Prospectus Supplement
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Nos. 333-127351
333-127351-01

The information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not offers to sell these securities and are not solicitations of an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated August 30, 2005)

 

LOGO

 

TELECOM ITALIA CAPITAL

 

$             % Guaranteed Senior Notes due

 

$             % Guaranteed Senior Notes due

 

Guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis by Telecom Italia S.p.A.

 

Interest on the notes will be paid on                      and                      of each year, beginning on                     , 2006. The          notes will mature on             ,              and the          notes will mature on                     ,         .

 

Telecom Italia Capital, a société anonyme, or TI Capital, and Telecom Italia S.p.A., or Telecom Italia, may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at the redemption prices described in this prospectus supplement. The notes may also be redeemed at 100% of their principal amount in whole but not in part upon the occurrence of certain tax events described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

The notes will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with TI Capital’s other unsecured senior indebtedness. The notes will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Telecom Italia. The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

 

Application will be made to list the notes on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks that are described in the “ Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-20 of this prospectus supplement.

 


 

    

Per ·

Note


  Total

  

Per ·

Note


  Total

Public Offering Price(1)

               %   $                             %   $             

Underwriting Discount

               %   $                             %   $             

Proceeds, before expenses, to Telecom Italia Capital.

               %   $                             %   $             
(1) Plus accrued interest from                     , 2005, if settlement occurs after that date.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

We expect the notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company and its participants including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme Luxembourg, on or about                     , 2005.

 


 

Joint Bookrunners

JPMorgan

Lehman Brothers

 

Credit Suisse First Boston

Goldman Sachs International

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

Morgan Stanley

 


 

The date of this prospectus supplement is                     , 2005.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS

   S-ii

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

   S-ii

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   S-ii

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   S-iii

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

   S-v

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

   S-1

RISK FACTORS

   S-20

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   S-30

CAPITALIZATION

   S-31

USE OF PROCEEDS

   S-33

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES AND GUARANTEES

   S-34

UNDERWRITING

   S-38

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES

   S-41
Prospectus     
     Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

   1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   2

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   3

RISK FACTORS

   4

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS

   4

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   5

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   6

USE OF PROCEEDS

   8

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

   9

CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT

   22

CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS

   26

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   39

VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

   41

EXPERTS

   41

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date later than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement.

 

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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS

SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the notes being offered. The second part, the base prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to the notes being offered. Generally, when we refer only to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts combined and, when we refer to the accompanying prospectus, we are referring to the base prospectus.

 

If the description of notes varies between the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

 

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, references to the “Issuer” and “TI Capital” refer to Telecom Italia Capital. References to the “Guarantor” and “Telecom Italia” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. References to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Telecom Italia Capital or, if the context so requires, also to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and, if the context so requires, its consolidated subsidiaries (including TI Capital). References to “Telecom Italia Group” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries (including TI Capital). References to “Old Telecom Italia” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries as they existed immediately prior to August 4, 2003, the effective date of the merger (the “Merger”) between Olivetti S.p.A. (“Olivetti”) and Old Telecom Italia. References to IFRS and EU GAAP refer to International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Commission for use in the European Union effective, or issued and early adopted, at June 30, 2005.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

Telecom Italia

 

Telecom Italia is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to foreign private issuers and files annual reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may read and copy any document Telecom Italia files with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Since November 4, 2002, Telecom Italia has been required to file and furnish its documents to the SEC on EDGAR, the SEC’s electronic filing system. All such filings made since such date can be reviewed on EDGAR by going to the SEC’s website: http://www.sec.gov.

 

On completion of the Merger on August 4, 2003, Olivetti changed its name to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and succeeded to the Exchange Act information requirements of Old Telecom Italia. All annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K filed or furnished with the SEC prior to August 4, 2003, were so filed or furnished by Old Telecom Italia. As a foreign private issuer, Telecom Italia is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and Telecom Italia’s officers, directors and controlling shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

Telecom Italia’s ordinary share ADSs and savings share ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and you can inspect Telecom Italia’s reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York.

 

TI Capital

 

TI Capital is a directly and indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia, organized under the laws of Luxembourg. TI Capital does not, and will not, file separate reports with the SEC.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC in other documents, which means:

 

    incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;

 

    Telecom Italia can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

 

    information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and information that Telecom Italia files with the SEC after the date of this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the information contained in a document that was filed later over differing information included in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

 

We are incorporating by reference the following documents:

 

    Telecom Italia’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the “Telecom Italia Annual Report”) (File No. 001-13882) filed with the SEC on May 27, 2005; and

 

    Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005, which includes Telecom Italia’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 and the related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.

 

We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that Telecom Italia will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus until such time as all of the notes covered by this prospectus supplement have been sold:

 

    reports filed under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

 

    any future reports filed on Form 6-K that indicate they are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

You may obtain a copy of any of the documents referred to above (excluding exhibits) at no cost by contacting Telecom Italia or TI Capital at the following respective addresses:

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Piazza degli Affari 2

20123 Milan

Italy

(+39-02-85951)

Attention: Alex Bolis

 

Telecom Italia Capital

287-289 route d’Arlon

L-1150

Luxembourg

(+352-4560601)

Attention: Adriano Trapletti

 

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NOTICE TO INVESTORS

 

You understand that the notes will only be offered and sold to investors who are resident for income tax purposes in countries listed in the Decree of the Ministry of Finance of Italy of September 4, 1996 as amended. A copy of the decree can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Finance of Italy at www.finanze.it. See “Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees—Transfer Restrictions” in the accompanying prospectus and “Description of Notes and Guarantees—Transfer Restrictions” in this prospectus supplement. You also understand that it is the intention of Telecom Italia that the notes will be held only by investors resident in countries identified in the above mentioned decree. If Telecom Italia becomes the obligor under the notes due to substitution or otherwise (see “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Mergers and Similar Events” in the accompanying prospectus) and Telecom Italia was obligated to withhold on any payments made on the notes, there would be no obligation to gross up such payments to investors resident in the countries identified in the above Decree (including investors resident in the United States) who do not furnish the required certifications under applicable Italian tax requirements. See “Description of Notes and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) the notes have not been offered and will not be offered to the public in that Relevant Member State except that the notes may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, be offered to the public in that Relevant Member State (provided that the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy):

 

    in (or in Germany, where the offer starts within) the period beginning on the date of publication of a prospectus in relation to those notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and ending on the date which is 12 months after the date of such publication;

 

    at any time to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

    at any time to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than EUR 43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than EUR 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or

 

    at any time in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of the foregoing, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

NOTICE TO INVESTORS IN ITALY

 

The notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy and copies of this prospectus or any materials relating to the notes may not be distributed in Italy. Trading in the notes on the secondary market in Italy may be subject to restrictions pursuant to Italian law. In particular, sales of the notes in Italy by professional investors to persons who are not professional investors may be void if an Italian regulatory prospectus is not used. In addition, in case of insolvency of the issuer, any professional investors involved in such sales into Italy may be held liable vis-a-vis the holders of the notes. Furthermore, in the case an Italian investor were to purchase the notes on the secondary market and were holding the notes at the time of the

 

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optional redemption (see “Description of the Notes and Guarantees—Redemption at TI Capital’s Option” on page S-35 of this prospectus supplement), in certain cases there may be adverse tax consequences including the application of a 20% surtax. Italian investors holding the notes will be responsible for such adverse tax consequences and no additional amounts will be paid in connection therewith by TI Capital or Telecom Italia.

