual Report on Corporate Governance published by us provides a detailed explanation of our corporate governance procedures and explains the role and duties of our Board of Directors and Board Committees.  For a more detailed description regarding our corporate governance practices see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance”.
 
 
 
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Description of Our Capital Stock
 
Description of share capital
 
At March 17, 2009, our issued share capital consisted of 4,704,996,485 ordinary registered shares with a nominal value of €1.00 each.  Pursuant to the resolution adopted by our shareholders at their annual general meeting, in April 2008, the Board of Directors was authorized to execute a capital reduction by the amount of €68,500,000, by means of the cancellation of 68,500,000 Telefónica S.A. shares held as treasury shares.  The Board of Directors on July 18, 2008 resolved to execute the capital reduction by the cancellation of Telefónica S.A. shares held as treasury shares thereby reducing our share capital by €68,500,000 to €4,704,996,485, made up of an equal number of ordinary shares.
 
Our shareholders have delegated to the Board of Directors the authority to issue up to 2,460,565,198 new shares.  The Board of Directors is authorized to exclude preemptive rights, in whole or in part, pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Spanish Corporation Law.  The Board’s authorization to issue new shares expires on June 21, 2011.
 
Meetings and voting rights
 
We hold our ordinary general shareholders’ meeting during the first six months of each fiscal year on a date fixed by the Board of Directors.  Extraordinary general shareholders’ meetings may be called, from time to time, at the discretion of our Board of Directors or upon the request of shareholders representing 5% of our paid-in share capital.  We publish notices of all ordinary and extraordinary general shareholders’ meetings in the Official Gazette of the Commercial Registry and in at least one newspaper in Madrid at least one month before the relevant meeting.
 
Each share of Telefónica, S.A. entitles the holder to one vote.  However, only registered holders of shares representing a nominal value of at least €300 (which currently equals at least 300 shares) are entitled to attend a general shareholders’ meeting.  Holders of shares representing a nominal value of less than €300 (less than 300 shares), may aggregate their shares by proxy and select a representative that is a shareholder to attend a general shareholders’ meeting or delegate his or her voting rights by proxy to a shareholder who has the right to attend the shareholders’ meeting.  However, under our bylaws, no shareholder may vote a number of shares exceeding 10% of our total outstanding voting capital.
 
Any share may be voted by proxy.  Proxies must be in writing and are valid only for a single meeting.
 
Only holders of record five days prior to the day on which a general meeting of shareholders is scheduled to be held may attend and vote at the meeting.  Under the deposit agreement for our ADSs, our depositary accepts voting instructions from holders of ADSs.  The depositary executes such instructions to the extent permitted by law and by the terms governing the shares.  The depositary or its nominee, whichever is applicable, will be entitled to vote by proxy the shares represented by the ADSs.
 
Shareholders representing, in person or by proxy, at least 25% of our subscribed voting capital constitute a quorum for a general meeting of shareholders. If a quorum is not present at the first call, then the meeting can be held on second call.  Regardless of the number of shareholders present at the meeting on second call, they are deemed to constitute a quorum.
 
Shareholders representing, in person or by proxy, at least 50% of our subscribed voting capital constitute a quorum on a first call for shareholders’ meetings at which shareholders will be voting on any of the following actions:
 
 
·
issuance of bonds;
 
 
·
increase or reduction of share capital;
 
 
·
amendment of corporate purpose;
 
 
·
any other amendment of our bylaws; or
 
 
 
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·
merger, split or spin-off of Telefónica.
 
When a quorum is present on the first call, these special resolutions must be adopted by the affirmative vote of shareholders representing a majority of our present subscribed voting capital.
 
If a quorum for the meeting is not present after the first call, upon a second call for the meeting, 25% of our subscribed voting capital will constitute a quorum.  When shareholders representing less than 50% of the subscribed voting capital are in attendance, these special resolutions must be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of those shareholders present.
 
Dividends
 
Shareholders vote on final dividend distributions at the shareholders’ meeting. Distributable profits are equal to:
 
 
·
net profits for the year; plus
 
 
·
profits carried forward from previous years; plus
 
 
·
distributable reserves; minus
 
 
·
losses carried forward from previous years; minus
 
 
·
amounts allocated to reserves as required by law or by our bylaws.
 
The amount of distributable profits is based on our unconsolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Spanish GAAP, which differ from the Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
The Board of Directors can approve interim dividend payments without a prior shareholder vote on the issue.  However, under those circumstances, the dividend is limited to distributable net profits of the current year and is subject to certain legal requirements.
 
Unclaimed dividends revert to us five years from their date of payment.
 
Registration and transfers
 
Our shares are in registered book-entry form. Transfers executed through stock exchange systems are implemented pursuant to the stock exchange clearing and settlement procedures carried out by the Spanish clearing institution.  Transfers executed outside of stock exchange systems, that is, over the counter, are implemented pursuant to the general legal regime for book-entry transfer, including registration by the Spanish clearing institution.
 
There are no restrictions with respect to the transfer of our shares.
 
Liquidation rights
 
Under Spanish law, upon our liquidation, the shareholders would be entitled to receive, on a pro rata basis, any assets remaining after the payment of our debts and taxes and liquidation expenses.
 
C.    Material Contracts
 
Material Contracts Related to Our Investment in Telecom Italia
 
On April 28, 2007, we, together with a group of Italian investors (the “Italian Investors”), made up of Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Sintonia S.A., Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. and Mediobanca S.p.A., entered into a co-investment agreement, or the Co-Investment Agreement, to establish the terms and conditions for our participation in what is now Telco, S.p.A.  Through Telco, we and the Italian Investors agreed to purchase the entire share capital
 
 
 
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of Olimpia S.p.A., or Olimpia, which held approximately 18% of the ordinary share capital of Telecom Italia.  The Italian Investors hold a total of 57.7% of Telco’s share capital and we hold the remaining 42.3%.
 
The closing of the purchase of the Olimpia shares pursuant to a share purchase agreement occurred on October 25, 2007, following the announcement of forthcoming governmental approvals from ANATEL (the Brazilian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) on October 23, 2007.
 
In addition to Telco’s participation in Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital through its interest in Olimpia, pursuant to the Co-Investment Agreement, on October 25, 2007 Generali and Mediobanca contributed to Telco ordinary shares of Telecom Italia they held on that date.  These shares in the aggregate amounted to 5.6% of Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital and brought Telco’s direct and indirect participation in Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital to approximately 23.6%.
 
On April 28, 2007, the Italian Investors also entered into a shareholders’ agreement, or the Shareholders’ Agreement, which establishes, among other things, the principles of corporate governance of Telco and Olimpia, respectively, the principles related to the transfer of Telco’s shares and any Olimpia shares or Telecom Italia shares directly or indirectly owned by Telco and the principles of designation, among the parties, of candidates to be included in a common list for the appointment of directors of Telecom Italia under the voting list mechanism provided for by Telecom Italia’s by-laws.
 
On November 19, 2007 the parties to the Shareholders’ Agreement amended the Shareholders’ Agreement as well as the bylaws of Telco to include the specific limitations imposed by ANATEL as initially posted on its website on October 23, 2007 and subsequently published on November 5, 2007 as ANATEL’s “Ato” no. 68,276 dated October 31, 2007.  We refer to such agreement as the Amendment to the Shareholders’ Agreement.
 
Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement, we entered into an option agreement, or the Option Agreement, with Telco on November 6, 2007 which provides that, in the event that a decision to dispose, directly or indirectly, in any form or manner (including through measures with equivalent effect, such as mergers and demergers of Telco or Olimpia) or encumber Telecom Italia shares or Olimpia shares or any rights attached thereto, including but not limited to voting rights, is taken by the board of directors of Telco by a simple majority resolution according to the procedure specifically provided for by the Telco Shareholders’ Agreement and we are a dissenting party, then we will have the right, to be exercised within 30 days of such decision being taken, to buy from Telco the Telecom Italia shares or the Olimpia shares, as the case may be, at the same price and conditions offered by the third party offering to acquire such Telecom Italia shares or Olimpia shares.
 
On December 10, 2007, an agreement was reached to merge Olimpia into Telco, as a result of which Telco’s entire stake in the voting shares of Telecom Italia (23.6%) became a direct stake.
 
D.    Exchange Controls
 
Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
 
Ownership limitations
 
There are no limitations with respect to the ownership of our assests or share capital except those derived from the application of the reciprocity principle as described above.
 
Trading by us in our own shares or shares of companies under our control
 
Consistent with applicable Spanish laws and regulations and the authorization of our shareholders, from time to time we or our affiliates engage in transactions involving securities of members of our Group.  These transactions may include purchases of shares of group members, forward contracts with respect to these shares and other similar transactions.
 
At December 31, 2007, we held 64,471,368 shares of treasury stock, representing 1.35061% of our capital stock.  At December 31, 2008, we held 125,561,011 shares of treasury stock, representing 2.66867% of our capital stock.  As a part of our shareholders’ remuneration policy, we have implemented various share buyback programs
 
 
 
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since 2003.  For further description about our shareholders’ return, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividend Information and Share Buyback Programs”.
 
The Spanish Corporations Law prohibits the purchase by us and our subsidiaries of shares in the secondary market except in the following limited circumstances:
 
 
·
the purchase of shares must be authorized by a general meeting of our shareholders and, in the case of a purchase of shares by a subsidiary, also by a general meeting of shareholders of the subsidiary;
 
 
·
the shares so purchased have no economic or voting rights while held by us and have no voting rights while held by our subsidiaries;
 
 
·
the purchaser must create reserves equal to the purchase price of any shares that are purchased and, if a subsidiary is the acquirer, the reserve must also be recorded by the parent company; and
 
 
·
the total number of shares held by us and our subsidiaries may not exceed 5% of our total capital.
 
Any acquisition of our shares exceeding, or that causes us and our subsidiaries’ holdings to exceed, 1% of our voting rights must be reported to the CNMV.
 
At our annual general shareholders meeting held on April 22, 2008, our shareholders extended their prior authorization to the Board of Directors to acquire our shares for an additional 18 months from the date of such meeting.  The authorization also applies to companies under our control.  Pursuant to the authorization, the aggregate nominal value of the shares held by us or any of our subsidiaries cannot exceed 5% of our shareholders’ equity.
 
Other restrictions on acquisitions of shares
 
A person or group of persons that directly or indirectly exercises beneficial ownership or control of 3% or more of the voting rights, or which increases or decreases the number of shares which it owns or controls to an amount which equals or exceeds 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80% and 90% of such voting rights, must inform us and the CNMV of such ownership.
 
A person or group of persons that fails to inform any of the above entities after reaching any of the indicated thresholds may incur fines and penalties.  A person or group that is a member of our Board of Directors or a member of our Executive Commission must report any acquisition or transfer of our capital stock, regardless of the amount of shares acquired or transferred.
 
For reporting requirements concerning acquisitions by us or our affiliates of our shares, see “—Trading by us in our own shares or shares of companies under our control” above.
 
Dividend and Liquidation Rights
 
According to Spanish law and our bylaws, dividends may only be paid out of profits or distributable reserves if the value of our net worth is not, and as a result of such distribution would not be, less than our capital stock.  Pursuant to Spanish law, we are required to reserve 10% of our fiscal year net income until the amount in our legal reserve reaches 20% of our capital.  Our legal reserve is currently at 20%.
 
Dividends payable by us to non-residents of Spain ordinarily are subject to a Spanish withholding tax.  For the tax implications of dividends, see “—Taxation”.
 
Upon our liquidation, our shareholders would be entitled to receive pro rata any assets remaining after the payment of our debts and taxes and expenses of such liquidation.  Any change in the rights of shareholders to receive dividends and payment upon liquidation would require an amendment to our bylaws by resolution adopted by a general meeting of shareholders.  If there were more than one class of shares, such amendment would also require the approval of each class of shareholders affected by the amendment.
 
 
 
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Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital
 
Pursuant to the Spanish Corporations Law, shareholders and holders of convertible bonds have preemptive rights to subscribe for any new shares and for bonds convertible into shares.  Such rights may not be available under special circumstances if waived by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders in accordance with Article 159 of the Spanish Corporations Law, or the Board of Directors, if authorized.  Further, such rights, in any event, will not be available in the event of an increase in capital to meet the requirements of a convertible bond issue or a merger in which shares are issued as consideration.  Such rights:
 
 
·
are transferable;
 
 
·
may be traded on the Automated Quotation System; and
 
 
·
may be of value to existing shareholders because new shares may be offered for subscription at prices lower than prevailing market prices.
 
Absent an exemption from registration, shares issuable upon exercise of rights must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be offered to holders of ADRs.  If we decided not to register the shares, the rights would not be distributed to holders of ADRs.  Pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, however, holders of ADRs are entitled to receive their proportionate share of the proceeds, if any, from sale by the Depositary of any rights accruing to holders of ADRs.
 
E.    Taxation
 
The following is a general summary of the material Spanish and U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs. This summary is based upon Spanish and U.S. tax laws (including the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, rulings, judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements), and the Convention Between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, signed February 22, 1990, (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or changes in interpretation, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, the summary is based in part on representations of the Depositary and assumes that each obligation provided for in or otherwise contemplated by the Deposit Agreement or any other related agreements will be performed in accordance with its terms.
 
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of one or more shares or ADSs:
 
(a)    that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, one of the following:
 
i.      a citizen or resident of the United States,
 
ii.     a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or
 
iii.    an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source;
 
(b)   who is entitled to the benefits of the Treaty under the Limitation on Benefits provisions contained in the Treaty;
 
(c)   who holds the shares or ADSs as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
 
(d)   who owns, directly, indirectly or by attribution, less than 10% of the share capital or voting stock of Telefónica; and
 
(e)   whose holding is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment in Spain.
 
This summary does not address all of the tax considerations that may apply to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as U.S. expatriates, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, certain financial institutions,
 
 
 
 
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persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, dealers and certain traders in securities or foreign currencies, persons holding shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction, persons who acquired their shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Such holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below.
 
If a partnership holds shares or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership that holds shares or ADSs is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of owning and disposing of the shares or ADSs.
 
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom American depositary receipts are released before shares are delivered to the depositary (“pre-release”), or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders and the issuer of the security underlying the American depositary receipts, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by U.S. holders of American depositary receipts. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders. Accordingly, the availability of foreign tax credits to U.S. Holders of ADSs and the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders of ADSs, each as described below, could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
 
For purposes of the Treaty and U.S. federal income tax, U.S. Holders of ADSs will generally be treated as owners of the underlying shares represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying shares represented by those ADSs.
 
This discussion assumes that Telefónica is not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), as discussed below under “—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
 
U.S. Holders of shares or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors concerning the specific Spanish and U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction. In particular, U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning whether they are eligible for benefits under the Treaty.
 
Spanish Tax Considerations
 
Taxation of dividends
 
Under Spanish law, dividends paid by Telefónica to U.S. Holders of ordinary shares or ADSs are subject to Spanish Non-Resident Income Tax, withheld at source, currently at an 18% tax rate. For these purposes, upon distribution of the dividend, Telefónica or its paying agent will withhold an amount equal to the tax due according to the rules set forth above (i.e., applying the general withholding tax rate of 18%).
 
However, under the Treaty, if you are a U.S. Holder, you are entitled to a reduced withholding tax rate of 15%.
 
To benefit from the Treaty-reduced rate of 15%, you must provide to Telefónica through its paying agent in Spain, before the tenth day following the end of the month in which the dividends were payable, a certificate from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) stating that, to the best knowledge of the IRS, such U.S. Holders are residents of the United States within the meaning of the Treaty and entitled to its benefits.
 
If the certificate referred to in the above paragraph is not provided within said term, you may afterwards obtain a refund of the amount withheld in excess of the rate provided for in the Treaty.
 
Spanish Refund Procedure
 
According to Spanish Regulations on Non-Resident Income Tax, approved by Royal Decree 1776/2004 dated July 30, 2004, as amended, a refund for the amount withheld in excess of the Treaty-reduced rate can be obtained
 
 
 
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from the relevant Spanish tax authorities. To pursue the refund claim, if you are a U.S. Holder, you are required to file:
 
 
·
the corresponding Spanish tax form,
 
 
·
the certificate referred to in the preceding section, and
 
 
·
evidence of the Spanish Non-Resident Income Tax that was withheld with respect to you.
 
The refund claim must be filed within four years from the date in which the withheld tax was collected by the Spanish tax authorities.
 
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding refund procedures and any U.S. tax implications thereof.
 
Additionally, under Spanish law, the first €1,500 of dividends obtained by individuals who are not resident in Spain for tax purposes, and do not operate through a permanent establishment in Spain, will be exempt from taxation in certain circumstances. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether this exemption is available.
 
Taxation of capital gains
 
As of January 1, 2007, the rate applicable to capital gains of non-residents of Spain who are not entitled to the benefit of any applicable treaty for the avoidance of double taxation and who do not operate through a fixed base or a permanent establishment in Spain is 18% under Spanish law.
 
Under the Treaty, capital gains realized by U.S. Holders arising from the disposition of shares or ADSs will not be taxed in Spain, provided that the seller has not maintained a direct or indirect holding of 25% or more in our capital during the 12 months preceding the disposition of the shares or ADSs. U.S. Holders will be required to establish that they are entitled to the exemption from tax under the Treaty by providing to the relevant Spanish tax authorities a certificate of residence issued by the IRS stating that to the best knowledge of the IRS, such U.S. Holder is a U.S. resident within the meaning of the Treaty.
 
Spanish wealth tax
 
Individual U.S. Holders who hold shares or ADSs located in Spain are subject to the Spanish Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio) (Spanish Law 19/1991), which imposes tax on property located in Spain on the last day of any year. As of  January 1, 2008 a 100% tax allowance has been approved by Law 4/2008 dated December 23, 2008, to any resident or non resident tax payer.
 
Inheritance and gift tax
 
Transfers of shares or ADSs on death and by gift to individuals are subject to Spanish inheritance and gift taxes (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones), respectively, if the transferee is a resident of Spain for tax purposes, or if the shares or ADSs are located in Spain at the time of death, regardless of the residence of the heir or beneficiary. The applicable tax rate, after applying relevant personal, family and wealth factors ranges from between 7.65% and 81.6% for individuals. While inheritance and gift taxes are generally state taxes, certain autonomous communities have the right to establish their own tax rates and deductions and to control the management and settlement of such taxes.
 
Alternatively, gifts granted to corporations non-resident in Spain are subject to Spanish Non-Resident Income Tax at an 18% tax rate on the fair market value of the shares as a capital gain. Prior to January 1, 2007, the rate was 35%. If the donee is a United States resident corporation, the exclusions available under the Treaty described in the section “—Taxation of Capital Gains” above will be applicable.
 
 
 
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Expenses of Transfer
 
Transfers of shares or ADSs will be exempt from any transfer tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales) or value added tax. Additionally, no stamp tax will be levied on such transfers.
 
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
Taxation of dividends
 
Distributions received by a U.S. Holder on shares or ADSs, including the amount of any Spanish taxes withheld, other than certain pro rata distributions of shares to all shareholders (including ADS holders), will constitute foreign source dividend income to the extent paid out of Telefónica’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Because Telefónica does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. The amount of the dividend a U.S. Holder will be required to include in income will equal the U.S. dollar value of the euro, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date the payment is received by the Depositary (in the case of ADSs) or by the U.S. Holder (in the case of shares), regardless of whether the payment is converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of its receipt. If a U.S. Holder realizes gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of euro, it will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. Corporate U.S. Holders will not be entitled to claim the dividends-received deduction with respect to dividends paid by Telefónica. Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 will be taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. Non-corporate U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at this favorable rate.
 
Certain pro rata distributions of shares to all shareholders (including ADS holders) are not generally subject to tax.
 
Spanish income taxes withheld from dividends on shares or ADSs at a rate not exceeding the rate provided in the Treaty will be creditable against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to applicable restrictions and limitations that may vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury. Spanish taxes withheld in excess of the rate applicable under the Treaty will not be eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability. See “Spanish Tax Considerations—Taxation of dividends” above for a discussion of how to obtain the applicable treaty rate. Instead of claiming a credit, a U.S. Holder may elect to deduct such Spanish taxes in computing its taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations. The limitation of foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex. Therefore, U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits in their particular circumstances.
 
Taxation upon sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs
 
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize U.S. source capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held such shares or ADSs for more than one year. The amount of the U.S. Holder’s gain or loss will be equal to the difference between such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares or ADSs sold or otherwise disposed of and the amount realized on the sale or other disposition, as determined in U.S. dollars.
 
As discussed under “Spanish Tax Considerations—Taxation of capital gains” above, gain realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs will be exempt from Spanish tax on capital gains under the Treaty. If a U.S. Holder is eligible for the exemption from Spanish tax on capital gains but does not follow appropriate procedures for obtaining the exemption, such holder will not be entitled to credit the amount of Spanish tax on capital gains paid against its U.S. Federal income tax liability. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential Spanish tax consequences of a sale or other disposition of shares or ADSs and the procedures available for an exemption from such tax.
 
 
 
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Passive foreign investment company rules
 
Telefónica believes that it was not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its 2008 taxable year. However, because PFIC status depends upon the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets (including, among others, less than 25% owned equity investments) from time to time, there can be no assurance that Telefónica will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.  If Telefónica were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held a share or ADS, certain adverse tax consequences could apply to the U.S. Holder.
 
If Telefónica were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held a share or ADS, gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition of a share or ADS would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the share or ADS.  The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before Telefónica became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income.  The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, and an interest charge would be imposed on the amount allocated to each such taxable year.  Further, any distribution in respect of shares or ADSs to the extent it exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on shares or ADSs received by the U.S. Holder during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, would be subject to taxation as described above.  Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as mark-to-market treatment) of the shares or ADSs.
 
In addition, if Telefónica were treated as a PFIC in a taxable year in which it pays a dividend or in the prior taxable year, the favorable dividend rate discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
 
Information reporting and backup withholding
 
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the U.S. Holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient or, in the case of backup withholding, the U.S. Holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number and certifies that it is not subject to backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
 
F.    Dividends and Paying Agents
 
Not Applicable.
 
G.    Statements by Experts
 
Not Applicable.
 
H.    Documents on Display
 
Where You Can Find More Information
 
We file Annual Reports on Form 20-F and furnish periodic reports on Form 6-K to the SEC.  You may read and copy any of these reports at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C.  Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.  Our SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services.  Some of our SEC filings are also available at the website maintained by the SEC at “http://www.sec.gov”.
 
Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TEF”.  You may inspect any periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC by us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 

 
156
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act which prescribe the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
 
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Spanish securities commission and the Spanish stock exchanges, and we file reports and other information relating to our business, financial condition and other matters with the Spanish securities commission and the Spanish stock exchanges.  You may read such reports, statements and other information, including the annual and biannual financial statements, at the public reference facilities maintained in Madrid and Barcelona.  Some of our Spanish securities commission filings are also available at the website maintained by the Spanish securities commission at http://www.cnmv.es.
 
We have appointed Citibank, N.A. to act as depositary for the Telefónica ADSs. Citibank will, as provided in the deposit agreement, arrange for the mailing of summaries in English of such reports and communications to all record holders of the ADSs of Telefónica.  Any record holder of Telefónica ADSs may read such reports and communications or summaries thereof at Citibank’s office located at 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043.
 
I.      Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 11.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to various financial market risks as a result of: (i) our ordinary business activity, (ii) debt incurred to finance our business, (iii) our investments in companies, and (iv) other financial instruments related to the above commitments.
 
The main market risks affecting us are as follows:
 
 
·
Exchange rate risk
 
 
·
Exchange rate risk arises primarily from (i) our international presence, through our investments and businesses in countries that use currencies other than the euro (primarily in Latin America, but also in the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic), and (ii) debt denominated in currencies other than that of the country where the business is conducted or the home country of the company incurring such debt.
 
 
·
Interest rate risk
 
 
·
Interest rate risk arises primarily from changes in interest rates affecting (i) financial expenses on floating rate debt (or short-term debt likely to be renewed), due to changes in interest rates and (ii) the value of long-term liabilities at fixed interest rates.
 
 
·
Share price risk
 
 
·
Share price risk arises primarily from changes in the value of our equity investments that may be bought, sold or otherwise involved in transactions, from changes in the value of derivatives associated with such investments, from changes in the value of our treasury shares and from equity derivatives.
 
We are also exposed to liquidity risk if a mismatch arises between our financing needs (including operating and financial expense, investment, debt redemptions and dividend commitments) and our sources of finance (including revenues, divestments, credit lines from financial institutions and capital market transactions).  The cost of financing could also be affected by movements in credit spreads (over benchmark rates) demanded by lenders.
 
Finally, we are exposed to “country risk” (which overlaps with market and liquidity risks).  This refers to the possible decline in the value of assets, cash flows generated or cash flows returned to the parent company as a result of political, economic or social instability in the countries where we operate, especially in Latin America.
 
 
We seek to actively manage these risks through the use of derivatives (primarily on exchange rates, interest rates and share prices) and by incurring debt in local currencies, where appropriate, with a view to stabilizing cash flows, income statement and our investments.  In this way, we attempt to protect our solvency, facilitate financial planning and take advantage of investment opportunities.
 
We manage our exchange rate risk and interest rate risk in terms of net debt and net financial debt as calculated by us.  We believe that these parameters are more appropriate to understanding our debt position.  Net debt and net financial debt take into account the impact of our cash balance and cash equivalents including derivatives positions with a positive value linked to liabilities. Neither net debt nor net financial debt as calculated by us should be considered an alternative to gross financial debt (the sum of current and non-current interest-bearing debt) as a measure of our liquidity.  For a more detailed description on reconciliation of net debt and net financial debt to gross financial debt, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Presentation of Financial Information—Non-GAAP financial information—Net financial debt and net debt”.
 
Exchange Rate Risk
 
The fundamental objective of our exchange rate risk management policy is that, in event of depreciation in foreign currencies relative to the euro, any potential losses in the value of the cash flows generated by our businesses in such currencies, caused by depreciation in exchange rates of a foreign currency relative to the euro, are offset (to some extent) by savings from the reduction in the euro value of our debt denominated in such currencies.  The degree of exchange rate hedging we employ varies depending on the type of investment.
 
At December 31, 2008, net debt in Latin American currencies was equivalent to approximately €5,827 million. However, the Latin American currencies in which this debt is denominated is not distributed in proportion to the cash flows generated in each currency.  The future effectiveness of the strategy described above as a hedge of exchange rate risks therefore depends on which currencies depreciate relative to euro.
 
We further aim to protect ourselves against declines in Latin American currencies relative to the euro affecting our asset values through the use of dollar-denominated debt, incurred either in Spain (where such debt is associated with an investment as long as it is considered to be an effective hedge) or in the country itself, where the market for local currency financing or hedges may be inadequate or non-existent.  At December 31, 2008, our net debt denominated in dollars was equivalent to €2,222 million, of which €1,317 million was related to assets in Latin America and the remaining €906 million was related to our investment in CU.
 
At December 31, 2008, pound sterling-denominated net debt was approximately two times the value of our 2008 OIBDA from Telefónica Europe in the United Kingdom.  Our aim is to maintain this same proportion of pound sterling-denominated net debt to OIBDA as our net debt to OIBDA ratio, on a consolidated basis, in order to help us to reduce our sensitivity to changes in the pound sterling to euro exchange rate.  Pound sterling-denominated net debt at December 31, 2008 was equivalent to €3,855 million, far below the €6,667 million equivalent at December 31, 2007, partly due to the 30% depreciation of the pound sterling relative to the euro at December 31, 2008 compared to December 31, 2007 and partly due to pound sterling cash generated by our business conducted in United Kingdom.
 
To protect our investment in the Czech Republic, we have net debt denominated in Czech crowns, which at December 31, 2008 was equivalent to €3,034 million, almost 75% of the original cost of the investment, from the approximate €3,102 million at December 31, 2007.
 
We also manage exchange rate risk by seeking to minimize the negative impact of any remaining exchange rate exposure on the income statement, regardless of whether we have open positions.  Such open position exposure can arise for any of three reasons: (i) a thin market for local derivatives or difficulty in sourcing local currency finance which makes it impossible to arrange a low-cost hedge (as in Argentina and Venezuela), (ii) financing through intra-group loans, where the accounting treatment of exchange rate risk is different from that for financing through capital contributions, and (iii) as the result of a deliberate policy decision, to avoid the high cost of hedges that are not warranted by expectations or high risk of depreciation.
 
 
In 2008, exchange rate management resulted in positive exchange rate differences totaling €24 million compared to €7 million in 2007, primarily as a result of appreciation of the average dollar to euro exchange rate for 2008 compared to 2007.
 
To illustrate the sensitivity of exchange gains or losses to variability in exchange rates, assuming the exchange rate position affecting the income statement at the end of 2008 were constant during 2009 and Latin American currencies depreciated against the dollar and the rest of the currencies against the euro by 10%, we estimate that exchange gains or losses recorded for 2009 would be €107 million lower than we recorded in 2008. Nonetheless, we manage our exposure to the forces on a dynamic basis to mitigate their impact.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our financial expenses are exposed to changes in interest rates. In 2008, the interest rates applied to the largest amount of our short-term debt were mainly based on the Euribor, the Czech crown Pribor, the Brazilian SELIC, the dollar Libor and the Colombian UVR.  In nominal terms, at December 31, 2008, 43.8% of our net debt (or 46.3% of long-term net debt) was at rates fixed for more than one year, compared to 50.4% of net debt (46.3% of long-term net debt) in 2007.  Of the remaining 56.2% (net debt at floating or fixed rates maturing in less than one year), the interest rate on 28 percentage points was set for a period of more than one year (17% of long-term net debt), compared to 46 percentage points (27% of long-term net debt) at December 31, 2007.  This decrease in 2008 compared to 2007 is due to our decision in 2008 to cancel or not renew an equivalent of €3,422 million of caps and floors in euros, dollars and pounds sterling in anticipation of a fall in interest rates.
 
In addition, early retirement liabilities were discounted to present value over the year, using the curve on the swap rate markets.  The decrease in interest rates has increased the market value of these liabilities. However, this increase was nearly completely offset by the increase in the value of the hedges on these positions.
 
Net financial expense for 2008 totaled €2,797 million, a 1.6% decrease from the €2,844 million recorded in 2007. For more information on changes in our net financial expense from 2007 to 2008, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Group Results of Operations — Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007”.
 
To illustrate the sensitivity of net financial expense to variability in short-term interest rates, assuming a 100 basis point increase in interest rates in all currencies in which there are financial positions and no change in the currency make-up and balance of the position at year end, we estimate that net financial expense at December 31, 2008 would have been €178 million higher than the €2,797 million recorded.
 
Share Price Risk
 
We are exposed to changes in the value of our equity investments that may be bought, sold or otherwise involved in transactions, from changes in the value of derivatives associated with such investments, from treasury shares and from equity derivatives.
 
We have some strategic and long-term, direct and indirect, equity investments in companies exposed to the risk of changes in their share price, such as PT Multimedia, S.G.P.S., S.A. (Zon), CU and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA).
 
As part of our shareholder remuneration policy, in 2008, we announced plans to buy back up to 150 million of our shares. For a further description of our share buyback programs, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividend Information and Share Buyback Programs”.  We manage the share price risk of our share buyback programs by setting the timetable for execution in accordance with the pace of cash flow generation, the share price and other market conditions.
 
Under our Performance Share Plan (a long-term incentive plan for managers and senior executives of our companies), qualifying participants may earn a certain number of Telefónica, S.A. shares as a form of variable remuneration.  For a further description of such plan, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Incentive Plans” and Note 20.a to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
According to the Performance Share Plan, the shares delivered under such plan may be either our treasury shares, acquired by us or any of our Group companies; or newly-issued shares.  The possibility of delivering shares to employees in the future, in accordance with relative shareholders’ remuneration or profit, implies a risk since there could be an obligation to hand over a maximum number of shares at the end of each phase, whose acquisition (in the event of acquisition in the market) in the future could imply a higher cash outflow than required on the start date of each phase if the share price is above the corresponding price on the phase start date.  In the event that new shares are issued for delivery to the beneficiaries of the plan, there would be a dilutive effect for our ordinary shareholder as a result of the higher number of shares delivered under such plan outstanding.
 
To reduce the risk to us associated with variations in our share price and to ensure that enough shares are available for delivery under this plan, we have acquired derivatives that replicate the risk profile of some of the shares derivable under the plan as explained in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Incentive Plans” and Note 20 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In addition, we may use part of the treasury shares held at December 31, 2008 to cover shares deliverable under the Performance Share Plan. At December 31, 2008, we held 125,561,011 treasury shares. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividend Information and Share Buyback Programs”.  The net asset value of the treasury shares could increase or decrease depending on variations in our share price.
 
Liquidity Risk
 
We seek to match the schedule for our debt maturity payments to our capacity to generate cash flows to meet these maturities, while allowing for some flexibility.  In practice, this translate into two key principles:
 
 
·
Our debt must have a longer average maturity than the time it will take to earn the cash to pay it (assuming internal projections are met, and all cash flows generated go to repayment of debt rather than on dividends or acquisitions).
 
 
·
We must be able to pay all commitments over the next 12 months without accessing new borrowing or accessing the capital markets (although including firm credit lines arranged with banks), assuming budget projections are met.
 
At December 31, 2008, the average maturity of our €42,733 million of net financial debt was 5.9 years.  We would need to generate approximately €7,243 million per year to repay the debt in this period if we used all our cash for this purpose.  Cash generation in 2008 exceeded this amount, so that if we maintain the same pace of cash generation during the average lifetime of the debt, we would repay the debt in its entirety before 4.67 years if we used all our cash for this purpose.
 
At December 31, 2008, gross financial debt scheduled maturities in 2009 amounted to €7,014 million (including the net position of derivative financial instruments), which is lower than the amount of funds available, calculated as the sum of: (i) current financial assets and cash at December 31, 2008 (€5,408 million excluding derivative financial instruments), (ii) annual cash generation projected for 2009; and (iii) undrawn credit facilities arranged with banks whose original maturity is over one year (an aggregate of more than €3,800 million at December 31, 2008).  This gives us flexibility with regard to accessing capital or credit markets in the next 12 months.  The principal financing transaction in 2008 (to ensure compliance with the management criteria indicated above) consisted of an issue of €1,250 million principal amount of five-year bonds with an annual coupon of 5.58%.  In 2009 through the date of this Annual Report, as a part of our refinancing plan to enhance the Group’s flexibility, we issued five-year bonds in an aggregate principal amount of €2,000 million, with an annual interest rate of 5.431%, on February 3, 2009, and seven-year bonds in an aggregate principal amount of €1,000 million, with an annual interest rate of 5.496%, on April 1, 2009.  On February 13, 2009, Telefónica, S.A. signed an agreement with the banks involved in its €6,000 million credit facility granted on June 28, 2005 and maturing on June 28, 2011, to extend the maturity of  €4,000 million of the €6,000 million drawn-down in exchange for the payment of additional fees and an upward adjustment in interest rates, as follows: (i) the maturity date for €2,000 million outstanding was extended to June 28, 2012 and (ii) the maturity date for the remaining €2,000 million outstanding was extended to June 28, 2013.
 
 
For a further description of our liquidity and capital resources, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources —Anticipated Uses of Funds and —Anticipated Sources of Liquidity”.
 
Country Risk
 
We managed or mitigated country risk by pursuing two lines of action (in addition to our normal business practices):
 
 
·
partly matching assets to liabilities (those not guaranteed by the parent company) in our Latin American companies such that any potential asset impairment would be accompanied by a reduction in liabilities; and
 
 
·
repatriating funds generated in Latin America that are not required for the pursuit of new, profitable business development opportunities in the region.
 
Regarding the first point, at December 31, 2008, our Latin American companies had net financial debt not guaranteed by the parent company of €4,075 million, which represents 9.5% of our consolidated net financial debt, with Colombia (€2,946 million), Brazil (€1,276 million) and Peru (€910 million), accounting for the bulk of the total.
 
Regarding the repatriation of funds to Spain, we have received €1,839 million from our Latin America companies in 2008, of which €1,115 million was from dividends and €724 million from payments of interest and repayments of principal intra-group loans and capital reductions.  These amounts were offset by additional amounts invested in our Latin American companies, mainly in Colombia (€155 million) in connection with the Telefónica Móviles Colombia’s capital increase and Chile (€664 million) for the buyout of CTC’s minority shareholders.  As a result of the foregoing, net funds repatriated to Spain from our Latin America companies amounted to the equivalent of €899 million in 2008.
 
In this regard, it is worth noting that since February 2003, Venezuela has had an exchange control mechanism in place.  Foreign companies which are duly registered as foreign investors are entitled to request approval to acquire currencies at the official exchange rate for payment of dividends.  Telcel, our subsidiary in Venezuela, obtained the aforementioned requested approval on $137 million in 2006, $220 million in 2007 and $365 million in 2008 out of $150 million, $240 million and $399 million approved by the Telcel shareholders’ meetings held in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.  Payment of a dividend in the amount of $536 million is pending approval. Once this is approved, we will seek authorization to pay the dividends related to 2007 retained earnings.  Accordingly, under current applicable regulations in Venezuela, future authorizations will be needed to repatriate funds generated in Venezuela at the official exchange rate.  We expect to continue qualifying for such authorizations, enabling us to carry out our businesses in Venezuela as usual and to repatriate funds from this country.
 
Credit Risk
 
We are exposed to credit risk as a result of our trading in derivatives with creditworthy counterparties. Therefore, we trade with credit entities with senior debt ratings of at least “A”.  In Spain, where we hold most of our derivatives portfolio, we have netting agreements with financial institutions, with debtor or creditor positions offset in case of bankruptcy, limiting the risk to our net position.  For other subsidiaries, particularly those in Latin America, given the stable sovereign rating provides a ceiling and is below “A”, trades are with local financial entities whose rating by local standards is considered to be of high creditworthiness.
 
We also consider managing commercial credit risk as crucial to meeting our business and customer base growth targets in a manner that is consistent with our risk-management policy.
 
Therefore, our commercial credit risk-management approach is based on continuous monitoring of the risk assumed and the resources necessary to manage our various units, in order to optimize the risk-reward relationship in the development and execution of their business plans in their ordinary management.
 
Meanwhile, with credit risk arising from cash and cash equivalents, we place our cash surpluses in high quality and highly liquid money-market assets.  These placements are regulated by a general framework, revised annually
 
 
based on the conditions of the market and countries where we operate.  The general framework sets: (i) the maximum amounts to be invested by counterparty based on its rating (long-term debt rating); (ii) the maximum tenor of the investment; and (iii) the instruments in which the surpluses may be invested.  For Telefónica, S.A., the company which places the bulk of our surpluses, the maximum placement in 2008 was 180 days and the creditworthiness of the counterparties used, measured by their debt ratings, remained above A- and/or A3 by Standard & Poors’ and Moody’s, respectively.
 
Our maximum exposure to credit risk is initially represented by the carrying amounts of the financial assets and the guarantees given by us.
 
Capital Management
 
Our corporate finance department, which is in charge of our capital management, takes into consideration several factors when determining our capital structure.
 
We monitor our cost of capital with a goal of optimizing our capital structure. In order to do this, we monitor the financial markets and updates to standard industry approaches for calculating weighted average cost of capital, or WACC.  We also use a gearing ratio that enables us to obtain and maintain the desired credit rating over the medium term, and with which we can match our potential cash flow generation and the alternative uses of this cash flow at all times.
 
These general principles are refined by other considerations and the application of specific variables, such as country risk in the broadest sense, tax efficiency and volatility in cash flow generation, when determining our financial structure.
 
Derivatives Policy
 
At December 31, 2008, the nominal value of outstanding derivatives with external counterparties amounted to €141,984 million equivalent, an 8.6 % increase from December 31, 2007 (€130,715 million equivalent).  This figure is inflated by the use in some cases of several levels of derivatives applied to the nominal value of a single underlying liability.  For example, a foreign currency loan can be hedged into floating rate, and then each interest rate period can be fixed using a fixed rate hedge, or FRA.  Even using such techniques to reduce the position, it is still necessary to take extreme care in the use of derivatives to avoid potential problems arising through error or a failure to understand the real position and its associated risks.
 
Our derivatives policy emphasizes the following points:
 
1)
Derivatives based on a clearly identified underlying.
 
Acceptable underlyings include profits, revenues and cash flows in either a company’s functional currency or another currency.  These flows can be contractual (debt and interest payments, settlement of foreign currency payables, etc.), reasonably certain or foreseeable (investment program, future debt issues, commercial paper programs, etc.).  The acceptability of an underlying asset in the above cases does not depend on whether it complies with IFRS requirements for hedge accounting, as is required in the case of certain intra-group transactions, for instance.  Parent company investments in subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the euro also qualify as acceptable underlying assets.
 
Economic hedges, which are hedges with a designated underlying asset and which in certain circumstances offset fluctuations in the underlying asset value, do not always meet the requirements and effectiveness tests laid down by accounting standards for treatment as hedges.  The decision to maintain positions that cease to qualify as effective or fail to meet other requirements will depend on the marginal impact on the income statement and how far this might compromise the goal of a stable income statement. In any event, the variations are recognized in the income statement.
 
2)
Matching of the underlying to one side of the derivative.
 
 
This matching basically applies to foreign currency debt and derivatives hedging foreign currency payments by our subsidiaries.  The aim is to eliminate the risk arising from changes in foreign currency interest rates.  Nonetheless, even when the aim is to achieve perfect hedging for all cash flows, the lack of liquidity in certain markets, especially in Latin American currencies, has meant that historically there have been mismatches between the terms of the hedges and those of the debts they are meant to hedge.  We intend to reduce these mismatches, provided that doing so does not involve disproportionate costs.  In this regard, if adjustment does prove too costly, the financial timing of the underlying asset in foreign currency will be modified in order to minimize interest rate risk in foreign currency.
 
In certain cases, the timing of the underlying as defined for derivative purposes may not be exactly the same as the timing of the contractual underlying.
 
3)
Matching the company contracting the derivative and the company that owns the underlying.
 
Generally, we aim to ensure that the hedging derivative and the hedged asset or liability belong to the same company.  Sometimes, however, the holding companies (Telefónica, S.A. and Telefónica Internacional, S.A.) have arranged hedges on behalf of a subsidiary that owns the underlying asset. The main reasons for separating the hedge and the underlying asset were possible differences in the legal validity of local and international hedges (as a result of unforeseen legal changes) and the different credit ratings of the counterparties (whether Telefónica Group companies or the banks).
 
4)
Ability to measure the derivative’s fair value using the valuation systems available to us.
 
We use a number of tools to measure and manage risks in derivatives and debt.  The main ones are Kondor+, licensed by Reuters, which is widely used by financial institutions, and MBRM specialist financial calculator libraries.
 
5)
Sale of options only when there is an underlying exposure.
 
We will consider sell options when: i) there is an underlying exposure (on the balance sheet or associated with a highly probable cash outflow) that would offset the potential loss for the year if the counterparty exercised the option, or ii) the option is part of a structure in which another derivative offsets any loss.  The sale of options is also permitted in option structures where, at the moment they are taken out, the net premium is either positive or zero.
 
For instance, it would be possible to sell short-term options on interest rate swaps that entitle the counterparty to receive a certain fixed interest rate, below the level prevailing at the time the option was sold.  This would mean that if rates fell and the counterparty exercised its option, we would swap part of our debt from floating rate to a lower fixed rate, having received a premium.
 
6)
Hedge accounting.
 
The main risks that may qualify for hedge accounting are as follows:
 
 
·
variations in market interest rates (either money-market rates, credit spreads or both) that affect the value of the underlying asset or the measurement of the cash flows;
 
 
·
variations in exchange rates that change the value of the underlying asset in the company’s functional currency and affect the measurement of the cash flow in the functional currency;
 
 
·
variations in the volatility of any financial variable, asset or liability that affect either the valuation or the measurement of cash flows on debt or investments with embedded options, whether or not these options are separable; and
 
 
·
variations in the valuation of any financial asset, particularly shares of companies included in the portfolio of “Available-for-sale financial assets”.
 
 
Regarding the underlying:
 
 
·
hedges can cover all or part of the value of the underlying;
 
 
·
the risk to be hedged can be for the whole period of the transaction or for only part of the period; and
 
 
·
the underlying may be a highly probable future transaction, or a contractual underlying (loan, foreign currency payment, investment, financial asset, etc.) or a combination of both that defines an underlying with a longer term.
 
This may on occasion mean that the hedging instruments have longer terms than the related contractual underlying.  This happens when we enter into long-term swaps, caps or collars to protect ourselves against interest rate rises that may raise the financial expense of our promissory notes, commercial paper and some floating rate loans which mature earlier than their hedges.  These floating rate financing programs are highly likely to be renewed and we commit to this by defining the underlying asset in a more general way as a floating rate financing program whose term coincides with the maturity of the hedge.
 
Hedges can be of three types:
 
 
·
Fair value hedges.
 
 
·
Cash flow hedges. Such hedges can be set at any value of the risk to be hedged (interest rates, exchange rates, etc.) or for a defined range (interest rates between 2% and 4%, above 4%, etc.).  In this last case, the hedging instrument used is options and only the intrinsic value of the option is recognized as an effective hedge.  Changes in the time value of the option are recognized on the income statement.  To prevent excessive swings in the income statement from changes in time value, the hedging ratio (amount of options for hedging relative to the amount of options not treated as hedges) is assigned dynamically, as permitted by the standard.
 
 
·
Hedges of net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries.  Generally such hedges will be arranged by Telefónica, S.A. and the other Telefónica Group holding companies.  Wherever possible, these hedges are implemented through real debt in foreign currency.  Often, however, this is not always possible as many Latin American currencies are non-convertible, making it impossible for non-resident companies to issue local currency debt.  It may also be that the debt market in the currency concerned is too thin to accommodate the required hedge (for example, the Czech crown and pounds sterling), or that an acquisition is made in cash with no need for market finance. In these circumstances derivatives, either forwards or cross-currency swaps are used to hedge the net investment.
 
Hedges can comprise a combination of different derivatives.
 
There is no reason to suppose management of accounting hedges will be static, with an unchanging hedging relationship lasting right through to maturity.  Hedging relationships may change to allow appropriate management that serves our stated principles of stabilizing cash flows, stabilizing net financial income/expense and protecting our share capital. The designation of hedges may therefore be cancelled, before maturity, because of a change in the underlying, a change in perceived risk on the underlying or a change in market view.  Derivatives included in these hedges may be reassigned to new hedges where they meet the effectiveness test and the new hedge is well documented.  To gauge the efficiency of transactions defined as accounting hedges, we analyze the extent to which the changes in the fair value or in the cash flows attributable to the hedged item would offset the changes in fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk using a linear regression model.
 
The main guiding principles for risk management are laid down by our Corporate Finance Department and implemented by company chief financial officer (who responsible for balancing the interests of each company and those of the Telefónica Group as a whole).  The Corporate Finance Department may allow exceptions to this policy where these can be justified, normally when the market is too thin for the volume of transactions required or on clearly limited and small risks.  New companies joining us as a result of mergers or acquisitions may also need time to adapt.
 
 
The breakdown of net financial costs excluding foreign exchange differences for 2006, 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2006
    
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Interest income
     883       524       589  
Dividends received
     71       72       67  
Other financial income
     128       107       217  
Interest expenses
     (3,612 )     (3,181 )     (3,605 )
Less: amount capitalized
     —       —       232  
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges
     4       (43 )     (71 )
Accretion provisions and other liabilities
     (138 )     (200 )     (453 )
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit and loss:
     (55 )     25       341  
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss:
     (24 )     (4 )     (115 )
Transfer from equity to profit and loss from cash flow hedges
     (14 )     (17 )     (50 )
Transfer from equity to profit and loss from available-for-sale assets
     —       (107 )     (2 )
(Gain)/loss on fair value hedges
     (79 )     75       912  
Loss/(gain) on adjustment to items hedged by fair value hedges
     41       (102 )     (883 )
Net finance costs excluding foreign exchange differences
     (2,795 )     (2,851 )     (2,821 )

The breakdown of our derivatives at December 31, 2008, their fair value at year-end and the expected maturity schedule is as set forth in the table below.  For hedges, the positive amount is in terms of fixed “payment”, and for exchange rate hedges, a positive amount means payment of operating versus foreign currency.
 