 

NOTICE TO INVESTORS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

 

The prospectus is being distributed in the United Kingdom only to persons of the kind described in Article 19(5) (“investment professionals”) or Article 49(2) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or to persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be issued (collectively, “relevant persons”). By accepting delivery of this prospectus the recipient warrants and acknowledges that it is a relevant person. This communication must not be acted or relied upon by persons who are not relevant persons.

 

NOTICE TO INVESTORS IN FRANCE

 

In France, the notes may not be directly or indirectly offered or sold to the public, and offers and sales of the notes will only be made in France to qualified investors or to a closed circle of investors, acting for their own accounts, in accordance with article L. 411-2 of the Code monétaire et financier as amended by article 25 of law n° 2005-842 dated 26 July 2005. Accordingly, this prospectus has not been submitted to the Autorités des Marchés Financiers. Neither this prospectus nor any other offering material may be distributed to the public in France. In the event that the notes purchased by investors are directly or indirectly offered or sold to the public in France, the conditions set forth in Articles L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the Code monétaire et financier as amended by law n° 2005-842 dated 26 July 2005 must be complied with.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or an incorporated document may contain certain forward-looking statements, which reflect Telecom Italia’s management’s current views with respect to certain future events and financial performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements:

 

    the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market, including competition from global and regional alliances formed by other telecommunications operators in our core Italian domestic fixed-line and wireless markets;

 

    the ability of Telecom Italia to introduce new services to stimulate increased usage of our fixed and wireless networks to offset declines in the traditional fixed-line voice business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required price reductions, market share loss, pricing pressures generally and shifts in usage patterns;

 

    the level of demand for telecommunications services, particularly wireless telecommunications services in the maturing Italian market and for new higher value added products and services such as broadband;

 

    the ability of Telecom Italia to achieve cost-reduction targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of rationalizing its non-core assets;

 

    the success of Telecom Italia’s loyalty and retention programs, particularly in the fixed line business, and the impact of such programs on its revenues;

 

    the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment, including implementation of recently-adopted EU directives in Italy;

 

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    the impact and consequences of the Merger and the acquisition of the shares of Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A. not previously owned by Telecom Italia;

 

    the impact of the slowdown in Latin American economies and the slow recovery of economies generally on the international business of Telecom Italia and on Telecom Italia’s foreign investments and capital expenditures;

 

    the continuing impact of rapid or “disruptive” changes in technologies;

 

    the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which Telecom Italia operates;

 

    the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully implement its strategy over the 2005-2007 period;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully achieve its debt reduction targets;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully roll out its UMTS networks and services and to realize the benefits of its investment in UMTS licenses and related capital expenditures;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully implement its internet and broadband strategy both in Italy and abroad;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to achieve the expected return on the significant investments and capital expenditures it has made and continues to make in Latin America;

 

    the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for the Telecom Italia Group’s licenses, goodwill or other assets; and

 

    the impact of litigation or decreased mobile communications usage arising from actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to mobile handsets or transmission masts.

 

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Telecom Italia will achieve its projected results.

 

PRESENTATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL

AND OTHER INFORMATION

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information contained in this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference herein is prepared using Italian GAAP. Note 27 of the Notes to the audited consolidated financial statements of Telecom Italia included in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated by reference in this prospectus describes the material differences between Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Telecom Italia. No U.S. GAAP financial statements have been prepared for Telecom Italia.

 

Telecom Italia will adopt “IFRS as adopted by the European Commission for use in the European Union” (“EU GAAP”) for the first time in its annual consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2005, which will include comparative financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, requires that an entity develop accounting policies based on the standards and related interpretations effective at the reporting date of its first annual IFRS financial statements (i.e., for Telecom Italia, December 31, 2005). IFRS 1 also requires that those policies be applied as of the date of transition to IFRS (i.e., for Telecom Italia, January 1, 2004) and throughout all periods presented in the first IFRS financial statements. The accompanying interim financial data as of and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, have been prepared in accordance with those EU GAAP effective, or issued and early adopted, at June 30, 2005. The EU GAAP that will be applicable at December 31, 2005, including those

 

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that will be applicable on an optional basis, are not known with certainty at the time of preparing this interim financial information. As a result, the accounting policies used to prepare this financial data are subject to change up to the reporting date of Telecom Italia’s first IFRS year-end financial statements. There are significant differences between IFRS and Italian GAAP. See “Item 5.5 Adoption of International Accounting Standards” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report as well as Note 36 to Telecom Italia’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 “Impact of the application of IAS/IFRSincluded in Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference for additional information on the Telecom Italia Group’s adoption of IFRS, including the principal differences between IFRS and Italian GAAP.

 

The currency used by Telecom Italia in preparing its consolidated financial statements is the euro. References to “euro,” “euros” and “€,” are to euros and references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “U.S.$” or “$” are to U.S. dollars. For the purpose of this prospectus, “billion” means a thousand million. On September 1, 2005, the Noon Buying Rate (as defined below) was euro 1=U.S.$1.2447. The noon buying rate is determined based on cable transfers in foreign currencies as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes (the “Noon Buying Rate”).

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

The following summary contains key information about this offering and Telecom Italia’s financial results. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For more information regarding the Telecom Italia Group and for a more complete understanding of the terms of the notes, and before making your investment decision, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference”.

 

The Offering

 

The following summary contains basic information about the notes. It does not contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete understanding of the notes, please refer to the “Description of Notes and Guarantees” section of this prospectus supplement and the “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” section of the accompanying prospectus which contain more detailed information regarding the terms and conditions of the notes and guarantees.

 

Issuer

TI Capital

 

Guarantor

Telecom Italia

 

Securities

$        % Guaranteed Senior Notes due          (the “         notes”); and

 

 

$        % Guaranteed Senior Notes due          (the “         notes” and, together with the          notes, the “notes”).

 

Guarantee

Telecom Italia will irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the full and punctual payment of principal, interest, additional amounts and all other amounts, if any, that may become due and payable in respect of the notes. If TI Capital fails to punctually pay any such amount, Telecom Italia will immediately pay the same.

 

Issue price

    % of the principal amount for the          notes; and

 

 

    % of the principal amount for the          notes.

 

Maturities

    ,      for the          notes; and

 

 

    ,      for the          notes.