   
Derivatives at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Fair value
  
   
(in millions of euros, notional values)
  
Interest rate hedges
     2,031       1,747       520       72       4,370       (612 )
Cash flow hedges
     2,028       493       1,749       3,505       7,775       183  
Fair value hedges
     3       1,254       (1,229 )     (3,433 )     (3,405 )     (795 )
Exchange rate hedges
     985       2,382       793       3,717       7,877       519  
Cash flow hedges
     985       2,382       793       3,717       7,877       519  
Fair value hedges
     —       —       —       —       —       —  
Interest and exchange rate hedges
     12       458       18       399       887       (173 )
Cash flow hedges
     18       232       4       288       542       (71 )
Fair value hedges
     (6 )     226       14       111       345       (102 )
Hedge of net investment in foreign operations
     (2,830 )     (517 )     (1,125 )     (751 )     (5,223 )     (546 )
Derivatives not designated as hedges
     7,328       (627 )     (578 )     (164 )     5,959       (868 )
Interest rate
     8,587       (303 )     (609 )     (1,100 )     6,575       (271 )
Exchange rate
     (839 )     (137 )     96       1,026       146       (395 )
Interest and exchange rate
     (420 )     (187 )     (65 )     (90 )     (762 )     (202 )
 

 
The breakdown of financial instruments arranged by us (notional amount) by currency and interest rates at December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair value
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
EURO
     619       3,198       8,482       3,223       4,066       7,893       27,481       24,421       2,626       27,047  
Floating rate
     (9,170 )     (1,210 )     6,475       (158 )     4,112       799       848       7,639       (7,574 )     65  
Spread - Ref Euribor
     (0.05 %)     (0.35 %)     0.18 %     0.46 %     0.04 %     0.25 %     0.62 %                        
Fixed rate
     9,439       4,408       1,607       31       (46 )     5,844       21,283       11,349       10,244       21,593  
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair value
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
Interest rate
     4.40 %     4.76 %     2.66 %     (22.88 %)     (51.84 %)     4.20 %     4.37 %                        
Rate cap
     350       —       400       3,350       —       1,250       5,350       5,433       (44 )     5,389  
OTHER EUROPEAN CURRENCIES
     846       700       779       1,770       160       2,359       6,614       3,557       2,964       6,521  
Instruments in CZK
     2,025       700       123       111       —       97       3,056       303       2,753       3,056  
Floating rate
     —       278       —       —       —       —       278       88       191       279  
Spread
     —       0.07 %     —       —       —       —       0.07 %                        
Fixed rate
     2,025       422       123       111       —       97       2,778       215       2,562       2,777  
Interest rate
     4.04 %     3.35 %     3.41 %     4.35 %     —       4.62 %     3.94 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in GBP
     (1,179 )     —       656       1,659       160       2,262       3,558       3,254       211       3,465  
Floating rate
     —       —       63       740       155       (525 )     433       59       569       628  
Spread
     —       —       4.60 %     0.27 %     0.27 %     ––       0.34 %                        
Fixed rate
     (1,179 )     —       593       394       5       1,737       1,550       1,916       (472 )     1,444  
Interest rate
     3.16 %     —       5.12 %     7.63 %     6.44 %     5.27 %     7.42 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       525       —       1,050       1,575       1,279       114       1,393  
AMERICA
     (60 )     1,844       889       747       1,146       3,764       8,330       12,334       (6,555 )     5,779  
Instruments in USD
     473       205       245       188       782       921       2,814       9,855       (9,502 )     353  
Floating rate
     (529 )     206       151       173       142       96       239       2,492       (2,374 )     118  
Spread
     0.85 %     0.41 %     (1.34 %)     0.96 %     1.89 %     ––       (0.98 %)                        
Fixed rate
     669       (11 )     84       5       630       795       2,172       6,957       (7,143 )     (186 )
Interest rate
     4.09 %     (48.90 %)     26.66 %     (7.92 %)     3.20 %     13.20 %     8.28 %                        
Rate cap
     333       10       10       10       10       30       403       406       15       421  
Instruments in UYU
     (2 )     2       2       —       —       —       2       1       —       1  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     (2 )     2       2       —       —       —       2       1       —       1  
Interest rate
     (3.19 %)     3.75 %     3.75 %     —       —       —       13.67 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in ARS
     110       141       59       —       —       —       310       (85 )     321       236  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     110       141       59       —       —       —       310       (85 )     321       236  
Interest rate
     (54.69 %)     6.63 %     11.49 %     —       —       —       (14.12 %)                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in BRL
     (209 )     726       161       154       154       311       1,297       607       661       1,268  
Floating rate
     (348 )     667       136       130       130       272       987       548       469       1,017  
Spread
     0.74 %     0.49 %     3.64 %     3.74 %     3.75 %     ––       2.20 %                        
Fixed rate
     139       59       25       24       24       39       310       59       192       251  
Interest rate
     21.00 %     4.23 %     10.03 %     10.03 %     10.03 %     9.96 %     13.83 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in CLP
     349       105       170       102       78       —       804       (15 )     820       805  
Floating rate
     212       105       151       102       78       —       648       113       475       588  
Spread
     (0.20 %)     0.09 %     0.06 %     0.13 %     —       —       (0.01 %)                        
Fixed rate
     137       —       19       —       —       —       156       (128 )     345       217  
Interest rate
     8.59 %     —       4.70 %     —       —       —       8.11 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in UFC
     2       2       68       2       2       4       80       173       (95 )     78  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       86       (86 )     —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     2       2       68       2       2       4       80       87       (9 )     78  
Interest rate
     6.53 %     6.56 %     4.43 %     7.45 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     4.74 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in PEN
     161       181       102       82       61       339       926       807       155       962  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     161       181       102       82       61       339       926       807       155       962  
Interest rate
     5.63 %     7.13 %     6.67 %     6.70 %     7.45 %     6.23 %     6.47 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair value
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
Instruments in COP
     579       56       82       33       69       183       1,002       391       587       978  
Floating rate
     8       43       36       33       30       —       150       148       —       148  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     571       13       46       —       39       183       852       243       587       830  
Interest rate
     12.66 %     15.82 %     14.10 %     —       13.44 %     —       10.10 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in UVR
     —       —       —       —       —       2,006       2,006       2,006       —       2,006  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       —       —       2,006       2,006       2,006       —       2,006  
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       —       7.67 %     7.67 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in VEB
     (1,998 )     —       —       —       —       —       (1,998 )     (1,999 )     —       (1,999 )
Floating rate
     ––       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     ––       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     (1,998 )     —       —       —       —       —       (1,998 )     (1,999 )     —       (1,999 )
Interest rate
     10.34 %     —       —       —       —       —       10.34 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in MXN
     479       426       —       186       —       —       1,091       597       498       1,095  
Floating rate
     47       266       —       —       —       —       313       412       63       475  
Spread
     3.30 %     0.61 %     —       —       —       —       1.01 %                        
Fixed rate
     432       160       —       186       —       —       778       185       435       620  
Interest rate
     12.85 %     8.17 %     —       9.25 %     —       —       11.02 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in GTQ
     (4 )     —       —       —       —       —       (4 )     (4 )     —       (4 )
Floating rate
     (4 )     —       —       —       —       —       (4 )     (4 )     —       (4 )
Spread
     0.01 %     —       —       —       —       —       0.01 %                        
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
ASIA
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       575       (597 )     (22 )
Instruments in JPY
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       575       (597 )     (22 )
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       152       (158 )     (6 )
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       423       (439 )     (16 )
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
AFRICA
     —       —       —       88       —       —       88       —       84       84  
Instruments in MAD
     —       —       —       88       —       —       88       —       84       84  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       88       —       —       88       —       84       84  
Interest rate
     —       —       —       4.54 %     —       —       8.57 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
TOTAL
     1,405       5,742       10,150       5,828       5,372       14,016       42,513       40,887       (1,478 )     39,409  
Floating rate
     (9,784 )     355       7,012       1,020       4,647       642       3,892       11,733       (8,425 )     3,308  
Fixed rate
     10,506       5,377       2,728       923       715       11,044       31,293       22,036       6,862       28,898  
Rate cap
     683       10       410       3,885       10       2,330       7,328       7,118       85       7,203  
Currency options
     —       —       —       —       —       —       (202 )     —       (202 )     —  
Other
     —       —       —       —       —       —       422       —       —       —  
 
 
168
 
The table below is an extract of the previous table that shows the sensitivity to interest rates originated by our position on interest rate swaps categorized into instruments entered into for trading purposes and instruments entered into for purposes other than trading purposes at December 31, 2008.
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates at December 31, 2008
Detail for Interest Rate Swaps
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity Dates
        
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Fair Value
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
TRADING PURPOSES
                                                
EUR
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (184 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (465 )
Receiving leg
     (3,383 )     (5,088 )     (2,039 )     (504 )     (1,654 )     (1,709 )     (14,377 )     (9,865 )
Average Interest Rate
     2.10 %     3.23 %     3.50 %     3.77 %     4.69 %     4.24 %     3.31 %        
Paying leg
     3,383       5,088       2,039       504       1,654       1,709       14,377       9,399  
Average Spread
     1.20 %     0.80 %     0.01 %     0.05 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     0.57 %        
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       285  
Receiving leg
     (5,642 )     (3,121 )     (3,007 )     (500 )     (550 )     (4,419 )     (17,240 )     (12,780 )
Average Spread
     1.05 %     —       —       —       3.48 %     —       0.45 %        
Paying leg
     5,642       3,121       3,007       500       550       4,419       17,240       13,066  
Average Interest Rate
     2.66 %     4.06 %     3.35 %     3.74 %     —       3.88 %     3.29 %        
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (3 )
Receiving leg
     (1,470 )     —       —       —       —       —       (1,470 )     (1,487 )
Average Spread
     0.13 %     —       —       —       —       —       0.13 %        
Paying leg
     1,470       —       —       —       —       —       1,470       1,484  
Average Spread
     (0.00 %)     —       —       —       —       —       0.00 %        
                                                                 
CZK
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     (554 )     (422 )     —       —       —       —       (977 )     (978 )
Average Spread
     0.03 %     0.01 %     —       —       —       —       0.02 %        
Paying leg
     554       422       —       —       —       —       977       978  
Average Interest Rate
     3.15 %     3.35 %     —       —       —       —       3.24 %        
                                                                 
USD
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1,230 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1,283 )
Receiving leg
     —       —       (719 )     —       (539 )     (2,838 )     (4,096 )     (5,387 )
Average Interest Rate
     —       —       3.90 %     —       5.52 %     5.57 %     5.27 %        
Paying leg
     —       —       719       —       539       2,838       4,096       4,104  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       53  
Receiving leg
     (26 )     (26 )     (26 )     (26 )     (529 )     (79 )     (714 )     (718 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     26       26       26       26       529       79       714       771  
Average Interest Rate
     4.34 %     4.34 %     4.34 %     4.34 %     3.70 %     4.34 %     3.86 %        
                                                                 
BRL
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Floating to Fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     —       (35 )     —       —       —       —       (35 )     (35 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     —       35       —       —       —       —       35       35  
Average Interest Rate
     —       0.13 %     —       —       —       —       0.13 %        
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     —       (461 )     —       —       —       —       (461 )     —  
Average Spread
     —       0.35 %     —       —       —       —       0.35 %        
Paying leg
     —       461       —       —       —       —       461       —  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
                                                                 
MXN
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     —       (159 )     —       —       —       —       (159 )     (160 )
Average Spread
     —       0.61 %     —       —       —       —       0.61 %        
Paying leg
     —       159       —       —       —       —       159       160  
Average Interest Rate
     —       8.16 %     —       —       —       —       8.16 %        
                                                                 
GBP
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       9  
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates at December 31, 2008
Detail for Interest Rate Swaps
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturity Dates
        
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Fair Value
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (68 )
Receiving leg
     —       —       —       —       —       (525 )     (525 )     (600 )
Average Interest Rate
     —       —       —       —       —       5.25 %     5.25 %        
Paying leg
     —       —       —       —       —       525       525       532  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       77  
Receiving leg
     (262 )     —       (568 )     —       —       (425 )     (1,255 )     (1,260 )
Average Spread
     5.59 %     —       —       —       —       —       1.17 %        
Paying leg
     262       —       568       —       —       425       1,255       1,337  
Average Interest Rate
     —       —       5.12 %     —       —       4.96 %     4.00 %        
JPY
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (4 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (4 )
Receiving leg
     —       —       —       (119 )     —       —       (119 )     (123 )
Average Interest Rate
     —       —       —       1.68 %     —       —       1.68 %        
Paying leg
     —       —       —       119       —       —       119       119  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
                                                                 
NON-TRADING PURPOSES
                                                                
EUR
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (186 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (282 )
Receiving leg
     —       (790 )     (1,685 )     (420 )     (1,250 )     (1,625 )     (5,770 )     (5,534 )
Average Interest Rate
             4.55 %     4.62 %     4.25 %     3.46 %     4.52 %     4.31 %        
Paying leg
     —       790       1,685       420       1,250       1,625       5,770       5,251  
Average Spread
             —       —       —       0.95 %     —       0.21 %        
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       97  
Receiving leg
     (10,930 )     (2,250 )     (135 )     —       (630 )     (950 )     (14,895 )     (11,873 )
Average Spread
     0.37 %     —       —       —       1.76 %     —       0.35 %        
Paying leg
     10,930       2,250       135       —       630       950       14,895       11,970  
Average Interest Rate
     3.86 %     3.63 %     4.20 %             2.37 %     4.23 %     3.79 %        
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
Receiving leg
     —       —       —       —       —       (50 )     (50 )     (52 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     —       —       —       —       —       50       50       52  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       (0.28 %)     (0.28 %)        
                                                                 
USD
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (25 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (43 )
Receiving leg
     (115 )     (614 )     (65 )     —       —       —       (794 )     (841 )
Average Interest Rate
     —       4.84 %     3.08 %     —       —       —       4.73 %        
Paying leg
     115       614       65       —       —       —       794       799  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       18  
Receiving leg
     (217 )     (323 )     —       —       —       —       (540 )     (542 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     217       323       —       —       —       —       540       560  
Average Interest Rate
     3.88 %     4.08 %     —       —       —       —       4.00 %        
                      —       —       —       —                  
MXN
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     (1 )     0       —       —       —       —       (1 )     (1 )
Average Spread
     (0.54 %)     (0.54 %)     —       —       —       —       (0.54 %)        
Paying leg
     1       0       —       —       —       —       1       2  
Average Interest Rate
     8.43 %     8.43 %     —       —       —       —       8.43 %        
 
 
The tables below describe all interest rates, foreign exchange options and interest rate options to which we were party at December 31, 2008.  Options are identified by notional amount and average strike price, and are classified by both type and maturity.
 
   
Interest Rate Options at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturities Dates
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
Collars
                              
Notional bought
     781       —       400       200       2,690  
Strike Cap
     3.897 %     —       4.000 %     3.80 %     4.53 %
Strike Floor
     2.733 %     —       3.300 %     2.80 %     3.13 %
                                         
Caps
                                        
Notional bought
     —       —       —       6,785       —  
Strike
     —       —       —       4.28 %     —  
Notional sold
     700       —       400       6,785       2,690  
Strike
     4.75 %     —       4.55 %     5.156 %     5.24 %
Floors
                                        
Notional bought
     1,481       —       400       567       2,600  
Strike
     0.71 %     —       1.00 %     1.15 %     1.72 %
Notional sold
     1,050       368       —       1,067       —  
Strike
     2.73 %     4.39 %     —       2.75 %     —  

   
Currency Options at December 31, 2008
  
   
Maturities Dates
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent years
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
Call USD/Put BRL
                                    
Notional amount of options bought
     287       —       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     2.36 %     —       —       —       —       —  
Notional amount of options sold
     290       —       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     2.36 %     —       —       —       —       —  
Put USD / Call BRL
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     114       —       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     1.86 %     —       —       —       —       —  
Notional amount of options sold
     144       —       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     1.86 %     —       —       —       —       —  
Call USD / Put ARS
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     16       —       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     3.38 %     —       —       —       —       —  
Call USD / Put EUR
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     291       —       208       —       148       1,723  
Strike
     1.59 %     —       1.59 %     —       1.49 %     1.40 %
Notional amount of options sold
     269       —       195       —       —       831  
Strike
     1.51 %     —       1.49 %     —       —       1.20 %

The breakdown of financial instruments arranged by us (notional amount) by currency and interest rates at December 31, 2007 is as follows
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair Value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
EURO
     3,256       (17 )     1,799       8,610       2,569       11,005       27,222       23,370       3,862       27,232  
Floating rate
     1,227       (999 )     (307 )     4,412       (1,488 )     5,142       7,987       5,901       1,523       7,424  
Spread - Ref Euribor
     (0.28 %)     0.13 %     (0.68 %)     0.21 %     0.34 %     0.00 %     0.10 %                        
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair Value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
                                                             
Fixed rate
     629       (68 )     2,106       2,998       (293 )     5,863       11,235       9,339       2,491       11,830  
Interest rate
     3.79 %     (3.93 %)     7.14 %     3.59 %     6.59 %     4.56 %     4.74 %                        
Rate cap
     1,400       1,050       —       1,200       4,350       —       8,000       8,130       (152 )     7,978  
OTHER EUROPEAN CURRENCIES
     (1,877 )     2,102       2,106       845       3,487       2,814       9,477       5,971       3,485       9,456  
Instruments in CZK
     1,669       561       708       —       113       98       3,149       360       2,772       3,132  
Floating rate
     (45 )     —       281       —       —       —       236       46       191       237  
Spread
     (0.06 %)     —       0.07 %     —       —       —       0.10 %                        
Fixed rate
     1,714       561       427       —       113       98       2,913       314       2,581       2,895  
Interest rate
     4.13 %     3.15 %     3.35 %     —       4.35 %     4.62 %     3.85 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in GBP
     (3,546 )     1,541       1,398       845       3,374       2,716       6,328       5,611       713       6,324  
Floating rate
     (205 )     1,200       1,398       108       2,181       (682 )     4,000       469       3,494       3,963  
Spread
     0.13 %     0.02 %     (0.01 %)     3.35 %     0.28 %     0.00 %     0.19 %                        
Fixed rate
     (3,818 )     341       —       737       511       2,034       (195 )     2,585       (2,781 )     (196 )
Interest rate
     6.19 %     5.59 %     —       5.12 %     7.63 %     6.06 %     8.78 %                        
Rate cap
     477       —       —       —       682       1,364       2,523       2,557       —       2,557  
AMERICA
     3,906       957       1,697       448       357       1,414       8,779       13,689       (5,569 )     8,120  
Instruments in USD
     (391 )     (68 )     122       135       40       1,694       1,532       10,726       (9,768 )     958  
Floating rate
     163       (695 )     118       (14 )     6       672       250       2,367       (2,132 )     235  
Spread
     1.12 %     44.69 %     0.00 %     77.37 %     (0.25 %)     0.00 %     (1.03 %)                        
Fixed rate
     (563 )     (62 )     (5 )     140       25       984       519       7,578       (7,635 )     (57 )
Interest rate
     10.28 %     5.79 %     (119.61 %)     9.26 %     3.85 %     10.95 %     12.79 %                        
Rate cap
     9       689       9       9       9       38       763       781       (1 )     780  
Instruments in UYU
     —       2       2       2       —       —       6       5       —       5  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     —       2       2       2       —       —       6       5       —       5  
Interest rate
     8.83 %     3.75 %     3.75 %     3.75 %     —       —       3.93 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in ARS
     468       256       153       —       —       —       877       101       774       875  
Floating rate
     22       —       —       —       —       —       22       21       —       21  
Spread
     1.15 %     —       —       —       —       —       1.15 %                        
Fixed rate
     446       256       153       —       —       —       855       80       774       854  
Interest rate
     10.20 %     9.22 %     9.12 %     —       —       —       9.71 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in BRL
     140       208       822       94       92       200       1,556       305       1,134       1,439  
Floating rate
     (774 )     153       794       66       64       151       454       138       375       513  
Spread
     0.47 %     (2.42 %)     0.21 %     3.59 %     3.60 %     —       0.98 %                        
Fixed rate
     914       55       28       28       28       49       1,102       167       759       926  
Interest rate
     9.51 %     10.65 %     10.17 %     10.17 %     10.17 %     10.15 %     9.65 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in CLP
     53       184       31       181       42       —       491       12       488       500  
Floating rate
     (17 )     132       31       158       42       —       346       139       144       283  
Spread
     0.27 %     0.05 %     0.38 %     0.07 %     0.38 %     —       0.12 %                        
Fixed rate
     70       52       —       23       —       —       145       (127 )     344       217  
Interest rate
     3.43 %     6.63 %     —       3.35 %     —       —       4.57 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in UFC
     117       90       98       99       82       7       493       177       326       503  
Floating rate
     —       —       95       —       —       —       95       95       —       95  
Spread
     —       —       0.33 %     —       —       —       0.33 %                        
Fixed rate
     117       90       3       99       82       7       398       82       326       408  
Interest rate
     2.55 %     3.55 %     6.56 %     4.28 %     3.80 %     6.00 %     3.55 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in PEN
     132       136       81       72       80       338       839       639       215       854  
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair Value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
                                                             
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     132       136       81       72       80       338       839       639       215       854  
Interest rate
     8.58 %     5.95 %     6.42 %     6.90 %     6.68 %     6.81 %     6.91 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in COP
     589       222       36       22       26       29       924       412       472       884  
Floating rate
     12       17       36       22       26       29       142       104       —       104  
Spread
     —       —       1.32 %     —       —       —       0.34 %                        
Fixed rate
     577       205       —       —       —       —       782       308       472       780  
Interest rate
     11.49 %     0.01 %     —       —       —       36.00 %     7.65 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in UVR
     3,481       (146 )     (151 )     (157 )     (224 )     (854 )     1,949       1,949       —       1,949  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     3,481       (146 )     (151 )     (157 )     (224 )     (854 )     1,949       1,949       —       1,949  
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in VEB
     (1,341 )     —       —       —       —       —       (1,341 )     (1,341 )     —       (1,341 )
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     (1,341 )     —       —       —       —       —       (1,341 )     (1,341 )     —       (1,341 )
Interest rate
     8.16 %     —       —       —       —       —       8.16 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in MXN
     656       73       503       —       219       —       1,451       714       778       1,492  
Floating rate
     (39 )     70       314       —       —       —       345       478       78       556  
Spread
     0.02 %     2.59 %     0.61 %     —       —       —       1.08 %                        
Fixed rate
     695       3       189       —       219       —       1,106       236       700       936  
Interest rate
     7.81 %     8.83 %     8.17 %     —       9.25 %     —       8.16 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Instruments in GTQ
     2       —       —       —       —       —       2       (10 )     12       2  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     2       —       —       —       —       —       2       (10 )     12       2  
Interest rate
     23.70 %     —       —       —       —       —       23.70 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
ASIA
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       622       (661 )     (39 )
Instruments in JPY
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       622       (661 )     (39 )
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       151       (152 )     (1 )
Spread
     3.79 %     3.79 %     3.79 %     3.79 %     —       —       3.79 %                        
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       471       (509 )     (38 )
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
AFRICA
     —       —       —       —       88       —       88       —       85       85  
Instruments in MAD
     —       —       —       —       88       —       88       —       85       85  
Floating rate
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
Fixed rate
     —       —       —       —       88       —       88       —       85       85  
Interest rate
     —       —       —       —       4.54 %     —       4.54 %                        
Rate cap
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —                          
TOTAL
     5,285       3,042       5,602       9,903       6,501       15,233       45,566       43,652       1,202       44,854  
Floating rate
     344       (122 )     2,760       4,752       831       5,312       13,877       9,909       3,521       13,430  
Fixed rate
     3,055       1,425       2,833       3,942       629       8,519       20,403       22,275       (2,166 )     20,109  
Rate cap
     1,886       1,739       9       1,209       5,041       1,402       11,286       11,468       (153 )     11,315  
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates and Exchange Rates of Debt Obligations at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
    
Fair Value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
   
(in millions of euro, except percentages)
  
                                                             
Currency options
     —       —       —       —       —       —       (52 )     —       (52 )     —  
Other
     —       —       —       —       —       —       (230 )     —       —       —  
 
The table below is an extract of the previous table that shows the sensitivity to interest rates originated by our position on interest rate swaps
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates at December 31, 2007 Detail for Interest Rate Swaps
  
   
Maturity Dates
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Fair Value
  
   
(in millions of euros, except percentages)
  
EUR
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (159 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       60  
Receiving leg
     2,590       1,376       296       2,181       916       2,130       9,490       (9,499 )
Average Interest Rate
     4.53 %     3.61 %     3.31 %     3.56 %     4.21 %     (4.40 %)     2.10 %        
Paying leg
     (2,590 )     (1,376 )     (296 )     (2,181 )     (916 )     (2,130 )     (9,490 )     9,559  
Average Spread
     (0.18 %)     —       —       —       —       —       (0.05 %)        
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (217 )
Receiving leg
     1,199       705       —       2,885       200       2,688       7,677       7,520  
Average Spread
     (0.18 %)     —       —       —       —       —       (0.03 %)        
Paying leg
     (1,199 )     (705 )     —       (2,885 )     (200 )     (2,688 )     (7,677 )     (7,737 )
Average Interest Rate
     4.22 %     3.77 %     —       3.30 %     3.80 %     3.80 %     3.68 %        
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (2 )
Receiving leg
     (2,000 )     (300 )     —       —       (42 )     (50 )     (2,392 )     (2,410 )
Average Spread
     —       0.63 %     —       —       0.43 %     —       0.09 %        
Paying leg
     2,000       300       —       —       42       50       2,392       2,408  
Average Spread
     (0.18 %)     0.11 %     —       —       (0.10 %)     0.28 %     (0.14 %)        
CZK
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       21  
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       21  
Receiving leg
     (110 )     (561 )     (427 )     —       —       —       (1,098 )     (1,079 )
Average Spread
     0.03 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     —       —       —       0.02 %        
Paying leg
     110       561       427       —       —       —       1,098       1,100  
Average Interest Rate
     3.17 %     3.15 %     3.35 %     —       —       —       3.23 %        
USD
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (292 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (297 )
Receiving leg
     —       (98 )     (581 )     —       (3,193 )     (3,193 )     (7,065 )     (4,869 )
Average Interest Rate
     —       5.35 %     4.84 %     —       5.56 %     5.56 %     5.50 %        
Paying leg
     —       98       581       —       3,193       3,193       7,065       4,572  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       5  
Receiving leg
     (81 )     (25 )     (331 )     (25 )     (25 )     (100 )     (586 )     (588 )
Average Spread
     0.02 %     —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     81       25       331       25       25       100       586       593  
Average Interest Rate
     4.71 %     4.34 %     4.10 %     4.34 %     4.34 %     4.34 %     4.26 %        
BRL
     51       1       —       —       —       —       52       1  
Floating to Fixed
     51       1       —       —       —       —       52       1  
Receiving leg
     (738 )     (62 )     —       —       —       —       (800 )     (594 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       0.00 %        
Paying leg
     789       63       —       —       —       —       852       595  
Average Interest Rate
     12.30 %     10.84 %     —       —       —       —       12.20 %        
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
Receiving leg
     —       —       (575 )     —       —       —       —       (585 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     —       —       575       —       —       —       —       585  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
MXN
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
 
 
   
Sensitivity to Interest Rates at December 31, 2007 Detail for Interest Rate Swaps
  
   
Maturity Dates
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Fair Value
  
   
(in millions of euros, except percentages)
  
Receiving leg
     (1 )     (1 )     (188 )     —       —       —       (190 )     (194 )
Average Spread
     (0.54 %)     (0.54 %)     0.61 %     —       —       —       0.59 %        
Paying leg
     1       1       188       —       —       —       190       193  
Average Interest Rate
     8.43 %     8.43 %     8.16 %     —       —       —       8.17 %        
GBP
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (35 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (32 )
Receiving leg
     (273 )     —       —       —       —       (682 )     (954 )     (997 )
Average Interest Rate
     6.31 %     —       —       —       —       5.25 %     5.55 %        
Paying leg
     273       —       —       —       —       682       954       965  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Floating to fixed
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (2 )
Receiving leg
     (341 )     —       —       (738 )     —       (552 )     (1,630 )     (1,637 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —          
Paying leg
     341       —       —       738       —       552       1,630       1,635  
Average Interest Rate
     5.59 %     —       —       5.12 %     —       4.96 %     5.17 %     —  
Floating to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
Receiving leg
     2,045       —       —       —       —       —       2,045       2,067  
Average Spread
     0.02 %     —       —       —       —       —       0.02 %     —  
Paying leg
     (2,045 )     —       —       —       —       —       (2,045 )     (2,068 )
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
CLP
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (1 )
Receiving leg
     (34 )     —       —       —       —       —       (34 )     (35 )
Average Interest Rate
     5.35 %     —       —       —       —       —       5.35 %     —  
Paying leg
     34       —       —       —       —       —       34       34  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
JPY
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (3 )
Fixed to floating
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       (3 )
Receiving leg
     (91 )     —       —       —       —       —       (91 )     (94 )
Average Interest Rate
     1.68 %     —       —       —       —       —       1.68 %     —  
Paying leg
     91       —       —       —       —       —       91       91  
Average Spread
     —       —       —       —       —       —       —       —  

 
175
 
The tables below describe all interest rates, foreign exchange options and interest rate options to which we were party at December 31, 2007.  Options are identified by notional amount and average strike price and are classified by both type and maturity.
 
   
Interest Rate Options at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
Subsequent
  
   
(in millions of euros, except percentages)
  
Collars
                              
Notional bought
     1,885       2,522       —       900       1,848  
Strike Cap
     4.195 %     3.925 %     —       3.944 %     4.715 %
Strike Floor
     3.460 %     2.749 %     —       3.189 %     3.804 %
Notional sold
     —       —       —       —       —  
Strike Cap
     —       —       —       —       —  
Strike Floor
     —       —       —       —       —  
Caps
                                        
Notional bought
     5,400       —       —       300       6,232  
Strike
     4.748 %     —       —       4.070 %     4.470 %
Notional sold
     1,885       2,522       —       1,200       8,079  
Strike
     4.837 %     4.847 %     —       4.555 %     5.298 %
Floors
                                        
Notional bought
     477       2,872       —       900       1,664  
Strike
     2.500 %     0.013 %     —       1.000 %     1.205 %
Notional sold
     4,000       350,       519       —       700  
Strike
     2.750 %     2.700 %     4.568 %     —       2.146 %

   
Currency Options at December 31, 2007
  
   
Maturity Dates
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
Subsequent years
  
   
(in millions of euros, except percentages)
  
Call USD/Put BRL
                              
Notional amount of options bought
     —       136       —       —       —  
Strike
     —       2.1585 %     —       —       —  
Notional amount of options sold
     —       196       —       —       —  
Strike
     —       2.5587 %     —       —       —  
Put USD / Call BRL
                                        
Notional amount of options sold
     —       136       —       —       —  
Strike
     —       1.8585 %     —       —       —  
Call EUR / Put USD
                                        
Notional amount of options bought
     28       —       —       —       —  
Strike
     1.2780 %     —       —       —       —  
Put USD / Call EUR
                                        
Notional amount of options bought
     439       —       —       —       1,715  
Strike
     1.4454 %     —       —       —       1.3618 %
Notional amount of options sold
     —       —       —       —       831  
Strike
     —       —       —       —       1.2030 %

Item 12.    Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Part II
 
Item 13.    Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
 
None.
 
Item 14.    Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 15.    Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Form 20-F, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The management of Telefónica is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a–15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Telefónica’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the published financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Any internal control system, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures, which may not prevent or detect misstatements.
 
Telefónica management assessed the effectiveness of Telefónica’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.  In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework.  Based on its assessment and those criteria, Telefónica management believes that, at December 31, 2008 Telefónica’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
 
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Telefónica’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young S.L., has issued a report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The report is included on page F-1.1.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Annual Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 16.    [Reserved]
 
Item 16A.    Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Antonio Massanell meets the requirements of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC.
 
Item 16B.    Code of Ethics
 
In December 2006, we adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, the Telefónica Business Principles, which apply to all Telefónica Group employees.  In March 2008, we decided to modify such Business Principles in
 
 
order to gather in them all components of the code of ethics definition in Section 406 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and consequently our code of ethics for senior officers was replaced by the Telefónica Business Principles.  A copy of the Telefónica Business Principles is filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report.  For more information, please see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance—Code of Ethics.”
 
Item 16C.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The fees paid in 2007 and 2008 to the various member firms of the Ernst & Young international organization, to which Ernst & Young, S.L. (the auditors of the Telefónica Group) belongs, amounted to €23.77 million and €24.45 million, respectively.
 
The detail of these amounts is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2007
    
2008
  
   
(in millions of euros)
  
Audit services (1)
     21.94       22.79  
Audit-related services (2)
     1.56       1.65  
Tax services (3)
     —       —  
Other non-audit services (4)
     0.27       0.01  
Total Fees
     23.77       24.45  
 
 
(1)
Audit services: services included under this heading are mainly the audit of the annual and review of the interim financial statements, work to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 404) and the review of our annual report on Form 20-F.
 
 
(2)
Audit-related services: services included under this heading are mainly related to the review of the information required by regulatory authorities, agreed financial reporting procedures not requested by legal or regulatory bodies and the review of corporate responsibility reports.
 
 
(3)
Tax services: no such services were provided.
 
 
(4)
Other non-audit services: services included under this heading relate to training and other permissible advisory services (non-current assets and other).
 
Ernst & Young’s fees include amounts paid in respect of fully and proportionately consolidated Spanish and foreign Telefónica Group companies.  A total of €0.89 and €1.39 million, respectively, corresponding to 50% of the fees paid by proportionally consolidated companies, were included in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
 
The Audit and Control Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
 
The engagement of any service rendered by our external auditor or any of its affiliates must always have the prior approval of our Audit and Control Committee.  Such Committee has developed a Pre-approval Policy regarding the engagement of professional services by our external auditor, in accordance with the Spanish Audit Law and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  This Policy establishes the obligation to obtain prior approval from our Audit and Control Committee for any service to be rendered by our external auditor to Telefónica or any of its subsidiaries.
 
This Policy sets forth restrictions on engaging our external auditor for the performance of non-audit services, according to which the engagement of our external auditor for the provision of such services is only permitted when there is no other firm available to provide the needed services at a comparable cost and with a similar level of quality.  Moreover, this Policy prohibits the engagement of our external auditor for the provision of certain type of services that would be considered as “prohibited services”.
 
In addition, the Audit and Control Committee oversees the total amount of fees paid to our external auditor for the provision of non-audit services in order to assure that such fees do not exceed a certain percentage of the total amount of fees paid for the provision of audit services.
 
Item 16D.    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Item 16E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
   
Year ended December 31, 2008
    
 
Period of Fiscal Year
  
Total Number of Shares Purchased
    
Average Price Paid per Share (euros)
    
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)(2)
    
January 1 to January 31
     8,935,000       20.88       8,935,000  
February 1 to February 28
     3,157,100       19.17       3,157,100  
March 1 to March 31
     18,400,000       18.24       18,400,000  
April 1 to April 30
     4,124,503       18.75       4,124,503  
May 1 to May 31
     6,100,000       18.65       6,100,000  
June 1 to June 30
     21,500,000       17.75       21,500,000  
July 1 to July 31
     20,576,522       17.05       20,576,522  
August 1 to August 31
     7,650,000       16.47       7,650,000  
September 1 to September 30
     8,100,000       16.82       8,100,000  
October 1 to October 31
     18,750,000       14.14       18,750,000  
November 1 to November 30
     3,606,999       14.99       3,606,999  
December 1 to December 31
     8,758,278       15.74       8,758,278  
Total
     129,658,402       17.16       129,658,402  
 
(1)
The number of shares of treasury stock at December 31, 2008 amounted 125,561,011 (64,471,368 at December 31, 2007).
 
(2)
As part of our shareholder remuneration policy, in 2008, we announced plans to buy back up to 150 million of our shares, which we concluded in the first quarter of 2009. For a further description of our share buyback programs, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividend Information and Share Buyback Programs”.  We manage the share price risk of our share buyback programs by setting the timetable for execution in accordance with the pace of cash flow generation, the share price and other market conditions, and subject to any applicable limitations established by law, regulations or our bylaws.
 
In addition, a maximum of 2,900,000 shares could be assigned for the third phase (Start Date: July 1, 2008) of the Performance Share Plan.
 
For a more detailed description of our plans or programs, see “Item 8. Financial Information—Dividend Information and Share Buyback Programs” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Share Price Risk”.
 
Item 16G.    Corporate Governance
 
Significant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices
 
Corporate governance guidelines
 
In Spain, companies with securities listed on a Spanish stock exchange are expected to follow the Conthe Code published in May 2006, which contains corporate governance and shareholder disclosure recommendations. It combines and substitutes the former Spanish Corporate Governance Codes: the Olivencia Code of Good Governance and the Aldama Report. Spanish listed companies are required by law to publish an Annual Report on Corporate Governance and also to publish corporate governance information on their websites.  We base our corporate governance procedures on the recommendations of the Conthe Code.  As part of our corporate governance procedures, we have adopted regulations for our Board of Directors that govern, among other things, director qualification standards, responsibilities, compensation, access to management information, the Board of Directors’ purpose and each of our Board Committee’s purpose and responsibilities.  Moreover, we have a Regulation of the General Shareholders’ Meeting that aims to reinforce its transparency, providing shareholders with a framework guaranteeing and facilitating exercise of their rights.  The Annual Report on Corporate Governance published by us provides a detailed explanation of our corporate governance procedures and explains the role and duties of our Board of Directors and Board Committees.  Our Annual Report on Corporate Governance is available on our website at www.telefonica.com. None of the information contained on our website is incorporated in this Annual Report.
 
 
Committees
 
We have had an Audit and Control Committee since 1997. Our Audit and Control Committee is composed of four non-executive directors, all of whom are deemed Rule 10A-3 independent by our Board of Directors.  The Committee’s functions and duties are similar to those required by the New York Stock Exchange.  The Audit and Control Committee shall consist of not less than three nor more than five directors appointed by our Board of Directors. All Committee members shall be external directors.  When appointing such members, our Board of Directors shall take into account the appointees’ knowledge and experience in matters of accounting, auditing and risk management.
 
We have had a Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee since 1997, which is composed of five external directors.  The functions, composition and competencies of this Committee are regulated by the Board of Directors’ Regulations and are very similar to those required by the NYSE.  The Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee shall consist of not less than three nor more than five directors appointed by the Board of Directors.  All members of the Committee must be external directors and the majority thereof must be independent (The Chairman of the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, who shall in all events be an independent director, shall be appointed from among its members).
 
Additionally we have a Human Resources and Corporate Reputation and Responsibility Committee, a Regulation Committee, a Service Quality and Customer Service Committee, an International Affairs Committee, an Innovation Committee and a Strategy Committee. The functions, composition and competencies are regulated by the Board of Directors’ Regulations.
 
Independence of the Board
 
As of the date of this Annual Report, we have 17 directors, out of which eight have been deemed independent by our Board of Directors attending to the director’s classification contained in the Conthe Corporate Governance Code. A significant majority of our current directors, 14, are non-executive directors.  We, in accordance with the Conthe Code, assess the independence of our directors. Among other things, independent directors: (i) shall not be, past employees or executive directors of any of the Group companies, unless three or five years have elapsed, respectively, (ii) shall not receive any payment or other form of compensation from us or our group on top of their directors’ fees, unless the amount involved is not significant, (iii) shall not be partners, now or on the past three years, in the external auditor or in the firm responsible for the audit report, (iv) shall not be executive directors or senior officers of another company where one of our executive directors or senior officers is an external director, (v) shall not have material business dealings with us or any other company in our group, (vi) shall not be spouses, nor partners maintaining an analogous affective relationship, nor close relative of any of our executive directors or senior officers and (vii) shall not stand in any of the situations listed in (i), (v) or (vi) above in relation to a significant shareholder or a shareholder with board representation.
 
The classification of each director shall be explained by the Board of Directors to the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting at which the appointment thereof must be made or ratified.  Furthermore, such classification shall be reviewed annually by our Board of Directors after verification by the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, and reported in the Annual Corporate Governance Report.
 
Internal Audit Function
 
We have an Internal Audit Department responsible for internal audit matters and for ensuring the efficiency of the internal audit control process of our different units.  This Internal Audit Department reports directly to the Audit and Control Committee, thus supporting the adequate performance of all its functions.
 
Non-Executive Director Meetings
 
Pursuant to the NYSE listing standards, non-executive directors of U.S. listed companies must meet on a regular basis without management present and Telefónica must disclose a method for any interested parties to communicate directly with the non-executive directors.  As a group, our non-executive directors do not meet formally without management present.  Nevertheless, every committee of the Board of Directors is composed
 
 
exclusively of non-executive directors, thus giving each of these committees, the chance to analyze and discuss any matter related to our management, within its respective area of responsibility.
 
Whistleblowing
 
We have procedures in place that allow any employee to anonymously and confidentially report instances of fraud, alterations of financial information or specific risks to Telefónica and its subsidiaries.
 
Code of Ethics
 
The NYSE listing standards require U.S. companies to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. In 2004 we adopted, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a code of ethics that applied to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and to our senior financial officers.  In December 2006, we adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, the “Telefónica Business Principles”, which apply to all Telefónica Group employees.  On March 2008, we decided to modify such Business Principles in order to incorporate within them all components of the code of ethics definition in Section 406 of Sarbanes Oxley Act, and consequently our code of ethics for senior officers was replaced by such Business Principles.
 
We also have an Internal Code of Conduct for securities markets issues to prevent insider trading misconduct and to control possible conflicts of interest.  In addition, the Regulations of the Board of Directors set out in detail our directors’ main obligations relating to conflicts of interest concerning business opportunities, misappropriation of our assets, confidentiality and non-competition.
 
 
Part III
 
Item 17.    Financial Statements
 
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this Item.
 
Item 18.    Financial Statements
 
Please see pages F-1.1 through F-143.
 
 
Item 19.    Exhibits
 

 
Exhibit Number
  
 
Description
1.1
  
Amended and Restated bylaws (English translation)
4.1
  
Shareholders’ Agreement dated as of April 28, 2007 among Telefónica S.A., Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Sintonia S.A., Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., Mediobanca S.p.A.*
4.2
  
Co-investment Agreement dated as of April 28, 2007 among Telefónica S.A., Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Sintonia S.A., Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A., Mediobanca S.p.A. *
4.3
  
Merger Plan of Telefónica and Telefónica Móviles dated as of March 29, 2006**
4.4
  
Framework Agreement between Telefónica and O2 Plc dated October 31, 2005, together with the amendment thereto dated November 18, 2005***
4.5
  
Merger Plan of Telefónica and Terra Networks dated as of February 23, 2005****
4.6
  
Call Option Agreement, dated November 6, 2007, between Telefónica, S.A. and Telco*****
4.7
  
Amendment to the Shareholders’ Agreement and Bylaws, dated November 19, 2007 among Telefónica S.A., Generali, Sintonia S.A., Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. and Mediobanca S.p.A.*****
8.1
  
Subsidiaries of Telefónica (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Appendix V thereto)
11.1
  
Code of Ethics (“Telefónica Business Principles”)
12.1
  
Certification of César Alierta Izuel, Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2
  
Certification of Santiago Fernández Valbuena, Chief Financial Officer of Telefónica, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1
  
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
*
Incorporated by reference to Telefónica’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
**
Incorporated by reference to Telefónica’s filing made pursuant to Rule 425 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on March 29, 2006.
 
***
Incorporated by reference to Telefónica’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
****
Included as Annex A-1 to the joint information statement/prospectus contained in the registration statement on Form F-4 of Telefónica and Terra Networks (Registration No. 333-123162).
 
*****
Incorporated by reference to Telefónica’s Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2007.
 
We agree to furnish to the SEC upon request, copies of the instruments defining the rights of the holders of our long-term debt and of our subsidiaries’ long-term debt.
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
 
TELEFÓNICA, S.A.
 
 
By: 
/s/ César Alierta Izuel
 
Name:  
César Alierta Izuel
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer

TELEFÓNICA, S.A.
 
 
By: 
/s/ Santiago Fernández Valbuena
 
Name:  
Santiago Fernández Valbuena
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer

Date:  April 30, 2009
 
 
 

 

 
TELEFÓNICA, S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPOSING THE
 
TELEFÓNICA GROUP
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Telefónica, S.A.
 
We have audited Telefónica, S.A.’s 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 (the COSO criteria). The Telefónica, S.A.’s Directors are responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Telefónica, S.A.’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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.
 
In our opinion, Telefónica, S.A. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Telefónica, S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and recognized income and expense for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and our report dated April 30, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
Ernst & Young S.L. 
 

 
/s/ José Luis Perelli Alonso
José Luis Perelli Alonso
 
Madrid, Spain
April 30, 2009
 
 
 
F - 1.1
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Telefónica, S.A.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Telefónica, S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and recognized income and expense for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Telefónica, S.A.’s Directors. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Telefónica, S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated 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.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Telefónica S.A.’s 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 and our report dated April 30, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
Ernst & Young S.L.
 
 
 
/s/ José Luis Perelli Alonso
José Luis Perelli Alonso
 
Madrid, Spain
April 30, 2009
 
 
 
F - 1.2
 
 
 
 
 
TELEFÓNICA GROUP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31
 
(MILLIONS OF EUROS)
 
ASSETS
NOTE
  
2008
    
2007
  
               
A) NON-CURRENT ASSETS
       81,923       87,395  
                   
Intangible assets
(Note 6)
     15,921       18,320  
Goodwill
(Note 7)
     18,323       19,770  
Property, plant and equipment
(Note 8)
     30,545       32,460  
Investment properties
       1       9  
Investments in associates
(Note 9)
     2,777       3,188  
Non-current financial assets
(Note 13)
     7,376       5,819  
Deferred tax assets
(Note 17)
     6,980       7,829  
                   
B) CURRENT ASSETS
       17,973       18,478  
                   
Inventories
       1,188       987  
Trade and other receivables
(Note 11)
     9,315       9,662  
Current financial assets
(Note 13)
     2,216       1,622  
Tax receivables
(Note 17)
     970       1,010  
Cash and cash equivalents
(Note 13)
     4,277       5,065  
Non-current assets held for sale
       7       132  
                   
TOTAL ASSETS (A + B)
       99,896       105,873  
                   
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
NOTE
  
2008
    
2007
  
                   
C) EQUITY
(Note 12)
     19,562       22,855  
                   
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
       17,231       20,125  
Minority interests
       2,331       2,730  
                   
D) NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
       55,202       58,044  
                   
Interest-bearing debt
(Note 13)
     45,088       46,942  
Trade and other payables
(Note 14)
     1,117       1,015  
Deferred tax liabilities
(Note 17)
     3,576       3,926  
Provisions
(Note 15)
     5,421       6,161  
                   
E) CURRENT LIABILITIES
       25,132       24,974  
                   
Interest-bearing debt
(Note 13)
     8,100       6,986  
Trade and other payables
(Note 14)
     13,651       14,556  
Current tax payables
(Note 17)
     2,275       2,157  
Provisions
(Note 15)
     1,106       1,275  
                   
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES (C+D+E)
       99,896       105,873  

 
 
The accompanying Notes 1 to 25 and Appendices I to IV are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TELEFÓNICA GROUP
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
 
(MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 
INCOME STATEMENT
NOTE
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
                     
Revenue from operations
(Note 19)
     57,946       56,441       52,901  
Other income
(Note 19)
     1,865       4,264       1,571  
Supplies
       (17,818 )     (17,907 )     (16,629 )
Personnel expenses
(Note 19)
     (6,762 )     (7,893 )     (7,622 )
Other expenses
(Note 19)
     (12,312 )     (12,081 )     (11,095 )
Depreciation and amortization
(Note 19)
     (9,046 )     (9,436 )     (9,704 )
                           
OPERATING INCOME
       13,873       13,388       9,422  
                           
Share of profit (loss) of associates
(Note 9)
     (161 )     140       76  
                           
Finance income
       827       703       1,082  
Exchange gains
       6,189       4,645       4,513  
Finance costs
       (3,648 )     (3,554 )     (3,877 )
Exchange losses
       (6,165 )     (4,638 )     (4,452 )
                           
Net financial expense
(Note 16)
     (2,797 )     (2,844 )     (2,734 )
                           
PROFIT BEFORE TAX FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
       10,915       10,684       6,764  
                           
Corporate income tax
(Note 17)
     (3,089 )     (1,565 )     (1,781 )
                           
                           
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
       7,826       9,119       4,983  
                           
PROFIT AFTER TAX FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
(Note 18)
     -       -       1,596  
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
       7,826       9,119       6,579  
                           
Minority interests
(Note 12)
     (234 )     (213 )     (346 )
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT
       7,592       8,906       6,233  
                           
Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to equity holders of the parent (euros)
(Note 19)
     1.63       1.87       0.97  
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (euros)
(Note 19)
     1.63       1.87       1.30  
 
 
The accompanying Notes 1 to 25 and Appendices I to IV are an integral part of these consolidated income statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TELEFÓNICA GROUP
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
 
(MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 
NOTE
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Cash flows from operating activities
                    
                     
Cash received from customers
       69,060       67,129       60,285  
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
       (48,500 )     (47,024 )     (41,475 )
Dividends received
       113       124       76  
Net interest and other financial expenses paid
       (2,894 )     (3,221 )     (2,372 )
Taxes paid
       (1,413 )     (1,457 )     (1,100 )
                           
Net cash from operating activities
(Note 23)
     16,366       15,551       15,414  
                           
Cash flows from investing activities
                          
                           
Proceeds on disposals of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
       276       198       129  
Payments on investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
       (7,889 )     (7,274 )     (6,933 )
Proceeds on disposals of companies, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed
       686       5,346       2,294  
Payments on investments in companies, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired
       (2,178 )     (2,798 )     (23,757 )
Proceeds on financial investments not included under cash equivalents
       31       14       109  
Payments made on financial investments not included under cash equivalents
       (114 )     (179 )     (220 )
Interest received on cash surpluses not included under cash equivalents
       76       74       312  
Government grants received
       11       27       14  
                           
Net cash used in investing activities
(Note 23)
     (9,101 )     (4,592 )     (28,052 )
                           
Cash flows from financing activities
                          
                           
Dividends paid
(Note 12)
     (4,440 )     (3,345 )     (3,196 )
Transactions with equity holders
       (2,241 )     (2,152 )     (2,346 )
Proceeds on issue of debentures and bonds
(Note 13)
     1,317       4,209       13,528  
Proceeds on loans, borrowings and promissory notes
       3,693       6,658       30,489  
Cancellation of debentures and bonds
(Note 13)
     (1,167 )     (1,756 )     (1,668 )
Repayments of loans, borrowings and promissory notes
       (4,927 )     (13,039 )     (22,235 )
                           
Net cash (used in) from financing activities
(Note 23)
     (7,765 )     (9,425 )     14,572  
                           
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on collections and payments
       (302 )     (261 )     (372 )
                           
Effect of changes in consolidation methods and other non-monetary effects
       14       -       28  
                           
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period
       (788 )     1,273       1,590  
                           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
       5,065       3,792       2,202  
                           
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT AT THE END OF YEAR
(Note 13)
     4,277       5,065       3,792  
                           
RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS WITH THE BALANCE SHEET
                  
                           
BALANCE AT  THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
       5,065       3,792       2,202  
Cash on hand and at banks
       2,820       2,375       1,555  
Other cash equivalents
       2,245       1,417       658  
Bank overdrafts
               -       (11 )
                           
BALANCE AT THE END OF THE YEAR
(Note 13)
     4,277       5,065       3,792  
Cash on hand and at banks
       3,236       2,820       2,375  
Other cash equivalents
       1,041       2,245       1,417  
                           

 
The accompanying Notes 1 to 25 and Appendices I to IV are an integral part of these consolidated cash flow statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TELEFÓNICA GROUP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RECOGNIZED INCOME AND EXPENSE FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
 
(MILLIONS OF EUROS)
 
 
NOTE
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments
       (1,309 )     32       584  
Gains (loss) on hedges
       1,352       892       10  
Translation differences
       (4,051 )     (1,375 )     (407 )
Actuarial gains and losses and impact of limit on assets for defined benefit pension plans
(Note 15)
     (182 )     54       112  
Share of income (loss) recognized directly in equity
       (59 )     (3 )     (153 )
Tax effect of items recognized directly in equity
       (79 )     (296 )     (138 )
Net income (loss) recognized directly in equity
       (4,328 )     (696 )     8  
                           
Profit for the year
       7,826       9,119       6,579  
                           
Total income and expense recognized in the year
(Note 12)
     3,498       8,423       6,587  
                           
Attributable to:
                          
Equity holders of the parent
(Note 12)
     3,612       8,158       6,346  
Minority interests
(Note 12)
     (114 )     265       241  
        3,498       8,423       6,587  

 
The accompanying Notes 1 to 25 and Appendices I to IV are an integral part of these consolidated statements of recognized income and expense.
 