 

Interest rate

The          notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per annum; and the          notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per annum.

 

 

The notes will bear interest from     , 2005 based upon a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

Interest payment dates

     and     .

 

Regular record dates

     and     .

 

Settlement date

    , 2005.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $            . The net proceeds of this offering are intended to be used for loans to the Telecom Italia Group companies for their general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing indebtedness. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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Ranking

The notes are unsecured by assets or property. The notes will rank equally in right of payment with all other senior unsecured indebtedness of TI Capital from time to time outstanding. The guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all of Telecom Italia’s senior unsecured indebtedness.

 

Payment of additional amounts

TI Capital, as issuer, and Telecom Italia, as guarantor, will pay additional amounts in respect of any payments of interest or principal so that the amount you receive after Luxembourg or Italian withholding tax will equal the amount that you would have received if no withholding of tax had been applicable, subject to some exceptions as described under “Description of Notes and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts” in the accompanying prospectus. See “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Transfer Restrictions” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Optional redemption

Beginning on                 , 2007, the notes will be redeemable in whole or in part at TI Capital’s option at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the applicable notes, or

 

    as determined by the quotation agent, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the adjusted treasury rate, plus:

 

         basis points for the                  notes,

 

         basis points for the                  notes,

 

 

plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

 

 

See “Description of Notes and Guarantees—Redemption at TI Capital’s Option”.

 

Tax redemption

If, due to changes in Italian or Luxembourg laws relating to withholding taxes applicable to payments of principal or interest, or in connection with certain merger or similar transactions of Telecom Italia or TI Capital, TI Capital, as issuer, or Telecom Italia, as guarantor (or its respective successors), is obligated to pay additional amounts on the notes, TI Capital may redeem the outstanding notes in whole, but not in part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

Form and denomination

Delivery of the notes is expected to be made on or about                 , 2005 as described below.

 

 

The notes will be issued only in fully registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000, unless

 

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otherwise specified by us. Each series of the notes will be evidenced by a separate note in global form, which will be deposited with a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.

 

 

You may hold a beneficial interest in the global notes through DTC, directly as a participant in DTC or indirectly through financial institutions that are DTC participants. Both Euroclear and Clearstream are DTC participants. As an owner of a beneficial interest in the global notes, you will generally not be entitled to have your notes registered in your name, will not be entitled to receive certificates in your name evidencing the notes and will not be considered the holder of any notes under the indenture for the global notes.

 

Mergers and assumptions

Each of TI Capital and Telecom Italia is generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another company. TI Capital will be permitted to merge with an Italian company and either Telecom Italia or any Italian subsidiary of Telecom Italia will be permitted to assume the obligations of TI Capital subject to the delivery of certain legal opinions. To the extent that an Italian company, including Telecom Italia or any Italian subsidiary of Telecom Italia, will become the obligor under the notes and that such Italian company will be required to withhold on any payments made on the notes, there would be no obligation to gross up such payments to investors (including investors resident in the United States) who do not furnish the required certifications under applicable Italian tax requirements.

 

Luxembourg listing

TI Capital will apply to list the notes on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in accordance with the rules and regulations of the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Listing is not expected to be completed prior to the settlement date of the notes.

 

Trustee, principal paying agent and registrar

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Governing law

New York. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Articles 86 to 94-8 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies of 10 August 1915, as amended, are excluded.

 

Ratings

Telecom Italia’s long-term rating is Baa2 with a stable outlook according to Moody’s, BBB+ with a stable outlook according to Standard & Poors and A- with a negative outlook according to Fitch.

 

 

A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

 

Risk factors

Prospective purchasers of the notes should consider carefully all of the information set forth in this prospectus and, in particular, the

 

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information set forth under “Risk Factors” and “Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees—Transfer Restrictions” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Selling restrictions

There are restrictions on persons that can be sold notes, and on the distribution of this prospectus, as described in “Underwriting”.

 

Transfer restrictions

Investors should also note that under certain circumstances Italian taxes could apply. See “Description of Notes and Guarantees—Transfer Restrictions”.

 

Further issues

TI Capital may issue as many distinct series of notes under the indenture as it wishes. TI Capital may, subject to certain conditions, without the consent of any holder of the notes, “reopen” either series of the notes and issue additional notes having the same ranking, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date and issue price) as the notes of the applicable series offered pursuant to this prospectus. Any further issue will be considered to be part of the notes of the applicable series offered hereby, will be fungible therewith after any applicable restricted period and will rank equally and ratably with the notes of the applicable series offered hereby.

 

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Summary Selected Financial Information

 

Italian GAAP with U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

 

The Merger of Old Telecom Italia with and into Olivetti became effective on August 4, 2003. Olivetti was the surviving company in the Merger (and changed its name to Telecom Italia S.p.A.), and succeeded to the business of Old Telecom Italia.

 

As a result of the Merger, the summary selected financial data set forth below are consolidated financial data of Olivetti, not Old Telecom Italia, and are presented on the following basis:

 

    the Telecom Italia Group’s selected financial data as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 have been extracted or derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Telecom Italia Group prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP and have been audited by Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. independent registered public accounting firm; and

 

    the Telecom Italia Group’s selected financial data as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 have been extracted or derived (other than the 2000 pro forma data) from the Olivetti Group’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP and have been audited by the following independent registered public accounting firms: Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. (for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001) and PricewaterhouseCoopers S.p.A. (for the year ended December 31, 2000).

 

Unless otherwise indicated, amounts presented are based on Italian GAAP. The selected financial data below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Telecom Italia Annual Report. Certain income statement and balance sheet amounts have been reconciled to U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001. For additional information about the U.S. GAAP reconciliation, you should read Note 27 of the Notes to the audited consolidated financial statements of Telecom Italia included in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference.

 

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     Year ended December 31,

 
     2000(1)

   

2000

pro forma

(Unaudited)(1)(2)


    2001(1)

    2002(1)

    2003(1)

    2004(1)

 
     (millions of Euro, except per share amounts)  

Statement of Operations Data in accordance with Italian GAAP:

                                    

Operating revenues

   30,116     28,374     32,016     31,408     30,850     31,237  

Other income

   483     459     476     504     345     315  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

   30,599     28,833     32,492     31,912     31,195     31,552  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of materials

   3,058     2,931     2,640     2,315     2,081     2,414  

Salaries and social security contributions

   5,245     4,965     4,919     4,737     4,303     4,045  

Depreciation and amortization(3)

   6,946     6,509     7,612     7,227     6,779     6,646  

Other external charges

   11,136     10,476     12,687     12,188     11,934     12,014  

Changes in inventories

   (318 )   (296 )   92     62     114     (25 )

Capitalized internal construction costs

   (912 )   (831 )   (583 )   (675 )   (805 )   (742 )
    

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses(3)

   25,155     23,754     27,367     25,854     24,406     24,352  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income(3)

   5,444     5,079     5,125     6,058     6,789     7,200  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Financial income