 
 
 
 

 
TELEFÓNICA, S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPOSING THE TELEFÓNICA GROUP
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL ACCOUNTS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
 
(1)
BACKGROUND AND GENERAL INFORMATION
 
Telefónica Group organizational structure
 
Telefónica, S.A. and its subsidiaries and investees make up an integrated group of companies (the “Telefónica Group,” “Telefónica,” "the Group” or “the Company”) operating primarily in the telecommunications, media and contact center industries.
 
The parent company of the Group is Telefónica, S.A., a public limited company incorporated on April 19, 1924 for an indefinite period. Its registered office is at calle Gran Vía 28, Madrid (Spain).
 
Appendix V lists the subsidiaries, associates and investees in which the Telefónica Group has direct or indirect holdings, their corporate purpose, country, functional currency, share capital, the Telefónica Group’s effective shareholding and the consolidation method used.
 
Corporate structure of the Group
 
Telefónica’s basic corporate purpose, pursuant to Article 4 of its bylaws, is the provision of all manner of public or private telecommunications services, including ancillary or complementary telecommunications services or related services. All the business activities that constitute this stated corporate purpose may be performed either in Spain or abroad and wholly or partially by the Company, either through shareholdings or equity interests in other companies or legal entities with an identical or a similar corporate purpose.
 
The Telefónica Group follows a regional, integrated management model based on three business areas defined by geographical markets and integrated wireline and wireless businesses:
 
-  
Telefónica Spain
 
-  
Telefónica Latin America
 
-  
Telefónica Europe
 
The business activities carried out by most of the Telefónica Group companies are regulated by broad ranging legislation, pursuant to which permits, concessions or licenses must be obtained in certain circumstances to provide the various services.
 
In addition, certain wireline and wireless telephony services are provided under regulated rate and price systems.
 
A more detailed segmentation of the activities carried out by the Group is provided in Note 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)
BASIS OF PRESENTATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared from the accounting records of Telefónica, S.A. and of each of the companies comprising the Telefónica Group, which were prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles prevailing in the various countries in which the companies comprising the Group are located, and presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which do not differ from IFRS as adopted by the European Union, , to give a true and fair view of the equity, financial position, results of operations and cash flow obtained and used and recognized income and expense in 2008. The figures in these consolidated financial statements are expressed in millions of euros, unless indicated otherwise, and therefore may be rounded. The euro is the Group’s reporting currency.
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 were prepared by the Company’s Board of Directors at its meeting on February 25, 2009 for submission for approval at the General Shareholders’ Meeting, which is expected to occur without any modification.
 
Note 3 contains a description of the most significant accounting policies used to prepare these consolidated financial statements.
 
For comparative purposes, the accompanying financial statements for 2008 include in the consolidated income statement, the consolidated cash flow statement, the consolidated statement of recognized income and expense and the notes thereto for the year then ended, the figures for 2007 and, on a voluntary basis those of 2006.
 
Comparative information and changes in the consolidation scope
 
The main changes in the consolidation scope affecting comparability of the consolidated information for 2008 and 2007 (see Appendix I for a more detailed explanation of the changes in consolidation scope in both years and the main transactions in 2006) are as follows:
 
2008:
 
a)
Tender offer for all the remaining outstanding shares of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
 
 
On September 17, 2008, Telefónica launched a tender offer through its subsidiary Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda. to acquire all the outstanding shares of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A. (“CTC”) that it did not control directly or indirectly, amounting to 55.1% of CTC’s share capital.
 
Once the acceptance period had ended and the transaction had been settled, Telefónica’s indirect ownership in CTC increased from 44.9% to 96.75%. This is the percentage that appears as the percentage of ownership in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsequently, pursuant to Chilean law, on December 1, 2008, Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda. launched a new offer for all the shares of CTC that it did not own directly or indirectly after settlement of the first offer, under the same economic terms. The acceptance period for the second offer ended December 31, 2008 but was then extended to January 6, 2009, as allowed by Chilean law.
 
Upon the end of the acceptance period of the second tender offer, Telefónica’s indirect ownership percentage in CTC’s share capital had increased from 96.75% of all CTC’s outstanding shares, reached in the first tender offer, to 97.89%. The total payment for the two tranches was 553.64 million Chilean pesos, equivalent to 647.6 million euros.
 
2007
 
b)
Sale of shareholding in Airwave O2, Ltd.
 
 
In April 2007, Telefónica O2 Europe, Plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica, S.A., sold, through its subsidiary O2 Holdings, Ltd, 100% of the share capital of UK company Airwave O2, Ltd, for 1,932 million pounds sterling (equivalent to 2,841 million euros at the transaction date). The sale produced a gain of 1,296 million euros, recognized under “Other income” in the accompanying 2007 consolidated income statement (see Note 19).
 
c)
Sale of shareholding in Endemol Investment Holding, B.V.
 
In May 2007, Telefónica, S.A. agreed to sell its 99.7% stake in Dutch company Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. for 2,629 million euros. The transaction was carried out on July 3, 2007, producing a gain for the Telefónica Group of 1,368 million euros, recognized under “Other income” in the accompanying 2007 consolidated income statement (see Note 19).
 
d)
Acquisition of indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia
 
Pursuant to the agreements signed on April 28, 2007, on October 25, 2007 Telefónica, S.A., together with its partners Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Intesa Sanpaolo, S.p.A., Mediobanca S.p.A. and Sintonía, S.A. (Benetton) acquired an indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia S.p.A. through Italian company Telco S.p.A., in which Telefónica has a 42.3% interest.
 
After the acquisition was carried out on December 10, 2007, Telco S.p.A. became owner of 23.6% of Telecom Italia, S.p.A.’s voting shares, leaving Telefónica with an indirect holding in the voting shares of Telecom Italia S.p.A. of 9.98%, equivalent to 6.88% of the dividend rights.
 
Subsequently, in March 2008, Telco, S.p.A. acquired 121.5 million shares of Telecom Italia, S.p.A. (representing 0.9% of its share capital), bringing its ownership to 24.5% of the voting rights and 16.9% of the dividend rights.
 
As a result, the Telefónica Group indirectly holds 10.4% of Telecom Italia, S.p.A.’s voting rights and 7.1% of its dividend rights. The Telefónica Group accounts for the investment in Telco, S.p.A. using equity consolidation.
 
 

 
 
 
 
(3)
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The principal accounting policies used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements are as follows:
 
a)
Translation methodology
 
The financial statements of the Group’s foreign subsidiaries were translated to euros at the year-end exchange rates, except for:
 
1. 
Capital and reserves, which were translated at historical exchange rates.
 
2. 
 Income statements and cash flow statements, which were translated at the average exchange rates for the year.
 
Goodwill and balance sheet items remeasured to fair value upon the acquisition of stake in a foreign operation are recognized as assets and liabilities of the company acquired and therefore translated at the year-end exchange rate.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The exchange rate differences arising from the application of this method are included in “Translation differences” under “Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, net of the portion of said differences attributable to minority interests, which is shown under “Equity - Minority interests.” When a foreign operation is sold, fully or partially, or contributions are reimbursed, cumulative translation differences since January 1, 2004 (the IFRS transition date) recognized in equity are taken proportionally to the income statement as a gain or loss on the disposal.
 
b)
Foreign currency transactions
 
Monetary transactions denominated in foreign currencies are translated to euros at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction date, and are adjusted at year end to the exchange rates then prevailing.
 
All realized and unrealized exchange gains or losses are taken to the income statement for the year, with the exception of gains or losses arising from specific-purpose financing of investments in foreign investees designated as hedges of foreign currency risk to which these investments are exposed (see Note 3 i), and exchange gains or losses on intra-group loans considered part of the investment in the foreign operation, which are recorded under “Translation differences” in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
c)
Goodwill
 
For acquisitions after January 1, 2004, the IFRS transition date, goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost over the acquirer’s interest, at the acquisition date, in the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed from a subsidiary or joint venture. After initial measurement, goodwill is carried at cost, less any accumulated impairment losses.
 
In the transition to IFRS, Telefónica availed itself of the exemption allowing it not to restate business combinations taking place before January 1, 2004. As a result, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include goodwill net of amortization deducted until December 31, 2003, arising before the IFRS transition date, from the positive consolidation difference between the amounts paid to acquire shares of consolidated subsidiaries, and their carrying amounts plus increases in the fair value of assets and liabilities recognized in equity.
 
In all cases, goodwill is recognized as an asset denominated in the currency of the company acquired.
 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if there are certain events or changes indicating the possibility that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable.
 
The potential impairment loss is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (or group of cash-generating units) to which the goodwill relates when originated. If this recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount, an irreversible impairment loss is recognized in income (see Note 3 f).
 
d)
Intangible assets
 
Intangible assets are stated at acquisition or production cost, less any accumulated amortization or any accumulated impairment losses.
 
 
 
F - 10
 
 
 
 
 
The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed individually to be either finite or indefinite. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized systematically over the useful economic life and assessed for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently in the event of indications that their carrying amount may not be recoverable (see Note 3 f).
 
The Company’s management reassesses the indefinite useful life classification of these assets on an annual basis.
 
Amortization methods and schedules are revised annually at year end and, where appropriate, adjusted prospectively.
 
Research and development costs
 
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred in developing new products to be marketed or used for the Group’s own network, and whose future economic viability is reasonably certain, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the related project is expected to generate economic benefits, starting upon its completion.
 
Recoverability is considered to be reasonably assured when the Group can demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset, whether it will be available for use or sale, its intention to complete and its ability to use or sell the asset and how the asset will generate future economic benefits.
 
As long as intangible assets developed internally are not in use, the associated capitalized development costs are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if there are indications that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. Costs incurred in connection with projects that are not economically viable are charged to the consolidated income statement for the year in which this circumstance becomes known.
 
Service concession arrangements
 
These arrangements relate to the acquisition cost of the licenses granted to the Telefónica Group by various public authorities to provide telecommunications services and to the value assigned to licenses held by certain companies at the time they were included in the Telefónica Group.
 
The concessions are amortized on a straight-line basis over the duration of the related licenses from the moment commercial exploitation commences.
 
Customer base
 
This represents the allocation of acquisition costs attributable to customers acquired in business combinations. Amortization is on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of the customer relationship.
 
Software
 
Software is stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life, generally estimated at three years.
 
 
 
F - 11
 
 
 
 
 
e)
Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment in value. Land is not depreciated.
 
Cost includes external and internal costs comprising warehouse materials used, direct labor used in installation work and the allocable portion of the indirect costs required for the related investment. The latter two items are recorded as revenues under “Own work capitalized” and “Other income.” Cost includes, where appropriate, the initial estimate of decommissioning, retirement and site reconditioning costs when the Company is under obligation to incur such costs due to the use of the asset.
 
Interest and other financial expenses incurred and directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets are capitalized. Qualifying assets at the Telefónica Group are those assets that require a period of at least 18 months to bring the assets to their intended use or sale.
 
The costs of expansion, modernization or improvement leading to increased productivity, capacity or efficiency or to a lengthening of the useful lives of assets are capitalized when recognition requirements are met.
 
Upkeep and maintenance expenses are expensed as incurred.
 
The Telefónica Group assesses the need to write down, if appropriate, the carrying amount of each item of property, plant and equipment to its recoverable amount whenever there are indicators that the assets’ carrying amount exceeds the higher of its fair value less costs to sell or its value in use. The impairment provision is not maintained if the factors giving rise to the impairment disappear (see Note 3 f).
 
The Group’s subsidiaries depreciate their property, plant and equipment once they are in full working condition using the straight-line method based on the assets’ estimated useful lives, calculated in accordance with technical studies which are revised periodically based on technological advances and the rate of dismantling, as follows:
 
       
   
Years of
estimated
useful life
  
Buildings
     25 – 40  
Plant and machinery
     10 – 15  
Telephone installations, networks and subscriber equipment
     5 – 20  
Furniture, tools and other items
     2 – 10  
 
Assets’ estimated residual values and methods and depreciation periods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, prospectively at each financial year end.
 
 
 
F - 12
 
 
 
 
 
f)
Impairment of non-current assets
 
Non-current assets, including Property, Plant and Equipment goodwill and intangible assets are evaluated at each balance sheet date for indications of impairment losses. Wherever such indications exist, or in the case of assets which are subject to an annual impairment test, the Company estimates recoverable amount as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows deriving from the use of the asset or its cash generating unit, as applicable, are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Where the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset is considered to be impaired. In this case, the carrying amount is written down to recoverable amount and the resulting loss is taken to the income statement. Future depreciation or amortization charges are adjusted for the asset’s new carrying amount over its remaining useful life. The Company assesses each asset individually for impairment, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets (or cash-generating units).
 
The Company bases the calculation of impairment on the business plans of the various cash-generating units to which the assets are allocated. These business plans generally cover five years. For longer periods, an expected constant or decreasing growth rate is applied to the projections based on these plans from the fifth year.
 
The main variables used by management to determine recoverable amounts are ARPU (average revenues per user), customer acquisition and retention costs, share of net adds in accesses, market shares, investments in non-current assets, growth rates and discount rates.
 
Pre-tax discount rates adjusted for country and business risk are applied. The Company used the following ranges of rates in 2008:
 
Rates
2008
2007
Businesses in Spain
7.6%-10.1%
7.0%-11.3%
Businesses in Latin America
9.5%-23.5%
8.1%-18.6%
Businesses in Europe
7.8%-8.5%
7.7%-8.1%
 
When there are new events or changes in circumstances that indicate that a previously recognized impairment loss no longer exists or has been decreased, a new estimate of the asset’s recoverable amount is made. A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. The reversal is limited to the net carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in profit or loss and the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying amount. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.
 
g)
Leases
 
The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains a lease is based on the substance of the agreement and requires an assessment of whether the fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset and the agreement conveys a right to the Telefónica Group for  the use of  the asset.
 
 
 
F - 13
 
 
 
 
 
Leases where the lessor does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense under “Other expense” in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
 
Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the leased item to the Group. These are classified at the inception of the lease, in accordance with its nature and the associated liability, at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property. Lease payments are apportioned between the finance costs and reduction of the principal of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance costs are reflected in the income statement over the lease term.
 
h)
Investments in associates
 
The Telefónica Group’s investments in companies over which it exercises significant influence (evidenced via representation on the board of directors or agreements with shareholders) but does not control or manage jointly with third parties are accounted for using the equity method. The carrying amount of investments in associates includes related goodwill and the consolidated income statement reflects the share of profit or loss from operations of the associate. If the associate recognizes any gains or losses directly in equity, the Group also recognizes the corresponding portion of these gains or losses directly in its own equity.
 
i)
Financial assets and liabilities
 
Financial investments
 
All regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on the trade date, i.e. the date that the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset. The Telefónica Group classifies its financial instruments into four categories for initial recognition purposes: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and available-for-sale financial assets. Where appropriate, the Company re-evaluates the designation at each financial year end.
 
Financial assets held for trading, i.e., investments made with the aim of realizing short-term returns as a result of price changes, are included in the category financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and presented as current assets. Derivatives are classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. The Group also classifies certain financial instruments under this category when doing so eliminates or mitigates measurement or recognition inconsistencies that could arise from the application of other criteria for measuring assets and liabilities or for recognizing gains and losses on different bases. Also in this category are financial assets for which an investment and disposal strategy has been designed based on their fair value. Financial instruments included in this category are recorded at fair value and are remeasured at subsequent reporting dates at fair value, with any realized or unrealized gains or losses recognized in the income statement.
 
 
 
F - 14
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets with fixed maturities that the Company has the positive intention and ability (legal and financial) to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and presented as “Current assets” or “Non-current assets”, depending on the time left until settlement. Financial assets falling into this category are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the investments are settled or impaired, as well as through the amortization process.
 
Financial assets which the Company intends to hold for an unspecified period of time and could be sold at any time to meet specific liquidity requirements or in response to interest-rate movements are classified as available-for-sale. These investments are recorded under “Non-current assets,” unless it is probable and feasible that they will be sold within 12 months. Financial assets in this category are measured at fair value. Gains or losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in equity at each financial year end until the investment is derecognized or determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously reported in equity is recognized in profit or loss. Dividends from available-for-sale investments are recognized in the income statement when the Company has the right to receive the dividend. Fair value is determined in accordance with the following criteria:
 
1.     Listed securities on active markets:
 
Fair value is considered to be the quoted market price at the closing date.
 
2.     Unlisted securities:
 
Fair value is determined using valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis, option valuation models, or by reference to arm’s length market transactions. When fair value cannot be reliably determined, these investments are carried at cost.
 
Loans and receivables include financial assets that are not quoted in an active market and do not fall into any of the previous categories. These assets are carried at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired, as well as through the amortization process. Trade receivables are recognized at the original invoice amount. A provision is recorded when there is objective evidence of customer collection risk. The amount of the provision is calculated as the difference between the carrying amount of the doubtful trade receivables and their recoverable amount. As a general rule, current trade receivables are not discounted.
 
The Group assesses at each balance sheet date whether a financial asset is impaired. If there is objective evidence that an impairment of a financial asset carried at amortized cost occurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future expected credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.
 
For equity instruments included in available-for-sale financial assets, the Company assesses individually for each security whether there is any objective evidence that the asset is impaired as a result of one or more events indicating that the carrying amount of the security will not be recovered. If there is objective evidence that an available-for-sale financial instrument is impaired, the cumulative loss recognized in equity, measured as the
 
 
 
F - 15
 
 
 
 
 
difference between the acquisition cost (net of any principal payments and amortization made) and the fair value at that date, less any impairment loss on that investment previously recognized in the income statement, is removed from equity and recognized in the income statement.
 
Financial assets are only fully or partially derecognized when:
 
1. 
The rights to receive cash flows from the assets have expired;
 
2. 
The Company has assumed an obligation to pay the cash flows received from the asset to a third party; or
 
3. 
The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset to a third party and transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset.
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and at banks, demand deposits and other highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. These items are stated at historical cost, which does not differ significantly from realizable value.
 
For the purpose of the consolidated cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of any outstanding bank overdrafts.
 
Preferred stock
 
Preferred shares are classified as a liability or equity instrument depending on the issuance terms. A preferred share issue is considered equity only when the issuer is not obliged to give cash or another financial instrument in the form of either principle repayment or dividend payment, whereas it is recorded as a financial liability on the balance sheet whenever the Telefónica Group does not have the right to avoid cash payments.
 
Issues and interest-bearing debt
 
These debts are recognized initially at the fair value of the consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs. After initial recognition, these financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Any difference between the cash received (net of transaction costs) and the repayment value is recognized in the income statement over the life of the debt. Interest-bearing debt is considered non-current when its maturity is over 12 months or the Telefónica Group has full discretion to defer settlement for at least another 12 months from the balance sheet date.
 
Financial liabilities are derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. Where an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender under substantially different terms, such an exchange is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and the difference between the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the income statement.
 
 
 
F - 16
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
 
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value, normally equivalent to cost. Their carrying amounts are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative. They are classified as current or non-current depending on whether they fall due within less than or after one year, respectively. Derivatives that meet all the criteria for consideration as long-term hedging instruments are recorded as non-current assets when fair value is positive and non-current liabilities when fair value is negative.
 
The accounting treatment of any gain or loss resulting from changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether the derivative in question meets all the criteria for hedge accounting and, if appropriate, on the nature of the hedge.
 
The Group designates certain derivatives as:
 
1. 
Fair value hedges, when hedging the exposure of changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability;
 
2. 
Cash flow hedges, when hedging exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a forecast transaction; or
 
3. 
Hedges of net investment in a foreign operation.
 
A hedge of the foreign currency risk in a firm commitment is accounted for as either a fair value or a cash flow hedge.
 
Changes in fair value of derivatives that qualify as fair value hedges are recognized in the income statement, together with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability attributable to the risk being hedged.
 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify and have been assigned to hedge cash flows, which are highly effective, are recognized in equity. The portion considered ineffective is taken directly to the income statement. Fair value changes from hedges that relate to firm commitments or forecast transactions that result in the recognition of non-financial assets or liabilities are included in the initial measurement of those assets or liabilities. Otherwise, changes in fair value previously recognized in equity are recognized in the income statement in the period in which the hedged transaction affects profit or loss.
 
An instrument designed to hedge foreign currency exposure from a net investment in a foreign operation is accounted for in a similar manner to cash flow hedges.
 
The application of the Company’s corporate risk-management policies could result in financial risk-hedging transactions that make economic sense, yet do not comply with the criteria and effectiveness tests required by accounting policies to be treated as hedges. Alternatively, the Group may opt not to apply hedge accounting criteria in certain instances. In these cases, gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives are taken directly to the income statement. Transactions used to reduce the exchange rate risk relating to the income contributed by foreign subsidiaries are not treated as hedging transactions.
 
 
 
F - 17
 
 
 
 
From inception, the Group formally documents the hedging relationship between the derivative and the hedged item, as well as the associated risk management objectives and strategies. The documentation includes identification of the hedge instrument, the hedged item or transaction and the nature of the risk being hedged. In addition, it states how it will assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. Hedge effectiveness is assessed, prospectively and retroactively, both at the inception of the hedge relationship and on a systematic basis throughout the life of the hedge.
 
Hedge accounting is discontinued whenever the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or settled, the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or the Company revokes the designation. In these instances, gains or losses accumulated in equity are not taken to the income statement until the forecast transaction or commitment affects profit or loss. However, if the hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gains or losses recognized directly in equity are taken immediately to the income statement.
 
The fair value of the derivative portfolio includes estimates based on calculations using observable market data, as well as specific pricing and risk-management tools commonly used by financial entities.
 
j)
Inventories
 
Materials stored for use in investment projects and inventories for consumption and replacement are valued at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value.
 
When the cash flows associated with the purchase of inventory are effectively hedged, the corresponding gains and losses accumulated in equity become part of the cost of the inventories acquired.
 
Obsolete, defective or slow-moving inventories have been written down to estimated net realizable value. The recoverable amount of inventory is calculated based on inventory age and turnover.
 
k)
Treasury shares
 
Treasury shares are stated at cost and deducted from equity. Any gain or loss obtained on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares is recognized directly in equity.
 
l)
Provisions
 
Pensions and other employee obligations
 
Provisions required to cover the accrued liability for defined-benefit pension plans are determined using the projected unit credit actuarial valuation method. The calculation is based on demographic and financial assumptions for each country considering the macroeconomic environment. The discount rates are determined based on market yield curves. Plan assets are measured at fair value. Actuarial gains and losses on post-employment defined-benefit plans are recognized immediately in equity.
 
For defined-contribution pension plans, the obligations are limited to the payment of the contributions, which are taken to the income statement as accrued.
 
 
 
F - 18
 
 
 
 
Provisions for post-employment benefits (e.g. early retirement or other) are calculated individually based on the terms agreed with the employees. In some cases, these may require actuarial valuations based on both demographic and financial assumptions.
 
Other provisions
 
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive), as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. When the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognized as a separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the income statement net of any reimbursement. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted, and the corresponding increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as a finance cost.
 
m)
Share-based payments
 
The Group has compensation systems linked to the market value of its shares, providing employees share options. Certain compensation plans are cash-settled, while others are equity-settled.
 
For cash-settled share-based transactions, the total cost of the rights granted is recognized as an expense in the income statement over the vesting period with recognition of a corresponding liability. The total cost of the options is measured initially at fair value at the grant date using statistical techniques, taking into account the terms and conditions established in each share option plan. At each subsequent reporting date, the Company reviews its estimate of fair value and the number of options it expects to be exercised, remeasuring the liability, with any changes in fair value recognized in the income statement.
 
For equity-settled share option plans, fair value at the grant date is measured by applying statistical techniques or using benchmark securities. The cost is recognized, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the vesting period. At each subsequent reporting date, the Company reviews its estimate of the number of options it expects to vest, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.
 
n)
Corporate income tax
 
This heading in the accompanying consolidated income statement includes all the expenses and credits arising from the corporate income tax levied on the Spanish Group companies and similar taxes applicable to the Group’s foreign operations.
 
The income tax expense of each year includes both current and deferred taxes, where applicable.
 
Current tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
 
Deferred taxes are calculated based on balance sheet analysis of the temporary differences generated as a result of the difference between the tax bases of the assets and liabilities and their respective carrying amounts.
 
 
 
F - 19
 
 
 
 
 
The main temporary differences arise due to discrepancies between the tax bases and carrying amounts of plant, property and equipment, intangible assets, and non-deductible provisions, as well as differences in the fair value and tax bases of net assets acquired from a subsidiary, associate or joint venture.
 
Furthermore, deferred taxes arise from unused tax credits and tax loss carryforwards.
 
The Group determines deferred tax assets and liabilities by applying the tax rates that will be effective when the corresponding asset is received or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that are enacted (or substantively enacted) at the balance sheet date.
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are not discounted to present value and are classified as non-current, irrespective of the date of their reversal.
 
The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred income tax assets are reassessed at each balance sheet date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profit will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.
 
Deferred tax liabilities on investments in subsidiaries, branches, associates and joint ventures are not recognized if the parent company is in a position to control the timing of the reversal and if the reversal is unlikely to take place in the foreseeable future.
 
Deferred income tax relating to items directly recognized in equity is recognized in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from business combinations are recognized in connection with the purchase price allocation. Subsequent increases in required deferred tax asets are deducted from goodwill.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.
 
o)
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenues and expenses are recognized on the income statement based on an accruals basis(i.e. at the moment the goods or services represented by them take place), regardless of when actual payment or collection occurs.
 
The Telefónica Group principally obtains revenues from providing the following telecommunications services: traffic, connection fees, regular (normally monthly) network usage fees, interconnection, network and equipment leasing, handset sales and other services, value-added services (e.g. text messaging) and maintenance. Products and services may be sold separately or in promotional packages (bundled).
 
Revenues from calls carried on Telefónica’s networks (traffic) entail an initial call establishment fee plus a variable call rate, based on call length, distance and type of service. Both wireline and wireless traffic is recognized as revenue as service is provided. For prepaid calls, the amount of unused traffic generates a deferred revenue recognized in “Trade and other payables” on the balance sheet. Prepaid cards generally expire within 12 months and any deferred revenue from prepaid traffic is taken directly to the income statement when the card expires as the Group has no obligation to provide service after this date.
 
 
 
F - 20
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from traffic sales and services at a fixed rate over a specified period of time (flat rate) are recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of time covered by the rate paid by the customer.
 
Period fees arising when customers connect to the Group’s network are deferred and taken to the income statement throughout the average estimated customer relationship period, which varies by type of service. All related costs, except those related to network enlargement expenses, administrative expenses and overhead, are recognized in the income statement as incurred.
 
Periodic fees are taken to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the related period. Equipment leases and other services are taken to profit or loss as they are consummed.
 
Interconnection fees from wireline-wireless and wireless-wireline calls and other customer services are recognized in the period in which the calls are made.
 
Revenues from handset and equipment sales are recognized once the sale is considered complete, i.e., generally when delivered to the end customer.
 
In the wireless telephony business there are loyalty campaigns whereby customers obtain points for the telephone traffic they generate. The amount assigned to points awarded is deducted from revenue until the points are exchanged and recognized as sales or services based on the product or service chosen by the customer. This exchange can be for discounts on the purchase of handsets, traffic or other types of services based on the number of points earned and the type of contract involved. The accompanying consolidated balance sheets include the related provision, based on an estimate of the value of the points accumulated at year end, under “Trade and other payables.”
 
Bundle packages, which include different elements, are sold in the wireline, wireless and internet businesses. They are assessed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the separately identifiable elements and apply the corresponding revenue recognition policy to each element. Total package revenue is allocated among the identified elements based on their respective fair values (i.e. the fair value of each element relative to the total fair value of the package).
 
As connection or initial activation fees, or upfront non-refundable fees, cannot be separately identifiable as elements in these types of packages, any revenues received from customers for these items are allocated to the remaining elements. However, amounts contingent upon delivery of undelivered elements are not allocated to delivered elements.
 
All expenses related to mixed promotional packages are taken to the income statement as incurred.
 
p)
Use of estimates, assumptions and judgments
 
The key assumptions concerning the future and other relevant sources of uncertainty in estimates at the balance sheet date, that could have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements within the next financial year are discussed below.
 
A significant change in the facts and circumstances on which these estimates and related judgments are based could have a material impact on the Group’s results and financial position.
 
 
 
F - 21
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill
 
The accounting treatment of investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets entails the use of estimates to determine the useful life for depreciation and amortization purposes and to assess fair value at their acquisition dates for assets acquired in business combinations.
 
Determining useful life requires making estimates in connection with future technological developments and alternative uses for assets. There is a significant element of judgment involved in making technological development assumptions, since the timing and scope of future technological advances are difficult to predict.
 
When an item of property, plant and equipment or an intangible asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment loss is recognized in the income statement for the period. The decision to recognize an impairment loss involves estimates of the timing and amount of the impairment, as well as analysis of the reasons for the potential loss. Furthermore, additional factors, such as technological obsolescence, the suspension of certain services and other circumstantial changes are taken into account.
 
The Telefónica Group evaluates its cash-generating units’ performance regularly to identify potential goodwill impairments. Determining the recoverable amount of the cash-generating units to which goodwill is allocated also entails the use of assumptions and estimates and requires a significant element of judgment.
 
Income taxes
 
The Group assesses the recoverability of deferred tax assets based on estimates of future earnings. The ability to recover these taxes depends ultimately on the Group’s ability to generate taxable earnings over the period for which the deferred tax assets remain deductible. This analysis is based on the estimated schedule for reversing deferred tax liabilities, as well as estimates of taxable earnings, which are sourced from internal projections and are continuously updated to reflect the latest trends.
 
The appropriate classification of tax assets and liabilities depends on a series of factors, including estimates as to the timing and realization of deferred tax assets and the projected tax payment schedule. Actual Group income tax receipts and payments could differ from the estimates made by the Group as a result of changes in tax legislation or unforeseen transactions that could affect tax balances.
 
Provisions
 
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. This obligation may be legal or constructive, deriving from inter alia regulations, contracts, normal practices or public commitments that lead third parties to reasonably expect that the Group will assume certain responsibilities. The amount of the provision is determined based on the best estimate of the outflow of resources required to settle the obligation, bearing in mind all available information at the balance sheet date, including the opinions of independent experts such as legal counsel or consultants.
 
 
 
F - 22
 
 
 
 
Given the uncertainties inherent in the estimates used to determine the amount of provisions, actual outflows of resources may differ from the amounts recognized originally on the basis of the estimates.
 
Revenue recognition
 
Connection fees
 
Connection fees, generated when customers connect to the Group’s network, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the average estimated customer relationship period.
 
The estimate of the average estimated customer relationship period is based on the recent history of customer churn. Potential changes in estimates could lead to changes in both the amount and timing of the future recognition of revenues.
 
Bundled offers
 
Bundled offers that combine different elements are assessed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the different identifiable elements and apply the corresponding revenue recognition policy to each element. Total package revenue is allocated among the identified elements based on their respective fair values.
 
Determining fair values for each identified element requires estimates that are complex due to the nature of our business.
 
A change in the estimates of fair values could affect the allocation of revenue among the elements and as a result, revenues in future years.
 
q)
Consolidation procedures
 
The consolidation procedures applied are as follows:
 
- 
Full consolidation for companies over which the Company has control either by exercising effective control or by virtue of agreements with the other shareholders.
 
- 
Proportionate consolidation for companies which are jointly controlled with third parties (joint ventures). Similar items are grouped together such that the corresponding proportion of these companies’ overall assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues and cash flows are integrated on a line by line basis into the consolidated financial statements.
 
- 
Equity method for companies in which there is significant influence, but not control or joint control with third parties.
 
In certain circumstances, some of the Group’s investees may require a qualified majority to adopt certain resolutions. This, together with other factors, is taken into account when selecting the consolidation method.
 
All material accounts and transactions between the consolidated companies were eliminated on consolidation. The returns generated on transactions involving capitalizable goods or services by subsidiaries with other Telefónica Group companies were eliminated on consolidation.
 
 
 
F - 23
 
 
 
 
The financial statements of the consolidated companies have the same financial year end as the parent company’s individual financial statements and are prepared using the same accounting policies. In the case of Group companies whose accounting and valuation methods differed from those of Telefónica, adjustments are made on consolidation in order to present the consolidated financial statements on a uniform basis.
 
The consolidated income statement and consolidated cash flow statement include the revenues and expenses and cash flows of companies that are no longer in the Group up to the date on which the related holding was sold or the company was liquidated, and those of the new companies included in the Group from the date on which the holding was acquired or the company was incorporated through year end.
 
Revenues and expenses associated with discontinued operations are presented in a separately line on the consolidated income statement. Discontinued operations are those with identifiable operations and cash flows (for both operating and management purposes) and that represent a line of business or geographic unit which has been disposed of or is available for sale.
 
The share of minority interests in the equity and results of the fully consolidated subsidiaries is presented under "Minority interests" on the consolidated balance sheet and income statement, respectively.
 
r)
Acquisitions and disposals of minority interests
 
Acquisitions of equity shares of subsidiaries from minority interests:
 
The Telefónica Group treats increases in equity investments in companies already controlled by the Group via purchases from minority shareholders by recognizing any difference between the acquisition price and the carrying amount of the minority interest’s participation as goodwill.
 
Disposals of investments in subsidiaries without relinquishing control:
 
In transactions involving the sale of investments in subsidiaries in which the Group retains control, the Telefónica Group derecognizes the carrying amount of the shareholding sold, including any related goodwill. The difference between this amount and the sale price is recognized as a gain or loss in the income statement.
 
Commitments to acquire minority interests (put options):
 
Put options granted to minority shareholders of subsidiaries are measured at the exercise price and classified as a financial liability, with a deduction from minority interests on the balance sheet. Where the exercise price exceeds the balance of minority interests, the difference is recognized as an increase in the goodwill of the subsidiary. At each balance sheet date, the difference is adjusted based on the exercise price of the options and the carrying amount of the minority interests.
 
 
 
F - 24
 
 
 
 
 
s)
New IFRS and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)
 
The interpretation of IFRIC 11: Group and Treasury Share Operations has been applied effectively from January 1, 2008. The adoption of this interpretation has not had a significant impact on the Company’s financial position in the initial period of application.
 
The interpretation of IFRIC 14: IAS 19 – The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction has been applied effectively from January 1, 2008. The adoption of this interpretation has not had a significant impact on the Company’s financial position in the initial period of application.
 
The amendments to IAS 39 and IFRS 7: Reclassification of financial assets have been applied effectively from July 1, 2008. Their adoption has not had a significant impact on the current period.
 
At the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements, IFRIC interpretation IFRIC 12: Service Concession Arrangements, with effect for the annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2008, had been published by the International Accounting Standards Board but not adopted by the European Union as of December 31, 2008. The application of this interpretation would not have had an impact on the 2008 consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F - 25
 
 
 
 
 
In addition, at the date of preparation of the consolidated financial statements, the following IFRS and IFRIC interpretations had been published, but their application was not mandatory:
 
Standards and amendments
Mandatory
application: annual
periods beginning on
or after
Amendment to IAS 23
Borrowing Costs
January 1, 2009 (*)
Amendment to IAS 1
Revised Presentation of Financial Statements
January 1, 2009
Revised IFRS 3
Business combinations
July 1, 2009
Amendment to IAS 27
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements
July 1, 2009
Amendment to IFRS 2
Share-based Payment - Vesting Conditions and Cancellations
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IAS 32 and IAS 1
Puttable Instruments and Obligations Arising on Liquidation
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 27
Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, Jointly Controlled Entity or Associate
January 1, 2009
Amendments to IAS 39
 Eligible Hedged Items
July 1, 2009
Revised IFRS 1
First–time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
January 1, 2009
Improvements to IFRS
January 1, 2009 (**)
 
(*)
Borrowing costs related to qualifying assets capitalized as of January 1, 2009.
 
(**)
Improvements to IFRS 5 applicable for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009.
 
 
Interpretations
Mandatory
application: annual
periods beginning on
or after
IFRIC 13
Customer Loyalty Programs
July 1, 2008
IFRIC 15
Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate
January 1, 2009
IFRIC 16
Hedges of a Net Investment in a Foreign Operation.
October 1, 2008
IFRIC 17
Distribution of Non-cash Assets to Owners
July 1, 2009
IFRIC 18
Transfers of Assets from Customers
July 1, 2009 (*)
 
(*)
Applicable for transfers carried out on or after July 1, 2009.
 
 
The Group is currently assessing the impact of the application of these standards, amendments and interpretations.
 
 
 
F - 26
 
 
 
 
 
From the analyses made, the Group estimates that their adoption will not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements in the initial period of application. However, the changes introduced by the revised IFRS 3 and amendments to IAS 27 will affect future acquisitions and transactions with minority interests carried out on or after January 1, 2010.
 
(4)
SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
Combining the wireline and wireless telephony services underscores the need to manage the business by region in order to offer customers the best integrated solutions and support wireless-wireline convergence.
 
To implement this management model, the Group has three large business areas: Telefónica Spain, Telefónica Europe and Telefónica Latin America, with each overseeing the integrated business. This forms the basis of the segment reporting in these consolidated financial statements.
 
Telefónica Spain the wireline and wireless telephony, broadband, internet, data, broadband TV, value added services activities and their development in Spain.
 
Telefónica Latin America oversees the same businesses in Latin America.
 
Telefónica Europe oversees the wireline, wireless, broadband, value added services and data businesses in the UK, Germany, the Isle of Man, Ireland, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
 
The Telefónica Group is also involved in the media and contact center businesses through investments in Telefónica de Contenidos and Atento, included under “Other and inter-group eliminations” together with the consolidation adjustments.
 
The segment reporting takes into account the impact of the purchase price allocation (PPA) to assets acquired and the liabilities assumed from the companies included in each segment. The assets and liabilities presented in each segment are those managed by the heads of each segment.
 
The Telefónica Group manages its borrowing activities and tax implications centrally. Therefore, it does not disclose the related assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses breakdown by reportable segments.
 
For the presentation of the segment reporting, revenue and expenses arising from the use of the trademark and management services and that do not affect the Group’s consolidated results have been eliminated from the operating results of each Group segment.
 
Inter-segment transactions are carried out at arm’s length prices.
 
 
 
F - 27
 
 
 
 
 
Key information for these segments is as follows:
 
2008
  
Millions of euros
  
Telefónica
Spain
    
Telefónica
Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Other and
eliminations
    
Total
Group
  
Revenue from operations
     20,838       22,174       14,309       625       57,946  
External sales
    
20,518
       21,974       14,253       1,201       57,946  
Inter-segment sales
     320       200       56       (576 )     -  
Other operating income and expenses
     (10,553 )     (13,729 )     (10,129 )     (616 )     (35,027 )
Depreciation and amortization
    
(2,239
 )     (3,645 )     (3,035 )     (127 )     (9,046 )
OPERATING INCOME
     8,046       4,800       1,145       (118 )     13,873  
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
     2,208       4,035       2,072       86       8,401  
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
     99       107       -       2,571       2,777  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
     14,372       21,959       27,265       1,193       64,789  
TOTAL ALLOCATED ASSETS
     32,273       37,942       32,726       (3,045 )     99,896  
TOTAL ALLOCATED LIABILITIES
     20,754       21,998       6,420       31,162       80,334  

 
2007
  
Millions of euros
  
Telefónica
Spain
    
Telefónica
Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Other and
eliminations
    
Total
Group
  
Revenue from operations
     20,683       20,078       14,458       1,222       56,441  
External sales
     20,423       19,901       14,417       1,700       56,441  
Inter-segment sales
     260       177       41       (478 )     -  
Other operating income and expenses
     (11,235 )     (12,957 )     (9,481 )     (*)56       (33,617 )
Depreciation and amortization
     (2,381 )     (3,559 )     (3,386 )     (110 )     (9,436 )
OPERATING INCOME
     7,067       3,562       1,591       1,168       13,388  
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
     2,381       3,343       2,125       178       8,027  
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
     95       70       -       3,023       3,188  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
     14,451       23,215       31,658       1,226       70,550  
TOTAL ALLOCATED ASSETS
     34,423       37,618       39,144       (5,312 )     105,873  
TOTAL ALLOCATED LIABILITIES
     22,014       22,205       10,215       28,584       83,018  
 
(*)
“Other operating income and expenses” for the “Other and inter-group eliminations” segment includes the 1,368 million euro gain on the sale of Endemol (see Note 2).
 
 
 
F - 28
 
 
 
 
 

2006
  
Millions of euros
  
Telefónica
Spain
    
Telefónica
Latin America
    
Telefónica
Europe
    
Other and
eliminations
    
Total
Group
  
Revenue from operations
     19,751       18,088       13,159       1,903       52,901  
External sales
     19,565       17,932       13,124       2,280       52,901  
Inter-segment sales
     186       156       35       (377 )     -  
Other operating income and expenses
     (11,104 )     (11,517 )     (9,451 )     (1,703 )     (33,775 )
Depreciation and amortization
     (2,533 )     (3,671 )     (3,399 )     (101 )     (9,704 )
OPERATING INCOME
     6,114       2,900       309       99       9,422  
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
     2,304       2,811       2,552       343       8,010  
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES
     57       20       -       882       959  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
     14,664       23,373       35,889       2,459       76,385  
TOTAL ALLOCATED ASSETS
     30,790       37,705       41,651       (1,164 )     108,982  
TOTAL ALLOCATED LIABILITIES
     20,855       23,674       10,021       34,431       88,981  
 
The breakdown of the segment revenues from operations by business and the main countries in which the Group operates is as follows:
 
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Country
  
Wireline
    
Wireless
    
Other and
eliminations
    
Total
    
Wireline
    
Wireless
    
Other and
eliminations
    
Total
    
Wireline
    
Wireless
  
Other and
eliminations
  
Total
  
Spain
     12,581       9,684       (1,427 )     20,838       12,401       9,693       (1,411 )     20,683       11,964       9,199       (1,412 )     19,751  
Latin America
                             22,174                               20,078                               18,088  
Brazil
     6,085       2,932       (411 )     8,606       5,619       2,396       (353 )     7,662       5,565       2,005       (332 )     7,238  
Argentina
     1,027       1,585       (85 )     2,527       984       1,353       (73 )     2,264       989       1,260       (86 )     2,163  
Chile
     974       1,051       (89 )     1,936       974       930       (90 )     1,814       1,006       796       (96 )     1,706  
Peru
     977       773       (123 )     1,627       1,031       603       (121 )     1,513       1,097       447       (116 )     1,428  
Colombia
     710       815       (35 )     1,490       739       869       (39 )     1,569       417       779       (14 )     1,182  
Mexico
     N/A       1,631       N/A       1,631       N/A       1,431       N/A       1,431       N/A       988       N/A       988  
Venezuela
     N/A       2,769       N/A       2,769       N/A       2,392       N/A       2,392       N/A       2,041       N/A       2,041  
Remaining operators and inter-segment eliminations
                             1,588                               1,433                               1,342  
Europe
                             14,309                               14,458                               13,159  
UK
     33       7,019       N/A       7,052       10       7,393       N/A       7,403       N/A       6,265       N/A       6,265  
Germany
     496       3,099       N/A       3,595       353       3,188       N/A       3,541       295       3,025       N/A       3,320  
Czech Republic
     1,183       1,388       10       2,581       1,067       1,192       (2 )     2,257       1,072       1,090       (14 )     2,148  
Ireland
     N/A       957       N/A       957       N/A       991       N/A       991       N/A       885       N/A       885  
Remaining operators and inter-segment eliminations
                             124                               266                               541  
Other and inter-segment eliminations
                             625                               1,222                               1,903  
Total
                             57,946                               56,441                               52,901  

 
 
 
F - 29
 
Unassociated Document <!--Copyright 1995 - 2008 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company. All rights reserved--
 
 
(5)
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ACQUISITIONS OF MINORITY INTERESTS
 
Business combinations:
 
On April 8, 2008, VIVO, through its subsidiary Tele Centro Oeste IP, S.A. (TCO IP, S.A.), launched a voluntary tender offer for shares representing up to one third of the free float of the preferred stock of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and its subsidiary Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price per share of 63.90 and 654.72 Brazilian reais, respectively. This offer, which concluded on May 15, 2008, reached a level of acceptance close to 100%, which implied the acquisition by TCO IP, S.A. of 31.9% and 6% of the preferred shares of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A., respectively.
 
Furthermore, in accordance with Brazilian Corporations law, TCO IP, S.A. submitted a mandatory tender offer on July 15, 2008, for all the voting stock in Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price per share equivalent to 80% of the purchase price of the voting stock of these companies. After this offer VIVO owns, directly and indirectly, 90.65% of the share capital of Telemig Celular, S.A. and 58.9% of the share capital of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. Both companies are included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidation scope using proportionate consolidation.
 
After the acquisition of these shareholdings, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed using generally accepted valuation methods for each type of asset and/or liability based on the best information available.
 
The fair value of the licenses was determined using the Multi-period Excess Earnings Method (MEEM) by discounting the estimated future cash flows of the company’s wireless business based on the assumptions contained in the Business Economic Valuation (BEV) prepared in accordance with Brazilian corporation law.
 
The calculation only considers estimated revenue generated by new customers in the business plan and not existing customers in the portfolio at the time of the transaction. All applicable costs are deducted from the estimated revenue, while the impact on cash flows of changes in working capital and the acquisition of assets is also considered, thus obtaining the estimated net cash flow attributable to the asset.
 