   1,202     1,162     1,446     1,569     992     1,381  

Financial expense(3)

   (3,857 )   (3,648 )   (6,559 )   (4,647 )   (3,256 )   (3,215 )

Of which write-downs and equity in affiliated and other companies, net

   (1,037 )   (1,025 )   (1,771 )   (487 )   (91 )   (30 )

Other income and (expense), net

   135     165     (3,109 )   (5,496 )   (1,083 )   (410 )
    

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interests

   2,924     2,758     (3,097 )   (2,516 )   3,442     4,956  

Income taxes

   (1,923 )   (1,813 )   (579 )   2,210     (1,014 )   (3,054 )
    

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before minority interests

   1,001     945     (3,676 )   (306 )   2,428     1,902  

Minority interests

   (1,941 )   (1,885 )   586     (467 )   (1,236 )   (1,121 )
    

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   (940 )   (940 )   (3,090 )   (773 )   1,192     781  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per Share(4)

   (0.20 )   (0.20 )   (0.36 )   (0.09 )   0.07     0.04  

Dividends per Share

   0.0350     0.0350     —       —       0.1041     0.1093 (6)

Dividends per Savings Share

   —       —       —       —       0.1151     0.1203 (6)

 

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     Year ended December 31,

 
     2000(1)

  

2000

pro forma

(Unaudited)(1)(2)


   2001(1)

    2002(1)

    2003(1)

    2004(1)

 
     (millions of Euro, except per share amounts)  

Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

                                  

Total revenues

   —      —      29,201     29,191     29,467     30,593  

Operating income

   —      —      3,538     7,181     8,034     7,006  

Net income (loss) before minority interests, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting changes

   —      —      (2,994 )   6,341     3,190     2,801  

Minority interests

   —      —      18     (3,016 )   (1,523 )   (1,205 )

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

   —      —      (1,050 )   (1,369 )   195     (55 )

Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of tax

   —      —      20     —       (21 )   —    

Net income (loss)

   —      —      (4,006 )   1,956     1,841     1,541  

Net income (loss) per Share before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting changes—Basic

   —      —      (0.87 )   0.82     0.18     0.10  

Net income (loss) per Share before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting changes—Diluted

   —      —      (0.87 )   0.82     0.18     0.10  

Net income (loss) per Share from discontinued operations—Basic

   —      —      (0.31 )   (0.34 )   0.02     (0.01 )

Net income (loss) per Share from discontinued operations—Diluted

   —      —      (0.31 )   (0.34 )   0.02     (0.01 )

Net income (loss) per Share from cumulative effect of accounting changes—Basic

   —      —      0.01     0.00     (0.01 )   (0.00 )

Net income (loss) per Share from cumulative effect of accounting changes—Diluted

   —      —      0.01     0.00     (0.01 )   (0.00 )

Net income (loss) per Share—Basic(6)

   —      —      (1.17 )   0.48     0.20     0.09  

Net income (loss) per Share—Diluted(6)

   —      —      (1.17 )   0.48     0.20     0.09  

 

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     As of December 31,

     2000(1)

  

2000

pro forma

(Unaudited)(1)(2)


   2001(1)

   2002(1)

   2003(1)

   2004(1)

     (millions of Euro)

Balance Sheet Data in accordance with Italian GAAP:

                             

Total current assets(3)

   21,097    20,957    23,417    22,597    22,429    21,980

Tangible assets, net

   23,776    21,072    22,097    19,449    18,324    17,717

Intangible assets, net(3)

   39,528    39,062    39,045    34,412    33,853    32,874

Total assets

   95,360    91,832    94,227    83,384    80,501    76,609

Short-term debt

   16,927    16,536    9,072    6,827    10,613    2,027

Total current liabilities

   30,179    29,207    22,984    20,385    23,373    14,650

Long-term debt

   27,485    25,950    37,747    33,804    30,852    36,817

Total liabilities

   63,994    61,304    67,874    62,760    59,912    56,748

Total shareholders’ equity before minority interests

   13,856    13,856    12,729    11,640    16,092    15,172

Total shareholders’ equity

   31,366    30,528    26,353    20,624    20,589    19,861

Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

                             

Total current assets

   —      —      32,449    27,262    21,837    24,885

Tangible assets, net

   —      —      23,924    21,241    21,461    20,780

Intangible assets, net

   —      —      37,752    36,808    58,413    58,385

Total assets

   —      —      104,456    93,893    108,233    107,544

Total current liabilities

   —      —      26,075    21,310    23,617    17,610

Long-term debt

   —      —      41,865    37,684    32,418    39,257

Total liabilities

   —      —      77,304    69,296    68,086    67,789

Shareholders’ equity(7)

   —      —      13,612    15,224    35,067    34,827

 

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    As of December 31,

    2000(1)

 

2000

pro forma

(Unaudited)(1)(2)


  2001(1)

  2002(1)

  2003(1)

  2004(1)

Financial Ratios in accordance with Italian GAAP:

                       

Operating income/operating revenues (ROS) (%)

  18.1   17.9   16.0   19.3   22.0   23.0

Net debt/Net invested capital (debt ratio)(%)(8)

  54.5   53.9   59.3   61.8   61.8   59.8

Employees:

                       

Group’s employees (at period-end)

  120,973   113,475   116,020   106,620   93,187   91,365

Group’s employees (average number)

  131,266   123,994   113,974   107,079   95,804   88,892

Operating revenues/Group’s employees (average number) (thousands)

  229.4   228.8   280.9   293.3   322.0   351.4

Statistical Data:

Wireline:

                       

Subscriber fixed-lines in Italy (thousands)(9)

  27,153   27,153   27,353   27,142   26,596   25,957

ISDN equivalent lines in Italy (thousands)(10)

  4,584   4,584   5,403   5,756   6,027   5,805

Broadband Access in Italy and abroad (ADSL + XDSL)—(thousands)(11)

  —     —     390   850   2,200   4,430

Voice Offers in Italy—(thousands)(12)

  —     —     4,094   5,224   5,547   5,883

Network infrastructure in Italy:

                       

—access network in copper (millions of km—pair)

  104.0   104.0   104.3   104.3   105.2   105.2

—access network and transport in fiber optics (millions of km of fiber optics)

  3.1   3.1   3.2   3.6   3.6   3.7

Network infrastructure abroad:

                       

— European backbone (km of fiber optics)

  36,600   36,600   36,600   36,600   39,500   39,500

Mobile:

                       

TIM lines in Italy (thousands)(13)

  21,601   21,601   23,946   25,302   26,076   26,259

TIM group foreign lines (thousands)(14)

  7,637   7,637   10,923   13,809   18,438   27,563

TIM group lines total (Italy + foreign in thousands)(14)

  29,238   29,238   34,869   39,111   44,514   53,822

GSM penetration in Italy (% of population)

  99.6   99.6   99.7   99.8   99.8   99.8

Internet and Media:

                       

Page views Virgilio (millions)

  2,218   2,218   3,945   5,267   6,612   7,902

Active User ISP (thousands)

  1,656   1,656   1,804   2,227   2,514   3,346

La7 average audience share (%)

  2.0   2.0   2.0   1.8   2.2   2.4

La7 audience share (month of December) (%)

  1.9   1.9   1.8   2.1   2.2   2.6

(1) Beginning with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001, under Italian GAAP, Nortel Inversora and the controlled Telecom Argentina group (Nortel Inversora group), which in 2000 were consolidated proportionally, have been accounted for using the equity method. Prior to 2000 the Nortel Inversora group was accounted for using the equity method. Under U.S. GAAP, the Nortel Inversora group is accounted for using the equity method. These differences in accounting treatment for 2000 did not affect net income and shareholders’ equity but had an impact on other line items, such as operating revenues and operating expenses, as well as a number of balance sheet line items.
(2) The 2000 unaudited pro forma amounts give effect to the consolidation of the Nortel Inversora group using the equity method instead of the proportional consolidation method.

 

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(3) Beginning in 2003, Telecom Italia changed the manner in which it presents bond issuance expenses by including them under current assets (prepaid expenses). Previously, such costs were included in Intangible assets, net. Consequently, this change also impacted certain statement of operations items. As a result of this change, the previous periods have been reclassified and presented consistent with the 2003 presentation.
(4) Net loss per ordinary share (“Share”) in 2000 is calculated on the basis of 4,700,065,553 Shares outstanding, net of 214,628,828 Shares of treasury stock of which 2,697,500 Shares were held by Telecom Italia and 211,931,328 Shares were held by its subsidiary Olivetti International S.A..

 

Net loss per Share in 2001 is calculated on the basis of 8,569,072,736 Shares outstanding, net of 214,628,828 Shares of treasury stock held by Telecom Italia and by its subsidiary Olivetti International S.A..

 

Net loss per Share in 2002 is calculated on the basis of 8,630,610,804 Shares outstanding, net of 214,628,828 Shares of treasury stock.

 

Net income per Share in 2003 is calculated on the basis of 15,996,955,942 shares outstanding, of which 10,201,034,873 Shares and 5,795,921,069 Savings Shares; the 10,201,034,873 Shares outstanding are net of 101,208,867 Shares of treasury stock already held by Telecom Italia and its subsidiary Olivetti International S.A. (now Telecom Italia Finance S.A.) resulting from the redistribution of the share capital in connection with the Merger.

 

The significant changes in share capital compared with the end of 2002 were mainly due to the Merger of Old Telecom Italia into Olivetti, effective from August 4, 2003, which provided for an exchange ratio of 7 Olivetti ordinary shares, par value €1 each, for one ordinary share of Old Telecom Italia, par value €0.55 each, and 7 Olivetti savings shares, par value €1 each for one savings share of Old Telecom Italia, par value €0.55 each. The change in the number of issued shares in the year 2003 can be analyzed as follows:

 

    until August 4, 2003: (a) issuance of 11,361,740 ordinary shares of which 11,137,324 ordinary shares were issued on conversion of “Olivetti 1.5% 2001-2010 convertible bond with redemption premium”, 141,134 ordinary shares were issued on the exercise of “Olivetti 2001-2002 ordinary share warrants” and 83,282 ordinary shares were issued on the conversion of “Olivetti 1.5% 2001-2004 convertible bond with redemption premium”; (b) cancellation of 10,958,057 ordinary shares following the exercise of withdrawal rights of dissenting shareholders as permitted in accordance with the terms of the Merger; (c) cancellation of the remaining 8,845,643,315 ordinary shares (including 214,628,828 treasury shares), par value €1 each, to be replaced by new Shares;

 

    on and after August 4, 2003: (a) issuance of 10,287,061,839 new Shares, par value €0.55 each (including 101,208,867 treasury shares), and 5,795,921,069 new Savings Shares, par value €0.55 each, in substitution for the cancelled shares; (b) issuance of 15,181,901 new Shares, of which 11,009,743 shares were issued on the exercise of “ex Telecom Italia 1999 Stock Option Plan”, 4,028,290 shares were issued on the conversion of “Olivetti 1.5% 2001-2010 convertible bonds with redemption premium” and 143,868 shares were issued on the conversion of “Olivetti 1.5% 2001-2004 convertible bonds with redemption premium”.

 

Net income per Share in 2004 is calculated on the basis of 16,016,713,271 shares outstanding, of which 10,220,792,202 are Shares and 5,795,921,069 are Savings Shares; the 10,220,792,202 Shares outstanding are net of 101,208,867 Shares of treasury stock already held by Telecom Italia and its subsidiary Telecom Italia Finance S.A. resulting from the redistribution of the share capital in connection with the Merger.

 

For more details on changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, please see page F-6 of the Telecom Italia Annual Report, “Telecom Italia S.p.A. Statements of Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004” of our consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference.

 

The per share calculations take into account the requirement that holders of Savings Shares are entitled to an additional dividend equal to 2% of the par value of shares in addition to dividends paid on the Shares; until July 2000 the par value of ordinary, savings and preferred shares was Lire 1,000 per share. The Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Telecom Italia (formerly Olivetti S.p.A.) held on July 4, 2000 approved the

 

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conversion of 15,221,888 preferred shares and 78,629,488 savings shares, at par value, into an equal number of ordinary shares. Approval was also given during the same Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting to the free of charge share capital increase by utilizing unrestricted reserves, increasing the par value from Lire 1,000 to Lire 1,936.27 (corresponding to €1) of all the ordinary shares (both issued ordinary shares and shares that would have been issued in the future by implementing the resolutions previously passed with regard to conversion of bonds and the exercise of warrants), with the concurrent redenomination of share capital in Euro. Finally, following the Merger, effective from August 4, 2003, the Telecom Italia share capital consists of Shares and Savings Shares. Net income per Savings Share was €0.08 in 2003 and €0.05 in 2004.