The carrying amounts, fair values, goodwill and acquisition prices of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in this transaction at the date control was obtained, considering the effects of proportionality, were the following:
 
 
F - 30

 
 
Millions of euros
(Data at 50%)
Telemig Group
 
Carrying amount
Fair value
Intangible assets
18
  
562
  
Property, plant and equipment
126
  
183
  
Other assets
376
  
477
  
Other current assets
-
  
-
  
 
 
      
Deferred tax liabilities
3
  
208
  
Other liabilities
265
  
263
  
Net asset value
252
  
751
  
Minority interests
119
  
335
  
Acquisition cost
    
451
  
Goodwill (Note 7)
    
35
  
 
The Company paid 522 million euros for the acquisition. Acquisition cost was calculated bearing in mind the exchange rate effect of the difference between the exchange rate applied upon the initial inclusion of Telemig’s assets and liabilities in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated financial statements and the average exchange rate of the payments made in the acquisition of the shareholding.
 
The impact of this acquisition on cash and cash equivalents is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Telemig Group
Cash and cash equivalents of companies acquired
175
Cash paid in the acquisition plus related costs
522
Total net cash outflow (Note 23)
347
 
No significant business combinations were carried out in 2007. Changes to the consolidation scope in 2008, 2007 and 2006 are included in Appendix I.
 
Acquisitions of minority interests:
 
The effect of the first tranche of the tender offer for CTC’s minority interests is reflected at December 31, 2008 (see Note 2). The impact of this tranche on equity attributable to minority interests amounted to 397 million euros (see Note 12), while the goodwill arising from the acquisition was 277 million euros (see Note 7).
 
In 2007, the put option held by the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. group (BBVA) on 8.65% of Atento, N.V. was exercised. The value of the stake was determined to be 70 million euros. Following this acquisition, Telefónica owns 100% of Atento N.V.
 
 
F - 31
 
 
 
(6)
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Movements in the items comprising net intangible assets in 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
                   
 
Balance at
12/31/07
Additions
Accumulated
Amortization
Disposals
Transfers
and other
Translation
differences
Inclusion of
companies
Exclusion of
companies
Balance at
12/31/08
Development costs
177
96
(81)
-
(14)
(3)
-
-
175
Service concession arrangements
9,670
293
(757)
-
50
(1,103)
544
-
8,697
Software
2,452
933
(1,111)
(15)
276
(160)
22
(3)
2,394
Customer base
4,153
1
(585)
-
(136)
(387)
-
-
3,046
Other intangible assets
1,534
16
(209)
(3)
108
(218)
3
(2)
1,229
Prepayments on intangible assets
334
292
-
-
(233)
(14)
1
-
380
Net intangible assets
18,320
1,631
(2,743)
(18)
51
(1,885)
570
(5)
15,921
 
 
Millions of euros
                   
 
Balance at
12/31/06
Additions
Accumulated
Amortization
Disposals
Transfers
and other
Translation
differences
Inclusion of
companies
Exclusion of
companies
Balance at
12/31/07
Development costs
100
117
(74)
-
37
(3)
-
-
177
Service concession arrangements
10,448
112
(776)
(3)
(9)
(236)
134
-
9,670
Software
2,553
850
(1,202)
(11)
262
(3)
3
-
2,452
Customer base
5,222
-
(644)
-
261
(143)
34
(577)
4,153
Other intangible assets
2,173
30
(243)
(2)
(317)
(90)
-
(17)
1,534
Prepayments on intangible assets
262
226
-
-
(152)
(2)
-
-
334
Net intangible assets
20,758
1,335
(2,939)
(16)
82
(477)
171
(594)
18,320
 
The gross cost, accumulated amortization and provisions for impairment of intangible assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
       
Net
 
Gross
Accumulated
Impairment
intangible
Millions of euros
cost
amortization
  
assets
Development costs
1,613
(1,438)
-
175
Service concession arrangements
12,430
(3,733)
-
8,697
Software
9,207
(6,813)
-
2,394
Customer base
5,072
(2,026)
-
3,046
Other intangible assets
2,055
(822)
(4)
1,229
Prepayments on intangible assets
380
-
-
380
Net intangible assets
30,757
(14,832)
(4)
15,921
 
 
F - 32
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
       
Net
 
Gross
Accumulated
Provisions
intangible
Millions of euros
cost
amortization
  
assets
Development costs
1,521
(1,344)
-
177
Service concession arrangements
12,703
(3,033)
-
9,670
Software
8,158
(5,706)
-
2,452
Customer base
5,620
(1,467)
-
4,153
Other intangible assets
2,299
(761)
(4)
1,534
Prepayments on intangible assets
334
-
-
334
Net intangible assets
30,635
(12,311)
(4)
18,320
 
In “Additions,” the main additions in 2008 and 2007 relate to investments in software.
 
“Additions” of service concession arrangements includes the spectrum license at VIVO for 225 million euros and the operator’s license in Ecuador for 90 million US dollars, equivalent to 62 million euros.
 
“Inclusion of companies” in 2008 mainly reflects the impact of the inclusion of the Telemig Group in the consolidation scope (see Note 5).
 
“Exclusion of companies” in 2007 consists of the impact of the disposal of Airwave and Endemol, for net amounts of 577 million euros and 17 million euros, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company carried intangible assets with indefinite useful lives of 201 and 242 million euros, respectively, related primarily to permanent licenses to operate wireless telecommunications services in Argentina (104 million euros) and to use MMDS technology in Brazil (97 million euros).
 
Intangible assets are also subject to impairment tests whenever there are indications of a potential loss in value and, in any event, at the end of each year. There was no impairment recognized in the consolidated financial statements for 2008 or 2007 as a result of these impairment tests.
 
“Other intangible assets” includes the amounts allocated to trademarks acquired in business combinations of 1,411 and 1,645 million euros at December 31, 2008 and 2007 (999 and 1,330 million euros net of the related accumulated amortization).
 
 
F - 33
 
 
 
(7)
GOODWILL
 
The movement in this heading assigned to each Group segment was the following:
 
Millions of euros
2008
Balance at
12-31-2007
Acquisitions
Translation
differences
And other
Balance at
12-31-2008
Telefónica Spain
3,233
5
-
3,238
Telefónica Latin America
5,524
406
(480)
5,450
Telefónica Europe
10,830
5
(1,383)
9,452
Other
183
16
(16)
183
Total
19,770
432
(1,879)
18,323
 
Millions of euros
2007
Balance at
12-31-2006
Acquisitions
Disposals
Translation
differences
and other
Balance at
12-31-2007
Telefónica Spain
3,234
-
(2)
1
3,233
Telefónica Latin America
5,618
196
-
(290)
5,524
Telefónica Europe
11,469
-
(136)
(503)
10,830
Other
1,418
-
(1,250)
15
183
Total
21,739
196
(1,388)
(777)
19,770
 
Goodwill generated in the acquisition of foreign companies is treated as an asset denominated in the currency of the company acquired, and is therefore subject to exchange rate differences, which are included under “Translation differences and other.”
 
Impairment tests carried out at the 2008 and 2007 year ends did not identify the need to recognize any material write-downs to goodwill as the recoverable amount was higher than the carrying amount in all cases.
 
In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed on changes reasonably expected to occur in the primary valuation variables, and recoverable amount remained above net carrying amount.
 
2008
 
The primary acquisitions of goodwill in 2008 correspond to the acquisition of the Telemig Group, which led to the recognition of 35 million euros of goodwill (see Note 5), and the first tranche of the buyout by CTC’s minority interests, which generated 277 million euros of goodwill.
 
“Translation differences and other” had a major impact on the movement in the year due to currency depreciation in several countries in which the Group operates, especially the pound sterling, which resulted in a decrease in goodwill of 1,343 million euros (see Note 12).
 
 
F - 34
 
 
 
2007
 
The primary disposals of goodwill relate to the disposals of holdings during the year in Airwave O2, Ltd. and Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. for 129 million and 1,244 million euros, respectively (see Note 2). Acquisitions in the year mainly related to the acquisition of Brazilian company Navy Tree Participaçoes, S.A., which gave rise to 182 million euros of goodwill (see Appendix I).
 
 (8)
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
The composition and movement in net property, plant and equipment and accumulated depreciation in 2008 and 2007 was the following:
 
 
Millions of euros
                   
 
Balance at
12-31-07
Additions
Accumulated
depreciation
Disposals
Transfers
and other
Translation
Differences
Inclusion of
companies
Exclusion
of
companies
Balance at
12-31-08
Land and buildings
7,289
68
(628)
(166)
850
(385)
3
-
7,031
Plant and machinery
20,814
2,520
(4,977)
(117)
2,352
(1,429)
87
-
19,250
Furniture, tools and other
1,784
397
(654)
(15)
129
(162)
67
-
1,546
Total PP&E in service
29,887
2,985
(6,259)
(298)
3,331
(1,976)
157
-
27,827
PP&E in progress
2,274
3,406
-
(16)
(2,957)
(250)
28
-
2,485
Advance payments on PP&E
15
6
-
-
(15)
-
-
-
6
Installation materials
284
373
(44)
28
(403)
(11)
-
-
227
Net PP&E
32,460
6,770
(6,303)
(286)
(44)
(2,237)
185
-
30,545

 
 
Millions of euros
                   
 
Balance at
12-31-06
Additions
Accumulated
depreciation
Disposals
Transfers
and other
Translation
Differences
Inclusion of
companies
Exclusion
of
companies
Balance at
12-31-07
Land and buildings
7,304
183
(557)
(101)
504
(24)
-
(20)
7,289
Plant and machinery
21,985
2,483
(5,264)
(85)
2,545
(204)
64
(710)
20,814
Furniture, tools and other
1,756
470
(672)
(20)
307
(39)
1
(19)
1,784
Total PP&E in service
31,045
3,136
(6,493)
(206)
3,356
(267)
65
(749)
29,887
PP&E in progress
2,516
3,245
-
(13)
(3,038)
(94)
6
(348)
2,274
Advance payments on PP&E
15
18
-
-
(16)
(2)
-
-
15
Installation materials
311
293
(4)
(3)
(301)
(12)
-
-
284
Net PP&E
33,887
6,692
(6,497)
(222)
1
(375)
71
(1,097)
32,460
 
 
F - 35
 
 
 
The gross cost, accumulated depreciation and provisions for impairment of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
 
Gross cost
Accumulated
depreciation
Provisions
Property,
plant and
equipment
Land and buildings
11,752
(4,703)
(18)
7,031
Plant and machinery
75,414
(56,077)
(87)
19,250
Furniture, tools and other items
5,286
(3,737)
(3)
1,546
Total PP&E in service
92,452
(64,517)
(108)
27,827
PP&E in progress
2,486
-
(1)
2,485
Advance payments on PP&E
6
-
-
6
Installation materials
317
(57)
(33)
227
Net PP&E
95,261
(64,574)
(142)
30,545

 
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
 
Gross cost
Accumulated
depreciation
Provisions
Property,
plant and
equipment
Land and buildings
11,389
(4,078)
(22)
7,289
Plant and machinery
74,084
(53,186)
(84)
20,814
Furniture, tools and other items
4,777
(2,994)
1
1,784
Total PP&E in service
90,250
(60,258)
(105)
29,887
PP&E in progress
2,275
-
(1)
2,274
Advance payments on PP&E
15
-
-
15
Installation materials
374
(5)
(85)
284
Net PP&E
92,914
(60,263)
(191)
32,460
 
“Inclusion of companies” in 2008 reflects the 182 million euro impact of the consolidation of Telemig.
 
“Exclusion of companies” in 2007 mainly consists of the disposals of Airwave O2, Plc and the Endemol Group for gross amounts of 1,432 and 141 million euros, respectively (1,047 and 50 million euros, respectively, of assets net of depreciation).
 
Among the main investments in 2008 and 2007 were additions by Telefónica de España of 1,681 and 1,823 million euros, respectively. They were mostly to develop ADSL, enabling Telefónica Spain to post a 13.7% increase in gross ADSL adds, ending the year with 5.2 million end users (compared to 4.5 million at the end of 2007). Also included in 2008 was the free increase in user speeds from 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps. Also worth highlighting for 2008 was Telefónica Spain’s continued work on its network transformation to adapt existing loops to FTTx (fiber optic) technology in order to enhance coverage of new services. Now, more than 19% of its loops can handle speeds of over 25 Mbps. Meanwhile, Telefónica Móviles España invested heavily in its network, raising its 3G voice and data coverage rate to over 80% of the population and its UMTS coverage rates to 80% of the population by the year end.
 
 
F - 36
 
 
 
Telefónica Latin America’s investments in 2008 and 2007 amounted to 3,393 and 2,973 million euros, respectively. Investment in 2008 centered on driving wireline technologies, namely the transformation in growth businesses (broadband and pay-TV), and in the wireless business on extending coverage and capacity for the rollout of GSM networks, with the acquisition of 3G licenses at Vivo, and in Panama and Ecuador (and renewal of concession contract in Ecuador).
 
Investment by Telefónica Europe in 2008 and 2007 amounted to 1,634 and 1,741 million euros, respectively. Investment here in 2008 focused primarily on all the operators’ 3G networks to continue expanding coverage, with further amounts earmarked for investment in the ADSL business in the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic.
 
“Translation differences” reflects the impact of exchange rate movements on opening balances. The effect of exchange rates on movements in the year is included in the appropriate column.
 
Telefónica Group companies have purchased insurance policies to reasonably cover the possible risks to which their property, plant and equipment used in operations are subject, with suitable limits and coverage.
 
Property, plant and equipment deriving from finance leases amounted to 733 million euros at December 31, 2008 (1,028 million euros at December 31, 2007) (see Note 22).
 
The net amounts of “Plant, property and equipment” temporarily out of service at December 31, 2008 and 2007 were not significant.
 
(9)
ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES:
 
Associates
 
The breakdown of amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet and income statement related to associates is as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
Description
12-31-2008
12-31-2007
Investments in associates
2,777
  
3,188
  
Long-term loans to associates
49
  
75
  
Short-term loans to associates
77
  
45
  
Receivables from associates for current operations (Note 11)
120
  
74
  
Loans granted to associates
109
  
44
  
Payables to associates from current operations
73
  
40
  
Revenue from operations with associates
212
  
148
  
Work performed by associates and other operating expenses
533
  
365
  
 
 
F - 37
 
 
 
The breakdown of the main associates and key financial highlights for the last 12-month periods available at the time of preparation of these consolidated financial statements are as follows:
 
December 31, 2008
Millions of euros
COMPANY
%
Holding
Total
assets
Total
liabilities
Current
revenues
Profit/
(loss) for
the year
Carrying
amount
Fair value
Telco, S.p.A. (Italy) (*)
42.30%
7,241
3,688
-
(1,556)
2,082
2,082
Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A. (Portugal)
9.86%
13,713
12,513
6,734
582
456
544
Medi Telecom, S.A. (Morocco)
32.18%
1,217
951
464
30
95
N/A
Hispasat, S.A. (Spain)
13.23%
716
335
138
47
50
N/A
Other
          
94
  
TOTAL
          
2,777
  

December 31, 2007
Millions of euros
COMPANY
% Holding
Total
assets
Total
liabilities
Current
revenues
Profit/(loss)
for the year
Carrying
amount
Fair value
Telco, S.p.A. (Italy) (*)
42.30%
8,769
3,645
-
(36)
2,314
2,314
Portugal Telecom. S.G.P.S.. S.A. (Portugal)
9.16%
13,578
11,249
6,165
1,010
606
839
Medi Telecom. S.A. (Morocco)
32.18%
1,275
1,023
447
24
91
N/A
Hispasat. S.A. (Spain)
13.23%
645
308
117
25
45
N/A
Other
          
132
  
TOTAL
          
3,188
  

(*)
Through this company. Telefónica effectively has an indirect stake in Telcom Italia. S.p.A.’s voting shares at December 31, 2008 of approximately 10.36%, representing 15% of the dividend rights (9.98% and 6.88%, respectively, at December 31, 2007).
 
 
F - 38
 
 
 
The detail of the movement in investments in associates in 2008 and 2007 was the following:

Investments in associates
Millions of euros
Balance at 12/31/06
959
Acquisitions
2,369
Disposals
(148)
Inclusion of companies
(9)
Translation differences
(3)
Income (loss)
140
Dividends
(218)
Transfers and other
98
Balance at 12/31/07
3,188
Acquisitions
4
Disposals
(55)
Inclusion of companies
1
Translation differences
(45)
Income (loss)
(161)
Dividends
(65)
Transfers and other
(90)
Balance at 12/31/08
2,777
 
Results for 2008 include the impact of the write-down of Telco. S.p.A.’s investment in Telecom Italia S.p.A. To estimate the impact, the Telefónica Group took the estimated synergies to be obtained by improving certain processes in its European operations through the alliances reached with Telecom Italia S.p.A. The amount shown in “Share of profit (loss) of associates” in the income statement for 2008 reflects a 209 million euros loss in this respect (146 million euros after the related tax effect) at Telefónica, S.A.
 
“Acquisitions” at December 31, 2008 and 2007 reflect the amounts from transactions detailed in the changes to the consolidation scope (see Appendix I and Note 2). The figure for 2007 includes the acquisition of an indirect holding in Telecom Italia through the investment in Telco S.p.A. for 2,314 million euros.
 
Disposals in 2008 include the disposal of a 0.476% stake in Portugal Telecom. S.G.P.S.. S.A. The Telefónica Group’s effective shareholding in this company at December 31, 2008 was 9.857%.
 
Disposals in 2007 include the disposal of a 1.809% stake in Portugal Telecom. S.G.P.S.. S.A. Telefónica’s stake in this company at December 31, 2007. following the disposal and a capital decrease carried out by Portugal Telecom in the year, was 9.16%.
 
Among dividends in 2007 were those paid by Portugal Telecom. S.G.P.S.. S.A.. consisting of a cash and non-cash dividend via the distribution of 0.176067 shares of Portugal Telecom Multimedia S.G.P.S.. S.A. per share of Portugal Telecom S.G.P.S.. S.A. held. Therefore. Telefónica received a total of 16,879,406 shares of this company. representing 5.46% of its share capital. These shares were classified as available-for-sale financial assets (see Note 13). These shares had a total market value at the date of distribution of 155 million euros.
 
 
F - 39
 
 
 
“Long-term loans to associates” includes a balance of 49 million euros with Medi Telecom (74 million euros at December 31, 2007). “Short term loans to associates” at December 31, 2008 includes loans with Ipse 2000 S.p.A. and Medi Telecom, S.A. for amounts of 25 and 28 million euros. respectively (25 and 1 million euros. respectively. at December 31, 2007).
 
Joint ventures
 
On December 27, 2002, Telefónica Móviles, S.A. and PT Movéis Servicios de Telecomunicaçoes, S.G.P.S., S.A. (PT Movéis) set up a 50/50 joint venture, Brasilcel. N.V., via the contribution of 100% of the groups’ direct and indirect shares in Brazilian cellular operators. This company is consolidated in the consolidated financial statements of the Telefónica Group using proportionate consolidation.
 
The contributions of Brasilcel, N.V. to the Telefónica Group’s 2008, 2007 and 2006 consolidated balance sheets and income statements are as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
 
2008
2007
2006
Current assets
1,234   
1,193
915
Non-current assets
4,616   
4,358
3,348
Current liabilities
1,351   
1,328
1,071
Non-current liabilities
1,212   
644
782
Operating revenue
2,662   
2,152
2,077
Operating expenses
2,063   
1,778
2,097
 
(10)
RELATED PARTIES
 
Significant shareholders:
 
The main transactions between Telefónica Group companies and significant shareholders of Telefónica, S.A. were the following:
 
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) and subsidiaries comprising the consolidated group:
 
·  
Financing transactions arranged on an arm’s length basis, with approximately 436 million euros drawn down at December 31, 2008 (367 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Time deposits amounting to 355 million euros at December 31, 2008 (364 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Derivative transactions contracted on an arm’s length basis, for a total nominal amount of approximately 6,930 million euros at December 31, 2008 (7,160 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Guarantees granted by BBVA for approximately 13 million euros at December 31, 2008 (18 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Services, mainly telecommunications and telemarketing, rendered by Telefónica Group companies to the BBVA Group, on an arm’s length basis.
 
·  
In 2007, Telefónica acquired an 8.65% stake in Atento, N.V. from the BBVA Group (see Note 5).
 
 
F - 40
 
 
 
Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona, La Caixa, and subsidiaries comprising the consolidated group:
 
·  
Financing transactions arranged on an arm’s length basis, with approximately 682 million euros drawn down at December 31, 2008 (247 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Time deposits amounting to 368 million euros at December 31, 2008 (1,022 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
·  
Derivative transactions arranged on an arm’s length basis, for a total nominal amount of approximately 1 million euros in 2007, with no amounts in 2008.
 
·  
Guarantees granted for 1 million euros in 2008.
 
·  
The telecommunications services rendered by Telefónica Group companies to la Caixa group companies on an arm’s length basis.
 
Associates and joint ventures:
 
The most significant balances and transactions with associates and joint ventures and their contributions to the consolidated balance sheet and income statement were detailed in Note 9.
 
Directors and senior executives
 
In the financial years to which the accompanying annual financial statements refer, the directors and senior executives did not perform any transactions with Telefónica or any Telefónica Group company.
 
Compensation and other benefits paid to members of the Board of Directors and senior executives. as well as the detail of the equity interests held in companies engaging in an activity that is identical. similar or complementary to that of the Company and the performance of similar activities by the directors for their own account or for third parties. are detailed in Note 21 of these consolidated financial statements.
 
(11)
TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
 
The breakdown of this consolidated balance sheet heading at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
Balance at
Balance at
Millions of euros
12-31-08
12-31-07
Trade receivables
10,116
10,393
Receivables from associates (Note 9)
120
74
Other receivables
585
590
Bad debt reserves
(2,196)
(2,070)
Short-term prepayments
690
675
Total
9,315
9,662
 
Public-sector trade receivables in the countries in which the Group operates at December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to 539 million and 483 million euros, respectively.
 
 
F - 41
 
 
 
The breakdown of trade receivables at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
12-31-2008
12-31-2007
Trade receivables billed
7,153
7,835
Trade receivables unbilled
2,963
2,558
Total
10,116
10,393
 
The movement in the reserve for bad debt in 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
Millions
of euros
Bad debt reserve at December 31, 2006
1,961
Allowances
774
Retirements/amount applied
(637)
Inclusion of companies
19
Exclusion of companies
(9)
Translation differences
(38)
Bad debt reserve at December 31, 2007
2,070
Allowances
1,232
Retirements/amount applied
(926)
Inclusion of companies
6
Translation differences
(186)
Bad debt reserve at December 31, 2008
2,196
 
The balance of trade receivables billed net of provisions at December 31, 2008 amounted to 4,957 million euros (5,695 million euros at December 31, 2007), of which 2,642 million euros were not yet due (3,679 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
Of the amounts due, only net amounts of 216 and 241 million euros are over 360 days at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. They are mainly with the public sector.
 
(12)
EQUITY
 
The movement in items comprising “Equity” in 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
 
F - 42
 
 
 
 
Attributable to equity holders of the parent
    
Millions of euros
No. of shares
Share
capital
Share
premium
Legal reserve
Revaluation
reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings
Translation differences
Total
Minority interests
Total equity
Balance at December 31, 2005
4,921,130,397
  4,921
1,671
920
1,358
(373)
2,410
1,826
12,733
3,425
16,158
Dividends paid
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,627)
-
(2,627)
(569)
(3,196)
Net movement in treasury shares
-
-
1,198
-
-
44
(537)
-
705
-
705
Acquisitions and disposals of minority interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(283)
(283)
Income and expense recognized in the year
-
-
-
64
-
-
6,584
(302)
6,346
241
6,587
Other movements
-
-
-
-
-
-
21
-
21
9
30
Balance at December 31, 2006
4,921,130,397
  4,921
2,869
984
1,358
(329)
5,851
1,524
17,178
2,823
20,001
Dividends paid
-
-
-
-
-
-
(3,077)
-
(3,077)
(324)
(3,401)
Net movement in treasury shares
-
-
(13)
-
-
(2,105)
(13)
-
(2,131)
-
(2,131)
Acquisitions and disposals of minority interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(95)
(95)
Share cancellation
(147,633,912)
(148)
(2,054)
-
-
2,202
-
-
-
-
-
Income and expense recognized in the year
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,585
(1,427)
8,158
265
8,423
Other movements
-
-
(280)
-
(1,178)
-
1,455
-
(3)
61
58
Balance at December 31, 2007
4,773,496,485
4,773
522
984
180
(232)
13,801
97
20,125
2,730
22,855
Dividends paid
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4,165)
-
(4,165)
(333)
(4,498)
Net movement in treasury shares
-
-
1,074
-
-
(3,151)
(232)
-
(2,309)
-
(2,309)
Acquisitions and disposals of minority interests
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(42)
(42)
Share cancellation
(68,500,000)
(68)
(1,136)
-
-
1,204
-
-
-
-
-
Income and expense recognized in the year
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,320
(3,708)
3,612
(114)
3,498
Other movements
-
-
-
-
(8)
-
(24)
-
(32)
90
58
Balance at December 31,2008
4,704,996,485
4,705
460
984
172
(2,179)
16,700
(3,611)
17,231
2,331
19,562
 
 
 
F - 43
 
 
 
a)
Share capital and share premium

At December 31, 2008, Telefónica. S.A.’s share capital amounted to 4,704,996,485 euros and consisted of 4,704,996,485 fully paid ordinary shares of a single series, par value of 1 euro, all recorded by the book-entry system and traded on the Spanish electronic trading system (“Continuous Market”), where they form part of the Ibex 35 Index, on the four Spanish Stock Exchanges (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao) and listed on the New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Lima Stock Exchanges. In the first quarter of 2008, Telefónica. S.A. completed the procedure to delist its shares from the Paris and Frankfurt stock exchanges begun in 2007.
 
With respect to authorizations given regarding share capital, on June 21, 2006, authorization was given at the General Shareholders’ Meeting of Telefónica, S.A. for the Board of Directors to increase the Company’s capital, at one or several times, within a maximum period of five years from that date, under the terms of Article 153.1 b) of the Spanish Corporation Law (authorized capital) up to a maximum increase of 2,460 million euros, equivalent to half of the Company’s share capital at that date, by issuing and placing new ordinary shares, be they ordinary or of any other type permitted by the Law, with a fixed or variable premium, with or without pre-emptive subscription rights and. in all cases, in exchange for cash, and expressly considering the possibility that the new shares may not be fully subscribed in accordance with the terms of Article 161.1 of the Spanish Corporation Law. The Board of Directors was also empowered to disapply, partially or fully, pre-emptive subscription rights under the terms of Article 159.2 of the Spanish Corporation Law and related provisions.
 
In addition, at the May 10, 2007 Shareholders’ Meeting, authorization was given for the Board of Directors to issue fixed-income securities and preferred shares at one or several times within a maximum period of five years from that date. These securities may be in the form of debentures, bonds, promissory notes or any other kind of fixed-income security, plain or, in the case of debentures and bonds, convertible into shares of the Company and/or exchangeable for shares of any of the group companies. They may also be preferred shares. The total maximum amount of the securities issued agreed under this authorization is 25,000 million euros or the equivalent in another currency. As at December 31, 2008, the Board of Directors had exercised these powers, approving a program to issue corporate promissory notes for 2008 and 2009.
 
In addition, on April 22, 2008, shareholders voted to authorize the acquisition by the Board of Directors of treasury shares, for a consideration, up to the limits and pursuant to the terms and conditions established at the Shareholders’ Meeting, within a maximum period of 18 months from that date. However, it specified that in no circumstances could the par value of the shares acquired, added to that of the treasury shares already held by Telefónica, S.A. and by any of its controlled subsidiaries, exceed 5% of Telefónica’s share capital.
 
 
F - 44
 
 
 
Finally, on July 15, 2008, the deed of capital reduction formalizing the implementation by the Company’s Board of Directors of the resolution adopted by the Shareholders’ Meeting on April 22, 2008, was executed. Capital was reduced through the cancellation of treasury shares previously acquired by the Company as authorized by the Shareholders’ Meeting. As a result, 68,500,000 Telefónica S.A. treasury shares were cancelled and the Company’s share capital was reduced by a nominal amount of 68,500,000 euros, Article 5 of the Corporate Bylaws relating to the amount of share capital was amended accordingly to show 4,704,996,485 euros. It was likewise decided, at the same time. as permitted by Article 167.3 of the Spanish Corporate Law and to render null and void the right of opposition provided for in Article 166 of same Law, to record a reserve for cancelled share capital for an amount equal to the par value of the cancelled shares, which can only be used if the same requirements as those applicable to the reduction of share capital are met. The reserve for cancelled share capital amounts to 357 million euros. The cancelled shares were delisted on July 23, 2008.
 
Proposed appropriation of profit attributable to equity holders of the parent
 
Telefónica, S.A. obtained 2,700 million euros of profit in 2008.
 
At its meeting of September 24, 2008, Telefónica, S.A.’s Board of Directors resolved to pay an interim dividend against 2008 profit of a fixed gross 0.5 euros for each of the Company's outstanding shares carrying dividend rights. This dividend was paid on November 12, 2008, and the total amount paid was 2,296 million euros.
 
Accordingly, the Company’s Board of Directors will submit the following proposed appropriation of 2008 profit for approval at the Shareholders’ Meeting:
 
 
Millions of euros
Total distributable profit
2,700
Interim dividend (paid in November 2008)
2,296
Goodwill reserve
2
Voluntary reserves
402
Total
2,700
 
b)
Dividends
 
Dividends paid in 2008
 
At its meeting held on April 22, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors agreed to pay an additional dividend charged against 2007 profit of a gross 0.40 euros per share. A total of 1,869 million euros was paid in May 2008.
 
In addition, as indicated above, in November an interim dividend against 2008 profit of a gross 0.50 euros per share was paid, entailing a total payment of 2,296 million euros.
 
In accordance with Article 216 of the Spanish Corporations Law, the following table shows the provisional statement issued the existence of sufficient liquidity at the time the resolution to distribute this dividend was adopted.
 
 
F - 45
 
 
 
 
Liquidity statement at September 19, 2008
Millions
of euros
   
Income from January 1 through December 31, 2008
3,720
Mandatory appropriation to reserves
1
Distributable income
3,719
   
Proposed interim dividend (maximum amount)
2,352
   
Cash position at September 19, 2008.
  
Funds available for distribution
  
Cash and cash equivalents
2,410
Unused credit facilities
5,578
Proposed interim dividend (maximum amount)
(2,352)
Difference
5,636
 
The Company manages its liquidity risks (see Note 16) in order to have cash available for the following year.
 
Dividends paid in 2007
 
At its meeting held on May 10, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors resolved to pay an additional dividend charged against 2006 profit of a gross 0.30 euros per share. A total of 1,425 million euros was paid in May.
 
In addition, in November an interim dividend against 2007 profit of a gross 0.35 euros per share was paid, entailing a total payment of 1,652 million euros.
 
c)
Reserves
 
 
Legal reserve
 
According to the revised text of Spanish Corporation Law, companies must transfer 10% of profit for the year to a legal reserve until this reserve reaches at least 20% of share capital. The legal reserve can be used to increase capital by the amount exceeding 10% of the increased share capital amount. Except for this purpose, until the legal reserve exceeds the limit of 20% of share capital, it can only be used to offset losses, if there are no other reserves available. At December 31, 2008 this reserve has been duly set aside.
 
 
Revaluation reserves
 
The balance of “Revaluation reserve” arose as a result of the revaluation made pursuant to Royal Decree-Law 7/1996 dated June 7.
 
The revaluation reserve may be used, free of tax, to offset any losses incurred in the future and to increase capital. From January 1, 2007, it may be allocated to unrestricted reserves, provided that the capital gain has been realized.
 
 
F - 46
 
 
 
The capital gain will be deemed to have been realized in respect of the portion on which the depreciation has been recorded for accounting purposes or when the revalued assets have been transferred or derecognized. In this respect, an amount of 8 million euros in 2008 (1,178 million euros in 2007) corresponding to reserves subsequently considered unrestricted has been reclassified under “Other reserves.”
 
Retained earnings
 
 
These reserves include undistributed profits from previous years of companies comprising the consolidated Group less interim dividends paid against profit for the year.
 
d)
Translation differences on consolidation
 
The translation differences relate mainly to the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of the companies located abroad after the elimination of intra-group balances and transactions (see Note 3.b). They also include exchange rate differences resulting from specific-purpose foreign-currency financing transactions relating to investments in investees and which hedge the exchange rate risk on these investments.
 
The Company has taken an exemption that allows all translation differences generated up to the IFRS transition date to be reset to zero, with the impact on prior years recognized in “Consolidation reserves.”
 
The breakdown of the accumulated contribution of translation differences at December 31 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
2008
2007
2006
Telefónica Latin America
(834)
669
986
Telefónica Europe
(2,793)
(619)
635
Other adjustments and intra-group eliminations
16
47
(97)
Total Telefónica Group
(3,611)
97
1,524
 
e)
Treasury shares
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, Telefónica Group companies held the following shares in the Telefónica. S.A. parent company:
 
   
Euros per share
    
 
No. of shares
Acquisition price
Trading price
Market Value
Millions
of euros
%
Treasury shares at 12/31/08
125,561,011
16.68
15.85
1,990
2.66867%
Treasury shares at 12/31/07 
64,471,368
16.67
22.22
1,433
1.35061%
 
Telefónica S.A. owns the only treasury shares in the Group. No other group company owns any Telefónica treasury shares.
 
 
F - 47
 
 
 
The following transactions involving treasury shares were carried out in 2008 and 2007:
 
 
No. of shares
Treasury shares at 12/31/06
75,632,559
Acquisitions
149,099,044
Disposals
(12,621,573)
Lycos and Endemol employee share option plans
(4,750)
Exchange of Telefónica. S.A. shares for Telefónica Móviles. S.A. shares
(147,633,912)
Treasury shares at 12/31/07
64,471,368
Acquisitions
129,658,402
Disposals
(68,759)
Share cancellation
(68,500,000)
Treasury shares at 12/31/08
125,561,011
 
The amount paid to acquire own equity instruments in 2008 was 2,225 million euros (2,324 million euros in 2007). Meanwhile, 1 million euros of treasury shares were sold in 2008 (210 million euros in 2007).
 
At December 31, 2008, the Group held put options on 6 million treasury shares. At December 31, 2007 there were no call or put options on Telefónica, S.A. shares.
 
f)
Minority interests
 
“Minority interests” represents the share of minority shareholders in the equity and income or loss for the year of fully consolidated Group companies. The movements in this heading of the 2008, 2007 and 2006 consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Balance at
12-31-07
Capital
Contributions
and inclusion
of companies
Profit
(loss)for
the year
Change in
Translation
differences
Acquisitions of
minority
interests and
exclusion of
companies
Dividends
paid
Other
movements
Balance at
12-31-08
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic. a.s.
1,192
-
112
(12)
-
(197)
-
1,095
C.T. Chile. S.A.
473
-
25
(72)
(397)
(7)
1
23
Telesp Participaçoes. S.A.
464
-
127
(93)
-
(113)
-
385
Brasilcel (Holdings)
545
348
61
(163)
-
(12)
(5)
774
Fonditel Entidad Gestora de Fondos
   de Pensiones. S.A.
19
 
-
4
-
-
(2)
(1)
20
Iberbanda. S.A.
11
8
(10)
-
-
-
-
9
Colombia de Telecomunicaciones.
   S.A., ESP
-
 
-
(89)
-
-
-
89
-
Other
26
-
4
(3)
(1)
(2)
1
25
Total
2,730
356
234
(343)
(398)
(333)
85
2,331
 
 
F - 48
 
 
 
Millions of euros
Balance
at
12-31-06
Profit (loss)
for the year
Change in
translation
differences
Acquisitions of
minority
interests and
exclusion of
companies
Dividends
paid
Other
movements
Balance
at
12-31-07
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic. a.s.
1,239
92
14
-
(153)
-
1,192
C.T. Chile. S.A.
515
25
(28)
(31)
(8)
-
473
Telesp Participaçoes. S.A.
445
119
35
-
(135)
-
464
Endemol. N.V.
54
11
-
(45)
(20)
-
-
Brasilcel (Holdings)
493
19
35
-
(2)
-
545
Fonditel Entidad Gestora de Fondos
   de Pensiones. S.A.
17
4
-
-
(2)
-
19
Iberbanda. S.A.
21
(12)
-
-
-
2
11
Colombia de Telecomunicaciones.
   S.A.. ESP
-
(50)
-
-
-
50
-
Other
39
5
(4)
(19)
(4)
9
26
Total
2,823
213
52
(95)
(324)
61
2,730
 
 
Millions of euros
Balance
at
12-31-05
Capital
contributions
and inclusion
of companies
Profit (loss)
for the year
Change in
translation
differences
Acquisitions of
minority
interests and
exclusion of
companies
Dividends
paid
Other
movements
Balance at
12-31-06
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic. a.s.
1,274
-
55
66
-
(156)
-
1,239
C.T. Chile. S.A.
546
-
41
(92)
(28)
(18)
66
515
Telesp Participaçoes. S.A.
459
3
136
(13)
(6)
(134)
-
445
Telefónica Móviles. S.A.
392
-
89
(32)
(254)
(195)
-
-
Telefónica Publicidad e
   Información. S.A.
99
-
13
(5)
(49)
(58)
-
-
Endemol. N.V.
35
-
24
-
-
(3)
(2)
54
Brasilcel (Holdings)
493
13
(3)
(10)
-
-
-
493
Fonditel Entidad Gestora de
   Fondos de Pensiones. S.A.
15
-
3
-
-
(1)
-
17
Iberbanda. S.A.
-
33
(12)
-
-
-
-
21
Other
112
5
-
(19)
-
(4)
(55)
39
Total
3,425
54
346
(105)
(337)
(569)
   9
2,823
 
2008
 
The main variation in 2008 relates to the acquisition of CTC’s minority interests (see Note 2), which decreased the balance of “Minority interests” by 397 million euros, and to the acquisition of the Telemig Group companies, which increased the balance by 335 million euros.
 
Also worth highlighting was the movement caused by the dividends paid by Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. operators, of 197 million euros, and by Telesp Participaçoes, S.A., of 113 million euros.
 
2007
 
Movements in minority interests in 2007 included the dividends paid by Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. and Telesp Participaçoes, S.A., as well as the profit (loss) for the year attributable to minority interests.
 
 
F - 49
 
 
 
2006
 
Movements in minority interests in 2006 included the acquisition of the Telefónica Móviles Group’s minority interests in the merger, for 254 million euros, and the disposal of the Telefónica Publicidad e Información Group, for 49 million euros.
 
g)
Gains and losses recognized in equity
 
The movement in gains and losses recognized in equity in 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
 
F - 50
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on
measurement of
available-for-sale
investments
Gains (loss) on hedges
Translation differences
Gain (loss) on defined
benefit plans
Share of gain (loss)
recognized directly in
equity
Tax effect
Total
Balance at December 31, 2005
(34)
(217)
2,261
-
2
45
2,057
Gain/(loss) arising in the year
584
(4)
(362)
112
(153)
(133)
44
Gain/(loss) reclassified to the income statement
-
14
(45)
-
-
(5)
(36)
Balance at December 31, 2006
550
(207)
1,854
112
(151)
(93)
2,065
Gain/(loss) arising in the year
(75)
875
(1,358)
54
(3)
(291)
(798)
Gain/(loss) reclassified to the income statement
107
17
(17)
-
-
(5)
102
Balance at December 31, 2007
582
685
479
166
(154)
(389)
1,369
Gain/(loss) arising in the year
(1,167)
1,302
(4,051)
(182)
(59)
8
(4,149)
Gain/(loss) reclassified to the income statement
(142)
50
-
-
-
(87)
(179)
Balance at December 31, 2008
(727)
2,037
(3,572)
(16)
(213)
(468)
(2,959)
 

 
F - 51
 
 
 
(13)
FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
The breakdown of financial assets of the Telefónica Group at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
 
Fair value through profit or loss
          
December 31, 2008
Held for
trading
Fair value option
Available-
for-sale
Amortized cost
Hedges
Total
Carrying
amount
Total fair
value
Non-current financial assets
1,182
92
2,327
1,371
2,404
7,376
7,642
Equity investments
-
-
1,584
-
-
1,584
1,585
Long-term credits
-
88
743
771
-
1,602
1,470
Long-term prepayments
-
-
-
92
-
92
92
Deposits and guarantees
-
-
-
905
-
905
905
Derivative instruments
1,182
4
-
-
2,404
3,590
3,590
Provisions
-
-
-
(397)
-
(397)
-
Current financial assets
700
273
181
4,951
388
6,493
6,605
Financial investments
700
273
181
674
388
2,216
2,328
Cash and cash equivalents
-
-
-
4,277
-
4,277
4,277
Total financial assets
1,882
365
2,508
6,322
2,792
13,869
14,247
 
 
Millions of euros
 
Fair value through profit or loss
          
December 31, 2007
Held for
trading
Fair value option
Available-
for-sale
Amortized cost
Hedges
Total
carrying
amount
Total fair
value
Non-current financial assets
525
52
2,701
1,461
1,080
5,819
5,866
Equity investments
122
-
2,113
-
-
2,235
2,235
Long-term credits
-
52
588
932
-
1,572
1,608
Long-term prepayments
-
-
-
97
-
97
84
Deposits and guarantees
-
-
-
813
-
813
456
Derivative instruments
403
-
-
-
1,080
1,483
1,483
Provisions
-
-
-
(381)
-
(381)
-
Current financial assets
151
284
6
6,187
59
6,687
6,687
Financial investments
151
284
6
1,122
59
1,622
1,622
Cash and cash equivalents
-
-
-
5,065
-
5,065
5,065
Total financial assets
676
336
2,707
7,648
1,139
12,506
12,553
 
The fair value of “Equity investments” is measured taking the year-end listing price (1,503 million euros in 2008 and 2,128 million euros in 2007). Other equity investments where there is no active market have been measured at cost less any impairment losses.
 
The calculation of the fair values of the Telefónica Group’s debt instruments required an estimate for each currency and subsidiary of a credit spread curve using the prices of the Group’s bonds and credit derivatives.
 
Derivatives are measured using the valuation techniques and models normally used in the market, based on the money-market curves and volatility prices available in the market.
 
 
F - 52
 
 
 
Non-current financial assets
 
The movement in items composing “Non-current financial assets” and the related provision at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
Millions of euros
 
Investments
Long-term
credits
Derivative
financial
assets
Deposits and
guarantees
given
Long-term
prepayments
Provisions
Total
Balance at 12/31/06
2,211
1,555
1,001
685
132
(360)
5,224
Acquisitions
11
550
632
169
71
(17)
1,416
Disposals
(54)
(273)
(650)
(62)
(147)
(2)
(1,188)
Exclusion of companies
-
(1)
(3)
(51)
-
-
(55)
Translation differences
11
13
(2)
49
(3)
-
68
Fair value adjustments
95
(60)
508
2
75
-
620
Transfers
(39)
(212)
(3)
21
(31)
(2)
(266)
Balance at 12/31/07
2,235
1,572
1,483
813
97
(381)
5,819
Acquisitions
1,124
793
1,049
201
42
(40)
3,169
Disposals
(664)
(433)
-
(66)
(18)
22
(1,159)
Inclusion of companies
-
9
-
63
-
(1)
71
Translation differences
(8)
(114)
131
(107)
(4)
2
(100)
Fair value adjustments
(1,095)
(34)
1,172
-
(7)
1
37
Transfers
(8)
(191)
(245)
1
(18)
-
(461)
Balance at 12/31/08
1,584
1,602
3,590
905
92
(397)
7,376
 
“Investments” includes the market value of investments in companies where Telefónica does not exercise significant control and for which there is no specific disposal plan for the short term (see Note 3.i).
 
Among these is the Telefónica Group's shareholding in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) since 2000 of 314 million euros (607 million euros at December 31, 2007), representing 0.97% of its share capital.
 
In January 2008, Telefónica, S.A., through its Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U. subsidiary , signed an agreement to acquire an additional stake of approximately 2.22% in Chinese telecommunications company China Netcom Group Corporation (Hong Kong) Limited (CNC). On September 22, it carried out this purchase for approximately 313 million euros.
 
In addition, in September Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U. reached another agreement to acquire an additional stake of approximately 5.74% of CNC’s share capital.
 
This acquisition was structured in two tranches: the first, carried out in September, entailed shares representing 2.71% of CNC for approximately 374 million euros, and the second, carried out after the merger between CNC and China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited (“CU"), entailed shares of the new company representing up to 3.03% of CNC’s share capital.
 
On October 14, 2008 the merger between these companies was carried out. The exchange ratio applied in calculating the number of shares corresponding to the new company arising from the merger between CNC and CU was 1,508 shares of the new company for each year of the former company.
 
Once the merger was completed, the second tranche was carried out. requiring an investment by the Telefónica Group of approximately 413 million euros.
 
 
F - 53
 
 
 
After these acquisitions and the merger, the Telefónica Group’s stake in CU at December 31, 2008 stood at approximately 5.38%, recognized at December 31, 2008 at approximately 1,102 million euros.
 
In 2008, Telefónica tendered all the shares it owned in Sogecable, S.A. in the takeover bid launched for this company by the Prisa Group. The amount received from the sale was 648 million euros. This investment was included in the balance sheet at December 31, 2007 in “Investments” under “Non-current financial assets,” for 634 million euros. The gain obtained on the sale was 143 million euros, recognized under “Other income” in the accompanying consolidated income statement (see Note 19).
 
On November 7, 2007 Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A. granted a dividend in kind whereby Telefónica, S.A. obtained the right to receive 0.176067 shares of PT Multimedia, S.G.P.S., S.A. (listed on the Lisbon Stock Exchange and whose main shareholder was Portugal Telecom) for each share of Portugal Telecom held by the Group. The valuation of the shares received at the distribution date was 9.18 euros per share.
 
Given the poor situation of financial markets, at year-end the Group assessed the securities in its portfolio of listed available-for-sale assets individually for impairment. The analysis did not uncover the need to recognize any impairment losses.
 
“Long-term credits” includes mainly the investment of the net level premium reserves of the Group’s insurance companies, primarily in fixed-income securities, amounting to 792 million and 640 million euros at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, carried at market value. It also includes the long-term loans to associates described in Note 9, and the financing granted to Sogecable in accordance with the commitments related to the integration of the satellite platforms, totaling 147 million euros (201 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
“Derivative financial assets” includes the fair value of derivatives to hedge assets or liabilities whose maturity is 12 months or greater, as part of the Group’s financial risk-hedging strategy (see Note 16).
 
“Deposits and guarantees” consists mainly of balances to cover guarantees and stood at 905 million euros at December 31, 2008 (813 million euros at December 31, 2007). These deposits will decrease as the respective obligations they guarantee are reduced.
 
Current financial assets
 
This heading in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008 and 2007 includes mainly the following items:
 
-  
“Current financial assets” recognized at fair value to cover commitments undertaken by the Group’s insurance companies, amounting to 276 million euros at December 31, 2008 (290 million euros at December 31, 2007). The maturity schedule for these financial assets is established on the basis of payment projections for the commitments.
 
-  
Derivative financial assets with short term maturity not used to hedge non-current balance sheet items, which amounted to 1,086 million euros (210 million euros in 2007). The variation in the balance between the two years was due to exchange- and interest-rate fluctuations (see Note 16).
 
- 
Short-term deposits and guarantees. These amounted to 125 million euros at December 31, 2008 (226 million euros at December 31, 2007, including the downpayment for the
 
 
 
F - 54
 
 
 
acquisition of Navy Tree Participaçoes, S.A. for 102 million euros).
 
- 
Current investments are cash surpluses which, given their characteristics, have not been classified as “Cash and cash equivalents.”
 
Current financial assets that are highly liquid and are expected to be sold within three months or less are recorded under “Cash and cash equivalents” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
 
Financial liabilities
 
The composition of this heading at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
Balance at
12/31/2008
Balance at
12/31/2007
Issues
30,079
30,057
Interest-bearing debt
22,926
23,665
Other financial liabilities
183
206
Total
53,188
53,928
Total non-current
45,088
46,942
Total current
8,100
6,986
 
The maturity profile of financial liabilities at December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
 
Maturity
  
(Millions of euros)
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Subsequent
years
Total
Debentures and bonds
2,006
4,057
3,205
1,859
4,192
11,111
26,430
Promissory notes & commercial paper
1,595
-
-
-
-
-
1,595
Other marketable debt securities
-
-
115
-
-
1,939
2,054
Interest-bearing debt
4,499
2,054
6,467
3,781
1,686
4,439
22,926
Other financial liabilities
-
-
-
-
-
183
183
TOTAL
8,100
6,111
9,787
5,640
5,878
17,672
53,188

·  
The estimate of future interest that would accrue on the Group’s financial liabilities at December 31, 2008 is as follows: 2,429 million euros in 2009, 2,193 million euros in 2010; 1,827 million euros in 2011, 1,533 million euros in 2012, 1,286 million euros in 2013 and 8,714 million euros in years after 2013. For variable rate financing, the Group mainly estimates future interest using the forward curve of the various currencies at December 31, 2008.
 