 

(5) Telecom Italia’s dividend coupons for the year ended December 31, 2004, were clipped on April 18, 2005, and such dividends for the year ended December 31, 2004 were payable from April 21, 2005.
(6) In accordance with U.S. GAAP, Net income (loss) per Share has been calculated using the two class method, since Telecom Italia has both Shares and Savings Shares outstanding. Under this method, set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share”, Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share is increased to include any potential common shares and is adjusted for any changes to income that would result from the assumed conversion of those potential common shares. For the purpose of these calculations, the weighted average number of Shares was 3,424,694,178 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 4,054,375,543 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The weighted average number of Shares and Savings Shares was 6,620,513,494 and 2,414,967,112 for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 10,208,294,477 and 5,795,921,069 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The calculations take into account the requirement that holders of Savings Shares are entitled to an additional dividend equal to 2% of the par value of Savings Shares in addition to dividends paid on the Shares. The calculations also take into account that in 2001 and 2002 (after the redenomination of the share capital into Euro following the resolution taken by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on July 4, 2000) the par value of Shares was €1 per share, and that in 2003, after the Merger, the par value of Shares and Savings Shares was reduced to €0.55 per share. In addition, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, net income (loss) per Savings Share—Basic was €0.21 in 2003 and €0.10 in 2004.
(7) Shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP is calculated after elimination of minority interests. See Note 27 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference.
(8)

Net Financial Debt is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Although Net Financial Debt is a non-GAAP measure, it is widely used in Italy by financial institutions to assess liquidity and the adequacy of a company’s financial structure. Telecom Italia believes Net Financial Debt provides an accurate indicator of Telecom Italia’s ability to meet its financial obligations, represented by gross debt, from its available liquidity, represented by the other items shown in the reconciliation table. Net Financial Debt allows Telecom Italia to show investors the trend in our net financial condition over the periods presented. The limitation on the use of Net Financial Debt is that it effectively assumes that gross debt can be reduced by our cash and other liquid assets. In fact, it is unlikely that we would use all of our liquid assets to reduce our gross debt all at once, as such assets must also be available to pay employees, suppliers and taxes, and to meet other operating needs and capital expenditure requirements. Net Financial Debt and its ratio to total shareholders’ equity (including minority interests), or leverage, are used to evaluate our financial structure in terms of sufficiency and cost of capital, level of debt, debt rating and funding cost, and whether our financial structure is adequate to achieve our business and financial targets (which include our debt ratio, or net financial debt divided by net invested capital, the latter meaning net assets excluding Net Financial Debt). Telecom Italia management believes that Telecom Italia’s financial structure is sufficient to achieve our business and financial targets. We also monitor the Net Financial Debt and leverage or similar measures as reported by other telecommunications operators in Italy and abroad, and by other major listed companies in Italy, in order to assess our liquidity and financial structure relative to such companies. Telecom Italia management also monitors the trends in our Net Financial Debt and leverage in order to optimize the use of internally-generated funds versus funds from

 

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third parties. Net Financial Debt is reported in our Italian annual report to shareholders and is used in presentations to investors and analysts. Net Financial Debt is calculated as follows:

 

     As of December 31,

 
     2000

   

2000

pro forma

(Unaudited)


    2001

    2002

    2003

    2004

 
     (millions of Euro)  

Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt

   16,927     16,536     9,072     6,827     10,613     2,027  

Long-term debt

   27,485     25,950     37,747     33,804     30,852     36,817  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Gross debt

   44,412     42,486     46,819     40,631     41,465     38,844  

Cash and cash equivalents:

                                    

• Bank and postal accounts

   (2,763 )   (2,745 )   (3,626 )   (4,363 )   (4,870 )   (8,558 )

• Cash and valuables on hand

   (8 )   (7 )   (76 )   (7 )   (7 )   (4 )

• Receivables for securities held under reverse repurchase agreements

   (1 )   (1 )   (4 )   (56 )   (60 )   (2 )

Marketable securities(*)

   (2,909 )   (2,759 )   (3,616 )   (1,927 )   (2,719 )   (932 )

Financial accounts receivable (included under “Receivables” and “Other current assets”)

   (1,210 )   (1,210 )   (894 )   (995 )   (826 )   (382 )

Financial prepaid expense/deferred income, net and accrued financial income/expense, net (long-term)

   (328 )   (328 )   (705 )   (511 )   (307 )   (282 )

Financial prepaid expense/deferred income, net and accrued financial income/expense, net (short-term)

   331     292     464     627     670     841  
    

 

 

 

 

 

Net Financial Debt

   37,524     35,728     38,362     33,399     33,346     29,525  
    

 

 

 

 

 


(*) In 2000, 2001 and 2002 data include Old Telecom Italia shares held by Olivetti.

 

     Our gross debt and net financial debt has increased significantly as a result of the TIM Acquisition. See Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference for additional information about the TIM Acquisition.

 

(9) Data include multiple lines for ISDN and exclude internal lines.
(10) Data exclude internal lines.
(11) Number of contracts. Broadband access contracts in Italy as of December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 390,000, 850,000, 2,040,000 and 4,010,000, respectively.
(12) Number of contracts; data include Teleconomy, Hellò and other Business voice offers.
(13) Includes TACS, GSM and UMTS services, including Prepaid Customers and excludes the “silent” lines. The Italian market, which has a high penetration of prepaid cards, is characterized by certain customers acquiring multiple lines in order to take advantage of specific/time-limited commercial offers. Once these offers expire these customers tend not to continue the use of such lines which is facilitated by the prepaid nature of the arrangement. As a result, TIM excludes the silent lines in order to provide greater consistency between the number of lines managed by Telecom Italia and the development of the business.
(14) The foreign lines include those of mobile affiliate Avea I.H.A.S. (Aria- Is TIM for 2003) and those of T-Mobile CZ.

 

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Summary Selected Financial Information

 

International Financial Reporting Standards

 

The summary selected financial data set forth below are consolidated financial data of the Telecom Italia Group as follows:

 

    with respect to the statement of operations information, the unaudited financial data for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2005; and

 

    with respect to the balance sheet information, the unaudited financial data as of December 31, 2004 and June 30, 2005.

 

In the opinion of the management of Telecom Italia, the unaudited interim consolidated financial data of Telecom Italia reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of Telecom Italia’s consolidated results of operations for the unaudited interim periods. Results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, amounts presented in this section are prepared in accordance with IFRS. Until January 1, 2005, Telecom Italia prepared its consolidated financial statements and other interim financial information (including quarterly and semi-annual data) in accordance with Italian GAAP. From January 1, 2005, the Telecom Italia Group prepares its interim and annual consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. The accompanying IFRS financial data has been prepared in accordance with those EU GAAP effective, or issued and early adopted, at June 30, 2005. The EU GAAP that will be applicable at December 31, 2005, including those that will be applicable on an optional basis, are not known with certainty at the time of preparation of the accompanying financial data. As a result, the accounting policies used to prepare this financial data are subject to change up to the reporting date of Telecom Italia’s first IFRS financial statements.