The amounts shown in this table take into account the fair value of derivatives classified as financial liabilities (i.e., those with a negative market value) and exclude the fair value of derivatives classified as financial assets (i.e., those with a positive market value, of 1,086 million euros).
 
The composition of the Group’s financial liabilities by category at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
F - 55
 
 
 
 
Millions of euros
 
Fair value through profit or loss
        
December 31, 2008
Held for
trading
Fair value
option
Liabilities at
Amortized
cost
Hedges
Total
carrying
amount
Total fair
value
Issues
-
-
30,079
-
30,079
28,203
Interest-bearing debt
1,013
3
19,930
1,980
22,926
22,253
Other financial liabilities
-
-
183
-
183
183
Total financial liabilities
1,013
3
50,192
1,980
53,188
50,639
 
 
Millions of euros
 
Fair value through profit or loss
        
December 31, 2007
Held for
trading
Fair value
option
Liabilities at
Amortized
cost
Hedges
Total
carrying
amount
Total fair
value
Issues
-
-
30,057
-
30,057
30,420
Interest-bearing debt
292
-
20,822
2,551
23,665
24,179
Other financial liabilities
-
-
206
-
206
206
Total financial liabilities
292
-
51,085
2,551
53,928
54,805
 
Some of the financing arranged by various Telefónica group companies may be subject to compliance with certain financial covenants. All the covenants were being complied with at the date of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 56
 
 
 
a)
Issues

The movement in issues of debentures, bonds and other marketable debt securities in 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Domestic
currency
issues
Foreign
currency
issues
Promissory
notes &
commercial
paper
Other
marketable
debt securities
Total
Balance at 12/31/06
11,759
12,531
2,581
2,271
29,142
New issues
2,031
2,178
1,026
114
5,349
Redemptions, conversions and exchanges
(1,504)
(252)
(1,507)
(374)
(3,637)
Revaluation and other movements
(570)
(399)
102
70
(797)
Balance at 12/31/07
11,716
14,058
2,202
2,081
30,057
New issues
1,247
70
14
15
1,346
Redemptions, conversions and exchanges
(737)
(448)
(643)
(22)
(1,850)
Changes in consolidation scope
-
4
-
-
4
Revaluation and other movements
1,405
(885)
22
(20)
522
Balance at 12/31/08
13,631
12,799
1,595
2,054
30,079
 
Debentures, bonds and other marketable debt securities
 
Telefónica, S.A. has a full and unconditional guarantee on issues made by Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U. and Telefónica Europe, B.V., both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Telefónica, S.A.
 
Appendix II presents the characteristics of all outstanding debentures and bond issues at year-end 2008 and 2007, as well as the significant issues made in each year.
 
Promissory notes & commercial paper
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, Telefónica, S.A. had a promissory note program for issuance of up to 2,000 million euros. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2008 was 741 million euros (937 million euros at December 31, 2007), carrying an average interest rate of 4.49% (4.50% at December 31, 2007).
 
On January 20, 2006, Telefónica, S.A. issued debt instruments maturing on January 3, 2011 (“Loan Notes”), recognized under “Promissory notes & commercial paper,” using the proceeds to carry out the acquisition of shares of O2, Plc in 2005. The nominal outstanding amount at December 31, 2008 was 59 million pounds sterling (79 million pounds sterling in 2007, equivalent to 107 million euros).
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica Europe, B.V. had a commercial paper program secured by Telefónica, S.A. for issuance of up to 2,000 million euros. The outstanding balance on this program at December 31, 2008 was 840 million euros, carrying at an average interest rate of 3.7037%.
 
 
F - 57
 
 
 
Other marketable debt securities
 
This heading consists mainly of preferred shares issued by Telefónica Finance USA, LLC, with a redemption value of 2,000 million euros. These shares were issued in 2002 and have the following features:
 
· 
Interest rate up to December 30, 2012 of 3-month Euribor, and maximum and minimum effective annual rates of 7% and 4.25%, respectively, and from then 3-month Euribor plus a 4% spread.
 
· 
Interest is paid every three calendar months provided the Telefónica Group generates consolidated net income.
 
b)
Interest-bearing debt
 
The detail of “Interest-bearing debt” is as follows:
 
 
Balance at 12/31/08
Balance at 12/31/07
Millions of euros
Current
Non-current
Total
Current
Non-current
Total
Loans and other payables
3,752
16,178
19,930
3,069
17,753
20,822
Derivative financial liabilities (Note 16)
747
2,249
2,996
527
2,316
2,843
Total
4,499
18,427
22,926
3,596
20,069
23,665
 
The average interest rate on outstanding loans and other payables at December 31, 2008 was 4.28% (5.29% in 2007). This percentage does not include the impact of hedges arranged by the group.
 
The main financing transactions included under “Interest-bearing debt” outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and their nominal amounts are provided in Appendix IV.
 
Interest-bearing debt arranged in 2008 mainly includes the following:
 
· 
On January 15, 2008, Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A. drew down the entire amount of financing arranged on December 10, 2007, which was structured in two tranches. Tranche A, for 125 million US dollars, entailed bilateral financing with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) maturing in 7 years. Tranche B entailed a 5-year 475 million US dollar syndicated credit facility with a group of banks, in which the IBD acted as agent bank.
 
· 
On January 30, 2008, Telefónica Finanzas, S.A.U. (Telfisa) drew down the 450 million euros of facilities arranged with the European Investment Bank (EIB) related to the “Telefónica Mobile Telephony II” project, of which 375 million euros mature in seven years and the remaining 75 million euros in eight years.
 
· 
On February 1, 2008, Vivo, S.A. drew down an additional 181 million euros of the financing arranged with the EIB on October 31, 2007 and maturing on December 19, 2014.
 
· 
On May 1, 2008, Vivo, S.A. drew down an additional 750 million Brazilian reais of the financing arranged with the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) on August 9, 2007 and maturing on August 15, 2014.
 
 
F - 58
 
 
 
· 
On June 9, 2008, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A. (CTC) extended the maturity of a 150 million US dollar syndicated loan to May 13, 2013.
 
· 
On October 28, 2008, Telesp drew down an additional 886 million Brazilian reais of the financing arranged with the BNDES on October 23, 2007 and maturing on May 15, 2015.
 
The main repayments or maturities of bank interest-bearing debt in 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
· 
Telefónica, S.A. made the payments on the structured finance deal arranged on April 26, 2004 due in 2008, for an aggregate amount of approximately 75 million US dollars (75 million US dollars in 2007).
 
· 
Telefónica Finanzas, S.A. (Telfisa) made the payments on certain finance deals arranged with the EIB due in 2008 for an amount equal to approximately 502 million euros (114 million euros in 2007). Meanwhile, 440 million euros of other related financing matured.
 
· 
In 2007, Telefónica Europe, B.V. repaid ahead of schedule Tranches A and C of the syndicated credit facility signed originally on October 31, 2005 to acquire shares of O2 for an original amount of 18,500 million pounds sterling. The repayment of these two tranches amounted to 1,750 million pounds sterling.
 
· 
In 2007, Telefónica, S.A. made a series of payments in advance on the syndicated multicurrency loan arranged on July 6, 2004 for 3,000 million euros. The repayments were 1,800 million euros and 850 million US dollars.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Telefónica Group had total unused credit facilities from various sources amounting to over 7,400 million euros (over 9,250 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
 
F - 59
 
 
 
Foreign-currency loans
 
Foreign-currency loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007, along with the equivalent value in euros, are as follows:
 
  Currency
Outstanding balance (in millions)
Currency
Euros
12-31-08
12-31-07
12-31-08
12-31-07
US dollars
3,267
4,167
2,444
2,833
Brazilian reais
3,228
1,537
992
590
Argentine pesos
51
631
11
136
Colombian pesos
7,819,166
7,700,091
2,502
2,595
Yen
58,832
81,326
467
493
Chilean peso
176,163
99,678
199
231
New soles
1,096
1,014
251
230
Pounds sterling
1,383
2,205
1,452
3,008
Czech crown
389
-
14
-
Other currencies
    
6
7
Total
N/A
N/A
8,338
10,123
 
c)     Other financial liabilities
 
This heading includes financial commitments at December 31, 2008 and 2007, most notably the purchase commitment with minority shareholders in Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A., ESP, valued at 183 and 206 million euros, respectively (see Note 21).
 
(14)
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
 
The composition of “Trade and other payables” is as follows:
 
  Millions of euros
12-31-2008
12-31-2007
Non-current 
Current
Non-current
Current 
Trade payables
-
7,845
-
8,642
Advances received on orders
-
94
-
87
Other payables
582
4,316
430
4,394
Deferred income
535
1,214
585
1,349
Payable to associates
-
182
-
84
Total
1,117
13,651
1,015
14,556
 
“Deferred income” principally includes the amount of connection fees not yet recognized in the income statement. These will be recognized as revenue over the estimated customer relationship period (see Note 3.o).
 
 
F - 60
 
The detail of “Other payables” under “Current liabilities” at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Balance at
31-12-08
Balance at
31-12-07
Dividends payable by Group companies
157
201
Payables to suppliers of property, plant and equipment
2,915
2,094
Guarantees and deposits
51
45
Accrued employee benefits
595
737
Other non-financial non-trade payables
598
1,317
Total
4,316
4,394
 
(15)
PROVISIONS
 
The amounts of provisions in 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
 12-31-2008
    
 12-31-2007
  
Millions of euros
  
Current
    
Non-current
    
Total
    
Current
    
Non-current
    
Total
  
Employee benefits:
     791       4,002       4,793       936       4,634       5,570  
 - Post-employment plan
     781       2,993       3,774       917       3,667       4,584  
 - Post-employment defined benefit plans
     -       741       741       12       718       730  
 - Other benefits
     10       268       278       7       249       256  
Other provisions
     315       1,419       1,734       339       1,527       1,866  
Total
     1,106       5,421       6,527       1,275       6,161       7,436  
 
 
Employee benefits
 
a)         Post-employment plans
 
In the last few years, Telefónica has carried out early retirement plans in order to adapt its cost structure to the prevailing environment in the markets where it operates, making certain strategic decisions relating to its size and organization.
 
In this respect, on July 29, 2003, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs approved a labor force reduction plan for Telefónica de España that included up to 15,000 job losses in the period from 2003 to 2007, through voluntary, universal and non-discriminatory programs. The approval of the labor force reduction plan was announced on July 30, 2003. In 2007 and 2006, the Company approved a total of 1,102 and 2,985 requests for voluntary severance, respectively, for which provisions amounting to 361 million and 934 million euros, respectively, were allocated (see Note 19), with a charge to “Personnel expenses” in the consolidated income statement.
 
The entire plan concluded on December 31, 2007, with 13,870 employees taking part for a total cost of 3,916 million euros.
 
Provisions recorded for this plan at December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to 2,689 and 2,976 million euros, respectively.
 
 
F - 61
 
Furthermore, at December 31, 2008 the Group had recorded provisions totaling 1,085 million euros (1,608 million euros at December 31, 2007) for other planned adjustments to the workforce and plans prior to 2003.
 
The companies bound by these commitments calculated provisions required at 2008 year-end using actuarial assumptions pursuant to current legislation, including the PERM/F-2000 C mortality tables and a variable interest rate based on market yield curves.
 
The Group made further efforts in 2007 to adapt headcount in line with the integration of its businesses, for which it recorded provisions of 838 million euros, mainly in Latin America (306 million euros), Spain (325 million euros) and Europe (158 million euros) (see Note 19).
 
The movement in provisions for post-employment plans in 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Total
Provisions for post-employment plans at 12/31/06
4,367
Additions
1,277
Retirements/amount applied
(1,105)
Transfers
53
Translation differences
(8)
Provisions for post-employment plans at 12/31/07
4,584
Additions
321
Retirements/amount applied
(1,121)
Transfers
1
Translation differences
(11)
Provisions for post-employment plans at 12/31/08
3,774
 
b)         Post-employment defined benefit plans
 
The Group has a number of defined benefit plans in the countries where it operates. The following tables present the main data of these plans:
 
12-31-2008
  Millions of euros 
ITP 
Survival 
O2 Group 
Telesp 
Other 
Total 
Obligation
485
188
620
104
12
1,409
Assets
-
-
(630)
(78)
-
(708)
Asset ceiling
-
-
13
19
-
32
Net provision
485
188
10
46
12
741
Net assets
-
-
7
1
-
8
 
12-31-2007
  Millions of euros
ITP
Survival 
O2 Group 
Telesp 
Other
Total 
Obligation
483
152
984
99
40
1,758
Assets
-
-
(1,014)
(89)
(65)
(1,168)
Asset ceiling
-
-
7
20
14
41
Net provision
483
152
35
37
23
730
Net assets
-
-
58
7
34
99
 
 
F - 62
The amount of actuarial gains and losses of these plans recognized directly in equity in 2008 and 2007 and the related tax effect are as follows:

Millions of euros
2008
2007
ITP and Survival
(61)
25     
O2 Group
(85)
36     
Telesp
(23)
(11)    
Other
(13)
4     
Total
(182)
54     

The Group’s principal defined benefit plans are:
 
a) 
Plans in Spain:
 
a.
ITP: Telefónica Spain reached an agreement with its employees whereby it recognized supplementary pension payments for employees who had retired as of June 30, 1992, equal to the difference between the pension payable by the social security system and that which would be paid to them by ITP (Institución Telefónica de Previsión). Once the aforementioned supplementary pension payments had been quantified, they became fixed, lifelong and non-updateable and Sixty percent (60%) of the payments are transferable to the surviving spouse, recognized as such as of June 30, 1992, and to underage children.
 
The amount for this provision totaled 485 million euros at December 31, 2008 (483 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
b.
Survival: survivers of serving employees who did not join the defined pension plan are still entitled to receive survivorship benefits at the age of 65.
 
The amount for this provision totaled 188 million euros at December 31, 2008 (152 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
These plans do not have associated assets which qualify as “plan assets” under IAS 19.
 
The key actuarial assumptions used in valuing these plans are as follows:
 
 
Survival
ITP
 
12-31-08
12-31-07
12-31-08
12-31-07
Discount rate
2.596%-3.900%
4.224% – 4.463%
2.596%-3.900%
4.1792%
Expected rate of salary increase
2.50%
2.50%
-
-
Mortality tables
PERM/F-2000C
Combined with OM77
PERM/F-2000C
Combined with
OM77
 
PERM/F
2000 C
 
PERM/F
2000 C

The accompanying consolidated income statement includes employee benefits expense for the service cost corresponding to current employees totaling 7 million euros in 2008 (6 million euros in 2007).

The financial expense recorded for these commitments totaled 29 million euros in 2008 (27 million in 2007).
 
 
F - 63
 
b)        Plans in the rest of Europe:
 
The various O2 Group companies consolidated within the Telefónica Group have defined benefit post-employment plans, covered by qualifying assets.
 
The number of beneficiaries of these plans at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
Employees
2008
2007
 UK
4,636
4,650
 Germany
4,964
4,963
 Other
393
393
 Total
9,993
10,006
 
The main actuarial assumptions used in valuing these plans are as follows:
 
 
UK
Germany
Other
Nominal rate of salary increase
4.0%
3.25% -3.80%
4.0%
Nominal rate of pension payment increase
2.8%-3.0%
2.0%-4.0%
2.8%-3.0%
Discount rate
6.6%
6.2%
6.6%
Expected inflation
3.0%
2.0%
3.0%
Expected return on plan assets
 
 
 
- Shares
7.4%
N/A
7.4%
- UK government bonds
3.6%
N/A
3.6%
- Other bonds
6.6%
N/A
5.0%
- Rest of assets
3.6% -7.6%
4.25%-4.30%
3.6%
Mortality tables
Pa00mcfl0.5
Heubeck RT 2005 G
Pa00mcfl0.5
 
The commitments under these plans, as well as the value of the associated assets at December 31, 2008, are as follows:
 
Millions of euros
UK
  
        Germany
    Other
Total
  
Fair value of plan assets:
                
- Shares
321
  
-
  
19
  
340
  
- Bonds
51
 
-
  
12
  
63
  
- Rest of assets
176
  
51
  
-
  
227
  
Total fair value of plan assets
 548
  
51
  
31
  
630
  
Present value of obligations
546
  
33
  
41
  
620
  
Status before asset ceiling
(2)
  
(18)
  
10
  
(10)
  
Asset ceiling
-
  
13
  
-
  
13
  
Provision on balance sheet
-
  
-
  
10
  
10
  
Balance sheet assets
2
  
5
  
-
  
7
  
 
In the consolidated income statement, the service costs of current employees of companies belonging to the O2 Group, net of contributions by employees, recognized as employee benefits expense amounted to 41 million euros in 2008 (34 million euros in 2007).
 
The financial expense recognized for discounting the commitments amounted to 52 million euros (53 million euros in 2007), which, net of the expected return on the related assets, totaling 69 million euros (70 million euros in 2007), led to financial revenues amounting to 17 million euros (17 million euros in 2007).
 
 
F - 64
 
The movement in the present value of the commitments relating to these plans in 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 
Millions of euros
Present value of obligation at 12/31/06
1,027
Translation differences
(96)
Current service cost
39
Accrued past service cost
1
Interest cost
53
Actuarial gains
(29)
Benefits paid
(11)
Present value of obligation at 12/31/07
984
Translation differences
(198)
Current service cost
42
Accrued past service cost
4
Interest cost
52
Actuarial gains
(243)
Benefits paid
(21)
Present value of obligation at 12/31/08
620
 
Movements in the fair value of the assets associated with these obligations are as follows.
 
 
Millions of euros
Fair value of the assets at 12/31/06
983
Translation differences
(87)
Expected return on plan assets
70
Actuarial losses
7
Company contributions
47
Employee contributions
5
Benefits paid
(11)
Fair value of the assets at 12/31/07
1,014
Translation differences
(185)
Expected return on plan assets
69
Actuarial gains
(328)
Company contributions
81
Employee contributions
1
Benefits paid
(22)
Fair value of the assets at 12/31/08
630
 
c)         Plans in Latin America:
 
Telecomunicações de São Paulo, S.A., and its subsidiaries had various pension plan, medical insurance and life insurance obligations with employees.
 
The key actuarial assumptions used in valuing these plans are as follows:
 
 
12-31-08
12-31-07
Discount rate
10.14%
10.77%
Nominal rate of salary increase
6.44% - 7.10%
6.59%
Expected inflation
4.90%
4.50%
Cost of health insurance
8.04%
7.64%
Expected return on plan assets
10.88% - 11.15%
9.61-11.15%
Mortality tables
AT 83
AT 83
 
 
F - 65
 
Employee benefits expenses recognized in relation to current service costs, net of employee contributions at Telesp group companies, totaled 1 million euros in 2008 and 2007.
 
Furthermore, financial expenses recognized for discounting the cost of these commitments in 2008 and 2007 totaled 10 and 9 million euros, respectively. The expected return on plan assets generated 9 million euros and 8 million euros of finance income in 2008 and 2007, respectively, net of these expenses.
 
The valuations used to determine the value of obligations and plan assets, where appropriate, were performed on December 31, 2008 by external and internal actuaries. The projected unit credit method was used in all cases.
 
c)         Other benefits
 
This heading mainly includes the amount recorded by Telefónica Spain related to the amount accrued for long-service bonuses to be awarded to employees after 25 years’ service.
 
Other provisions
 
The movement in “Other provisions” in 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
Other provisions at December 31, 2006
2,053   
Additions
618   
Retirements/amount applied
(342)   
Transfers
(29)   
Inclusion of companies
61   
Exclusion of companies
(536)   
Translation differences
41   
Other provisions at December 31, 2007
1,866   
Additions
448   
Retirements/amount applied
(518)   
Transfers
(5)   
Inclusion of companies
64   
Translation differences
(121)   
Other provisions at December 31, 2008
1,734   
 
“Other provisions” includes the amount recorded in 2007 in relation to the 152 million euro fine imposed on Telefónica de España, S.A.U. by the EC Anti-trust Authorities (see Note 21).
 
Also included are the provisions for dismantling of assets recognized by Group companies in the amount of 200 million euros (151 million euros in 2007).
 
“Exclusion of companies” in 2007 mainly relates to provisions for the Endemol group, which at December 31, 2006 amounted to 486 million euros.
 
Finally, “Other Provisions” in 2008 and 2007 also includes the provisions recorded (or used) by the Group companies to cover the risks inherent in the realization of certain assets, the contingencies arising from their respective business activities and the risks arising from commitments and litigation acquired in other transactions, recognized as indicated in Note 3.1.
 
 
F - 66
 
Given the nature of the risks covered by these provisions, it is not possible to determine a reliable schedule of potential payments, if any.
 
(16)
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES
 
The Telefónica Group is exposed to various financial market risks as a result of (i) its ordinary business activity, (ii) debt taken on to finance its business, (iii) investments in companies, and (iv) other financial instruments related to the above commitments.
 
The main market risks affecting the Group are as follows:
 
1.           Exchange rate risk
 
Exchange rate risks arise mainly from two sources. The first is Telefónica’s international presence, through its investments and businesses in countries that use currencies other than the euro. These are largely in Latin America, but also in the Czech Republic and the UK. The second is debt denominated in currencies other than that of the country where the business is conducted or the home country of the company taking on the debt.
 
2.           Interest rate risk
 
This arises from changes in (i) financial expenses on floating rate debt (or short-term debt likely to be renewed), due to changes in interest rates and (ii) the value of long-term liabilities at fixed interest rates.
 
3.           Share price risk
 
This arises from changes in the value of equity investments that may be bought, sold or otherwise involved in transactions, from changes in the value of derivatives associated with such investments, from treasury shares and from equity derivatives.
 
The Group is also exposed to liquidity risk if a mismatch arises between its financing needs (operating and financial expense, investment, debt redemptions and dividend commitments) and its sources of finance (revenues, divestments, credit lines from financial institutions and capital market operations). The cost of finance could also be affected by movements in the credit spreads (over benchmark rates) demanded by lenders.
 
Finally, there is the so-called “country risk” (which overlaps with market and liquidity risks). This refers to the possible decline in assets, cash flows generated or cash flows returned to the parent company as a result of political, economic or social instability in the countries where the Telefónica Group operates, especially in Latin America.
 
The Telefónica Group actively manages these risks with a view to reducing changes in cash flows and the income statement, or offsetting them with opposite changes in debt. In this way, it attempts to protect the Group’s solvency, facilitate financial planning and take advantage of investment opportunities.
 
Telefónica uses derivatives to manage risks, basically on exchange rates, interest rates and shares.
 
Telefónica manages its exchange rate risk and interest rate risk in terms of net debt and net financial debt.
 
 
F - 67
 
Exchange rate risk
 
The fundamental objective of the exchange rate risk management policy is to offset (at least partly) potential losses of cash flows caused by declines in exchange rates vis-à-vis the euro, with savings on the lower euro value of foreign-denominated debt (from currency depreciation). The degree of hedging varies depending on the type of investment.
 
At December 31, 2008, net debt in Latin American currencies was nearly 5,827 million euros. However, this debt is not distributed in proportion to the cash flows generated in each country. Its future effectiveness as a hedge of exchange rate risks therefore depends on which currencies depreciate.
 
The Company further protects itself against declines in Latin American exchange rates affecting its assets through the use of dollar-denominated debt, either in Spain (where such debt is associated with the investment as long as it is considered to be an effective hedge) and in the country itself, where the market for local currency financing or hedges may be inadequate or non-existent. At December 31, 2008, the Group’s net dollar-denominated debt amounts to the equivalent of 2,222 million euros, net of the effect of the derivative contracts and financial assets in dollars, of which 1,317 million euros are related to assets in Latin America and the rest (906 million euros) are hedges of the Group’s investment in China Unicom.
 
To protect its investment in the Czech Republic, the Group has net debt denominated in Czech crowns, which at December 31, 2008 amounted to 3,034 million euros, nearly 75% of the original cost of the investment.
 
Debt in pounds sterling stands close to 2 times the operating income once the depreciation and amortization cost was deducted of the Telefónica Europe business unit in the UK. The aim is to maintain the same proportion as the Group’s net debt/ operating income once the depreciation and amortization cost was deducted ratio, thereby helping to reduce its sensitivity to changes in the pound sterling/euro exchange rate. Pound sterling-denominated debt at December 31, 2008 was equivalent to 3,855 million euros, far below the 6,667 million euros at year-end 2007, partly due to the pound's 30% depreciation in 2008 and partly to pounds sterling generated by the business.
 
The Group also manages exchange rate risk by seeking to minimize the negative impact of any remaining exchange rate exposure on the income statement, regardless of whether it has open positions. Such exposure can arise for any of three reasons: (i) a thin market for local derivatives or difficulty in obtaining financing in local currency which does not allow for a low-cost hedge to be arranged (as in Argentina and Venezuela), (ii) financing through intra-group loans, where the accounting treatment of exchange rate risk is different from that for financing through capital contributions, (iii) as the result of a deliberate policy decision to avoid the high cost of hedges that are not warranted by expectations or high risk of depreciation.
 
In 2008, exchange rate management resulted in gains totaling 23.7 million euros.
 
If the exchange rate position affecting the income statement at the end of 2008 were constant in 2009 and Latin American currencies depreciated against the US dollar and the rest of the currencies against the euro by 10%, the impact on the income statement would be a negative 107 million euros. Nonetheless, the Group dynamically manages its exposure to such changes to mitigate their impact.
 
As management’s objective is not an accounting indicator, no sensitivity analysis is performed regarding potential impact of exchange rate changes on translation differences (equity).
 
 
F - 68
 
Interest rate risk
 
Telefónica’s financial expenses are exposed to changes in interest rates. In 2008, the rates applied to the largest volumes of short-term debt were mainly based on the Euribor, the Czech crown Pribor, the Brazilian SELIC, the dollar Libor and the Colombian UVR in nominal terms. At December 31, 2008, 43.8% of the net debt (or 46.3% of net long-term debt) was at rates fixed for more than one year, compared to 50.4% of net debt (46.3% of long-term net debt) in 2007. Of the remaining 56.2% (net debt at floating or fixed rates maturing in less than one year), the interest rate on 28 percentage points was set for a period of more than one year (17% of long-term net debt), compared to 46 percentage points on debt at floating or fixed rates maturing in less than one year (27% of long-term debt) at December 31, 2007. This is due to the cancellation and maturity (without renewal) of an amount equivalent to 3,422 million euros of Caps and Floors in 2008 in euros, US dollars and pounds sterling in anticipation of a fall in interest rates.
 
In addition, in discounting early retirement liabilities the fall in interest rates led to an increase in the amount of these liabilities. However, this increase was nearly completely offset by the increase in the value of the hedges on these positions.
 
The net financial expense in 2008 totaled 2,797 million euros, slightly (1.6%) below the prior year figure (2,844 million euros). Excluding exchange rate differences, net interest expense in 2008 and 2007 was 2,821 million euros and 2,851 million euros, respectively, implying a slight 1.1% decrease in adjusted finance costs in 2008 compared to 2007. This decrease is the result of two offsetting factors: 1) a 7.6% decline in average net debt in 2008 (3,868 million euros), which led to a saving of 240 million euros; and 2) an increase in finance costs of 165 million euros as a result of a 31 bp increase in the average cost of debt, mostly because: (i) average net debt in 2008 was at higher rates than the average for 2007 due to the higher relative weight of Latin American debt and the hikes in rates in euros, pounds sterling, Czech crowns and US dollars versus 2007, and (ii) a 44 million euro decrease in non-recurring income related to positions measured at fair value. The figure for financial expenses in 2008 implies an average cost of average total net debt of 5.95%, or 6.00% stripping out exchange rate gains.
 
To illustrate the sensitivity of finance costs to variability in short-term interest rates, assuming a 100 basis point rise in all currencies in which there are financial positions and no change in the currency make-up and balance of the position at year end, the finance cost at December 31, 2008 would increase by 178 million euros.
 
Share price risk
 
The Telefónica Group is exposed to changes in the value of equity investments that may be bought, sold or otherwise involved in transactions, from changes in the value of derivatives associated with such investments, from treasury shares and from equity derivatives.
 
The Telefónica Group has core, long-term direct and indirect holdings in companies exposed to the risk of changes in their share price, such as PT Multimedia, S.G.P.S., S.A. (Zon), China Unicom Hong Kong, Ltd and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) (see Note 9).
 
 
F - 69
 
As part of its shareholder remuneration policy, in February 2008, Telefónica announced a plan to buy back up to 100 million shares, representing approximately 2.095% of its share capital at that time. In October 2008, Telefónica announced the extension of this program by 50%, or another 50 million shares. Telefónica Group manages the share price risk of the share buyback programs by setting the timetable for execution in accordance with the pace of cash flow generation, the share price and other market conditions, while complying with applicable legal, regulatory and bylaw limits.
 
At the Shareholders’ Meeting of Telefónica, S.A. on June 21, 2006, shareholders approved the introduction of a long-term incentive plan for Managers and Senior Executives of Telefónica, S.A. and other Telefónica Group companies (the “PSP”). Under this plan, selected participants who met the qualifying requirements were given the rights to earn a certain number of Telefónica, S.A. shares as a form of variable remuneration (see Note 20.a).
 
According to the plan, the shares may be either (a) treasury shares in Telefónica, S.A., acquired by either Telefónica, S.A. itself or any of the Telefónica Group companies, in compliance with the legal requirements in force in this connection; or (b) newly-issued shares. The possibility of delivering shares to employees in the future, in accordance with relative shareholder remuneration or profit, implies a risk since there could be an obligation to hand over a maximum number of shares at the end of each cycle, whose acquisition (in the event of acquisition in the market) in the future could imply a higher cash outflow than required on the start date of each cycle if the share price is above the corresponding price on the cycle start date. In the event that new shares are issued for delivery to the beneficiaries of the plan, there would be a dilutive effect for the ordinary shareholder as a result of the higher number of shares outstanding.
 
To reduce this risk and ensure that enough shares are available, the Telefónica Group has acquired derivatives that replicate the risk profile of the shares (see Note 20).
 
In addition, part of the treasury shares acquired at the end of the year could be earmarked to cover the plan. At December 31, 2008, the Group held 125,561,011 shares of Telefónica, S.A. (see Note 12). The liquidation value of the treasury shares could increase or decrease depending on variations in the Telefónica share price.
 
Liquidity risk
 
Telefónica seeks to match the schedule for its debt maturity payments to its capacity to generate cash flows to meet these maturities, allowing some flexibility. In practice, this means monitoring two key criteria:
 
 
1.
Group debt must have a longer average maturity than the time it will take to earn the cash to pay it (assuming internal projections are met, and all cash flows generated go to pay down debt rather than on dividends or acquisitions).
     
2.
The Group must be able to pay all commitments over the next 12 months without accessing new borrowing or tapping the capital markets (although including firm credit lines arranged with banks), assuming budget projections are met.
 
F - 70
 
As of December 31, 2008, the average maturity of the Group’s (42,733 million euros) net financial debt was 5.9 years. The Group would need to generate around 7,243 million euros per year to repay the debt in this period if it used all its cash for this purpose. Cash generation in 2008 amply exceeded this amount, so that if it maintains the same pace of cash generation during the average lifetime of the debt, the Group would repay the debt in its entirety before 4.67 years if it used all its cash for this purpose.
 
Gross debt maturities in 2009, of approximately 7,014 million euros (including the net position of derivative financial instruments), are lower than the amount of funds available, calculated as the sum of: a) current financial investments and cash at December 31, 2008 (5,408 million euros excluding derivative financial instruments), b) annual cash generation projected for 2009; and c) undrawn credit facilities arranged with banks whose original maturity is over one year (more than 3,800 million euros at December 31, 2008). This gives the Telefónica Group flexibility with regard to tapping capital or credit markets in the next 12 months.
 
The principal financing transaction in 2008 (to ensure compliance with the management criteria indicated above) consisted of an issue of 1,250 million euros worth of five-year bonds with an annual coupon of 5.58% (equivalent to 94 basis points above the benchmark “5-year Mid-swap rate”). See Note 24 “Events after the balance sheet date” for a description of other financial transactions carried out as part of these measures after the end of 2008.
 
In 2008, the Group reduced its nets financial debt by 2,551 million euros to 42,733 million euros, extending the trend of the previous two years (45,284 and 52,145 million euros at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively) (see “Key performance indicators” under Note 2). Meanwhile, at December 31, 2008, the Telefónica Group had total unused credit facilities from various sources amounting to over 7,400 million euros (9,250 million euros at December 31, 2007 and 8,000 million euros at December 31, 2006).
 
Country risk
 
Telefónica has managed or mitigated country risk by pursuing two lines of action (in addition to its normal business practices):
 
 
1.
Partly matching assets to liabilities (those not guaranteed by the parent company) in its Latin American companies such that any potential asset impairment would be accompanied by a reduction in liabilities,
     
2.
Repatriating funds generated in Latin America that are not required for the pursuit of new, profitable business development opportunities in the region.
 
Regarding this first point, Telefónica’s Latin American companies now have external net debt not guaranteed by the Spanish companies of 4,075 million euros, i.e. 9.5% of the Group’s total net financial debt, with Colombia (2,946 million euros), Brazil (1,276 million euros) and Peru (910 million euros), accounting for the bulk of the total.
 
 
F - 71
 
Regarding the repatriation of funds, 1,839 million euros was received from Latin America in 2008, of which 1,115 million euros was from dividends and 724 million euros from inter-group loans (repayment of principal and payment of interest) and capital decreases. Meanwhile, funds were sent to Latin American, mainly Colombia (155 million euros) in connection with the Telefónica Móviles Colombia’s capital increase, and Chile (664 million euros) for the buyout of CTC’s minorities (see Note 21.b). Net funds repatriated from Latin America amount to the equivalent of 899 million euros.
 
In this regard, it is worth noting that since February 2003, Venezuela has had an exchange control mechanism in place. The Currency Administration Commission (CADIVI) was set up to manage the exchange control system and determine authorizations of currency sales. This body has issued a number of regulations ("providencias") governing the modalities of currency sales in Venezuela at official exchange rates. Foreign companies which are duly registered as foreign investors are entitled to request approval to acquire currencies at the official exchange rate by the CADIVI, in line with regulation number 029, article 2, section c) "Remittance of earnings, profits, income, interest and dividends from international investment." Telcel, the Group’s subsidiary in Venezuela, obtained approval on 137 million US dollars under this heading in 2006, 240 million US dollars in 2007 and 365 million US dollars in 2008. The final dividend to be paid out of 2006 profit of 536 million US dollars proposed recently is pending approval. Once this is approved, the Group will seek authorization to pay the dividends related to 2007 profit. Accordingly, the Group will have to continue obtaining the necessary authorizations in future for requests submitted to the CADIVI. It expects this to occur with the same diligence and frequency as in the past, enabling it to continue carrying out its businesses in Venezuela as normal and to repatriate funds from this country.
 
Credit risk
 
The Telefónica Group trades in derivatives with creditworthy counterparties. Therefore, Telefónica, S.A. trades with credit entities with senior debt ratings of at least “A.” In Spain, where most of the Group’s derivatives portfolio is, there are netting agreements with financial institutions, with debtor or creditor positions offset in case of bankruptcy, limiting the risk to the net position. For other subsidiaries, particularly those in Latin America, given the stable sovereign rating provides a ceiling and is below “A,” trades are with local financial entities whose rating by local standards is considered to be of High Creditworthiness.
 
The Telefónica Group considers managing commercial credit risk as crucial to meeting its business and customer base growth targets in a manner that is consistent with its risk-management policy.
 
Therefore, the Group’s commercial credit risk-management approach is based on continuous monitoring of the risk assumed and the resources necessary to manage the Group’s various units, in order to optimize the risk-reward relationship in the development and execution of their business plans in their ordinary management.
 
For this, uniform policies, procedures, authorization lines and management practices are established for all Group companies bearing in mind the individual needs and international best practice in this area, and including the commercial credit-risk management model in the Group’s decision-making process, at both the strategic and the day-to-day operations level.
 
 
F - 72
 
Meanwhile, with credit risk arising from cash and cash equivalents, the Telefónica Group places its cash surpluses in high quality and highly liquid money-market assets. These placements are regulated by a General Framework, revised annually based on conditions of the market and countries where the Group operates. The General Framework sets: (i) the maximum amounts to be invested by counterparty based on its rating (long-term debt rating); (ii) the maximum period of the investment; and (iii) the instruments in which the surpluses may be invested. For Telefónica, S.A., the Company which places the bulk of the Group’s surpluses, the maximum placement in 2008 was 180 days and the creditworthiness of the counterparties used, measured by their debt ratings, remained above A- and/or A3 by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.
 
The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk is initially represented by the carrying amounts of the financial assets (Notes 11 and 13) and the guarantees given by the Group.
 
Capital management
 
Telefónica’s finance department, which is in charge of the Group's capital management, takes into consideration several factors when determining the Company’s capital structure.
 
The first is the consideration of cost of capital at all times to achieve a combination that optimizes this. For this, the company monitors the financial markets and updates to standard industry approaches for calculating cost of capital (WACC, weighted average cost of capital) in determining this variable. The second, a gearing ratio that enables the Company to obtain and maintain the desired credit rating over the medium term, and through which Telefónica can match its potential cash flow generation and the alternative uses of this cash flow at all times.
 
These general arguments are rounded off with other considerations and specifics, such as country risk in the broadest sense, tax efficiency and volatility in cash flow generation, when determining the Group’s financial structure.
 
Derivatives policy
 
At December 31, 2008, the nominal value of outstanding derivatives with external counterparties came to 141,984 million euros. This amount is just 8.6 % higher than in 2007 (130,715 million equivalent euros). This figure is inflated by the use in some cases of several levels of derivatives applied to the nominal value of a single underlying liability. For instance, a foreign currency loan can be hedged into floating rate, and then each interest rate period can be fixed using a forward rate agreement. Even using such techniques to reduce the position, it is still necessary to take extreme care in the use of derivatives to avoid problems arising through error or a failure to understand the real position and its associated risks.
 
The Group’s derivatives policy emphasizes the following points:          
 
  1)        Derivatives based on a clearly identified underlying.
   
 
Acceptable underlyings include profits, revenues and cash flows in either a company’s functional currency or another currency. These flows can be contractual (debt and interest payments, settlement of foreign currency payables, etc.), reasonably certain or foreseeable (investment program, future debt issues, commercial paper programs, etc.). The acceptability of an underlying asset in the above cases does not depend on whether it complies with IFRS requirements for hedge accounting, as is required in the case of certain intra-group transactions, for instance. Parent company investments in subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the euro also qualify as acceptable underlying assets.
 
 
F - 73
 
 
Economic hedges, i.e. hedges with a designated underlying asset and which in certain circumstances offset fluctuations in the underlying asset value, do not always meet the requirements and effectiveness tests laid down by accounting standards for treatment as hedges. The decision to maintain positions that cease to qualify as effective or fail to meet other requirements will depend on the marginal impact on the income statement and how far this might compromise the goal of a stable income statement. In any event, the variations are recognized in the income statement.
   
  2)           Matching of the underlying to one side of the derivative.
   
 
This matching basically applies to foreign currency debt and derivatives hedging foreign currency payments by Group subsidiaries. The aim is to eliminate the risk arising from changes in foreign currency interest rates. Nonetheless, even when the aim is to achieve perfect hedging for all cash flows, the lack of breadth to certain markets, especially in Latin American currencies, has meant that historically there have been mismatches between the terms of the hedges and those of the debts they are meant to hedge. The Telefónica Group intends to reduce these mismatches, provided that doing so does not involve disproportionate costs. In this regard, if adjustment does prove too costly, the financial timing of the underlying asset in foreign currency will be modified in order to minimize interest rate risk in foreign currency.
 
Sometimes, the timing of the underlying as defined for derivative purposes may not be exactly the same as the timing of the contractual underlying.
   
 
3)           Matching the company contracting the derivative and the company that owns the underlying.
 
Generally, Telefónica aims to ensure that the hedging derivative and the hedged asset or liability belong to the same company. Sometimes, however, the holding companies (Telefónica, S.A. and Telefónica Internacional, S.A.) have arranged hedges on behalf of a subsidiary that owns the underlying asset. The main reasons for separating the hedge and the underlying asset were possible differences in the legal validity of local and international hedges (as a result of unforeseen legal changes) and the different credit ratings of the counterparties (whether Group companies or the banks).
   
 
4)          Ability to measure the derivative’s fair value using the valuation systems available to the Group.
 
Telefónica uses a number of tools to measure and manage risks in derivatives and debt. The main ones are Kondor+, licensed by Reuters, which is widely used by financial institutions, and MBRM specialist financial calculator libraries.
 
 
F - 74
 
5)
Sale of options only when there is an underlying exposure.
 
Options can only be sold when: i) there is an underlying exposure (on the balance sheet or associated with a highly probable cash outflow) that would offset the potential loss for the year if the counterparty exercised the option, or ii) the option is part of a structure in which another derivative offsets any loss. The sale of options is also permitted in option structures where, at the moment they are taken out, the net premium is either positive or zero.
 
For instance, it would be possible to sell short-term options on interest rate swaps that entitle the counterparty to receive a certain fixed interest rate, below the level prevailing at the time the option was sold. This would mean that if rates fell and the counterparty exercised its option, Telefónica would swap part of its debt from floating rate to a lower fixed rate, having received a premium.
 
6) 
Hedge accounting
 
The main risks that may qualify for hedge accounting are as follows:
 
 
·
Variations in market interest rates (either money-market rates, credit spreads or both) that affect the value of the underlying asset or the measurement of the cash flows.
 
 
·
Variations in exchange rates that change the value of the underlying asset in the company’s functional currency and affect the measurement of the cash flow in the functional currency.
 
 
·
Variations in the volatility of any financial variable, asset or liability that affect either the valuation or the measurement of cash flows on debt or investments with embedded options, whether or not these options are separable.
 
 
·
Variations in the valuation of any financial asset, particularly shares of companies included in the portfolio of “Available-for-sale financial assets”.
 
Regarding the underlying:
 
 
·
Hedges can cover all or part of the value of the underlying.
 
 
·
The risk to be hedged can be for the whole period of the transaction or for only part of the period.
 
 
·
The underlying may be a highly probable future transaction, or a contractual underlying (loan, foreign currency payment, investment, financial asset, etc.) or a combination of both that defines an underlying with a longer term.
     
    This may on occasion mean that the hedging instruments have longer terms than the related contractual underlying. This happens when Telefónica enters into long-term swaps, caps or collars to protect itself against interest rate rises that may raise the financial expense of its promissory notes, commercial paper and some floating rate loans which mature earlier than their hedges. These floating rate financing programs are highly likely to be renewed and the Company commits to this by defining the underlying asset in a more general way as a floating rate financing program whose term coincides with the maturity of the hedge.
 
Hedges can be of three types:
 
 
·
Fair value hedges.
 
 
F - 75
 
 
·
Cash flow hedges, which can be set at any value of the risk to be hedged (interest rates, exchange rates, etc.) or for a defined range (interest rates between 2% and 4%, above 4%, etc.). In this last case, the hedging instrument used is options and only the intrinsic value of the option is recognized as an effective hedge. Changes in the time value of the option are taken to the income statement. To prevent excessive swings in the income statement from changes in time value, the hedging ratio (amount of options for hedging relative to the amount of options not treated as hedged) is assigned dynamically, as permitted by the standard.
 
 
·
Hedges of net investment in consolidated foreign subsidiaries. Generally such hedges will be arranged by Telefónica, S.A. and the other Group holding companies. Wherever possible, these hedges are implemented through real debt in foreign currency. Often, however, this is not always possible as many Latin American currencies are non-convertible, making it impossible for non-resident companies to issue local currency debt. It may also be that the debt market in the currency concerned is too thin to accommodate the required hedge (Czech crown, pound sterling), or that an acquisition is made in cash with no need for market finance. In these circumstances derivatives, either forwards or cross-currency swaps are used to hedge the net investment.
 
Hedges can comprise a combination of different derivatives.
 
There is no reason to suppose management of accounting hedges will be static, with an unchanging hedging relationship lasting through maturity. In fact, hedging relationships may change to allow appropriate management that serves the stated principles of stabilizing cash flows, stabilizing net financial income/expense and protecting the share capital. The designation of hedges may therefore be cancelled, before maturity, because of a change in the underlying, a change in perceived risk on the underlying or a change in the market’s view. Derivatives included in these hedges may be reassigned to new hedges where they meet the effectiveness test and the new hedge is well documented. To gauge the efficiency of transactions defined as accounting hedges, the Company analyzes the extent to which the changes in the fair value or in the cash flows attributable to the hedged item would offset the changes in fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk using a linear regression model.
 
The main guiding principles for risk management are determined by the Telefónica Group’s Corporate Finance Department and implemented by company CFOs (responsible for balancing the interests of each company and those of the Group). The Corporate Finance Department may allow exceptions to this policy where this can be justified, normally when the market is too thin for the volume of transactions required or on clearly limited and small risks. New companies joining the Group as a result of mergers or acquisitions may also need time to adapt.
 
 
F - 76
 
The breakdown of the financial results recognized in 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
(Millions of euros)
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Interest income
     589       524       883  
Dividends received
     67       72       71  
Other financial income
     217       107       128  
Interest expenses
     (3,373)       (3,181)       (3,612)  
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges
     (71)       (43)       4  
Acretion of provisions and other liabilities
     (453)       (200)       (138)  
Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
     341       25       (55)  
Changes in fair value of financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss
     (115)       (4)       (24)  
Transfer from equity to profit and loss from cash flow hedges
     (50)       (17)       (14)  
Transfer from equity to profit and loss from available-for-sale assets
     (2)       (107)       -  
(Gain)/loss on fair value hedges
     912       75       (79)  
Loss/(gain) on adjustment to items hedged by fair value hedges
     (883)       (102)       41  
Net finance costs excluding foreign exchange differences
     (2,821)       (2,851)       (2,795)  
 
The breakdown of the Group’s derivatives at December 31, 2008, their fair value at year-end and the expected maturity schedule is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
        
  Maturity (notional amount)
  
 
Derivatives
  
Fair value: at
12/31/08
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
Subsequent
years
    
Total
  
Interest rate hedges
     (612)       2,031       1,747       520       72       4,370  
Cash flow hedges
     183       2,028       493       1,749       3,505       7,775  
Fair value hedges
     (795)       3       1,254       (1,229)       (3,433)       (3,405)  
Foreign currency hedges
     519       985       2,382       793       3,717       7,877  
Cash flow hedges
     519       985       2,382       793       3,717       7,877  
Fair value hedges
     0       0       0       0       0       0  
Interest and exchange rate hedges
     (173)       12       458       18       399       887  
Cash flow hedges
     (71)       18       232       4       288       542  
Fair value hedges
     (102)       (6)       226       14       111       345  
Hedge of net investment
     (546)       (2,830)       (517)       (1,125)       (751)       (5,223)  
Derivatives not designated as hedges
     (868)       7,328       (627)       (578)       (164       5,959  
Interest rate
     (271)       8,587       (303)       (609)       (1,100)       6,575  
Foreign currency
     (395)       (839)       (137)       96       1,026       146  
Interest and exchange rate
     (202)       (420)       (187)       (65)       (90)       (762)  
 
 
F - 77
 
The breakdown of the Group’s derivatives, their fair value at year-end and the expected maturity schedule at December 31, 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
Fair value: at 12/31/07
Maturity (notional amount)
Derivatives
2008
2009
2010
Subsequent years
Total
Interest rate hedges
(342)
118
1,033
(90)
1,009
2,070
Cash flow hedges
(278)
133
1,030
(72)
4,550
5,641
Fair value hedges
(64)
(15)
3
(18)
(3,541)
(3,571)
Foreign currency hedges
1,104
35
887
2,413
1,459
4,794
Cash flow hedges
1,168
414
887
2,413
1,459
5,173
Fair value hedges
(64)
(379)
0
0
0
(379)
Interest and exchange rate hedges
589
(123)
(217)
221
3,265
3,146
Cash flow hedges
382
481
0
224
3,307
4,012
Fair value hedges
207
(604)
(217)
(3)
(42)
(866)
Hedge of net investment
61
(1,876)
(943)
(550)
(1,396)
(4,765)
Derivatives not designated as hedges
(262)
551
(2,155)
(2,157)
3,459
(302)
Interest rate
(64)
(1,411)
(626)
(480)
2,358
(159)
Foreign currency
(270)
2,470
(1,296)
(1,539)
1,026
661
Interest and exchange rate
72
(508)
(233)
(138)
75
(804)
 
For hedges, the positive amount is in terms of fixed “payment”
For exchange rate hedges, a positive amount means payment in functional vs. foreign currency.
 
A list of derivative products entered into at December 31, 2008 and 2007 in provided in Appendix III.
 
17)
INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
Consolidated tax group
 
Pursuant to a Ministerial Order dated December 27, 1989, since 1990 Telefónica, S.A. has filed consolidated tax returns for certain Group companies. The consolidated tax group comprised 39 companies in 2008, the same as in 2007.
 
Modification of tax rates
 
In 2008, the impact of changes in the tax rates applicable to the income statements of the main Telefónica Group companies was not material.
 
In 2007, the applicable income tax rates were changed in several countries where the Telefónica Group operates. This included decreases in the tax rates in Spain, from 35% to 32.5% in 2007 and to 30% from January 1, 2008, in the UK from 30% to 28% in 2008, in Germany from 38.6% to 29.8% and in the Czech Republic from 24% in 2007 to 21% in 2008, 20% in 2009 and 19% in 2010.
 
Based on the estimates of taxable income and recovery of the deferred tax assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet derived from the change in tax rates in Spain, the Company recognized an expense under “Income tax” of 36 million euros and 355 million euros in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The same reason led to a reduction in equity in 2006 of 14 million euros.
 
 
 
F - 78
Deferred taxes
 
The movements in deferred taxes in 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
Deferred
tax assets
    
Deferred
tax liabilities
  
Balance at December 31, 2007
     7,829       3,926  
Increases
     1,308       571  
Decreases
     (1,979)       (526)  
Transfers
     (39)       (43)  
Net international movements
     (159)       (352)  
Company movements and others
     20       -  
                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
     6,980       3,576  

 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
Deferred
tax assets
    
Deferred
tax liabilities
  
Balance at December 31, 2006
     8,701       4,700  
Increases
     762       339  
Disposals
     (1,345)       (462)  
Changes to tax rates
     (245)       (281)  
Transfers
     (28)       (56)  
Net international movements
     -       (122)  
Company movements and others
     (16)       (192)  
Balance at December 31, 2007
     7,829       3,926  
 
Tax credits for loss carryforwards
 
The tax loss carryforwards in Spain at December 31, 2008 of the main Group companies amounted to 3,673 million euros (3,364 million euros for companies belonging to the Tax Group).
 
The balance sheet at December 31, 2008 includes a 410 million euro deferred tax asset corresponding to 1,368 million euros of tax loss carryforwards.
 
The 2002 tax return included a negative adjustment for 2,137 million euros from Telefónica Móviles, S.A. (now Telefónica, S.A.). This arose through the transfer of certain holdings acquired in previous years where the fair value differed from the carrying amount as a result of having implemented article 159 of the Spanish Corporation Law. The challenging of this adjustment in the tax audit of financial years 2001 to 2004 has not had any accounting impact as in accordance with past rulings by the tax authorities, which differ from the interpretation being put forward by the Company, the Company decided not to capitalize it.
 
 
F - 79
 
In relation to the sale by Terra Networks, S.A. (now Telefónica, S.A.) of its stake in Lycos Inc. in 2004, the Company has begun procedures to recognize a higher tax loss of up to 7,418 million euros because of measuring as acquisition value for tax purposes, the market value of Lycos Inc. shares received, rather than their carrying amount, in conformity with Article 159 of the Spanish Corporation Law. No accounting adjustments have been made until the Company receives a definitive ruling on this procedure.
 
O2 Germany has tax loss carryforwards amounting to 5,251 million euros, of which 426 million euros have been recognized as deferred tax assets in line with the prospects of generating future taxable earnings.
 
Unused tax credits recognized in the consolidated balance sheets of the Latin American subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 amounted to 477 million euros.
 
Deductions
 
In the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008, the Group had recognized 993 million euros of unused tax credits, mainly export activity tax credits.
 
Temporary differences
 
Temporary differences are generated as a result of the difference between tax bases of the assets and liabilities and their respective carrying amounts. Deductible temporary differences, tax deductions and credits and tax loss carryforwards give rise to deferred tax assets on the balance sheet, whereas taxable temporary differences in tax bases give rise to deferred tax liabilities. In addition, Telefónica recognizes, inter alia, temporary differences arising on the amortization of goodwill for tax purposes. The sources of deferred tax assets and liabilities from temporary differences recognized at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
  
   
Deferred
tax assets
    
Deferred
tax liabilities
    
Deferred tax
Assets
    
Deferred tax
liabilities
  
Property, plant and equipment
     809       387       862       380  
Intangible assets
     239       2,085       55       2,469  
Personnel commitments
     1,325       1       1,528       17  
Provisions
     598       11       635       2  
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
     1,083       256       1,221       196  
Other
     620       836       392       862  
Total
     4,674       3,576       4,693       3,926  
 
 
F - 80
Tax payables and receivables
 
Current tax payables and receivables at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
Balance at
    
Balance at
  
     
12-31-08
      
12-31-07
  
Taxes payable:
                
Tax withholdings
     91       155  
Indirect taxes
     704       718  
Social security
     187       184  
Current income taxes payable
     873       561  
Other
     420       539  
Total
     2,275       2,157  

 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
Balance at
    
Balance at
  
   
  12-31-08
    
  12-31-07
  
Tax receivables:
                
Indirect tax
     452       507  
Current income taxes receivable
     365       368  
Other
     153       135  
Total
     970       1,010  
 
Reconciliation of book profit before taxes to taxable income
 
The reconciliation between accounting profit and the income tax expense for 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Accounting profit before tax
     10,915       10,684       6,764  
Tax expense at prevailing statutory rate
     3,275       3,472       2,367  
Effect of statutory rate in other countries
     (99 )     458       199  
Variation in tax expense from new taxes
     12       (22 )     6  
Permanent differences
     243       (1,893 )     553  
Changes in deferred tax charge due to changes in tax rate
     -       (36 )     355  
Capitalization of tax deduction and tax relief
     (175 )     (200 )     (1,375 )
Use of loss carryforwards
     (106 )     (203 )     (144 )
Increase/(decrease) in tax expense arising from temporary differences
     (2 )     (8 )     (46 )
Consolidation adjustments
     (59 )     (3 )     (133 )
Adjustment to income tax for changes in previous year’s tax settlement
     -       -       (1 )
Corporate income tax charge
     3,089       1,565       1,781  
Breakdown of current/deferred tax expense
                        
Current tax expense
     3,371       2,152       3,116  
Deferred tax benefit
     (282 )     (587 )     (1,335 )
Total corporate income tax charge
     3,089       1,565       1,781  
 
 
F - 81
Permanent differences arise mainly from events that produce taxable income not recognized in the consolidated income statement.
 
In 2007, the Company recognized a tax credit arising from the recognition of a higher tax loss carryforward amounting to 2,812 million euros generated on the disposal of the stake in Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. (see Note 2) as a difference between the tax and carrying amount of the Endemol shares at the time of disposal. The positive impact recognized in “Income tax expense” in the consolidated income statement for the year amounted to 914 million euros, presented in the preceding table under “Permanent differences” for 2007. Also included under “Permanent differences” for 2007 are the accounting gain on this disposal, of 1,368 million euros, and the accounting gain on the disposal of Airwave for 1,296 million euros (see Note 2).
 
On September 25, 2002, tax inspections commenced at several companies included in Tax Group 24/90, of which Telefónica, S.A. is the parent company. The taxes inspected were corporate income tax (for the years from 1998 to 2000) and VAT, tax withholdings and prepayments relating to personal income tax, tax on investment income, property tax and nonresident income tax (1998 to 2001). The tax audits were concluded in 2005. The final outcome of the tax assessments is not expected give rise to material additional liabilities on the Telefónica Group consolidated financial statements.
 
These assessments, which included settlement agreements and imposed fines on Telefónica, S.A. were signed by the company in disagreement in October 2004 and July 2005. The total amount of these assessments was 140 million euro.
 
In April 2007, Telefónica, S.A. filed an administrative appeal before the National Court of Justice. The company also requested that the execution of the appealed settlements and penalties be suspended by providing the appropriate guarantees. On July 26, 2007 the lawsuit was formalized, with Telefónica, S.A. providing expert testimonies supporting its allegations. In December 2007, the parties submitted the evidence on which their cases were based.
 
A new tax inspection commenced in June 2006 and concluded in July 2008. The taxes inspected were corporate income tax for the years 2001 to 2004, VAT and tax withholdings and payments on account in respect of personal income tax, tax on investment income, property tax and non-resident income tax for the years 2002 to 2004.
 
In addition to the above, the Company has proposed additional adjustments to the tax amounts considered by Telefónica Móviles in 2002 (of 2,137 million euros) of approximately 346 million euros in the tax payable. Telefónica has filed an appeal with the Central Administrative Economic Court to dispute the assessment derived from the tax audit. As the Company considers the tax returns to have been prepared in accordance with applicable tax legislation, no liability for this issue was reflected in the financial statements.
 
No material liabilities arose as a result of the inspection of the other items and financial years, and the Company has not and will not file any appeal.
 
F - 82
 
 
Meanwhile, after the related inspections, three tax assessments were raised by the State Treasury of Sao Paulo against Telecomunicações de São Paulo, S.A. –Telesp (“Telesp”)- in relation to the Merchandise Circulation Tax (ICMS) -similar to the VAT levied on telecommunications services- applicable to revenue from international calls during different periods between 1996 and 1999. The aggregate amount of the assessments is approximately 168 million euros.
 
After deciding on the actions to take against the Sao Paolo tax authorities, the Company lost two of the suits in administrative proceedings via resolutions from the Tax Courts dated October 10, 2006, which have not been notified to the company to date. The third is pending a ruling.
 
The company believes the arguments presented could reasonably lead to favorable rulings by the pertinent judicial bodies.
 
The years open for review by the tax inspection authorities for the main applicable taxes vary from one consolidated company to another, based on each country’s tax legislation, taking into account their respective statute-of-limitations periods. In Spain, as a result of the tax audit completed in 2008, the main companies of the Tax Group are open to inspection of all applicable taxes from 2005.
 
In the other countries in which the Telefónica Group has a significant presence, the years open for inspection by the relevant authorities are generally as follows:
 
 
-
The last five years in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay and the Netherlands.
     
  - The last four years in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela.
     
  - The last three years in Chile, El Salvador, the US and Panama.
     
 
-
The last three years at the O2 Group. In addition, the period between March 2001 and March 2004 is open to inspection at O2 UK and O2 Third Generation.
 
The tax audit of the open years is not expected to give rise to additional material liabilities for the Group.
 
(18)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
None of the Group’s principal operations were discontinued in 2008 or 2007.
 
In 2006, Telefónica, Publicidad e Información, S.A.’s (TPI) operations were discontinued. The disposal of this investment represented the Telefónica Group’s exit from the directories business.
 
 
F - 83
 
TPI’s results in 2006 until the effective date of its sale are as follows:
 
Millions of euros
  
2006
  
Operating income
     270  
Operating expense
     (219)  
Operating profit
     51  
Financial loss
     (4)  
Profit before minority interests and tax
     47  
Corporate income tax
     (14)  
Profit for the year from a discontinued operation
     33  
 
Net cash flows contributed in 2006 until the effective date of its sale are as follows:
 
Millions of euros
  
2006
  
From operating activities
     65  
Used in investing activities
     (7)  
Used in financing activities
     (141)  
Net foreign exchange difference
     (2)  
Total increase/(decrease) in net cash
     (85)  
 
The gain on the sale of this company was as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
Non-current assets
     69  
Current assets
     286  
Non-current liabilities
     (78)  
Current liabilities
     (271)  
Total
     6  
Sale price
     1,838  
Gain on disposal
     1,832  
 
The tax expense generated by the disposal of TPI was 269 million euros.
 
(19)
INCOME AND EXPENSES
 
Revenue from operations:
 
The breakdown of “Revenue from operations” is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Rendering of services
     53,751       52,436       49,241  
Net sales
     4,195       4,005       3,660  
Total
     57,946       56,441       52,901  
 
 
F - 84
Other income
 
The breakdown of “Other Income” is as follows:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Non-core and other current operating income
     702       601       517  
Own work capitalized
     736       708       719  
Government grants
     59       57       47  
Gain on disposal of assets
     368       2,898       288  
Total
     1,865       4,264       1,571  
 
“Gain on disposal of assets” in 2008 mainly includes the gain of 143 million euros on the sale of the stake in Sogecable, S.A. (see Note 13).
 
In 2007, this mainly included the gains on the sales of the holdings in Airwave O2, Ltd. and Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. for 1,296 million and 1,368 million euros, respectively (see Note 2).
 
Also included are gains on the disposal of properties in line with the Telefónica Group’s real estate efficiency plan via the selective sale of properties in Spain and the Czech Republic, which amounted to 104, 161 and 100 million euros in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
The figure for 2006 included the gain of 142 million euros obtained from Telefónica’s acceptance of the takeover bid for Sogecable.
 
Other expenses
 
The breakdown of “Other expenses” in 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Leases
     914       938       900  
Advertising
     1,626       2,198       2,071  
Other external services
     7,539       6,854       6,259  
Taxes
     1,147       974       905  
Other operating expenses
     250       303       220  
Changes in trade provisions
     748       666       609  
Losses on disposal of non-current assets
     88       148       131  
Total
     12,312       12,081       11,095  
 
 
F - 85
Estimated schedule
 
The estimated payment schedule for the next few years on operating leases and acquisition commitments is as follows:
 
12/31/2008
  
Total
    
Less than
1 year
    
1 to 3
years
    
3 to 5
years
    
Over 5
years
  
Operating leases
     5,848       898       1,450       1,124       2,376  
Purchase and contract commitments
     2,770       1,294       562       330       584  
 
The main finance lease transactions are described in Note 22.
 
Personnel expenses and employee benefits
 
The breakdown of Personnel expenses is as follows:

   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
                   
Wages, salaries and other personnel expenses
     6,674       6,694       6,539  
Personnel reorganization expenses
     88       1,199       1,083  
Total
     6,762       7,893       7,622  
 
Personnel reorganization expenses recorded by the Group in 2007 and 2006 include the costs of the Telefónica de España labor force reduction program of 361 and 934 million euros, respectively (see Note 15.a).
 
Also included is the impact of the various staff reduction plans undertaken in 2007 (see Note 15.a), which amounted to 838 million euros.
 
Number of employees
 
The table below presents the breakdown of the Telefónica Group’s average number of employees in 2008, 2007 and 2006, together with total headcount at December 31 each year. The employees shown for each subgroup include the Telefónica Group companies with similar activities in accordance with segment reporting.

   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
   
Average
    
Year-end
    
Average
    
Year-end
    
Average
    
Year-end
  
Telefónica Spain
     35,708       35,562       37,688       35,792       39,169       38,616  
Telefónica Latin America
     49,990       49,849       48,844       49,946       48,315       47,833  
Telefónica Europe
     28,828       28,888       29,249       29,305       26,248       27,844  
Subsidiaries and other companies
     137,249       142,736       128,271       133,444       111,744       118,703  
Total
     251,775       257,035       244,052       248,487       225,476       232,996  
TPI Group
     -       -       -       -       1,661       -  
Total
     251,775       257,035       244,052       248,487       227,137       232,996  
 
The number of employees shown in the table above corresponds to the consolidated companies. It is worth highlighting the large number of employees at the various companies of the Atento Group performing contact center activities, whose average and year-end headcount for 2008 were 126,890 and 132,013, respectively.
 
 
F - 86
 
Of the final headcount at December 31, 2008, approximately 50.8% are women (47.6% at December 31, 2007).
 
Employee benefits
 
The Telefónica Group has arranged a defined contribution pension plan for its employees in Spain. Under this plan, the company makes contributions of 4.51% of the regular base salary (6.87% for employees of Telefónica de España, S.A.U. whose hiring date was prior to June 30, 1992). This is in addition to a 2.21% compulsory contribution by each participant. This plan is entirely externalized in outside funds.
 
At December 31, 2008, a total of 54,819 Group employees were covered by the pension plans managed by the subsidiary Fonditel Entidad Gestora de Fondos de Pensiones, S.A. (57,675 and 58,259 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively). The contributions made by the various companies in 2008 amounted to 98 million euros (95 million euros in 2007 and 2006, respectively).

Furthermore, in 2006, the Group approved a Pension Plan for Senior Executives, wholly funded by the company, which complements the previous plan. This plan envisages annual defined contributions equivalent to specific percentages of the executives’ fixed remuneration, in accordance with their professional category, and extraordinary contributions in accordance with the circumstances of each executive, payable in line with the conditions of said Plan.

No provision was made for this plan as it has been fully externalized.
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
The breakdown of “Depreciation and amortization” on the consolidated income statement is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
    
6,303
      
6,497
      
6,636
  
Amortization of intangible assets
    
2,743
      
2,939
      
3,068
  
Total
    
9,046
      
9,436
      
9,704
  
 
Earnings per share
 
Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
 
Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net profit for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent (adjusted for any dilutive effects inherent in converting potential ordinary shares issued) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.
 
 
F - 87
 
Both basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent are calculated based on the following data:
 
   
Millions of euros
  
   
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent from continuing operations
    
7,592
      
8,906
      
4,650
  
Profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent from discontinued operations
    
       -
      
       -
      
1,583
  
Total profit attributable to equity holders of the parent for basic earnings
    
7,592
      
8,906
      
6,233
  
Adjustment for dilutive effects of the conversion of potential ordinary shares
    
       -
      
       -
      
       -
  
Total profit attributable to equity holders of the parent for diluted earnings
    
7,592
      
8,906
      
6,233
  

 
   
Thousands
  
No. of shares
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) for basic earnings per share
     4,645,852       4,758,707       4,778,999  
- Endemol employee share option plans
     -       -       421  
- Telefónica, S.A. “Performance Share Plan” share option plan
     5,182       1,808       -  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) outstanding for diluted earnings per share
     4,651,034       4,760,515       4,779,420  
 
The denominators used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share have been adjusted to reflect any transactions that changed the number of shares outstanding without a corresponding change in equity as if they had taken place at the start of the first period under consideration.
 
There have been no transactions involving existing or potential ordinary shares between the end of the year and the date of preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
 
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to equity holders of the parent broken down by continuing and discontinued operations are as follows:
 
   
Continuing operations
    
Discontinued operations
    
Total
  
Figures in euros
  
2008
    
2007
    
2006
    
2008
    
2007
    
2006
    
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
Basic earnings per share
     1,63       1,87       0,97       -       -       0,33       1,63       1,87       1,30  
Diluted earnings per share
     1,63       1,87       0,97       -       -       0,33       1,63       1,87       1,30  
 
 
F - 88
 
(20)
SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS
 
At year-end 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Telefónica Group had the following shared-based payment plans linked to the share price of Telefónica, S.A. The main plans in force at the end of 2008 are as follows:
 
 a)
 Telefónica, S.A. share plan: “Performance Share Plan”
 
At the General Shareholders’ Meeting of Telefónica, S.A. on June 21, 2006, its shareholders approved the introduction of a long-term incentive plan for managers and senior executives of Telefónica, S.A. and other Telefónica Group companies. Under this plan, selected participants who met the qualifying requirements were given a certain number of Telefónica, S.A. shares as a form of variable compensation.
 
The Plan was initially intended to last seven years. It is divided into five phases, each three years long, beginning on July 1 (the “Start Date”) and ending on June 30 three years later (the “End Date”). At the start of each phase the number of shares to be awarded to Plan beneficiaries is determined based on their success in meeting targets set. The shares are delivered, assuming targets are met, at the End Date of each phase. Each phase is independent from the others. The first started on July 1, 2006 (with shares to be delivered, if targets are met, from July 1, 2009) and the fifth phase begins on July 1, 2010 (with any shares earned delivered from July 1, 2013).
 
Award of the shares is subject to a number of conditions:
 
 
­–
The beneficiary must continue to work for the company throughout the three years of the phase, subject to certain special conditions related to departures.
 
 
­–
The actual number of shares awarded at the end of each phase will depend on success in meeting targets and the maximum number of shares assigned to each executive. Success is measured by comparing the Total Shareholder Return (TSR), which includes both share price and dividends offered by Telefónica shares, with the TSRs offered by a basket of listed telecoms companies that comprise the comparison group. Each employee who is a member of the plan is assigned at the start of each phase a maximum number of shares. The actual number of shares awarded at the end of the phase is calculated by multiplying this maximum number by a percentage reflecting their success at the date in question. This will be 100% if the TSR of Telefónica is equal to or better than that of the third quartile of the Comparison Group and 30% if Telefónica's TSR is in line with the average. The percentage rises linearly for all points between these two benchmarks. If the TSR is below average no shares are awarded.
 
 
F - 89
 
 
 
 
The maximum number of the shares issuable in each of the three outstanding phases at December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
Phase
No. of shares
Unit value
End date
1st phase July 1, 2006
6,530,615
6.43
June 30, 2009
2nd phase July 1, 2007
5,556,234
7.70
June 30, 2010
3rd phase July 1, 2008
5,286,980
8.39
June 30, 2011
 
This plan is equity-settled via the delivery of shares to the participants. Accordingly, a balancing entry for the 38, 23 and 8 million euros of employee benefits expenses recorded in 2008, 2007 and 2006 was made in equity.
 
To ensure the company had enough shares to meet its obligations at the end of the phase begun in 2006, Telefónica bought an instrument from a financial institution that will deliver to Telefónica, at the end of the phase, a number of shares determined using the same measure of success as the Plan, i.e. an instrument that mirrors the features of the plan. The cost of this instrument was 46 million euros, which in unit terms is 6.43 euros per share (see Note 16).
 
For the third phase, Telefónica has arranged a financial instrument under the same conditions as for the first phase, earmarking up to a maximum of 2,500,000 shares. The cost of the financial instrument is 25 million euros, equivalent to 9.96 euros per option (see Note 16).
 
 
  b)
Telefónica, S.A. share option plan targeted at Telefónica Europe employees: “Performance Cash Plan”
 
In addition to the Performance Share Plan, another plan called the Performance Cash Plan, operating under the same conditions as the Performance Share Plan is targeted at employees of the Europe segment. This plan entails delivery to this segment’s executives of a specific number of theoretical options in Telefónica, S.A. which, in the event, would be cash-settled at the end of each phase via a payment equivalent to the market value of the shares on settlement date up to a maximum of three times the notional value of the shares at the delivery date.
 
The value of the theoretical options is established as the average share price in the 30 days immediately prior to the start of each phase, except for the first phase, where the average share price during the 30 days immediately prior to May 11, 2006 (12.83 euros) was taken as the reference.
 
The estimated duration of this plan is also 7 years, with 5 phases, each of three years, commencing on July 1 of each year, starting in 2006.
 
 
F - 90
 
 
Like the Telefónica, S.A. Performance Share Plan, the performance rate for setting payments is measured based on the TSR on Telefónica shares with respect to the comparison group’s TSRs, in line with the following criteria:
 
·
Below average
 0%
·
 Average 30%
·
 Equal to or higher than the third quartile  100%
 
The number of options assigned at December 31, 2008 was 446,498.
 
The fair value at December 31, 2008 of the options granted in each phase in force at that time was 15.85 euros per option.
 
 This value is calculated by taking the Telefónica share price and including the estimated TSR and is updated at each year end.
 
(21)  
OTHER INFORMATION
 
a)  
Litigation and arbitration
 
Telefónica and its group companies are party to several lawsuits or proceedings that are currently in progress in the law courts and administrative and arbitration bodies of the various countries in which the Telefónica group is present.
 
It is reasonable to assume that this litigation or cases will not materially affect the financial position or solvency of Telefónica Group, regardless of the outcome. In this respect, we would highlight that the assessment made by the Company takes into consideration reports by legal counsel on each litigation and case.
 
Among unresolved cases (see Note 17 for details of tax-related cases), we would highlight the following:
 
1. Procedures deriving from the voluntary bankruptcy proceeding initiated by Sistemas e Instalaciones de Telecomunicaciones, S.A.U. (SINTEL).
 
Sintel, a subsidiary of Telefónica until its sale to the Mastec Group in April 1996, was declared bankrupt in 2001 following a proceeding hearing by the Madrid Court of First Instance. As a result of the company’s insolvency and liquidation, two criminal proceedings were initiated affecting, among individuals and corporate entities, Telefónica, S.A. These were subsequently added to single preliminary proceedings before Federal Examining Court number 1.
 
After a lengthy process, on December 12, 2007, the court ruled that the case be dismissed and that actions against all the Telefónica, S.A. directors initially charged be terminated, acquitting them of any responsibility. The criminal proceeding for the offence of criminal insolvency and crimes against the Treasury continued only for directors and executives of Sintel, S.A. in office after the sale of the company by Telefónica, S.A. This ruling was appealed.
 
 
F - 91
 
 
In its judgment of January 16, 2009, Section 4 of the Criminal Court of the Spanish National Court of Justice rejected all the appeals filed against the initial partial dismissal of the cause. Accordingly, the directors involved, as well as Telefónica, S.A., and Telefónica de España, S.A.U. were cleared of responsibility.
 
2. Contentious proceedings in connection with the takeover bid for Terra Networks, S.A. and its subsequent merger with Telefónica, S.A.:
 
Proceedings derived from the takeover bid
 
2.1. On May 29, 2003, certain Terra Networks, S.A. shareholders filed two class actions with the Supreme Court of New York State against Telefónica, Terra Networks, S.A. and certain directors of Terra Networks, S.A.
 
These actions alleged mainly that the Telefónica, S.A. offer was below the intrinsic value of Terra Networks, S.A. shares.  Since the actions were brought, both have remained inactive.
 
2.2. The World Association of Shareholders of Terra Networks, S.A. (ACCTER) filed an appeal for judicial review at the National Appellate Court against the ruling of June 19, 2003 by the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) authorizing the takeover offer by Telefónica, S.A. for Terra Networks, S.A. Telefónica appears as an intervening non-party in the procedure.
 
The appeal was rejected by the National Court via ruling issued on via ruling issued in January 24, 2006, against which ACCTER filed an administrative appeal. This appeal was rejected via ruling issued November 25, 2008 by the Third Section of the Supreme Court of Administrative Appeals, with the appellants charged for the court costs.
 
Proceedings derived from the merger
 
2.3. On June 30, 2005, ACCTER and its President, on his own account, filed a complaint contesting the merger resolution adopted at the Shareholders’ Meeting of Terra Networks, S.A. held on June 2, 2005.  The Court of First Instance rejected the claim via ruling on July 14, 2006.
 
ACCTER and its President appealed this new ruling, which was again rejected by the Barcelona Regional Court in a ruling issued April 7, 2008.
 
2.4. On September 26, 2006, Telefónica was notified of the claim filed by former shareholders of Terra Networks, S.A. (Campoaguas, S.L., Panabeni, S.L. and others) alleging breach of contract in respect of the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus of the Initial Public Offering of shares of Terra Networks, S.A. dated October 29, 1999. The case was heard on November 27, 2008, with a judgment to follow in due course.
 
 
 
F - 92
 
3.     Claim before the Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) against the Argentine government.
 
As a result of the enactment by the Argentine Government of Public Emergency and Exchange Rules Reform Law 25,561, of January 6, 2002, Telefónica considered that the terms and conditions of the Share Transfer Agreement approved by Decree 2332/90 and the Pricing Agreement ratified by Decree 2585/91, both of which were executed by the Company with the Argentine government, had been affected appreciably, since the Law rendered ineffective any dollar or other foreign currency adjustment clauses, or indexation clauses based on price indexes of other countries, or any other indexation mechanism in contracts with the public authorities. The law also required that prices and rates derived from such clauses be denominated in pesos at an exchange rate of one peso to one US dollar.
 
Accordingly, since negotiations with the Argentine Government were unsuccessful, on May 14, 2003, Telefónica filed a request for arbitration with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) pursuant to the Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between the Argentine Republic and the Kingdom of Spain. On December 6, 2004, Telefónica filed the “Memorial” or claim with the ICSID. The ICSID Court is currently considering a plea filed by the Argentine government alleging that the matter is outside its jurisdiction.
 
On February 15, 2006, Telefónica Argentina signed a memorandum of understanding with the Argentine government as a prerequisite to reaching an agreement to renegotiate the transfer contract pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 of Law 25,561. This memorandum of understanding could put an end to the litigation.
 
Among other issues, the memorandum of understanding envisaged the suspension by Telefónica de Argentina and Telefónica, for a period of 210 working days, of all claims, appeals and demands planned or underway, with the administrative, arbitrational or legal courts of Argentina or abroad, which were based on events or measures taken as a result of emergency situation established by Law No. 25,561 with regard to the Transfer Agreement and the license granted to Telefónica Argentina. This suspension became effective on October 6, 2006 and has been extended on several times for periods of six months, the last of which was authorized by the ICSID on October 6, 2008.
 
4.  Appeal for judicial review of the Spanish Competition Court (TDC) ruling of April 1, 2004.
 
On April 1, 2004, the TDC ruled that Telefónica de España had engaged in unfair trade practices prohibited under Article 6 of Antitrust Law 16/1989, dated July 17, and Article 82 of the EC Treaty, consisting in the abuse of a dominant market position, by conditioning the provision of certain services to the non-existence of predialing arrangements with rival operators and running disloyal advertising campaigns. It imposed a fine of de 57 million euros.
 
Telefónica de España filed an appeal for judicial review of this decision. On January 31, 2007, the National Appellate Court ruled in favor of the appeal, thereby overturning the TDC’s ruling. The State attorney filed an appeal to overturn the Supreme Court ruling, which Telefónica has contested. The appeal is currently awaiting judgment.
 
 
 
F - 93
 
5.      Cancellation of the UMTS license granted to Quam GMBH in Germany.
 
In December 2004, the Germany Telecommunications Market Regulator revoked the UMTS license granted in 2000 to Quam GmbH, in which Telefónica has a stake. After obtaining a suspension of the revocation order, on January 16, 2006, Quam GmbH filed a suit against the order with the German courts. This claim sought to overturn the revocation order and, if this failed, to be reimbursed for the total or partial payment of the original amount paid for the license.
 
This claim was rejected by the Cologne Administrative Court. Quam GmbH has appeared the decision before the Supreme Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia.
 
6.      Appeal against the European Commission ruling of July 4, 2007 against Telefónica de España’s broadband pricing policy.
 
On July 9, 2007, Telefónica was notified of the decision issued by the European Commission imposing a fine of approximately 152 million euros for breach of article 82 of EC Treaty rules by charging unfair prices between whole and retail broadband access services. The ruling charged Telefónica with applying a margin squeeze between the prices it charged competitors to provide regional and national wholesale broadband services and its retail broadband prices using ADSL technology between September 2001 and December 2006.
 
On September 10, 2007, Telefónica and Telefónica de España filed an appeal to overturn the decision before the Court of First Instance of the European Communities. The Kingdom of Spain, as an interested party, also lodged an appeal to overturn the decision. Meanwhile, France Telecom and the Spanish Association of Bank Users (AUSBANC) filed requests to intervene, to which Telefónica has submitted its comments.
 
7.      Appeal against the decision by Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) regarding the inclusion of interconnection and network usage revenues in the Fundo de Universalização de Serviços de Telecomunicações (FUST).
 
Brasilcel, N.V. (VIVO) Group operators, together with other Brazilians wireless operators, appealed ANATEL’s decision of December 16, 2005, to include interconnection and network usage revenues and expenses in the calculation of the amounts payable into the Fund for Universal Access to Telecommunications Services (Fundo de Universalização de Serviços de Telecomunicações or FUST for its initials in Portuguese) –a fund to pay for the obligations to provide universal service- with retroactive application from 2000.
 
On March 13, 2006, the Brasilia Federal Regional Court granted the injunction requested by the plaintiffs, preventing ANATEL’s decision from being applied. On March 6, 2007, a ruling in favor of the wireless operators was issued, stating that it was not appropriate to include the revenues received from other operators in the taxable income for the FUST’s calculation and rejecting the retroactive application of ANATEL’s decision. ANATEL filed an appeal to overturn this decision with Brasilia Regional Federal Court no. 1. This appeal is pending resolution.
 
 
 
F - 94
 
At the same time, Telecomunicações de São Paulo S.A.-Telesp and Telefónica Empresas, S.A., together with other wireline operators through ABRAFIX (Associação Brasileira de Concessionárias de Serviço Telefonico Fixo Comutado) appealed ANATEL’s decision of December 16, 2005, also obtaining injunctions. On June 21, 2007, Federal Regional Court no. 1 ruled that it was not appropriate to include the interconnection and network usage revenues and expense in the FUST’s taxable income and rejected the retroactive application of ANATEL’s decision. ANATEL filed an appeal to overturn this ruling on April 29, 2008 before Brasilia Federal Regional Court no. 1.
 
8.       Proceeding before the Prague District Court against the ruling of the Czech Telecommunications Office dated December 22, 2003.
 
On December 22, 2003, the Czech Telecommunications Office issued a ruling that required Cesky Telecom, a.s. (now Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s.) to pay T-Mobile Czech Republic, a.s. (T-mobile) an amount of approximately 898 million Czech crowns (approximately 26.4 million euros) in interconnection fees (call termination) for the period from January to November 2001.
 
Although the administrative procedure filed by Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. against this resolution had yet to be resolved, in 2007 T-Mobile asked Prague District Court no. 3 to execute the ruling, entailing an amount of approximately 1,859 million Czech crowns (approximately 57.3 million euros) of principal and interest. The Court accepted the petition and on May 23, 2007 issued a ruling to initiate the execution against any asset of Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. whose inadmissibility it had requested.
 
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. paid approximately 2,023 million Czech crowns (approximately 82 million euros) to prevent a potential order of execution and to remove the preventive embargo on its assets. Nonetheless, the procedure is still in the courts. Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, s.a. considers it has sufficient guarantees that a ruling in its favor will be issued, enabling it to recover the amount paid.
 
b)      Commitments
 
Agreements with Portugal Telecom (Brazil).
 
In accordance with the agreements singed between the Telefónica Group and the Portugal Telecom Group governing their 50% joint venture, Brasilcel N.V., which groups together their cellular businesses in Brazil, the Portugal Telecom group is entitled to sell to Telefónica, S.A., which is obliged to buy, its holding in Brasilcel, N.V. should there be a change in control at Telefónica or at any of its subsidiaries that hold a direct or indirect ownership interest in Brasilcel N.V.
 
Similarly, Telefónica is entitled to sell to the Portugal Telecom group, which will be obliged to buy, its holding in Brasilcel, N.V. if there is a change of control at Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A., at PT Móveis, SGPS, S.A or at any of their subsidiaries that hold a direct or indirect ownership interest in Brasilcel N.V.
 
 
 
F - 95
 
The price in both cases will be determined on the basis of an independent appraisal (under the terms provided for in the definitive agreements) performed by investment banks, selected using the procedure established in these agreements. The related payment could be made, at the choice of the group exercising the put option, in cash or in shares of the wireless telephony operators contributed by the related party, making up the difference, if any, in cash.
 
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U. as strategic partner of Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP.
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Framework Investment Agreement signed on April 18, 2006 between Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U., the Colombian government and Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP, shareholders of Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP may offer, from April 28, 2006, at any time and in a single package, all the shares they hold in Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP to Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U., who shall be obliged to acquire them, directly and via one of its subsidiaries. The sale/purchase price of each share will be determined based on the valuation of each share offered in sale by an independent investment bank designated by agreement between the two parties.
 
Guarantees provided for Ipse 2000 (Italy).
 
At December 31, 2008, the Telefónica Group had provided guarantees for the Italian company Ipse 2000 S.p.A. (holder of a UMTS license in Italy), in which it owns a stake through Silvella B.V., for the 365 million euros payable to the Italian government in connection with the grant of the license.
 
Telefónica (together with the other strategic partners of Ipse 2000, S.p.A) arranged a counterguarantee for a bank which, in turn, issued a bank guarantee for the Italian authorities as security for the deferred payment of the UMTS license.
 
In the wake of the decision by the Italian government to revoke the UMTS license granted to Ipse 2000 S.p.A. the Company considered that, the contractual conditions governing payment of the license having changed, Ipse was no longer obliged to pay the remaining amount and, the principal obligation no longer existing, the bank guarantee and the partners’ counterguarantee (cash collateral) had become extinct. Consequently, the Company lodged an appeal against the government to keep the guarantee from being executed and to return the cash collateral to the shareholders in their respective investments.
 
On June 15, 2008, the civil court in Rome rejected Ipse 2000 S.p.A.’s claims, forcing the company to pay for its license in full. Similarly, the State Council rejected the company’s appeal against the Italian government’s refusal to allow Ipse 2000 S.p.A. to return the additional 5Mhz of spectrum for 826 million euros and to revoke its license.
 
Commitments relating to audiovisual content (Telefónica de Contenidos).
 
At December 31, 2008, Telefónica de Contenidos had the following commitments relating to sports broadcasting rights:
 
1. In December 2004, Canal Satélite Digital, S.A. gave its approval to allow Telefónica de Contenidos to broadcast on a non-exclusive basis under the pay-per-view (PPV) system the signal for the soccer games of the First and Second Divisions of the Spanish National Soccer
 
 
 
F - 96
 
League and of the King’s Cup (Copa de S.M. El Rey) (except for the final) produced by Audiovisual Sport, from January 1, 2005. The rights were acquired at prevailing market prices for this type of content and for a period that will depend on the soccer seasons for which the content provider is able to renew its current agreements with the soccer clubs.
 
2. Likewise in December 2004, an agreement was entered into with Audiovisual Sport for the provision of the broadcast signal to Telefónica de Contenidos and/or the Telefónica Group companies to which Telefónica de Contenidos assigns the signal, for the soccer games specified in the agreement with Canal Satélite Digital, at market prices for this type of content for each match, with guaranteed minimum payments per season to Audiovisual Sport from January 1, 2005, and for a period that will depend on the soccer seasons for which the content provider is able to renew its agreements with the soccer clubs.
 
The contingencies arising from the litigation and commitments described above were evaluated (see Note 3.1) when the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 were prepared, and the provisions recorded in respect of the commitments taken as a whole are not material.
 
c)       Environmental matters
 
Through its investees and in line with its environmental policy, the Telefónica Group has undertaken various environmental-management initiatives and projects. In 2008 and 2007 these initiatives and projects resulted in expenditure and investment for insignificant amounts, which were recognized in the consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet, respectively.
 
The Group has launched various projects with a view to reducing the environmental impact of its existing installations, with project costs being added to the cost of the installation to which the project relates.
 
In addition, in line with its commitment to the environment, the Group announced at the Zaragoza World’s Fair the creation of a Climate Change Office to provide a framework for strategic and RD&I projects in the quest for energy efficient solutions. This initiative entails the launch and implementation of solutions in each area that contributes to optimizing the company's processes (operations, suppliers, employees, customers and society).
 
•
In the area of operations, the main objective is to develop and implement projects that will allow for more efficient networks and systems by reducing and optimizing energy consumption.
 
•  
In the area of suppliers, active efforts are underway to include energy efficiency criteria in the purchasing process for all product lines in the Telefónica value chain.
 
•  
In the area of employees, the aim is to foster among the Company’s employees a culture of respect and awareness regarding the environment and energy saving.
 
•  
In the area of customers, work is being carried out to better leverage ICTs (information and communication technologies) and increase energy efficiency with the objective of reducing carbon emissions.
 
 
F - 97
 
•  
And finally, in the area of society, the objective is to promote change in citizens’ behavior through Telefónica's actions.
 
The Group has also rolled out internal control mechanisms sufficient to pre-empt any environmental liabilities that may arise in future, which are assessed at regular intervals either by Telefónica staff or renowned third-party institutions. No significant risks have been identified in these assessments.
 
d)  
Auditors’ fees
 
The fees paid to the various member firms of the Ernst & Young international organization, to which Ernst & Young, S.L. (the auditors of the Telefónica Group) belongs, amounted to 24.45 million and 23.77 million euros in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
These amounts are broken down as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
 
2008
2007
Audit services (1)
22,79
21,94
Audit-related services (2)
1,65
1,56
Tax services (3)
-
-
Other non-audit work (4)
0,01
0,27
TOTAL
24,45
23,77
 
(1)  
Audit services: services included under this heading are mainly the audit of the annual and interim financial statements, work to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 404) and the review of the 20-F report to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
 
(2)  
Audit-related services: this heading mainly includes services related to the review of the information required by regulatory authorities, agreed financial reporting procedures not requested by legal or regulatory bodies and the review of corporate responsibility reports.
 
(3)  
Tax services: no such services were provided.
 
(4)  
Other non-audit services: the services included under this heading relate to training and other permissible advisory services (non-current assets and other).
 
Ernst & Young’s fees include amounts paid in respect of fully and proportionately consolidated Spanish and foreign Telefónica Group companies. A total of 1.39 and 0.89 million euros, respectively, corresponding to 50% of the fees paid by proportionally consolidated companies, were included in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
F - 98
 
Fees paid to other auditors in 2008 and 2007 amounted to 15.95 million euros and 18.28 million euros, respectively, as follows:
 
 
Millions of euros
 
2008
2007
Audit services
0,71
0,98
Audit-related services
1,05
4,23
Tax services
4,35
4,33
Other non-audit services
9,84
8,74
TOTAL
15,95  
18,28  
 
Other auditors’ fees include amounts paid in respect of fully and proportionately consolidated Spanish and foreign Telefónica Group companies. In 2008 and 2007, a total of 0.34 and 0.68 million euros, respectively, corresponding to 50% of the fees paid by proportionately consolidated companies, were included.
 
e)  
Trade guarantees
 
The Company is required to issue trade guarantees in the ordinary course of its business. No significant additional liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are expected to arise from trade guarantees issued.
 
f)  
Directors’ and senior executives’ compensation and other benefits
 
The compensation of Telefónica directors is governed by Article 28 of the Company’s by-laws, which states that the compensation amount that the Company may pay to all of its Directors as remuneration and attendance fees shall be fixed by the shareholders at the General Shareholders’ Meeting, which amount shall remain unchanged until and unless the shareholders decide to modify it. The Board of Directors shall determine the exact amount to be paid within such limit and the distribution thereof among the Directors. In this respect, on April 11, 2003, shareholders set the maximum gross annual amount to be paid to the Board of Directors at 6 million euros. This includes a fixed payment and fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors’ advisory or control committees. In addition, the compensation provided for in the preceding paragraphs, deriving from membership on the Board of Directors, shall be compatible with other professional or employment compensation accruing to the Directors by reason of any executive or advisory duties that they perform for the Company, other than the supervision and collective decision-making duties inherent in their capacity as Directors.
 
Therefore, the compensation paid to Telefónica directors in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors, the Standing Committee and/or the advisory and control committees consists of a fixed amount payable monthly plus fees for attending the meetings of the Board’s advisory or control committees. In this respect, it was also agreed that from September 2007, executive directors would not receive the fixed amounts established for their directorships, but only receive the corresponding amounts for discharging their executive duties as stipulated in their respective contracts.
 
The following table presents the fixed amounts established for membership to Telefónica Board of Directors, Standing Committee and Advisory or Control committees (in euros).
 
 
F - 99

Position
Board of
Directors
Standing
Committee
Advisory or
Control Committees
Chairman
300,000
100,000
28,000
Vice Chairman
250,000
100,000
-
Board member:
Executive
Proprietary
Independent
Other external
 
-
150,000
150,000
150,000
 
-
100,000
100,000
100,000
 
-
14,000
14,000
14,000
 
In addition, the amounts paid for attendance at each of the Advisory or Control Committee meetings is 1,250 euros.
 
Total compensation paid to Telefónica directors for discharging their duties in 2008 amounted to 3,922,333 euros in fixed compensation and 215,000 euros in fees for attending the Board Advisory or Control Committee meetings. It should also be noted that the compensation paid to Company directors sitting on the Boards of other Telefónica Group companies amounted to 1,349,794 euros. In addition, the Company directors who are members of the regional advisory committees (Andalusia, Catalonia and Valencia) and the Telefónica Corporate University Advisory Council, received a total of 88,750 euros in 2008.
 
The following table presents the breakdown by item of the compensation and benefits paid to Telefónica directors for discharging their duties in 2008 (in euros):
 
 
F - 100
 
 
Board Members
Board of
Directors
Standing
Committee
Other Board
Committees
  
TOTAL
Fixed
payment
Attendance
fees
  
Chairman
          
César Alierta Izuel
300,000
100,000
-
-
400,000
Vice chairmen
          
Isidro Fainé Casas
250,000
100,000
-
-
350,000
Vitalino Manuel Nafría Aznar
250,000
-
51,334
30,000
331,334
Members
          
Julio Linares López
-
-
-
-
-
José María Abril Pérez
150,000
100,000
14,000
1,250
265,250
José Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda
150,000
-
42,000
11,250
203,250
José María Álvarez-Pallete López
-
-
-
-
-
David Arculus
150,000
-
23,333
6,250
179,583
Eva Castillo Sanz
137,500
-
-
-
137,500
Carlos Colomer Casellas
150,000
100,000
36,167
11,250
297,417
Peter Erskine
150,000
100,000
17,500
8,750
276,250
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero
150,000
108,333(*)
82,833
37,500
378,666
Luiz Fernando Furlán
137,500
-
11,667
5,000
154,167
Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernández de Angulo
150,000
100,000
84,000
43,750
377,750
Pablo Isla Álvarez de Tejera
150,000
-
72,333
18,750
241,083
Antonio Massanell Lavilla
150,000
-
47,833
30,000
227,833
Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho
150,000
100,000
56,000
11,250
317,250
TOTAL
2,575,000
808,333
539,000
215,000
4,137,333
 
(*) Alfonso Ferrari Herrero was appointed member of the Standing Committee on December 19, 2007 and therefore the compensation for that month is included in the table.
 
In addition, the breakdown of the total paid to executive directors César Alierta Izuel, Julio Linares López and José María Álvarez-Pallete López for discharging their executive duties by item is as follows:
 
ITEM
2008
(euros)
Salaries
5,704,005
Variable compensation (1)
7,885,683
Compensation in kind (2)
76,746
Contributions to pension plans
    25,444
 
(1). “Variable compensation” in 2008 includes a multi-year variable payment (“Extraordinary Cash Incentive Program”) of 2,075,189 euros for 2005, 2006 and 2007 related to the fulfillment of certain targets and
 
 
F - 101
operating and business metrics established for the entire Group for 2005-2007. This payment was made in the first half of 2008.
 
(2) “Compensation in kind” includes life and other insurance premiums (general medical and dental insurance).
 
In addition, with respect to the Pension Plan for Senior Executives (see Note 19), the total amount of contributions made by the Telefónica Group in 2008 in respect of executive directors was 1,860,754 euros.
 
In addition, related to the “Performance Share Plan” approved at the General Shareholders’ Meeting of June 21, 2006 (see Note 20), the maximum number of shares corresponding to the first, second and third phases of the Plan will be given (on July 1, 2009, July 1, 2010 and July 1, 2011) to each of Telefónica’s executive directors if all the terms established for such delivery are met, is as follows: for César Alierta Izuel, 129,183, 116,239 and 148,818 shares respectively; for Julio Linares López 65,472, 57,437 and 101,466 shares, respectively; for José María Álvarez-Pallete López 62,354, 53,204 and 67,644 shares, respectively).
 
It should be noted that the non-executive directors do not receive and did not receive in 2008 any compensation in the form of pensions or life insurance, nor do they participate in the share-based payment plans linked to Telefónica’s share price.
 
In addition, the Company does not grant and did not grant in 2008 any advances, loans or credits to the directors, or to its top executives, thus complying with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed in the U.S. which is applicable to Telefónica as a listed company in that market.
 
 
 
F - 102
 
Meanwhile, the six senior executives1 of the Company, excluding those that are also members of the Board of Directors, received a total for all items (including the Extraordinary Cash Incentive Program indicated in Note 1 above), in 2008 of 13,223,911 euros.  In addition, the contributions by the Telefónica Group in 2008 with respect to the Pension Plan described in Note 19 for these directors amounted to 911,041 euros
 
Furthermore, the maximum number of shares corresponding to the first, second and third phases of the “Performance Share Plan” assigned to all the Company’ senior executives is 157,046 shares for the first phase, 130,911 shares for the second phase and 306,115 shares for the third phase.
 
Finally, in 2008 Antonio Viana-Baptista, who stepped down from his executive duties on January 31, 2008, received 8,584,000 euros of severance in accordance with Clause Nine, section 1 of his senior management contract dated October 21, 1998. Mr Viana-Baptista has also received an amount of 3,289,972 euros for the following items: (i) fixed and variable compensation; (ii) compensation in kind; (iii) long-service bonus he was entitled to receive in 2008 and accrued in the preceding three years, and (iv) settlement of accrued credits and similar receivable.
 
g)  
Equity interests in companies engaging in an activity that is identical, similar or complementary to that of the Company and the performance of similar activities by the directors on their own behalf or on behalf of this parties:
 
Pursuant to Article 127 ter. 4 of the Spanish Corporation Law, introduced by Law 26/2003 of July 17, which amends Securities Market Law 24/1988 of July 28, and the revised Spanish Corporation Law, in order to reinforce the transparency of listed corporations, details are given below of the companies engaging in an activity that is identical, similar or complementary to the corporate purpose of Telefónica, S.A., in which the members of the Board of Directors own equity interests, and of the functions, if any, that they discharge in them, on their own behalf or on behalf of others (including companies of the Telefónica Group).