 

The selected financial data below should be read in conjunction with Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Six Months

Ended June 30,


 
         2004    

        2005    

 
     (millions of Euro, except per
share amounts)
 
     (Unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data in accordance with IFRS:

            

Revenues(1)

   13,968     14,692  

Other income

   177     224  
    

 

Total revenues and operating income

   14,145     14,916  
    

 

Purchases of materials and external services

   (5,769 )   (6,116 )

Personnel costs

   (1,892 )   (1,919 )

Other operating expenses

   (548 )   (650 )

Changes in inventories

   113     77  

Capitalized internal construction costs

   304     211  

Depreciation and amortization

   (2,305 )   (2,520 )

Gains/losses on disposals of non-current assets(2)

   (6 )   (1 )

Impairment losses/reversals on non-current assets

   (286 )   (9 )
    

 

Total operating expenses

   (10,389 )   (10,927 )
    

 

              
    

 

Operating income(1)

   3,756     3,989  
    

 

Share of earnings of equity investments in associates accounted for by the equity method

   (18 )   (15 )

Financial income

   754     1,374  

Financial expenses

   (1,787 )   (2,236 )
    

 

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   2,705     3,112  

Income taxes for the period

   (1,311 )   (1,354 )
    

 

Net income from continuing operations

   1,394     1,758  

Net income from discontinued operations and assets held for sale

   24     421  
    

 

Net income for the period

   1,418     2,179  
    

 

Attributable to:

            

Parent Company

   979     1,775  

• Minority interests

   439     404  
    

 

Basic and Diluted earnings per ordinary share:(3)

            

•     Net income per ordinary share from continuing operations

   0.06     0.08  

•     Net income per ordinary share from discontinued operations

   —       0.02  
    

 

•     Net income per ordinary share

   0.06     0.10  
    

 

 

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As of

December 31,
2004


  

As of

June 30,

2005


     (millions of Euro, except ratio)
                 (Unaudited)            

Balance Sheet Data in accordance with IFRS:

         

Non-current assets:

         

Goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite life

   26,814    44,105

Intangible assets with a finite life

   6,456    6,598

Tangible assets

   18,009    18,352

Other non-current assets and deferred tax assets

   6,787    7,246
    
  

Total non-current assets

   58,066    76,301
    
  

Total current assets

   20,165    16,688

Total assets held for sale

   4,376    383
    
  

TOTAL ASSETS

   82,607    93,372
    
  

Shareholders’ equity:

         

Attributable to Parent Company

   16,251    24,128

Attributable to Minority interests

   4,592    1,656
    
  

Total shareholders’ equity

   20,843    25,784
    
  

Non-current liabilities:

         

Non-current financial liabilities (Long-term debt)

   38,229    42,037

Other non-current liabilities

   4,712    4,810
    
  

Total non-current liabilities

   42,941    46,847
    
  

Current liabilities:

         

Current financial liabilities (Short-term debt)

   4,336    8,725

Other current liabilities

   12,321    11,799
    
  

Total current liabilities

   16,657    20,524
    
  

Total liabilities relating to assets held for sale

   2,166    217
    
  

Total liabilities

   61,764    67,588
    
  

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

   82,607    93,372
    
  

Financial Ratio in accordance with IFRS:

         

Net financial debt/Net invested capital (debt ratio)(%)(4)

   61.2    63.1

 

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     As of June 30,

     2004

   2005

     (Unaudited)

Financial Ratio in accordance with IFRS:

         

Operating income/operating revenues (ROS)(%)

   26.9    27.2

Capital expenditures(1)

   1,892    2,181

Employees:

         

Employees (number in Group at period-end, excluding employees relating to the consolidated companies considered as discontinued operations or assets held for sale)(1)

   82,091    82,397

Employees (average number in Group at period-end, excluding employees relating to the consolidated companies considered as discontinued operations or assets held for sale)

   78,344    77,670

Operating revenues/Employees (average number in Group) (thousands of €)

   178.3    189.2

Statistical Data:

         

Wireline:

         

Subscriber fixed-lines in Italy (thousands)(5)

   26,264    25,615

ISDN equivalent lines in Italy (thousands)(6)

   5,941    5,673

Broadband Access (thousands)(7)

   3,273    5,568

Voice flat-rate plans (thousands)(8)

   5,704    6,190

Page views Virgilio (millions)

   3,833    4,565

Network infrastructure in Italy:

         

• access network in copper (millions of km—pair)

   105.2    105.2

• access network and transport in fiber optics (millions of km of fiber optics)

   3.6    3.7

Network infrastructure abroad:

         

• European backbone (km of fiber optics)

   39,500    39,500

Mobile:

         

TIM lines in Italy at period-end (thousands)(9)

   26,011    26,117

TIM group foreign lines at period-end (thousands)(10)

   11,189    18,207

TIM group lines total at period-end (Italy + foreign in thousands)(10)

   37,200    44,324

GSM penetration in Italy (% of population)

   99.8    99.8

E-TACS penetration in Italy (% of population)

   97.9    97.9

Media:

         

La7 average audience share (%)

   2.3    2.6

La7 audience share (month of June) (%)

   2.7    2.8

(1) As a result of the reorganization of the Telecom Italia Group, its disposals of certain assets, and the adoption of IFRS as of January 1, 2005, Telecom Italia reclassified its business units into the following four Business Units: Wireline, Mobile, Media and Olivetti

 

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The following table provides on a segmental basis the details of revenues, operating income, capital expenditures and number of employees at the period end.

 

   

Period


  Wireline
(a)(b)


  Mobile

 

Media

(a)


   

Olivetti

(c)


    Other
Activities
(b)(d)


    Elimi-
nations


    Consolidated
Total


    (millions of Euro, except number of employees)

Revenues

 

Six months ended June 30, 2005(e)

Six months ended June 30, 2004(e)(f)

  8,844
8,658
  6,248
5,651
  154
157
 
 
  223
298
 
 
  808
844
 
 
  (1,585
(1,640
)
)
  14,692
13,968
       
 
 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

Six months ended June 30, 2005(e)

Six months ended June 30, 2004(e)(f)

  2,528
2,506
  1,910
1,844
  (62
(35
)
)
  (6
12
)
 
  (408
(293
)
)
  27
(278
 
)
  3,989
3,756
       
 
 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

Six months ended June 30, 2005(e)

Six months ended June 30, 2004(e)(f)

  1,428
1,104
  609
609
  23
14
 
 
  8
8
 
 
  117
176
 
 
  (4
(19
)
)
  2,181
1,892
       
 
 

 

 

 

 

Number of employees

 

As of June 30, 2005(e)

As of June 30, 2004(e)(f)

  54,637
54,423
  19,013
17,473
  1,039
1,207
 
 
  1,809
2,289
 
 
  5,899
6,699
 
 
  —  
—  
 
 
  82,397
82,091
       
 
 

 

 

 

 

  (a) On June 1, 2005, Telecom Italia acquired all of Telecom Italia Media’s Internet activities (Tin.it and Matrix); as a result of this, the Internet activities are included in the Wireline Business Unit for all periods presented, while they have been considered as discontinued operations in the Media Business Unit.
  (b) The operating activity, IT Group, is no longer presented since it is now included in the Wireline Business Unit and in Other Activities following the merger of IT Telecom in Telecom Italia which took place at the end of 2004.
  (c) On April 5, 2005, Olivetti Tecnost S.p.A. changed its name to Olivetti S.p.A..
  (d) Other Activities are principally constituted by the functions and by the companies which provide centralized services to the Group (R&D, real estate, training, audit and financial services) as well as the Corporate Functions. Furthermore, Other Activities comprise the foreign activities not included in the Business Units (the consolidated subsidiary Entel Bolivia and the associates Telecom Argentina and Brasil Telecom).
  (e) All financial data exclude those relating to the consolidated companies considered as discontinued operations.
  (f) The data relating to the six months ended June 30, 2004 have been reclassified and presented consistent with the first half of 2005 presentation.