1
For these purposes, Senior Executives are understood to be individuals who perform senior management functions reporting directly to the management bodies, or their executive committees or CEOS, including the person in charge of the internal audit.
 
 
F - 103
 
Director
Activity
Company
Position or functions
Stake
%*
César Alierta Izuel
Telecommunications
Telecom Italia, S.p.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited
Director
--
Isidro Fainé Casas
Telecommunications
Abertis Infraestructuras, S.A.
Chairman
<0.01%
Julio Linares López
Telecommunications
Telefónica de España, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Europe, Plc.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telecom Italia, S.p.A.
Director
--
Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda
Telecommunications
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Médi Telecom, S.A.
Director
--
José María Álvarez-Pallete López
Telecommunications
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U.
Executive Chairman
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica DataCorp, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
Acting Director
--
Telecommunications
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A.
Director/Vice Chairman
--
 
 
 
F - 104
 
 
Director
  
Activity
  
Company
  
Company
  
Stake
%*
 
Telecommunications
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
Acting Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V.
Director/Vice Chairman
--
Telecommunications
Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Brasilcel, N.V.
Chairman of Supervisory Board
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A.
Acting Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, Inc.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A.
Acting Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Internacional Chile, S.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica USA, Inc.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A.
Director
--
David Arculus
Telecommunications
Telefónica Europe, Plc.
Director
--
Telecommunications
British Sky Broadcasting Group, Plc.
--
<0.01%
Telecommunications
BT Group, Plc.
--
< 0,01%
Peter Erskine
Telecommunications
Telefónica Europe, Plc.
Director
--
 
 
F - 105
 
 
Director
  
Activity
  
Company
  
Company
  
Stake
%*
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero
Telecommunications
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
Acting Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica de Perú, S.A.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A.
Director
--
Luiz Fernando Furlán
Telecommunications
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A.
Director
--
Javier de Paz Mancho
Telecommunications
Atento Holding Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A.U.
Non-executive Chairman
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.U.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
Director
--
Telecommunications
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A.
Director
--
 
 
(*)
Shareholding of less than 0.01% of share capital
 
Pursuant to Article 114.2 of the Spanish Corporation Law, also introduced by Law 26/2003 of July 17, it is stated that in the year to which these annual financial statements refer, the directors, or persons acting on their behalf, did not perform any transactions with Telefónica or any other company in the Telefónica Group other than in the normal course of the Company’s business or that were not on an arm’s length basis.
 
 
F - 106
 
(22)
FINANCE LEASES

The principal finance leases at the Telefónica Group are as follows:
 
a) 
Future minimum lease payment commitments in relation to finance leases at O2 Group companies.
 
Millions of euros
  
Minimum
payments
    
Finance cost
    
Present
value
  
Within one year
     80       (16 )     64  
From one to five years
     183       (29 )     154  
After five years
     99       (7 )     92  
Total
     362       (52 )     310  
 
These commitments arise from plant and equipment lease agreements. Between March 30, 1991 and April 9, 2001, finance lease agreements were signed between O2 UK and a number of US leasing trusts. A substantial part of the radio and switch equipment of its GSM network is subject to the terms of said agreements. The agreements have a term of 16 years and an early purchase option after the first 12 years.
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, net assets under this lease amounting to 186 and 323 million euros, respectively, were recognized under property, plant and equipment.
 
b) 
Finance lease agreement at Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A., ESP.
 
Similarly, via its subsidiary Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A., ESP, the Group has a finance lease agreement with PARAPAT, the consortium which owns the telecommunications assets and manages the pension funds for the entities which were predecessors to Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A., E.S.P., and which regulate the operation of assets, goods and rights relating with the provision of telecommunications services by the company, in exchange for financial consideration.
 
This agreement includes the transfer of these assets and rights to Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A., ESP once the last installment of the consideration has been paid in line with the payment schedule over a period of 17 years from 2006:
 
   
Present value
    
Revaluation
    
Installments
pending
payment
  
2009
     98       52       150  
2010
     95       70       165  
2011
     91       89       180  
2012
     121       149       270  
2013
     116       178       294  
Subsequent years
     876       3,340       4,216  
Total
     1,397       3,878       5,275  
 
 
F - 107
 
The net amount of property, plant and equipment recorded under the terms of this lease was 547 million euros at December 31, 2008 (705 million euros at December 31, 2007).
 
(23)
CASH FLOW ANALYSIS
 
Net cash flow from operating activities
 
In 2008, the Telefónica Group obtained operating cash flow (operating revenue less payments to suppliers for expenses and employee benefits expenses) totaling 20,560 million euros, 2.26% more than the 20,105 million euros generated in 2007. This increase was largely driven by the Group’s strong position in its main markets, the impact of the Company’s extensive business diversification and its strategic commitment to tapping the growth potential of its operating markets. Meanwhile, its strong commercial effort is helping drive growth in accesses across all operating businesses and regions, thereby helping boost operating cash flow. In 2007, operating cash flow rose 6.9% to 18,810 million euros, mostly thanks to the contribution of synergies arising from the integrated management of operations, to cost cutting and to growth in consolidated revenue.
 
Customer collections increased by 2.88% to 69,060 million euros in 2008 (67,129 million euros in 2007). This growth was the result of higher revenue due to the growth in accesses, which in turn was due to the success of the commercial campaigns to win and retain customers. In 2007, customer collections increased by 11.4% (from 60,285 million euros in 2006) for the same reasons.
 
Meanwhile, cash payments to suppliers and employees in 2008 rose 3.14% to 48,500 million euros (2007: 47,024 million euros). This increase was the result of greater commercial efforts in the various geographic areas, mainly to garner customer loyalty, and to higher interconnection charges, while maximizing the efficiency of the cost structure.
 
Cash payments to suppliers and employees in 2007 rose to 13.4% (2006: 41,475 million euros) due also to greater commercial efforts in the various geographic areas, while maximizing the efficiency of the cost structure, and to higher interconnection charges.
 
As was the case in 2007, payments for employee benefits expense were higher in 2008, in line with the increase in average headcount.
 
Payments for net interest and other finance costs in 2008 fell 10.15% to 2,894 million euros (3,221 million euros in 2007) mostly due to the decrease in financial debt. This came after a 35.8% increase in 2007 (2,372 million euros in 2006), primarily due to the repayment of coupons bonds and debentures issued in 2006 and to the impact of the increase in interest rates on the higher debt balance.
 
Taxes paid in 2008 fell 3.02% to 1,413 million euros. In 2007, taxes paid soared 32.5%, to 1,457 million euros from 1,100 million euros in 2006, due to the higher profit stated in 2006 from 2005 corresponding to the Latin America subsidiaries.
 
 
F - 108
 
In all, net cash flow from operating activities increased 5.24% in 2008 to 16,366 million euros (15,551 million euros in 2007). In 2007, the increase was 0.89% (2006: 15,414 million euros).
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities increased by 4,509 million euros in 2008 to 9,101 million euros from 4,592 million euros in 2007. Payments on investments in companies (net of cash and cash equivalents acquired) declined by 22.16%, from 2,798 million euros to 2,178 million euros. The main investments were the acquisitions of Telemig by Brasilcel, N.V. for 347 million euros (see Note 5), of shares of China Netcom and China Unicom for 688 and 424 million euros, respectively, and of 51.8% of CTC from minority shareholders for 640 million euros. The main payment on investments in 2007 was for the 42.3% stake in Telco, S.p.A. for 2,314 million euros. Investment in companies in 2006 totaled 23,757 million euros, mostly due to the 23,553 million euro acquisition of O2 Plc.
 
Investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in 2008 totaled 7,889 million euros, an increase of 615 million euros from the year before, driven by further investment in fiber optics, 3G, TV and ADSL. Investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in 2007 rose 5% from 2006, to 7,274 million euros from 6,933 million euros.
 
Proceeds from disposals of investments in companies, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed, amounted to 686 million euros in 2008 mainly thanks to the 648 million euros obtained from the sale of Sogecable. In 2007, the figure was 5,346 million euros, entailing disposals of stakes in Airwave and Endemol for 2,841 million and 2,107 million euros, respectively. In 2006, proceeds from disposals of investments in companies net of cash and cash equivalents disposed amounted to 2,294 million euros, including 1,816 million euros from the sale of TPI and 330 million euros from divestment in Sogecable.
 
Net cash flow (used in) from financing activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities in 2008 totaled 7,765 million euros, down from 9,425 million euros in 2007. The 1,660 million euro decline is due basically to decrease in the repayment of financing thanks to the decline in the debt balance in the last few years. The 23,997 million euro decrease in 2007 from 2006 was mostly the result of the change in financing transactions, mainly the repayment of part of the financing arranged in prior years.
 
(24)
EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
 
Significant events affecting Telefónica taking place from December 31, 2008 to the date of preparation of these consolidated financial statements include:
 
Second tender offer for CTC shares:
 
Upon completion of the tender offer launched on September 17, 2008 by Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda., for Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A. (CTC), in
 
 
F - 109
 
keeping with its obligations under Chilean law, on December 1, 2008, Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda., presented a second tender offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of CTC that Telefónica did not own, directly or indirectly, after settlement of the first offer (representing 3.25% of CTC’s capital), on the same economic terms as the initial bid.
 
Upon completion of the acceptance period of the second offer on January 7, 2009, Telefónica's indirect stake in CTC had increased to 97.89%.
 
Dividends:
 
At its meeting of January 28, 2009, the Board of Directors of Telefónica, S.A. analyzed and passed a resolution to change the amount of the dividend to be paid and charged to 2009 to 1.15 euros per share. The proposal for adoption of the related resolutions will be made in due time.
 
At its meeting of February 25, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors agreed to propose at the Shareholders’ Meeting the payment of a dividend with a charge to reserves of a gross amount of 0.5 euros per outstanding share carrying dividend rights, up to a maximum total amount of 2,352 million euros.
 
Financing:
 
On February 3, 2009, Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U. issued 2,000 million euros of bonds maturing February 3, 2014 with an annual coupon of 5.431% under the issuance program (EMTN) registered on the London Stock Exchange on July 8, 2005 and renewed on July 3, 2008. These bonds are guaranteed by Telefónica, S.A.
 
On February 13, 2009, Telefónica, S.A. signed an agreement with the banks involved in the 6,000 million euro credit facility granted on June 28, 2005 and maturing on June 28, 2011, to extend the maturity of 4,000 million euros of the 6,000 million euros drawn down, 2,000 million euros for one year and the remaining 2,000 million euros for two years.
 
On February 17, 2009, Moody’s affirmed Telefónica, S.A.’s long-term Baa1 rating, and changed the outlook to positive from stable, reflecting Moody’s expectation that, going forward, Telefónica will sustain an improved financial risk profile, in line with Telefónica Group management’s publicly stated targets.
 
Guarantees provided for Ipse 2000 S.p.A.:
 
After the Italian courts rejected Ipse 2000 S.p.A.’s case regarding the UMTS license this company held, on January 7, 2009, Telefónica paid 241.3 million euros corresponding to the annual payments of 2006, 2007 and 2008. At the date of approval of these financial statements, the Telefónica Group still owes 151.7 million euros in this respect (see Note 21.b).
 
(25)
ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR ENGLISH TRANSLATION
 
These consolidated financial statements were originally prepared in Spanish. In the event of discrepancy, the Spanish-language version prevails.
 
These financial statements are presented on the basis of International Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), which for the purposes of the Telefónica Group do not differ from IFRS as adopted by the European Union. Consequently, certain accounting practices applied by the Group not conform with generally accepted principles in other countries.
 
 
F - 110
 
APPENDIX I: CHANGES IN THE CONSOLIDATION SCOPE
 
The following changes took place in the consolidation scope in 2008:
 
Telefónica Spain
 
In June 2008, Spanish company Iberbanda, S.A. raised and then decreased capital to offset losses. In the move, Telefónica de España, S.A.U. subscribed more shares than corresponded to its shareholding, thereby raising its stake in the company from 51% to 58.94%. This company is still fully consolidated.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
On September 17, 2008, Telefónica launched a tender offer through its Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda. subsidiary to acquire all the outstanding shares of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A. (“CTC”) that Telefónica did not control directly or indirectly. This amounted to 55.1% of CTC’s share capital. This included all CTC shares listed on the Santiago de Chile and New York Stock Exchanges (represented by American Depositary Shares). The offer was structured as a purchase of shares in cash, initially at a price of 1,000 Chilean pesos for class A shares and 900 Chilean pesos for class B shares. On October 11, 2008 the offer price was increased to 1,100 Chilean pesos for class A shares and 990 Chilean pesos for class B shares.
 
Upon completion of the acceptance period of the tender offer, a total of 496,341,699 shares issued by CTC were tendered, representing 94.11% of the shares to which the offer related and a total investment of approximately 640 million euros.
 
After settlement of the transaction, Telefónica’s indirect ownership in CTC’s share capital increased from 44.9% to 96.75%. This Chilean company is still included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated scope using the full consolidation method.
 
Subsequently, pursuant to the requirements of Chilean law, on December 1, 2008 Telefónica, through subsidiary Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding, Ltda., presented a second tender offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of CTC that it did not own, directly or indirectly, after settlement of the first offer (representing 3.25% of CTC’s capital), on the same economic terms as the initial bid. This offer expired on January 9, 2009 (see Note 24 for details of this transaction as a subsequent event).
 
In August, Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A. acquired 71.29% of Peruvian company Star Global Com, S.A.C. for 8 million US dollars. This company has been included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated scope using the full consolidation method.
 
 
F - 111
 
On April 3, 2008, in accordance with the terms of a sale and purchase agreement entered into on August 2, 2007, after the pertinent administration authorizations were obtained, Vivo Participaçoes, S.A. (“VIVO”) completed the acquisition of 53.90% of the voting stock (ON) and 4.27% of the preferred stock (PN) of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., the controlling shareholder of Telemig Celular, S.A., a mobile telephony operator in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil). According to the terms of the sale and purchase agreement, the total purchase price was 1,163 million reais (approximately 429 million euros). VIVO also acquired the right held by the seller to subscribe in the future for paid up shares in Telemig Celular Participaçoes S.A. for a price of approximately 70 million Brazilian reais (26 million euros).
 
Moreover, on April 8, 2008, VIVO, through its subsidiary Tele Centro Oeste IP, S.A., launched a voluntary tender offer for shares representing up to one third of the free float represented by the preferred stock in Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and in its subsidiary Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price of 63.90 and 654.72 Brazilian reais, respectively. Once the offer concluded, on May 15, 2008, having reached a level of acceptance of close to 100%, TCO IP, S.A. acquired 31.9% and 6% of the preferred shares of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A., respectively. Furthermore, in accordance with Brazilian Corporations law, TCO IP, S.A. submitted a mandatory tender offer on July 15 for all the voting stock in Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. and Telemig Celular, S.A. at a price per share equivalent to 80% of the purchase price of the voting stock of these companies.
 
On December 19, 2008, approval was given by shareholders of Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., Telemig Celular, S.A. and Vivo Participaçoes, S.A. (Vivo) in their respective extraordinary meetings to reorganize the Vivo Group, whereby TCO IP, S.A. was spun off. Its assets were subsequently integrated under Telemig Celular, S.A. and Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A., making VIVO a shareholder in both Brazilian companies, with direct and indirect stakes at December 31, 2008 amounting to 90.65% and 58.9%, respectively. Both companies are included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidation scope using proportionate consolidation.
 
Multi Holding Corporation, S.A., which was 100%-owned by Telefónica, S.A., was wound down. Accordingly, the company, which was fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group’s financial statements, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
On June 16, 2006, Telefónica de Argentina, S.A signed a contract to acquire the shares of Telefónica Data Argentina, S.A. (787,697 shares, representing 97.89% of its share capital) held by Telefónica Data Corp, S.A.U., a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica.
 
After extending the deadline for the sale, on January 28, 2008 Telefónica Data Corp, S.A.U. assumed the obligation to acquire all the shares of Telefónica Data Argentina, S.A. it did not already own (14,948 shares at a price of 224.30 Argentine pesos, representing 1.8578% of share capital). This acquisition was carried out on November 17, 2008.
 
As a result, Telefónica DataCorp, S.A.U. became owner of 802,645 shares, representing 100% of Telefónica Data Argentina, S.A. It subsequently transferred these shares to Telefónica de Argentina, S.A. in various stages, which ended on December 11, 2008.
 
 
F - 112
 
Other companies
 
In November 2008, Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A. sold a total of 4,496,984 shares representing approximately 30% of the share capital of Teleatento del Perú, S.A.C. to Dutch company Atento, N.V. (1,124,246 shares), Chilean company Atento Chile (2,323,442 shares) and to shareholders of Teleatento del Perú, S.A.C. itself (1,049,296 shares), for approximately 103 million new soles. Following this transaction, the Telefónica Group holds 100% of the Peruvian company’s share capital. This company is still fully consolidated.
 
In October 2008, Atento Holding Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A. (Atento HIT) set up Dutch company Atento EMEA, B.V., with start-up capital of approximately 21 thousand euros. This capital was provided via the spin-off of the 100%-owned subsidiary Atento HIT, Atento N.V. The companies it owned in Europe and Morocco now belong to the new company Atento EMEA, while those located in Latin America and Italy are still controlled by Atento, N.V. Both the newly created Atento EMEA, B.V. and the existing Atento, N.V. are fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group. In addition, on March 4, 2008, Atento HIT acquired 100% of the shares of Telemarketing Prague, a.s.
 
In January, Turmed, S.L. and the Telefónica Group, through its wholly owned Terra Networks Asociadas, S.L. subsidiary, sold their 100% stakes in Viajar.com Viajes, S.L.U. and Terra Business Travel, S.A., respectively, to the Spanish company Red Universal de Marketing y Bookings On Line, S.A. (RUMBO). The Telefónica Group consolidated this company using the equity method until February and then proportionately from March. Subsequently, on October 28, 2008, RUMBO, Viajar.com Viajes, S.L.U. and Terra Business Travel, S.A. were merged, with RUMBO absorbing Viajar.com Viajes, S.L.U. and Terra Business Travel, S.A., which were extinguished.
 
Terra Lycos Holding, B.V. and Telefónica U.S.A. Advisors Inc. were liquidated.
 
In March 2008, Telco S.p.A., in which Telefónica holds a stake of 42.3%, acquired 121.5 million shares at a price of 1.23 euros per share in the Italian company Telecom Italia (equivalent to 0.9% of its share capital), bringing its total direct interest to 24.5% of the voting rights and 16.9% of the dividend rights. The transaction implied a payment of 149.8 million euros.
 
As a result, the Telefónica Group indirectly holds 10.4% of Telecom Italia’s voting rights and 7.1% of its dividend rights. Telco, S.p.A. is included in the Telefónica Group's consolidated financial statements by the equity method.
 
After a capital hike by Colombian company Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A., which Telefónica, S.A. fully subscribed, Telefónica, S.A.’s stake in the company increased to 49.42%, while the shareholding of Colombian company Olympic, Ltd., a 99.99% subsidiary of the Telefónica Group, decreased to 50.58%. The Telefónica Group still consolidates the Colombian operator using the full consolidation method.
 
 
F - 113
 
In December, Portuguese company Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A. (PT) bought back and cancelled 46,082,677 shares in line with its share buyback program. This raised the Telefónica Group’s direct and indirect ownership interest to 10.48%. In accordance with article 20 of the Portuguese stock market code, Telefónica sold 4,264,394 shares of PT, thereby lowering its stake to 10%. This company is still included in the consolidation scope using the equity method.
 
In December, Telefactoring Colombia, S.A. was incorporated, with start-up capital amounting to 4 billion Colombian pesos, fully subscribed and paid in. Telefónica subscribed and paid 1,620 million Colombian pesos, equivalent to a 40.5% stake. This company has yet to commence operations and was not included in the consolidation scope at the end of 2008.
 
Changes to the 2007 consolidation scope are described in the following sections.
 
Telefónica O2 Europe
 
Telefónica O2 Europe Plc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica, S.A., and its 100%-owned subsidiary O2 Holdings, Ltd, sold 100% of the share capital of UK company Aiwave O2, Ltd, for 1,932 million pounds sterling (equivalent to 2,841 million euros at the transaction date), obtaining a gain of 1,296 million euros. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
On December 20, 2007, the O2 Group transferred legal ownership to the entire business in Germany to Tele fónica, S.A. through a dividend in kind for 8,500 million euros.
 
Telefonica Latin America
 
In April, the 54% stake held by US company Katalyx, Inc. in Brazilian company Mercador, S.A. was sold. The company, which had been consolidation in the Telefónica Group’s financial statements using the equity method, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
In June, US company Telefónica USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Spanish company Telefónica DataCorp, S.A., acquired 100% of the assets and shares of US company Katalyx Inc. The company is still fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group.
 
In 2007, Brazilian company Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A. acquired 100% of Brazilian company NavyTree Participaçoes, S.A. for 361 million euros. This company was included in the consolidation scope using the full consolidation method.
 
Other companies
 
In February 2007, 100% of the shares of Endemol France were sold to Endemol, N.V., a company in which the Telefónica Group had a 75% stake.
 
In May, 2007 Telefónica, S.A. signed an agreement to sell its 99.7% stake in Dutch company Endemol Investment Holding, B.V. to a newly created consortium owned equally by Mediacinco Cartera, S.L., a newly created company owned by Italian company Mediaset and its
 
 
F - 114
 
listed Spanish subsidiary Gestevisión Telecinco, Cyrte Fond II, B.V. and G.S. Capital Partners VI Fund, L.P, for 2,629 million euros, obtaining capital gains of 1,368 million euros. This sale was carried out on July 3, 2007. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
During the year, Spanish companies Communicapital Gestión, S.A. and Terra Lycos Intangibles, S.A. were liquidated. Both companies, which had been fully consolidated, were therefore eliminated from the scope of consolidation.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, the Telefónica Group disposed of shares in Italian company Ipse 2000 S.p.A., lowering its (direct and indirect) shareholding to 39.9158%. The Telefónica Group still carried this company using the equity method of consolidation.
 
In June 2007, Telefónica, S.A. sold all the shares it held in the Spanish company Sistemas Técnicos de Loterías del Estado, S.A., which represented 31.75% of its share capital. This company, which had been accounted for by the Telefónica Group using the equity method, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
In June, Spanish company Atento Teleservicios España, S.A. incorporated US company Contact US Teleservices Inc., contributing 100% of the start-up capital for 0.1 million US dollars. The company was included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated scope using the full consolidation method. Subsequently, in August 2007, US Teleservices Inc. held a 0.55 million US dollar rights issue, fully subscribed by Atento Teleservicios España, S.A.
 
In August 2007, the Telefónica Group disposed of its 100% holding in Spanish company Azeler Automoción, S.A. for 0.34 million euros. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
On April 28, 2007, Telefónica, S.A., together with its partners Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., Intesa Sanpaolo, S.p.A., Mediobanca S.p.A. and Sintonía, S.A. (Benetton), entered into a “Co-Investment Agreement” and “Shareholders Agreement” with a view to establishing the terms and conditions of their acquisition of an indirect shareholding in Telecom Italia S.p.A. through an Italian company, currently called Telco S.p.A., in which Telefónica has a 42.3% interest. Both agreements were modified on October 25, 2007 following the inclusion of the Assicurazioni Generali Group companies indicated and the “Shareholders Agreement” was further amended on November 19, 2007.
 
On October 25, 2007 Telco, S.p.A. acquired 100% of Olimpia, S.p.A., which held 17.99% of the voting shares of Telecom Italia, S.p.A. Also on that date, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. (together with its group companies Alleanza Assicurazioni S.p.A., INA Assitalia S.p.A., Volksfürsorge Deutsche Lebenversicherung A.G. and Generali Vie S.A.) and Mediobanca S.p.A. contributed a total share of 5.6% of Telecom Italia S.p.A.’s voting shares (4.06% and 1.54%, respectively) to Telco S.p.A.
 
 
F - 115
 
On December 10, 2007, an agreement was reached to takeover and merge Olimpia S.p.A. into Telco S.p.A., making Telco S.p.A’s entire stake in the voting shares of the Italian operator (23.6%) direct and leaving Telefónica with an indirect holding in the voting shares of Telecom Italia S.p.A. of 9.98% (6.88% of the dividend rights) for 2,314 million euros.
 
The “Shareholders Agreement” signed on April 28, 2007, contained a general clause whereby both Telefónica, at the shareholders meetings of Telco, S.p.A. and Telecom Italia, S.p.A, and the Telefónica directors appointed to the companies’ respective boards, would abstain from participating in and voting at the meetings dealing with issues regarding the provision of telecommunications services by companies controlled by Telecom Italia S.p.A., in countries where there are legal or regulatory restrictions on the exercise of voting rights by Telefónica.
 
However, as indicated above, on November 19, 2007 the partners expounded on and detailed the “Shareholders Agreement”, as well as the bylaws of Telco, S.p.A., to include the specific limitations imposed by the Brazilian telecommunications regulator, Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações ("ANATEL"), as initially posted on its website on October 23, 2007 and subsequently published on November 5, 2007 as ANATEL’s "Ato" no. 68,276 dated October 31, 2007.
 
Pursuant to clause 8.5(a) of the “Shareholders Agreement,” on November 6, 2007 Telco, S.p.A. and Telefónica entered into a Call Option Agreement giving Telefónica the option to buy shares of Telecom Italia, S.p.A. in the event Telco, S.p.A adopted a resolution to sell or pledge shares of Telecom Italia, S.p.A (or rights related to its shares, such as voting rights) by simple majority and Telefónica were the "dissenting party," under the terms of the “Shareholders Agreement.”
 
In December 2007, Telefónica, S.A. sold 18,558,181 shares of Portuguese company Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A. This sale lowered the Telefónica Group’s shareholding in this company to 8.32%, or 9.155% including Portugal Telecom’s treasury shares at the end of 2007. The company was still accounted for in the Telefónica Group consolidated financial statements using the equity method.
 
In December 2007, Telefónica, S.A. incorporated, as its sole shareholder, the Spanish company Atento Holding, Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A., with start-up capital of 24 million euros and a share premium of 138 million euros. The shares were fully subscribed and paid via the non-monetary contribution of all of the shares in Dutch company Atento, N.V., of which Telefónica, S.A. was the sole shareholder. The company was fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group.
 
Changes to the consolidation scope in 2006 are:
 
Telefónica Spain
 
On July 29, 2006, the takeover documents related to the merger of Telefónica Móviles, S.A. by Telefónica, S.A. were filed with Mercantile Registry of Madrid. The merger was carried out via an exchange offer and the exchange ratio was set at 4 shares of Telefónica, S.A., a par value of 1 euro, for every 5 shares of Telefónica Móviles, S.A., par value of 0.5 euros. Accordingly,
 
 
F - 116
 
Telefónica delivered 244,344,012 of its treasury shares to the shareholders of Telefónica Móviles, S.A., representing approximately 7.08% of Telefónica Móviles, S.A.’s share capital. The merger also entailed two extraordinary dividends totaling 0.435 euros per share, which combined with the ordinary 0.205 euro per share dividend against 2005 earnings, brought the total gross dividend to 0.64 euros per share, which was paid out on July 21. Telefónica Móviles, S.A., which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was therefore removed from the consolidation scope.
 
In July 2006, Telefónica de España, S.A. took over and merged Terra Networks España, S.A. and Telefónica Data España, S.A. Both companies had been fully consolidated in the financial statements of the Telefónica Group, but were then removed from the consolidation scope.
 
Also in July, Telefónica de España, S.A. acquired 51% of the share capital of Iberbanda, S.A. for 37 million euros. The Telefónica Group consolidates this company using the full consolidation method.
 
Telefónica Latin America
 
In April, Telefónica Internacional, S.A. acquired 50% plus one share in Colombian company Colombia de Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP in a public offer. In December 2006, Colombia Telecom, S.A. absorbed Telefónica Data Colombia, S.A., also from Colombian, which was accordingly removed from the consolidation scope. As a result of the takeover and merger, the Telefónica Group increased its stake in Colombia Telecom to 52.03%. The company was included in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated scope using the full consolidation method.
 
In May, Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A. absorbed its subsidiary Telefónica Empresas Perú, S.A.A. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
On July 29, 2006, Brazilian company Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A. (Telesp) absorbed subsidiary Telefónica Data Brasil Holding. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
As a result of the cancellation of treasury shares by Telesp in 2006, the acquisition of the minority interests in Telefónica Data Brasil and its subsequent merger into Telesp, the Telefónica Group’s interest in the share capital of Telesp rose to 88.01%. The Telefónica Group still consolidates the company using the full consolidation method.
 
On February 22, 2006, approval was given at the respective shareholders’ meetings of Telesp Celular Participações S.A. (“TCP”), Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações S.A., (“TCO”), Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A. (“TSD”), Tele Leste Celular Participações, S.A. (“TBE”) and Celular CRT Participações S.A. (“CRT Part”) for a corporate restructuring entailing the exchange of TCO shares for TCP shares and the absorption of TSD, TBE, and CRT Part by TCP. As a result, TCO became a 100%-owned subsidiary of TCP.
 
Following VIVO Participações’ capital increase and the restructuring undertaken at Brasilcel in 2006, Brasilcel, N.V.’s stake in VIVO Participações increased to 62.94%.
 
 
F - 117
 
In June 2006, the Telefónica Group increased its stake in Telefónica Móviles Perú from 98.03% to 98.40% through the acquisition of minority shareholdings for 1.02 million US dollars. This company continues to be fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group.
 
In 2006, Mexican subsidiary Telecomunicaciones Punto a Punto México, S.A. de C.V. was sold, generating a capital gain of 10 million euros recognized under “Gain on disposal of investments in consolidated companies” in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated income statement. This company, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.
 
Telefónica Europe
 
On October 31, 2005, Telefónica, S.A. made a binding offer to acquire all the shares of British company O2 Plc. Once the process was completed, Telefónica owned 100% of the share capital. On March 7, 2006, the shares were delisted from the London Stock Exchange. The cost of the acquisition of the O2 Group was 26,135 million euros (17,887 million pounds sterling). The Telefónica Group’s financial statements include the results of the O2 Group from February 1, 2006. The company became fully consolidated within the Telefónica Group.
 
On July 1, 2006 Eurotel Praha, spol, s.r.o. (Eurotel) was taken over and merged by its parent company Cesky Telecom., a.s., giving rise to the new integrated operator named Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. Following this transaction, Eurotel, which had been fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group, was removed from the consolidation scope.

In June 2006, O2 UK Ltd. acquired 100% of British internet service provider, Be Un Limited (Be) for 50 million pounds sterling (approximately 73.5 million euros). Be is now fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group.

In October, 2006 the O2 Group acquired the remaining 60% of the share capital of the UK firm, The Link Stores, Ltd. for 28 million pounds sterling. Following the transaction, the Telefónica Group owns 100% of this company. Accordingly, The Link Stores, Ltd., which was accounted for under the equity method until September 2006, became fully consolidated in the Telefónica Group from October 1, 2006.
 
Other companies
 
In March 2006, Prisa launched a partial takeover bid for 20% of Sogecable, S.A. The Telefónica Group sold shares to Prisa representing a 6.57% interest in Sogecable, S.A., thereby reducing its stake from 23.83% to 17.26%. Subsequently, also in March, Sogecable held a rights offering in which the Telefónica Group did not participate, thereby diluting its holding in the company to 16.84%. In April 2006, Sogecable undertook an additional capital increase in order to service its share option plans for company directors, executives and management. Redeemable Class B and Series B2005 shares were converted into ordinary Class A shares, further diluting the Telefónica Group’s stake to 16.80%. In December, Sogecable converted 405,000 redeemable Class B and Series B2006 shares into ordinary Class A shares, reducing the Telefónica Group’s interest in the company at December 31, 2006 to 16.75%. As a result of this dilution, at December 31, 2006, the investment in Sogecable was recognized under “Other investments.” This company, which had been accounted for by the Telefónica Group using the equity method, was removed from the consolidation scope.In July 2006, Telefónica, S.A. accepted the public takeover bid launched by Yell Group Plc for 100% of the shares of Telefónica Publicidad e Información, S.A. (TPI). It therefore accepted Yell’s bid for the 216,269,764 shares Telefónica owned in TPI, representing 59.905% of its share capital.
 
 
F - 118

The gain from the sale and the results of the TPI Group through June 30, 2006 were recognized under “Profit (loss) from discontinued operations” in the Telefónica Group’s consolidated income statement. In addition, for comparability, the Telefónica Group’s 2005 financial statements were modified to classify the results of the TPI Group under the same heading.

In May 2006, the Telefónica de Contenidos Group sold all the shares it held in Argentine company Patagonik Film Group, S.A. This company had been accounted for under the equity method and was removed from the consolidation scope.
 

 
 
F - 119
 
 
 
APPENDIX II: DEBENTURES AND BONDS
 
The list and main features of outstanding debentures and bonds at December 31, 2008 are as follows (in millions of euros):
 
Telefónica and special purpose
      
Maturity
vehicles
Currency
% Interest
rate
Final rate
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Subsequent years
Total
Debentures and bonds
                    
ABN 15Y BOND
EUR
1,0225 x GBSW10Y
5.260%
-
-
-
-
-
50
50
CAIXA 07/21/2029 ZERO COUPON
EUR
6.370%
6.370%
-
-
-
-
-
54
54
TELEFÓNICA FEBRUARY 90 F ZERO COUPON
EUR
12.579%
12.579%
-
14
-
-
-
-
14
TELEFÓNICA FEBRUARY 90C-12.60%
EUR
12.600%
12.600%
-
4
-
-
-
-
4
TELEFÓNICA JUNE 99-EURIBOR+63BP
EUR
1xEURIBOR1Y+0.63000%
6.038%
300
-
-
-
-
-
300
TELEFÓNICA MARCH 99-4.50%
EUR
4.500%
4.500%
500
-
-
-
-
-
500
Telefónica, S.A.
      
800
18
-
-
-
104
922
T. EUROPE BV SEP_00 GLOBAL C
USD
7.750%
7.750%
-
1,796
-
-
-
-
1,796
T. EUROPE BV SEP_00 GLOBAL D
USD
8.250%
8.250%
-
-
-
-
-
898
898
TEBV FEB_03 EMTN FIXED TRANCHE A
EUR
5.125%
5.125%
-
-
-
-
1,500
-
1,500
TEBV FEB_03 EMTN FIXED TRANCHE B
EUR
5.875%
5.875%
-
-
-
-
-
500
500
T.EUROPE BV JULY A 2007
JPY
2.110%
2.110%
-
-
-
119
-
-
119
T.EUROPE BV JULY B 2007
JPY
1 x JPYL6M + 0.40000%
1.411%
-
-
-
119
-
-
119
Telefónica Europe, B.V.
      
-
1,796
-
238
1,500
1,398
4.932
EMTN O2 EUR (I)
EUR
4.375%
4.375%
-
-
-
-
-
1,750
1,750
EMTN O2 EURO (II)
EUR
3.750%
3.750%
-
-
2,250
-
-
-
2,250
EMTN O2 GBP (I)
GBP
5.375%
5.375%
-
-
-
-
-
787
787
EMTN O2 GBP (II)
GBP
5.375%
5.375%
-
-
-
-
-
525
525
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE A
USD
1 x USDL3M + 0.30000%
1.825%
719
-
-
-
-
-
719
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE B
USD
5.984%
5.984%
-
-
719
-
-
-
719
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE C
USD
6.421%
6.421%
-
-
-
-
-
898
898
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE D
USD
7.045%
7.045%
-
-
-
-
-
1,437
1,437
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY 06
EUR
1 x EURIBOR3M + 0.35000%
5.271%
-
1,250
-
-
-
-
1,250
TELEF. EMISIONES SEPTEMBER 06
EUR
4.393%
4.393%
-
-
-
500
-
-
500
TELEF. EMISIONES DECEMBER 06
GBP
5.888%
5.888%
-
-
-
-
-
525
525
TELEF. EMISIONES JANUARY 06 TRANCHE A
EUR
1 x EURIBOR6M + 0.83000%
3.891%
-
-
-
-
-
55
55
TELEF. EMISIONES JANUARY 06 TRANCHE B
EUR
1 x EURIBOR3M + 0.70000%
5.527%
-
-
-
-
-
24
24
TELEF. EMISIONES FEBRURARY 07
EUR
4.674%
4.674%
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
1,500
TELEF. EMISIONES MARCH 07
EUR
1 x EURIBOR3M + 0.13000%
3.121%
350
-
-
-
-
-
350
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE A 07
CZK
1 x CZKPRIB_3M + 0.16000%
4.070%
-
89
-
-
-
-
89
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE B 07
CZK
4.351%
4.351%
-
-
-
111
-
-
111
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE C 07
CZK
4.623%
4.623%
-
-
-
-
-
97
97
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY A 07
USD
5.855%
5.855%
-
-
-
-
539
-
539
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY B 07
USD
1 x USDL3M + 0.33000%
3.356%
-
-
-
-
611
-
611
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY C 07
USD
6.221%
6.221%
-
-
-
-
-
503
503
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE 08
EUR
5.580%
5.580%
-
-
-
-
1,250
-
1,250
Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U.
      
1,069
1,339
2,969
611
2,400
8,101
16,489
Total Telefónica, S.A. and special purpose vehicles
    
1,869
3,153
2,969
849
3,900
9,603
22,343
 
 
F - 120
 
 
 
Foreign operators
    
Maturity
  
Debentures and bonds
Currency
% Interest
rate
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Subsequent
Years
Total
Marketable debentures
USD
9.125
-
141
-
-
-
-
141
Marketable debentures
USD
8.85
-
-
97
-
-
-
97
Marketable debentures
USD
8.85
-
-
0
-
-
-
0
TASA
    
-
141
97
-
-
-
238
Series F
UF
6
2
2
2
2
2
4
13
Series L
UF
3.75
-
-
-
73
-
-
73
CTC Chile
    
2
2
2
75
2
4
86
Peso bonds, Series A
MXN
91-day CETES + 0.61
-
425
-
-
-
-
425
Peso bonds, Series B
MXN
9.25
-
-
-
186
-
-
186
Telefónica Finanzas México
    
-
425
-
186
-
-  
611
O2 sterling issue
GBP
7.625
-
-
-
394
-
-
394
Telefonica Europe O2
    
-
-
-
394
-
-
394
8th issue T. Peru bonds
USD
3.8125
12
-
-
-
-
-
12
T. Peru 1st Program (2nd)
PEN
VAC + 7
10
-
-
-
-
-
10
T. Peru 3rd Program (1st)
PEN
VAC + 5
-
11
-
-
-
-
11
T. Peru 4th Program (10th-Series A)
PEN
7.875
-
-
-
7
-
-
7
T. Peru 4th Program (10th-Series B)
PEN
6.4375
-
-
-
12
-
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (12th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.6875
-
-
-
-
-
14
14
T. Peru 4th Program (14th-Series A)
PEN
6.375
-
11
-
-
-
-
11
T. Peru 4th Program (14th-Series B)
PEN
5.9375
-
-
8
-
-
-
8
T. Peru 4th Program (14th-Series C)
PEN
5.75
-
-
10
-
-
-
10
T. Peru 4th Program (16th-Series A)
PEN
6
-
-
-
23
-
-
23
T. Peru 4th Program (16th-Series B)
PEN
6.25
-
-
-
-
7
-
7
T. Peru 4th Program (19th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.625
-
-
-
-
-
14
14
T. Peru 4th Program (19th-Series B)
PEN
VAC + 2.875
-
-
-
-
-
11
11
T. Peru 4th Program (19th-Series C)
PEN
VAC + 3.1875
-
-
-
-
-
5
5
T. Peru 4th Program (36th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.6875
-
-
-
-
-
34
34
T. Peru 4th Program (36th-Series B)
PEN
VAC + 3.375
-
-
-
-
-
11
11
T. Peru 4th Program (37th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.125
-
-
-
-
-
11
11
T. Peru 4th Program (13th-Series A)
PEN
5.2625
18
-
-
-
-
-
18
T. Peru 4th Program (4th-Series A)
PEN
6.625
-
-
-
18
-
-
18
T. Peru 4th Program (7th)
PEN
6.1875
12
-
-
-
-
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (7th-Series B)
PEN
5.875
4
-
-
-
-
-
4
T. Peru 4th Program (7th-Series C)
PEN
5.5625
-
4
-
-
-
-
4
T. Peru 4th Program (8th-Series A)
PEN
7.375
-
7
-
-
-
-
7
T. Peru 4th Program (8th-Series B)
PEN
6.25
-
12
-
-
-
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (9th-Series A)
PEN
6.9375
-
-
13
-
-
-
13
T. Peru 4th Program (9th-Series B)
PEN
6.375
-
-
20
-
-
-
20
T. Peru Senior Notes
PEN
8
-
-
-
-
29
144
173
Telefónica del Perú
    
56
45
51
60
36
244
492
T.M. Peru 1st Program (1stSeries A)
PEN
6.25
11
-
-
-
-
-
11
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2nd Series A)
PEN
7.0625
-
-
11
-
-
-
11
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2db Series B)
PEN
7.5625
-
-
6
-
-
-
6
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2nd Series C)
PEN
7.5625
-
-
10
-
-
-
10
T.M. Peru 1st Program (3rd Series A)
PEN
7.4375
-
-
-
-
8
-
8
T.M. Peru 1st Program (3rd Series B)
PEN
7.6875
-
-
-
-
5
-
5
T.M. Peru 1st Program (8th Series A)
PEN
6.4375
-
11
-
-
-
-
11
Telefónica Móviles Perú
    
11
11
27
-
13
-
62
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
104.2% CDI
-
  
-
-
-
123
123
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
103% CDI
  
-
-
-
-
31
31
Convertible bonds (Telemig) I
BRL
CPI-A + 0.5%
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
Convertible bonds (Telemig) II
BRL
CPI-A + 0.5%
-
-
-
-
-
3
3
Convertible bonds (Telemig) III
BRL
CPI-A + 0.5%
-
-
-
-
-
5
5
Vivo
    
-
-
-
-
-
163
163
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
1 x CDI + 0.35000%
-
461
-
-
-
-
461
Telesp
    
-
461
-
-
-
-
461
Total issues other operators
    
69
1,085
177
715
50
410
2,505
Total Group issues
    
1,938
4,239
3,146
1,563
3,950
10,013
24,849
 
 
F - 121
 
 
 
The list and main features of outstanding debentures and bonds at December 31, 2007 are as follows (in millions of euros):

Telefónica and special purpose
      
Maturity
    
vehicles
Currency
% Interest
rate
Final rate
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Subsequent
years
Total
Debentures and bonds:
                    
ABN 15Y BOND
EUR
1,0225xGBSW10Y
5.2955%
-
-
-
-
-
50
  50
CAIXA 07/21/2029 ZERO COUPON
EUR
6.37%
6.37%
-
-
-
-
-
50
  50
TELEFÓNICA FEBRUARY 90 F ZERO COUPON
EUR
12.58%
12.58%
-
-
12
-
-
-
  12
TELEFÓNICA FEBRUARY 90
C-12.60%
EUR
12.60%
12.60%
-
-
3
-
-
-
   3
TELEFÓNICA JUNE 99-EURIBOR+63BP
EUR
1xEURIBOR1Y +0.63000%
5.1550%
-
300
-
-
-
-
 300
TELEFÓNICA MARCH 99-4.50%
EUR
4.50%
4.5000%
-
500
-
-
-
-
 500
Debentures subtotal:
      
-
800
15
-
-
100
 915
TELEFÓNICA MARCH 98-4.8414%
EUR
4.84%
4.84%
422
-
-
-
-
-
422
Debentures subtotal:
      
422
-
-
-
-
-
422
Telefónica, S.A.
      
422
800
15
-
-
100
1,337
T. EUROPE BV SEP_00 GLOBAL C
USD
7.75%
7.75%
-
-
1,698
-
-
-
1,698
T. EUROPE BV SEP_00 GLOBAL D
USD
8.25%
8.25%
-
-
-
-
-
849
 849
TEBV FEB_08 EMTN FIXED TRANCHE A
EUR
5.13%
5.13%
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
1,500
TEBV FEB_08 EMTN FIXED TRANCHE B
EUR
5.88%
5.88%
-
-
-
-
-
500
 500
T.EUROPE BV JULY A 2007
JPY
2.11%
2.11%
-
-
-
-
91
-
  91
T.EUROPE BV JULY B 2007
JPY
1xJPYL6M+0.40000%
1.27%
-
-
-
-
91
-
  91
Telefónica Europe, B.V.
      
-
-
1,698
-
182
2,849
4,729
EMTN O2 EUR (I)
EUR
4.38%
4.38%
-
-
-
-
-
1,750
1,750
EMTN O2 EURO (II)
EUR
3.75%
3.75%
-
-
-
2,250
-
-
2,250
EMTN O2 GBP (I)
GBP
5.38%
5.38%
-
-
-
-
-
1,023
1,023
EMTN O2 GBP (II)
GBP
5.38%
5.38%
-
-
-
-
-
682
 682
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE A
USD
1xUSDL3M+0.30000%
5.2263%
-
679
-
-
-
-
 679
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE B
USD
5.98%
5.98%
-
-
-
679
-
-
 679
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE C
USD
6.42%
6.42%
-
-
-
-
-
849
 849
TELEF. EMISIONES JUN 06 TRANCHE D
USD
7.05%
7.05%
-
-
-
-
-
1,359
1,359
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY 06
EUR
1xEURIBOR3M+0.35000%
4.9800%
-
-
1,250
-
-
-
1,250
TELEF. EMISIONES SEPTEMBER 06
EUR
4.39%
4.39%
-
-
-
-
500
-
 500
TELEF. EMISIONES OCTOBER 06
EUR
1xEURIBOR3M+0.20000%
4.81%
300
-
-
-
-
-
 300
TELEF. EMISIONES DECEMBER 06
GBP
5.89%
5.89%
-
-
-
-
-
682
 682
TELEF. EMISIONES JANUARY 06 TRANCHE A
EUR
1xEURIBOR6M+0.83000%
5.60%
-
-
-
-
-
55
  55
TELEF. EMISIONES JANUARY 06 TRANCHE B
EUR
1xEURIBOR3M+0.70000%
5.31%
-
-
-
-
-
24
  24
TELEF. EMISIONES FEBRURARY 07
EUR
4.67%
4.67%
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
1,500
TELEF. EMISIONES MARCH 07
EUR
1xEURIBOR3M+0.13000%
4.90%
-
350
-
-
-
-
 350
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE A 07
CZK
1xCZKPRIB_3M+0.1600%
4.24%
-
-
90
-
-
-
  90
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE B 07
CZK
4.35%
4.35%
-
-
-
-
113
-
 113
TELEF. EMISIONES JUNE C 07
CZK
4.62%
4.62%
-
-
-
-
-
98
  98
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY A 07
USD
5.86%
5.86%
-
-
-
-
-
509
 509
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY B 07
USD
1xUSDL3M+0.33000%
5.21%
-
-
-
-
-
577
 577
TELEF. EMISIONES JULY C 07
USD
6.22%
6.22%
-
-
-
-
-
476
 476
Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U.
      
300
1,029
1,340
2,929
613
9,584
15,795
Total Telefónica, S.A. and special purpose vehicles
    
722
1,829
3,038
2,929
795
12,433
20,946
 
 
F - 122
 
 
 
Foreign operators
    
Maturity
  
Debentures and bonds
Currency
% Interest
rate
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Subsequent
years
Total
Marketable debentures
USD
9.125
-
-
144
-
-
-
144
Marketable debentures
USD
8.85
-
-
-
91
-
-
91
Marketable debentures
USD
8.85
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Marketable debentures
USD
9.125
85
-
-
-
-
-
85
TASA
    
85
-
144
91
-
-
320
Series F
UF
6
2
2
2
2
2
7
17
Series L
UF
3.75
-
-
-
-
80
-
80
CTC CHILE
    
2
2
2
2
82
7
97
Peso bonds, Series A
MXN
91-day CETES + 0.61
-
-
500
-
-
-
500
Peso bonds, Series B
MXN
9.25
-
-
-
-
219
-
219
Telefónica Finanzas México
    
-
-
500
-
219
-
719
O2 sterling issue
GBP
7.625
-
-
-
-
511
-
511
O2
    
-
-
-
-
511
-
511
2.5% 2008 bond
CZK
3.5
225
-
-
-
-
-
225
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic
    
225
-
-
-
-
-
225
8th issue T. Peru bonds
USD
3.8125
-
11
-
-
-
-
11
7th issue T. Peru bonds
PEN
7.9375
14
-
-
-
-
-
14
T. Peru 1st Program (2nd)
PEN
VAC + 7
-
10
-
-
-
-
10
T. Peru 3rd Program (1st)
PEN
VAC + 5
-
-
11
-
-
-
11
T. Peru 4th Program (10th Series A)
PEN
7.875
-
-
-
-
7
-
7
T. Peru 4th Program (10th-Series B)
PEN
6.4375
-
-
-
-
12
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (12th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.6875
-
-
-
-
-
16
16
T. Peru 4th Program (14th-Series A)
PEN
6.375
-
-
11
-
-
-
11
T. Peru 4th Program (16th-Series A)
PEN
6
-
-
-
-
23
-
23
T. Peru 4th Program (19th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.625
-
-
-
-
-
16
16
T. Peru 4th Program (36th-Series A)
PEN
VAC + 3.6875
-
-
-
-
-
34
34
T. Peru 4th Program (1st)
PEN
5.5625
6
-
-
-
-
-
6
T. Peru 4th Program (13th-Series A)
PEN
5.5625
-
17
-
-
-
-
17
T. Peru 4th Program (4th-Series A)
PEN
6.625
-
-
-
-
18
-
18
T. Peru 4th Program (7th)
PEN
6.1875
-
12
-
-
-
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (7th-Series B)
PEN
5.875
-
4
-
-
-
-
4
T. Peru 4th Program (7th-Series C)
PEN
5.5625
-
-
4
-
-
-
4
T. Peru 4th Program (8th-Series A)
PEN
7.375
-
-
7
-
-
-
7
T. Peru 4th Program (8th-Series B)
PEN
6.25
-
-
12
-
-
-
12
T. Peru 4th Program (9th-Series A)
PEN
6.9375
-
-
-
13
-
-
13
T. Peru 4th Program (9th-Series B)
PEN
6.375
-
-
-
20
-
-
20
T. Peru Senior Notes
PEN
8
-
-
-
-
-
171
171
Telefónica del Perú
    
20
54
45
33
60
237
449
T.M. Peru 1st Program (1stSeries A)
PEN
6.25
-
11
-
-
-
-
11
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2nd Series A)
PEN
7.0625
-
-
-
11
-
-
11
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2db Series B)
PEN
7.5625
-
-
-
6
-
-
6
T.M. Peru 1st Program (2nd Series C)
PEN
7.5625
-
-
-
10
-
-
10
T.M. Peru 1st Program (3rd Series A)
PEN
7.4375
-
-
-
-
-
8
8
T.M. Peru 1st Program (3rd Series B)
PEN
7.6875
-
-
-
-
-
5
5
T.M. Peru 1st Program (8th Series A)
PEN
6.4375
-
-
11
-
-
-
11
Telefónica Móviles Perú
    
-
11
11
27
-
13
62
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
1.042 x CDI
-
-
153
-
-
-
153
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
1.033 x CDI
-
38
-
-
-
-
38
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
1.03 x CDI
96
-
-
-
-
-
96
Brasilcel Group
    
96
38
153
-
-
-
287
Nonconvertible bonds
BRL
1 x CDI + 0.35000%
-
-
575
-
-
-
575
Telesp
    
-
-
575
-
-
-
575
Total issues
    
428
105
1,430
153
872
257
3,245
Total Group issues
    
1,149
1,935
4,485
3,083
1,667
12,787
25,106
 
 
F - 123
 
 
 
The main debentures and bonds issued by the Group in 2008 are as follows:
 
·  
Issue by Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U., underwritten by Telefónica, S.A., under its EMTN program registered with the London Stock Exchange and renewed on July 3, 2008:
 
 

 
   
Nominal value
      
 
Item
 
Date
 
(millions)
(millions
of euros)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
 
Interest rate
 
EMTN bonds
 
06/12/08
 
1,250
 
1,250
 
EUR
 
06/12/2013
 
5.58%
 
·  
Issues by Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A. in the Peruvian market:
 
     
Nominal value
      
 
 
Item
 
Date
 
(millions)
(millions
of euros)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
 
Interest rate
 
Bonds
03/04/2008
34
8
PEN
03/04/2011
5.9375%
 
Bonds
03/18/2008
50
11
PEN
03/18/2018
VAC (*) + 3.375%
 
Bonds
04/02/2008
45
10
PEN
04/02/2011
5.75%
 
Bonds
04/14/2008
30
7
PEN
04/14/2013
6.25%
 
Bonds
04/22/2008
49
11
PEN
04/22/2028
VAC (*) + 2.8750%
 
Bonds
05/22/2008
48
11
PEN
05/22/2028
VAC (*) + 3.1250%
 
Bonds
07/21/2008
20
5
PEN
07/21/2028
VAC (*) + 3.1875%
(*) VAC
 
(1) Exchange rate at December 31, 2008

The main debentures and bonds issued by the Group in 2007 were as follows:
 
·  
Issue by Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U., underwritten by Telefónica, S.A., under its EMTN program registered with the London Stock Exchange and renewed on July 3, 2008:

 
F - 124
 

 
 
   
Nominal value
      
Item
Date
(millions)
(millions
of
euros) (1)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
Interest rate
EMTN bonds
01/31/2007
55
55
EUR
12/31/2021
6-month Euribor + +0.83%
   
24
24
EUR
12/31/2018
3-month Euribor + +0.7%
EMTN bonds
02/07/2007
1,500
1,500
EUR
02/07/2014
4.67%
EMTN bonds
03/30/2007
350
350
EUR
03/30/2009
3-month Euribor + 0.13%
EMTN bonds
06/19/2007
2,400
98
CZK
06/19/2010
CZK 3-month Pribor + 0.16%
   
3,000
112
CZK
06/19/2012
4.35%
   
2,600
90
CZK
06/16/2014
4.62%
(1) Exchange rate at December 31, 2007.
 
·  
Bonds issued by Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U., underwritten by Telefónica, S.A., under the shelf program filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US on April 12, 2006:
 
   
Nominal value
      
Item
Date
(millions)
(millions
of
euros) (1)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
Interest rate
Global bond
07/02/2007
750
509
USD
02/04/2013
5.86%
   
850
577
USD
02/04/2013
3M Libor + 0.33%
   
700
476
USD
07/03/2017
6.22%
(1) Exchange rate at December 31, 2007.
 
·  
Bonds issued by Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U., underwritten by Telefónica, S.A. under its bond issue program registered with the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) on July 11, 2007:
 
 
Nominal value
  
Item
Date
(millions)
(millions
of
euros)(1)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
Interest rate
Bonds
07/19/2007
15,000
91
JPY
07/19/2012
2.11%
   
15,000
91
JPY
07/19/2012
6M Libor + 0.4%
 
(1) Exchange rate at December 31, 2007.
 
 
F - 125
 
·  
Issues by Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A. in the Peruvian market:
 
   
Nominal value
      
Item
Date
(millions)
(millions
of
euros)(1)
Currency
of issuance
Maturity
Interest rate
Bonds
01/11/2007
77
17
PEN
01/11/2009
5.56%
Bonds
03/12/2007
101
23
PEN
03/12/2012
6.00%
Bonds
04/13/2007
19
4
PEN
04/13/2010
5.56%
Bonds
07/13/2007
60
14
PEN
07/13/2027
VAC +3.625%
Bonds
10/12/2007
80
18
PEN
10/12/2012
6.63%
Bonds
10/23/2007
150
34
PEN
10/23/2017
VAC +3.6875%
Bonds
11/20/2007
50
11
PEN
11/20/2010
6.38%
Bonds
11/30/2007
60
14
PEN
11/30/2019
VAC +3.6875%
(1) Exchange rate at December 31, 2007.
 
 
F - 126
 
 
APPENDIX III: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The detail of the type of financial instruments arranged by the Group (notional amount) by currency and interest rates at December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
 
                                             
FAIR VALUE
  
Millions of Euros
  
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
TOTAL
  
                                                             
EURO
     619       3,198       8,482       3,223       4,066       7,893       27,481       24,421       2,626       27,047  
Floating rate
     (9,170 )     (1,210 )     6,475       (158 )     4,112       799       848       7,639       (7,574 )     65  
Spread - Ref Euribor
     -0.05 %     -0.35 %     0.18 %     0.46 %     0.04 %     0.25 %     0.62 %                        
Fixed rate
     9,439       4,408       1,607       31       (46 )     5,844       21,283       11,349       10,244       21,593  
Interest rate
     4.40 %     4.76 %     2.66 %     -22.88 %     -51.84 %     4.20 %     4.37 %                        
Rate cap
     350       -       400       3,350       -       1,250       5,350       5,433       (44 )     5,389  
OTHER EUROPEAN CURRENCIES
     846       700       779       1,770       160       2,359       6,614       3,557       2,964       6,521  
Instruments in CZK
     2,025       700       123       111       -       97       3,056       303       2,753       3,056  
Floating rate
     -       278       -       -       -       -       278       88       191       279  
Spread
     -       0.07 %     -       -       -       -       0.07 %                        
Fixed rate
     2,025       422       123       111       -       97       2,778       215       2,562       2,777  
Interest rate
     4.04 %     3.35 %     3.41 %     4.35 %     -       4.62 %     3.94 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in GBP
     (1,179 )     -       656       1,659       160       2,262       3,558       3,254       211       3,465  
Floating rate
     -       -       63       740       155       (525 )     433       59       569       628  
Spread
     -       -       4.60 %     0.27 %     0.27 %     -       0.34 %                        
Fixed rate
     (1,179 )     -       593       394       5       1,737       1,550       1,916       (472 )     1,444  
Interest rate
     3.16 %     -       5.12 %     7.63 %     6.44 %     5.27 %     7.42 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       525       -       1,050       1,575       1,279       114       1,393  
AMERICA
     (60 )     1,844       889       747       1,146       3,764       8,330       12,334       (6,555 )     5,779  
Instruments in USD
     473       205       245       188       782       921       2,814       9,855       (9,502 )     353  
Floating rate
     (529 )     206       151       173       142       96       239       2,492       (2,374 )     118  
Spread
     0.85 %     0.41 %     -1.34 %     0.96 %     1.89 %     -       -0.98 %                        
Fixed rate
     669       (11 )     84       5       630       795       2,172       6,957       (7,143 )     (186 )
Interest rate
     4.09 %     -48.90 %     26.66 %     -7.92 %     3.20 %     13.20 %     8.28 %                        
Rate cap
     333       10       10       10       10       30       403       406       15       421  
Instruments in UYU
     (2 )     2       2       -       -       -       2       1       -       1  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     (2 )     2       2       -       -       -       2       1       -       1  
Interest rate
     -3.19 %     3.75 %     3.75 %     -       -       -       13.67 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in ARS
     110       141       59       -       -       -       310       (85 )     321       236  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
 
 
F - 127
 
 
 
                                             
FAIR VALUE
  
Millions of Euros
  
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
TOTAL
  
Fixed rate
     110       141       59       -       -       -       310       (85 )     321       236  
Interest rate
     -54.69 %     6.63 %     11.49 %     -       -       -       -14.12 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in BRL
     (209 )     726       161       154       154       311       1,297       607       661       1,268  
Floating rate
     (348 )     667       136       130       130       272       987       548       469       1,017  
Spread
     0.74 %     0.49 %     3.64 %     3.74 %     3.75 %     -       2.20 %                        
Fixed rate
     139       59       25       24       24       39       310       59       192       251  
Interest rate
     21.00 %     4.23 %     10.03 %     10.03 %     10.03 %     9.96 %     13.83 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in CLP
     349       105       170       102       78       -       804       (15 )     820       805  
Floating rate
     212       105       151       102       78       -       648       113       475       588  
Spread
     -0.20 %     0.09 %     0.06 %     0.13 %     -       -       -0.01 %                        
Fixed rate
     137       -       19       -       -       -       156       (128 )     345       217  
Interest rate
     8.59 %     -       4.70 %     -       -       -       8.11 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in UFC
     2       2       68       2       2       4       80       173       (95 )     78  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       86       (86 )     -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     2       2       68       2       2       4       80       87       (9 )     78  
Interest rate
     6.53 %     6.56 %     4.43 %     7.45 %     6.00 %     6.00 %     4.74 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in PEN
     161       181       102       82       61       339       926       807       155       962  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     161       181       102       82       61       339       926       807       155       962  
Interest rate
     5.63 %     7.13 %     6.67 %     6.70 %     7.45 %     6.23 %     6.47 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in COP
     579       56       82       33       69       183       1,002       391       587       978  
Floating rate
     8       43       36       33       30       -       150       148       -       148  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     571       13       46       -       39       183       852       243       587       830  
Interest rate
     12.66 %     15.82 %     14.10 %     -       13.44 %     -       10.10 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in UVR
     -       -       -       -       -       2,006       2,006       2,006       -       2,006  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       -       -       2,006       2,006       2,006       -       2,006  
Interest rate
     -       -       -       -       -       7.67 %     7.67 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in VEB
     (1,998 )     -       -       -       -       -       (1,998 )     (1,999 )     -       (1,999 )
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
 
 
F - 128
 
 
                                             
FAIR VALUE
  
Millions of Euros
  
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
TOTAL
  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                    
Fixed rate
     (1,998 )     -       -       -       -       -       (1,998 )     (1,999 )     -       (1,999 )
Interest rate
     10.34 %     -       -       -       -       -       10.34 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in MXN
     479       426       -       186       -       -       1,091       597       498       1,095  
Floating rate
     47       266       -       -       -       -       313       412       63       475  
Spread
     3.30 %     0.61 %     -       -       -       -       1.01 %                        
Fixed rate
     432       160       -       186       -       -       778       185       435       620  
Interest rate
     12.85 %     8.17 %     -       9.25 %     -       -       11.02 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in GTQ
     (4 )     -       -       -       -       -       (4 )     (4 )     -       (4 )
Floating rate
     (4 )     -       -       -       -       -       (4 )     (4 )     -       (4 )
Spread
     0.01 %     -       -       -       -       -       0.01 %                        
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Interest rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
ASIA
                                                             575       (597 )     (22 )
Instruments in JPY
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       575       (597 )     (22 )
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       152       (158 )     (6 )
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       423       (439 )     (16 )
Interest rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
AFRICA
     -       -       -       88       -       -       88       -       84       84  
Instruments in MAD
     -       -       -       88       -       -       88       -       84       84  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       88       -       -       88       -       84       84  
Interest rate
     -       -       -       4.54 %     -       -       8.57 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
TOTAL
     1,405       5,742       10,150       5,828       5,372       14,016       42,513       40,887       (1,478 )     39,409  
Floating rate
     (9,784 )     355       7,012       1,020       4,647       642       3,892       11,733       (8,425 )     3,308  
Fixed rate
     10,506       5,377       2,728       923       715       11,044       31,293       22,036       6,862       28,898  
Rate cap
     683       10       410       3,885       10       2,330       7,328       7,118       85       7,203  
Currency options
                                                     (202 )             (202 )        
Other
     -       -       -       -       -       -       422       -       -       -  

 
 
F - 129
 
 
 
   
CURRENCY OPTIONS
  
Figures in euros
  
MATURITIES
  
   
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
2013
       2013 +
Call USD/Put BRL
                                      
Notional amount of options bought
     287,418,265       -       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     2.36       -       -       -       -       -  
Notional amount of options sold
     290,062,464       -       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     2.36       -       -       -       -       -  
Put USD / Call BRL
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     114,284,734       -       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     1.86       -       -       -       -       -  
Notional amount of options sold
     143,709,133       -       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     1.86       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Call USD / Put ARS
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     15,825,484       -       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     3.38       -       -       -       -       -  
Call USD / Put EUR
                                                
Notional amount of options bought
     291,010,994       -       208,378,242       -       148,020,407       1,723,431,774  
Strike
     1.59       -       1.59       -       1.49       1.40  
Notional amount of options sold
     268,984,547       -       195,129,693       -       -       831,255,453  
Strike
     1,51       -       1.49       -       -       1,20  
 
 
F - 130
 
 
 
   
INTEREST RATE OPTIONS
  
   
MATURITIES
  
Figures in euros
  
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
       2013 +
                                 
Collars
                                
Notional bought
     781,127,398       -       400,000,000       200,000,000       2,689,686,974  
Strike Cap
     3.897 %     -       4.000 %     3.80 %     4.53 %
Strike Floor
     2.733 %     -       3.300 %     2.80 %     3.13 %
Caps
                                        
Notional bought
     -       -       -       6,784,908,136       -  
Strike
     -       -       -       4.28 %     -  
Notional sold
     700,000,000       -       400,000,000       6,784,908,136       2,689,686,974  
Strike
     4.75 %     -       4.55 %     5.156 %     5.24 %
Floors
                                        
Notional bought
     1,481,127,398       -       400,000,000       567,454,068       2,599,868,766  
Strike
     0.71 %     -       1.00 %     1.15 %     1.72 %
Notional sold
     1,050,000,000       367,974,663       -       1,067,454,068       -  
Strike
     2.73 %     4.39 %     -       2.75 %     -  
 
 
F - 131
 
 
 
The breakdown of financial instruments arranged by the Group (notional amount) by currency and interest rates at December 31, 2007 is as follows:
 
Millions of euros
    
Fair value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
                                                             
                                                                                 
EURO
     3,256       (17 )     1,799       8,610       2,569       11,005       27,222       23,370       3,862       27,232  
Floating rate
     1,227       (999 )     (307 )     4,412       (1,488 )     5,142       7,987       5,901       1,523       7,424  
Spread - Ref Euribor
     (0.28 %)     0.13 %     (0.68 %)     0.21 %     0.34 %     0.00 %     0.10 %                        
Fixed rate
     629       (68 )     2,106       2,998       (293 )     5,863       11,235       9,339       2,491       11,830  
Interest rate
     3.79 %     (3.93 %)     7.14 %     3.59 %     6.59 %     4.56 %     4.74 %                        
Rate cap
     1,400       1,050       -       1,200       4,350       -       8,000       8,130       (152 )     7,978  
OTHER EUROPEAN CURRENCIES
     (1,877 )     2,102       2,106       845       3,487       2,814       9,477       5,971       3,485       9,456  
Instruments in CZK
     1,669       561       708       -       113       98       3,149       360       2,772       3,132  
Floating rate
     (45 )     -       281       -       -       -       236       46       191       237  
Spread
     (0.06 %)     0.00 %     0.07 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.10 %                        
Fixed rate
     1,714       561       427       -       113       98       2,913       314       2,581       2,895  
Interest rate
     4.13 %     3.15 %     3.35 %     0.00 %     4.35 %     4.62 %     3.85 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in GBP
     (3,546 )     1,541       1,398       845       3,374       2,716       6,328       5,611       713       6,324  
Floating rate
     (205 )     1,200       1,398       108       2,181       (682 )     4,000       469       3,494       3,963  
Spread
     0.13 %     0.02 %     (0.01 %)     3.35 %     0.28 %     0.00 %     0.19 %                        
Fixed rate
     (3,818 )     341       -       737       511       2,034       (195 )     2,585       (2,781 )     (196 )
Interest rate
     6.19 %     5.59 %     0.00 %     5.12 %     7.63 %     6.06 %     8.78 %                        
Rate cap
     477       -       -       -       682       1,364       2,523       2,557       -       2,557  
AMERICA
     3,906       957       1,697       448       357       1,414       8,779       13,689       (5,569 )     8,120  
Instruments in USD
     (391 )     (68 )     122       135       40       1,694       1,532       10,726       (9,768 )     958  
Floating rate
     163       (695 )     118       (14 )     6       672       250       2,367       (2,132 )     235  
Spread
     1.12 %     44.69 %     (0.00 %)     77.37 %     (0.25 %)     0.00 %     (1.03 %)                        
Fixed rate
     (563 )     (62 )     (5 )     140       25       984       519       7,578       (7,635 )     (57 )
Interest rate
     10.28 %     5.79 %     (119.61 %)     9.26 %     3.85 %     10.95 %     12.79 %                        
Rate cap
     9       689       9       9       9       38       763       781       (1 )     780  
Instruments in UYU
     -       2       2       2       -       -       6       5       -       5  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     -       2       2       2       -       -       6       5       -       5  
Interest rate
     8.83 %     3.75 %     3.75 %     3.75 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     3.93 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in ARS
     468       256       153       -       -       -       877       101       774       875  
Floating rate
     22       -       -       -       -       -       22       21       -       21  
Spread
     1.15 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     1.15 %                        
Fixed rate
     446       256       153       -       -       -       855       80       774       854  
Interest rate
     10.20 %     9.22 %     9.12 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     9.71 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
 
 
F - 132
 
 
 
 
Millions of euros
    
Fair value 
  
   
2008
      
2009
      
2010
    
2011
 
    
2012
    
Subsequent years
      
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
      
Total
  
                                                                                 
Instruments in BRL
     140       208       822       94       92       200       1,556       305       1,134       1,439  
Floating rate
     (774 )     153       794       66       64       151       454       138       375       513  
Spread
     0.47 %     (2.42 %)     0.21 %     3.59 %     3.60 %     0.00 %     0.98 %                        
Fixed rate
     914       55       28       28       28       49       1,102       167       759       926  
Interest rate
     9.51 %     10.65 %     10.17 %     10.17 %     10.17 %     10.15 %     9.65 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in CLP
     53       184       31       181       42       -       491       12       488       500  
Floating rate
     (17 )     132       31       158       42       -       346       139       144       283  
Spread
     0.27 %     0.05 %     0.38 %     0.07 %     0.38 %     0.00 %     0.12 %                        
Fixed rate
     70       52       -       23       -       -       145       (127 )     344       217  
Interest rate
     3.43 %     6.63 %     0.00 %     3.35 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     4.57 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in UFC
     117       90       98       99       82       7       493       177       326       503  
Floating rate
     -       -       95       -       -       -       95       95       -       95  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.33 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.33 %                        
Fixed rate
     117       90       3       99       82       7       398       82       326       408  
Interest rate
     2.55 %     3.55 %     6.56 %     4.28 %     3.80 %     6.00 %     3.55 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in PEN
     132       136       81       72       80       338       839       639       215       854  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     132       136       81       72       80       338       839       639       215       854  
Interest rate
     8.58 %     5.95 %     6.42 %     6.90 %     6.68 %     6.81 %     6.91 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in COP
     589       222       36       22       26       29       924       412       472       884  
Floating rate
     12       17       36       22       26       29       142       104       -       104  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     1.32 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.34 %                        
Fixed rate
     577       205       -       -       -       -       782       308       472       780  
Interest rate
     11.49 %     0.01 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     36.00 %     7.65 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in UVR
     3,481       (146 )     (151 )     (157 )     (224 )     (854 )     1,949       1,949       -       1,949  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     3,481       (146 )     (151 )     (157 )     (224 )     (854 )     1,949       1,949       -       1,949  
Interest rate
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in VEB
     (1,341 )     -       -       -       -       -       (1,341 )     (1,341 )     -       (1,341 )
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     (1,341 )     -       -       -       -       -       (1,341 )     (1,341 )     -       (1,341 )
Interest rate
     8.16 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     8.16 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
 
 
F - 133
 
 
 
 
Millions of euros
    
Fair value
  
   
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
    
2012
    
Subsequent years
    
Total
    
Underlying debt
    
Associated derivatives
    
Total
  
                                                                                 
Instruments in MXN
     656       73       503       -       219       -       1,451       714       778       1,492  
Floating rate
     (39 )     70       314       -       -       -       345       478       78       556  
Spread
     0.02 %     2.59 %     0.61 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     1.08 %                        
Fixed rate
     695       3       189       -       219       -       1,106       236       700       936  
Interest rate
     7.81 %     8.83 %     8.17 %     0.00 %     9.25 %     0.00 %     8.16 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
Instruments in GTQ
     2       -       -       -       -       -       2       (10 )     12       2  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     2       -       -       -       -       -       2       (10 )     12       2  
Interest rate
     23.70 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     23.70 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
ASIA
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       622       (661 )     (39 )
Instruments in JPY
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       622       (661 )     (39 )
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       151       (152 )     (1 )
Spread
     3.79 %     3.79 %     3.79 %     3.79 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     3.79 %                        
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       471       (509 )     (38 )
Interest rate
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
AFRICA
     -       -       -       -       88       -       88       -       85       85  
Instruments in MAD
     -       -       -       -       88       -       88       -       85       85  
Floating rate
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Spread
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %                        
Fixed rate
     -       -       -       -       88       -       88       -       85       85  
Interest rate
     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     4.54 %     0.00 %     4.54 %                        
Rate cap
     -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
TOTAL
     5,285       3,042       5,602       9,903       6,501       15,233       45,566       43,652       1,202       44,854  
Floating rate
     344       (122 )     2,760       4,752       831       5,312       13,877       9,909       3,521       13,430  
Fixed rate
     3,055       1,425       2,833       3,942       629       8,519       20,403       22,275       (2,166 )     20,109  
Rate cap
     1,886       1,739       9       1,209       5,041       1,402       11,286       11,468       (153 )     11,315  
Currency options
                                                     (52 )             (52 )        
Other
                                                     (230 )                        
 
 
F - 134
 
 
 
(Euros)
  
MATURITIES
  
Interest rate options
  
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
       2012 +
Collars
                                
Notional bought
     1,884,741,996       2,522,100,000       -       900,000,000       1,847,524,908  
Strike Cap
     4.195 %     3.925 %     -       3.944 %     4.715 %
Strike Floor
     3.460 %     2.749 %     -       3.189 %     3.804 %
Notional sold
     -       -       -       -       -  
Strike Cap
     -       -       -       -       -  
Strike Floor
     -       -       -       -       -  
Caps
                                        
Notional bought
     5,400,000,000       -       -       300,000,000       6,231,756,204  
Strike
     4.748 %     -       -       4.070 %     4.470 %
Notional sold
     1,884,741,996       2,522,100,000       -       1,200,000,000       8,079,281,112  
Strike
     4.837 %     4.847 %     -       4.555 %     5.298 %
Floors
                                        
Notional bought
     477,229,343       2,872,100,000       -       900,000,000       1,663,512,408  
Strike
     2.500 %     0.013 %     -       1.000 %     1.205 %
Notional sold
     4,000,000,000       350,000,000       518,685,530       -       700,000,000  
Strike
     2.750 %     2.700 %     4.568 %     -       2.146 %

 
(Euros)
  
MATURITIES
  
Currency options
  
2008
    
2009
    
2010
    
2011
       2012 +
Call USD/Put BRL
                                
Notional amount of options bought
     -       135,860,336       -       -       -  
Strike
     -       2.1585       -       -       -  
Notional amount of options sold
     -       196,239,298       -       -       -  
Strike
     -       2.5587       -       -       -  
Put USD / Call BRL
                                        
Notional amount of options sold
     -       135,860,336       -       -       -  
Strike
     -       1.8585       -       -       -  
Call EUR / Put USD
                                        
Notional amount of options bought
     27,832,084       -       -       -       -  
Strike
     1.2780       -       -       -       -  
Put USD / Call EUR
                                        
Notional amount of options bought
     438,659,058       -       -       -       1,714,557,435  
Strike
     1.4454       -       -       -       1.3618  
Notional amount of options sold
     -       -       -       -       831,255,453  
Strike
     -       -       -       -       1.2030  

 
F - 135
 
 
 
APPENDIX IV: INTEREST-BEARING DEBT
 
The main financing transactions included under this heading outstanding at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and their nominal amounts are as follows:
 
         
12/31/2008
12/31/2007
         
Balance
Balance
Balance
Balance
Name/Summary
Value
Date
Maturity
Date
Currency
Limit
12/31/08
(million
currency)
(million
Euros)
(million
currency)
(million
Euros)
Holding company
                
Telefónica Europe syndicated GBP loan O2 acquisition
10/31/2005
Misc.
GBP
5,250
3,978
4,176
4,221
5,756
Telefonica Europe – JPY loan
08/23/2007
07/27/2037
JPY
15,000
15,000
119
15,000
91
Telefónica, S.A. €3bn syndicated loan BellSouth acquisition
07/06/2004
07/06/2009
USD
302
302
217
302
205
Telefónica, S.A. €6bn syndicated loan Cesky acquisition
06/28/2005
06/28/2011
EUR
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
6,000
Telefónica, S.A. syndicated loan with savings banks
04/21/2006
04/21/2017
EUR
700
700
700
700
700
EIB Holding TELFISA financing
Misc.
Misc.
EUR
1,001
1,001
1,001
633
633
   
Misc.
Misc.
USD
405
405
291
989
672
Other operators
                
Telefónica Móviles Chile May 06 syndicated loan
05/05/2006
01/05/2011
USD
180
180
129
180
122
Telefónica Móviles Chile Nov. 06 syndicated loan
11/15/2006
11/15/2012
CLP
100,000
100,000
113
100,000
137
CTC financing
12/21/2004
12/21/2009
USD
200
200
144
200
136
   
10/28/2005
06/21/2011
USD
150
150
108
150
102
   
06/09/2008
05/13/2013
USD
150
150
108
150
102
EIB-VIVO financing 2007 (1)
10/31/2007
12/19/2014
EUR
125
125
125
34
34
VIVO bilateral loan (1)
08/092007
08/15/2014
BRL
678
678
208
303
93
Telesp bilateral loans
10/23/2007
04/23/2015
BRL
1,687
1,687
519
800
246
Colombia BID financial Telefónica Móviles
12/20/2007
11/15/2014
USD
125
125
90
0
0
 
12/20/2007
11/15/2012
USD
475
475
341
0
0
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic financing
07/30/1997
07/30/2012
EUR
115
115
115
115
115
Other
          
8,298
  
8,521
Total
          
22,827
  
23,665
(1) VIVO transactions are included in the balance sheet using proportionate consolidation at 50%
 
 
F - 136
 
 
 
APPENDIX V: MAIN COMPANIES COMPRISING THE TELEFÓNICA GROUP
 
The table below lists the main companies comprising the Telefónica Group at December 31, 2008 and the main investments consolidated using the equity method.
 
Included for each company are the company name, corporate purpose, country, functional currency, share capital (in million of functional currency units), the Telefónica Group's effective shareholding and the company or companies through which the Group holds a stake.
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Parent company:
          
Telefónica, S.A.
Spain
EUR
4,705
    
Telefónica Spain
          
Telefónica de España, S.A.U.
Telecommunications service provider
Spain
EUR
1,024
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U.
Wireless communications services provider
Spain
EUR
423
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Serv. de Informática y Com. de España, S.A.U.
Telecommunications systems, networks and infrastructure engineering
Spain
EUR
6
100%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U. (100%)
Telefónica Soluciones Sectoriales, S.A.U.
Consulting services for ICT companies
Spain
EUR
14
100%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U. (100%)
Interdomain, S.A.U.
Internet resources operator
Spain
EUR
-
100%
Telefónica Soluciones Sectoriales, S.A. (100%)
Teleinformática y Comunicaciones, S.A.U. (TELYCO)
Promotion, marketing and distribution of telephone and telematic equipment and services
Spain
EUR
8
100%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U. (100%)
Telyco Marruecos, S.A.
Promotion, marketing and distribution of telephone services
Morocco
MAD
1
54.00%
Teleinformática y Comunicaciones, S.A. (TELYCO) (54.00%)
Telefónica Telecomunicaciones Públicas, S.A.U.
Installation of public telephones
Spain
EUR
1
100%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U. (100%)
Telefónica Salud, S.A.
Mangement and operation of telcommunications and public television services
Spain
EUR
-
51.00%
Telefónica Telecomunicaciones Públicas, S.A. (51.00%)
Iberbanda, S.A.
Broadband telecommunications operator
Spain
EUR
19
58.94%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U.  (58,94%)
Telefónica Cable, S.A.U.
Cable telecommunication services provider
Spain
EUR
3
100%
Telefónica de España, S.A.U. (100%)
Telefónica Cable Menorca, S.A.
Cable television systems and value-added services
Spain
EUR
1
100%
Telefónica Cable, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Latin America
          
Telefónica Internacional, S.A.
Investment in the telecommunications industry abroad
Spain
EUR
2,839
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefonica International Holding, B.V.
Holding company
Netherlands
USD
548
100%
Telefonica International, S.A. (100%) 
Latin American Cellular Holdings, B.V. (NETHERLANDS)
Holding company
Netherlands
EUR
980
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Datacorp, S.A.U.
Telecommunications service provider and operator
Spain
EUR
700
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
 
 
F - 137
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A. - TELESP
Wireline telephony operator in Sao Paulo
Brazil
BRL
6,558
87.95%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (65.30%)
Sao Paulo Telecomunicaçoes Participaçoes, Ltda. (22,65%)
Brasilcel, N.V. (*)
Joint Venture and holding company for wireless communications services
Netherlands
BRL
-
50.00%
Telefónica, S.A. (50.00%)
Vivo Participaçoes, S.A. (*)
Holding company
Brazil
BRL
6,666
31.78%
Brasilcel, N.V. y subsidiarias  (31.78%)
Vivo, S.A. (*)
Wireless services operator
Brazil
BRL
5,409
31. 78%
Vivo Participaçoes, S.A. (31.78%)
Telemig celular, S.A. (*)
Wireless services operator
Brazil
BRL
600
17.93%
Telemig Celular Participaçoes, S.A. (15.58%)
Vivo Participaçoes, S.A. (2.35%)
Compañía Internacional de Telecomunicaciones, S.A.
Holding company
Argentina
ARS
143
100%
Telefónica Holding de Argentina, S.A. (50.00%)
Telefonica International Holding, B.V. (37.33%)
Telefónica de Argentina, S.A.
Telecommunications service provider
Argentina
ARS
624
98.20%
Compañía Internacional de Telecomunicaciones, S.A. (52.70%)
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (24.99%)
Telefónica Móviles Argentina, S.A. (19.56%)
Telefonica International Holding, B.V. (0.95%)
Telefónica Móviles Argentina, S.A.
Wireless telephone services provider
Argentina
ARS
1,198
100%
Telefónica Móviles Argentina Holding, S.A. (84.60%)
Telefónica, S.A. (15.40%)
Telcel, C.A.
Wireless operator
Venezuela
VEF
343
100%
Latin America Cellular Holdings, B.V. (97.21%)
Telefónica, S.A. (0.08%)
Comtel Comunicaciones Telefónicas, S.A. (2.71%)
Telefónica Móviles Chile, S.A.
Wireless communications services operator
Chile
CLP
1,835,848
100%
TEM Inversiones Chile Ltda. (100%)
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
Local, long distance and international telephony services provider
Chile
CLP
694,570
96.75%
Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda. (51,86%)
Telefónica Internacional de Chile, S.A. (44.89%)
Telefónica del Perú, S.A.A.
Local, domestic and international long distance telephone service provider
Peru
PEN
2,596
98.18%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (98.03%)
Telefónica, S.A. (0.15%)
Telefónica Móviles Perú, S.A.C.
Wireless communications services provider
Peru
PEN
732
96.79%
Telefónica Móviles Perú Holding, S.A.A. (94.47%)
Latin America Cellular Holdings, B.V. (2.18%)
Telefónica, S.A. (0.14%)
Colombia Telecomunicaciones, S.A. ESP
Communications services operator
Colombia
COP
909,929
52.03%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (52.03%)
Telefónica Móviles Colombia, S.A.
Wireless operator
Colombia
COP
82
100.00%
Olympic, Ltda. (50,58%)
Telefónica, S.A. (49.42%)
 
 
F - 138
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Telefónica Móviles México, S.A. de C.V. (MEXICO)
Holding company
Mexico
MXN
20,271 
100%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (100%)
Pegaso Comunicaciones y Sistemas, S.A. de C.V.
Wireless telephone and communications services
Mexico
MXN
29,067
100%
Pegaso Telecomunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. (100%)
Telefónica Móviles del Uruguay, S.A.
Wireless communications and services operator
Uruguay
UYU
196
100%
Latin America Cellular Holdings, B.V. (68.00%)
Telefónica, S.A. (32.00%)
Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, INC.
Telecommunications service operator
Puerto Rico
USD
111
98.00%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (98.00%)
Telefónica Móviles Panamá, S.A.
Wireless telephony services
Panama
USD
103
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (56.31%)
Panamá Cellular Holdings, B.V. (43.69%)
Telefónica Móviles El Salvador, S.A. de C.V.
Provision of wireless and international long distance communications services
El Salvador
SVC
1,640
99.08%
Telefónica El Salvador Holding, S.A. de C.V. (99.08%)
Telefónica Móviles Guatemala, S.A.
Wireless, wireline and radio paging communications services provider
Guatemala
GTQ
3,162
99.98%
TCG Holdings, S.A. (65.99%)
Telefónica, S.A. (13.60%)
Guatemala Cellular Holdings, B.V. (13.12%)
Panamá Cellular Holdings, B.V. (7.27%)
Telefonía Celular de Nicaragua, S.A.
Wireless telephony services
Nicaragua
NIO
247
100%
Latin America Cellular Holdings, B.V. (98.00%)
Telefónica El Salvador Holding, S.A. de C.V. (2.00%)
Otecel, S.A.
Wireless communications services provider
Ecuador
USD
133
100%
Ecuador Cellular Holdings, B.V.  (100%)
Telefónica International Wholesale Services, S.L.
International services provider
Spain
EUR
230
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (92.51%)
Telefónica Datacorp, S.A.U (7.49%)
Telefónica International Wholesale Services America, S.A.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Uruguay
UYU
14,563
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (80.56%)
Telefónica International Wholesale Services, S.L. (19.44%)
Telefónica International Wholesale Services France, S.A.S.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
France
EUR
37 
100%
Telefónica International Wholesale Services, S.L. (100%)
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Argentina, S.A.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Argentina
USD
78 
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Brasil Participacoes, Ltd
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Brazil
USD
62 
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Perú, S.A.C.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Peru
USD
20 
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
Telefónica International Wholesale Services USA, Inc.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
United States
USD
36
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
 
 
F - 139
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Puerto Rico, Inc.
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Puerto Rico
USD
5 
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Ecuador, S.A
Provision of high bandwidth communications services
Ecuador
USD
3 
100%
T. International Wholesale Services America, S.A.  (100%) 
Terra Networks Brasil, S.A.
ISP and portal
Brazil
BRL
1,046
100%
Telefónica Interactiva Brasil, Ltda. (59,00%)
Sao Paulo Telecomunicaçoes Participaçoes, Ltda. (41,00%)
Terra Networks Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
ISP, portal and real-time financial information services
Mexico
MXN
837
99.99%
Terra Networks Mexico Holding, S.A. de C.V. (99.99%)
Terra Networks Perú, S.A.
ISP and portal
Peru
PEN
10 
99.99%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (99.99%)
Terra Networks Argentina, S.A.
ISP and portal
Argentina
ARS
7 
100%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (100%)
Terra Networks Guatemala, S.A.
ISP and portal
Guatemala
GTQ
154 
99.99%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (99.99%)
Telefonica China, B.V.
Holding company
Netherlands
EUR
-
100%
Telefónica Internacional, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Europe
          
Telefónica Europe plc
Holding company
UK
GBP
9
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
MmO2 plc
Holding company
UK
GBP
20
99.99%
Telefónica Europe plc (99.99%)
O2 Holdings Ltd.
Holding company
UK
GBP
12
100%
MmO2 plc  (100%)
Telefónica O2 UK Ltd.
Wireless communications services operator
UK
GBP
10
100%
O2 Networks Ltd. (80,00%)
O2 Cedar Ltd. (20,00%)
The Link Stores Ltd.
Telecommunications equipment retailer
UK
GBP
-
100%
Telefónica O2 UK Ltd. (100%)
Be Un Limited (Be)
Internet services provider
UK
GBP
10 
100%
Telefónica O2 UK Ltd. (100%) 
Tesco Mobile Ltd. (*)
Wireless telephony services
UK
GBP
-
50.00%
O2 Ash Ltd. (50,00%)
O2 (Europe) Ltd.
Holding company
UK
GBP
1,239
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica O2 Germany GmbH & Co. OHG
Wireless communications services operator
Germany
EUR
51
100%
Telefónica O2 Germany Verwaltungs GmBh  (99.99%)
Telefónica O2 Germany Management GmBh  (0.01%)
Tchibo Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG (*)
 
Telecommunications equipment retailer
Germany
EUR
- 
50.00%
Telefónica O2 Germany GmbH & Co. OHG (50.00%)
O2 Communications (Ireland) Ltd.
Wireless communications services operator
Ireland
EUR
97
100%
O2 Holdings Ltd.  (100%)
Manx Telecom Ltd.
Telecommunications service provider
Isle of Man
GBP
12
100%
O2 (Netherlands) Holdings BV (100%)
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s.
Telecommunications service provider
Czech Republic
CZK
32,209
69.41%
Telefónica, S.A. (69.41%)
Telefónica O2 Slovakia, s.r.o.
Wireless telephony, internet and data transmission services
Slovakia
SKK
-
69.41%
Telefónica O2 Czech Republic, a.s. (69.41%)
 
 
F - 140
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Other companies
          
Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A.U.
Organization and operation of multimedia service-related businesses
Spain
EUR
1,865
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Atlántida Comunicaciones, S.A.
Media
Argentina
ARS
22
100%
Telefonica Media Argentina S.A. (93.02%)
Telefónica Holding de Argentina, S.A. (6.98%)
Televisión Federal S.A.- TELEFE
 Provision and operation TV and radio broadcasting services
Argentina
ARS
148
100%
Atlántida Comunicaciones S.A. (79.02%)
Enfisur S.A. (20.98%)
Telefónica Servicios Audiovisuales, S.A.U.
Provision of all type of audiovisual telecommunications services
Spain
EUR
6
100%
Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A.U. (100%)
Telefónica Servicios de Música, S.A.U
Provision of telemarketing services
Spain
EUR
1 
100%
Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A.U. (100%) 
Atento Holding, Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A.U.
Telecommunications service provider
Spain
EUR
24
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Atento N.V.
Telecommunications service provider
Netherlands
EUR
-
100%
Atento Holding, Inversiones y Teleservicios, S.A.  (100%)
Atento Teleservicios España, S.A.U.
Provision of all type of telemarketing services
Spain
EUR
1
100%
Atento N.V. (100%)
Atento Brasil, S.A.
Telecommunications services provider
Brazil
BRL
152
100%
Atento N.V. (100%)
Atento Argentina, S.A.
Telecommunications services provider
Argentina
ARS
3
100%
Atento Holding Chile, S.A. (97.99%)
Atento N.V. (2.01%)
Teleatento del Perú, S.A.C.
Telecommunications services provider
Peru
PEN
15
100%
Atento N.V. (83.33%)
Atento Holding Chile, S.A. (16.67%)
Atento Chile, S.A.
Telecommunications services provider
Chile
CLP
11,128
99.06%
Atento Holding Chile, S.A. (71.16%)
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A (26.52%)
Telefónica Empresas Chile, S.A. (0.93%)
Telefónica Larga Distancia, S.A. (0.45%)
Atento Centroamérica, S.A.
Provision of call-center services
Guatemala
GTQ
114
100%
Atento N.V. (99.99%)
Atento El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. (0.01%)
Terra Networks Asociadas, S.L.
Holding company
Spain
EUR
7
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Red Universal de Marketing y Bookings Online, S.A. (RUMBO) (*)
 
Online travel agency
Spain
EUR
1 
50.00%
Terra Networks Asociadas, S.L. (50.00%) 
Educaterra, S.L.
Vertical e-learning portal
Spain
EUR
1
100%
Terra Networks Asociadas, S.L. (100%)
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad, S.A.U.
Security services and systems
Spain
EUR
1
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Engenharia de Segurança
Security services and systems
Brazil
BRL
21
99.99%
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad, S.A. (99.99%)
Telefónica Capital, S.A.U.
Finance company
Spain
EUR
7
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
 
 
F - 141
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Lotca Servicios Integrales, S.L.
Aircraft ownership and operation
Spain
EUR
17 
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Fonditel Pensiones, Entidad Gestora de Fondos de Pensiones, S.A.
Administration of pension funds
Spain
EUR
16
70.00%
Telefónica Capital, S.A. (70.00%)
Fonditel Gestión, Soc. Gestora de Instituciones de Inversión Colectiva, S.A.
Administration and representation of collective investment schemes
Spain
EUR
2
100%
Telefónica Capital, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo, S.A.U.
Telecommunications research activities and projects
Spain
EUR
6
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo de Mexico, S.A. de C.V
Telecommunications research activities and projects
Mexico
MXN
- 
100%
Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo, S.A. (100%)
Telefônica Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento do Brasil, Ltda.
Telecommunications research activities and projects
Brazil
BRL
- 
100%
Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo, S.A. (100%)
Casiopea Reaseguradora, S.A.
Reinsurance
Luxemburg
EUR
4
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (99.97%)
Telefónica Finanzas, S.A. (TELFISA) (0.03%)
Pléyade Peninsular, Correduría de Seguros y Reaseguros del Grupo Telefónica, S.A.
Distribution, promotion or preparation of insurance contracts
Spain
EUR
-
100%
Casiopea Reaseguradora, S.A. (83,33%) Telefónica, S.A. (16.67%)
Altaïr Assurances, S.A.
Direct insurance transations
Luxemburg
EUR
6
100%
Casiopea Reaseguradora, S.A.  (95.00%)
Seguros de Vida y Pensiones Antares, S.A. (5.00%)
Seguros de Vida y Pensiones Antares, S.A.
Life insurance, pensions and health insurance
Spain
EUR
51
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (89.99%)
Casiopea Reaseguradora, S.A.  (10.01%)
Telefónica Finanzas, S.A.U. (TELFISA)
Integrated cash management, consulting and financial support for Group companies.
Spain
EUR
3
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Fisatel Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Integrated cash management, consulting and financial support for Group companies
Mexico
MXN
5 
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telfisa Global, B.V.
Integrated cash management, consulting and financial support for Group companies
Netherlands
EUR
-
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Europe, B.V.
Fund raising in capital markets
Netherlands
EUR
-
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Finance USA, L.L.C.
Financial intermediation
United States
EUR
2,000
0.01%
Telefónica Europe, B.V. (0.01%)
Telefónica Emisiones, S.A.U.
Financial debt instrument issuer
Spain
EUR
-
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Spiral Investments, B.V.
Holding company
Netherlands
EUR
39 
100%
Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U. (100%) 
Solivella Investment, B.V.
Holding company
Netherlands
EUR
881 
100%
Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U. (100%) 
Aliança Atlântica Holding B.V.
Holder of 5,225,000 Portugal Telecom, S.A. shares
Netherlands
EUR
-
93.99%
Telefónica, S.A. (50.00%)
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A. - TELESP (43.99%)
 
 
F - 142
 
 
 
Name and corporate purpose
Country
Currency
Share capital
% Telefónica Group
Holding Company
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Spain
EUR
8
100%
Telefónica, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos, S.A.C.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Argentina
ARS
- 
99.99%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (95.00%)
Telefónica, S.A. (4.99%)
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos, S.A.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Chile
CLP
1,017 
96.75%
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A (96.75%)
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos, S.A.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Peru
PEN
1 
100%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (100%)
Cobros Serviços de Gestao, Ltda.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Brazil
BRL
- 
99.33%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (99.33%)
Tempotel, Empresa de Trabajo Temporal, S.A.
Temporary employment agency
Spain
EUR
-
100%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (100%)
Telefonica Gestao de Serviços Compartilhados do BRASIL, Ltda.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Brazil
BRL
12
99.99%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (99.99%)
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Provision of mangement and administration services
Mexico
MXN
50
100%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Servicios Integrales de Distribución, S.A.U.
Distribution services provider
Spain
EUR
2
100%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (100%)
Telefónica Compras Electrónicas, S.L.
Development and provision of information society services
Spain
EUR
-
100%
T. Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España, S.A. (100%)
Companies accounted for using the equity method
          
Telco, S.p.A.
Holding company
Italy
EUR
4,849
42.30%
Telefónica, S.A. (42.30%)
Portugal Telecom, S.G.P.S., S.A.
Holding company
Portugal
EUR
27
9.86%
Telefónica, S.A. (8.51%)
Telecomunicaçoes de Sao Paulo, S.A. - TELESP (0.79%)
Aliança Atlântica Holding B.V. (0.56%)
Lycos Europe, N.V.
Internet portal
Netherlands
EUR
3 
32.10%
LE Holding Corporation (32.10%)
Médi Telecom, S.A.
Wireless communications services provider
Morocco
MAD
2,659
32.18%
Telefónica Móviles España, S.A.U. (32.18%)
Hispasat, S.A.
Operation of a satellite telecommunications system
Spain
EUR
122
13.23%
Telefónica de Contenidos, S.A.U. (13.23%)
Telefónica Factoring España, S.A.
Factoring services provider
Spain
EUR
5
50.00%
Telefónica, S.A. (50.00%)
Telefónica Factoring Do Brasil, Ltd.
Factoring services provider
Brazil
BRL
5
50.00%
Telefónica, S.A. (40.00%)
Telefónica Factoring España, S.A. (10.00%)
Ipse 2000, S.p.A
Installation and operation of 3G wireless communications systems
Italy
EUR
13
39.92%
Solivella Investment, B.V. (39.92%)
 
(*) Companies consolidated using proportionate consolidation.
 
Through these consolidated financial statements, O2 (Germany) GmbH & Co. OHG, complies with the provisions of Art. 264b HGB [“Handelsgesetzbuch”: Germany code of commerce], and are exempt in accordance with the stipulations of Art. 264b HGB.
 
 
F-143