 

(2) Excluding gains/losses on disposals of assets classified as discontinued operations and equity investments in companies other than subsidiaries.
(3) In accordance with IAS 33 “Earnings per share”, basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the Telecom Italia Group’s net income available to shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, excluding treasury shares. For diluted earnings per ordinary share, the weighted average number of shares outstanding is adjusted assuming conversion of all dilutive potential shares. Potential shares are those securities that, if converted into shares, would increase the total number of shares outstanding and reduce the earnings attributable to each share. Potential shares include options, warrants and convertible securities. The Telecom Italia Group’s net income is also adjusted to reflect the impact of the conversion of potential shares net of the related tax effects.

 

Since Telecom Italia has both ordinary and savings shares outstanding, the calculations take also into account the requirement that holders of savings shares are entitled to an additional dividend equal to 2% of the par value of shares above dividends paid on the ordinary shares.

 

For the purpose of these calculations, the weighted average number of ordinary shares was 10,205,420,272 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 11,326,277,714 for the six months ended June 30, 2005.

 

In addition, net income per savings share—Basic and Diluted was €0.07 in the first six months of 2004 and €0.11 in the first six months of 2005.

 

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(4) Net Financial Debt is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Although Net Financial Debt is a non-GAAP measure, it is widely used in Italy by financial institutions to assess liquidity and the adequacy of a company’s financial structure. Telecom Italia believes Net Financial Debt provides an accurate indicator of Telecom Italia’s ability to meet its financial obligations, represented by gross debt, from its available liquidity, represented by the other items shown in the reconciliation table. Net Financial Debt allows Telecom Italia to show investors the trend in our net financial condition over the periods presented. The limitation on the use of Net Financial Debt is that it effectively assumes that gross debt can be reduced by our cash and other liquid assets. In fact, it is unlikely that we would use all of our liquid assets to reduce our gross debt all at once, as such assets must also be available to pay employees, suppliers, and taxes, and to meet other operating needs and capital expenditure requirements. Net Financial Debt and its ratio to total shareholders’ equity (including minority interests), or leverage, are used to evaluate our financial structure in terms of sufficiency and cost of capital, level of debt, debt rating and funding cost, and whether our financial structure is adequate to achieve our business plan and our financial targets (which include our debt ratio, or net financial debt divided by net invested capital, the latter meaning net assets excluding Net Financial Debt). Telecom Italia management believes that Telecom Italia’s financial structure is sufficient to achieve our business plan and financial targets. Telecom Italia management monitors the Net Financial Debt and leverage or similar measures as reported by other telecommunications operators in Italy and abroad, and by other major listed companies in Italy, in order to assess our liquidity and financial structure relative to such companies. We also monitor the trends in our Net Financial Debt and leverage in order to optimize the use of internally generated funds versus funds from third parties. Net Financial Debt is reported in our Italian annual report to shareholders and is used in presentations to investors and analysts. Net Financial Debt is calculated as follows:

 

     As of
December 31,
2004


  

As of

June 30,
2005


     (millions of Euro)
     (Unaudited)

GROSS FINANCIAL DEBT

         

Non-current financial liabilities (Long-term debt)

         

—Financial payables

   36,392    40,195

—Finance lease liabilities

   1,834    1,841

—Other financial liabilities

   3    1
    
  
     38,229    42,037
    
  

Current financial liabilities (Short-term debt)

         

—Financial payables

   4,107    8,491

—Finance lease liabilities

   224    229

—Other financial liabilities

   5    5
    
  
     4,336    8,725
    
  

Financial debt relating to discontinued operations / assets held for sale

   1,062    150
    
  

TOTAL GROSS FINANCIAL DEBT (A)

   43,627    50,912
    
  

FINANCIAL ASSETS

         

Non-current financial assets

         

—Securities other than equity investments

   7    6

—Financial receivables and other non-current financial assets

   438    671

Current financial assets

         

—Securities other than equity investments

   786    444

—Financial receivables and other current financial assets

   765    1,537

—Cash and cash equivalents

   8,401    4,106

Financial assets relating to discontinued operations / assets held for sale

   368    37
    
  

TOTAL FINANCIAL ASSETS (B)

   10,765    6,801
    
  

NET FINANCIAL DEBT (A-B)

   32,862    44,111
    
  

 

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(5) Data include multiple lines for ISDN and exclude internal lines.
(6) Data exclude internal lines.
(7) Number of contracts.
(8) Number of contracts; data include Teleconomy, Hellò and other Business voice offers.
(9) Includes TACS, GSM and UMTS services, including Prepaid Customers and excludes the “silent” lines. The Italian market, which has a high penetration of prepaid cards, is characterized by certain customers acquiring multiple lines in order to take advantage of specific/time-limited commercial offers. Once these offers expire these customers tend not to continue the use of such lines which is facilitated by the prepaid nature of the arrangement. As a result, TIM excludes the silent lines in order to provide greater consistency between the number of lines managed by Telecom Italia and the development of the business.
(10) Foreign lines exclude those of the consolidated companies considered as discontinued operations / assets held for the sale.

 

Recent Developments

 

Please refer to Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference, including, in particular, the information set forth in such report under the headings “Recent Developments” and “Disputes, Litigations and Legal Proceedings Pending”.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the notes will involve a degree of risk, including those risks which are described in this section. In addition to the other information contained and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should consider carefully the following factors before deciding to purchase the notes.

 

Risks Associated With Our Business

 

Strong competition in Italy may further reduce our core market share of domestic and international traffic and may cause further reductions in prices and margins.

 

Strong domestic competition exists in all of the principal telecommunications business areas in Italy in which we operate, including, most significantly, our fixed-line and mobile voice telecommunications businesses. This competition may increase further due to the consolidation and globalization of the telecommunications industry in Europe and elsewhere. Consolidation is increasing rapidly and competition is expected to rise at all levels in the future. In addition, the use of the single European currency and the liberalization of the Italian telecommunication market has further intensified competition by facilitating international operators’ entry into the Italian market and direct competition with our fixed line and mobile telephony businesses, particularly in the local and long-distance markets. As of December 31, 2004, there were a number of significant competitors offering fixed-line services and three other operators (besides the Telecom Italia businesses then operated as TIM) offering mobile services in the Italian domestic market; the third mobile competitor (H3G) entered the market in 2003, offering third generation commercial services. Although we stopped the decline in our market share of voice traffic in our fixed line business during 2003 and maintained our market share in 2004, continuing pressures on prices due to competition and further erosion in market shares could adversely affect our results of operations. Continuing changes to the regulatory regime, including carrier preselection, number portability and local loop unbundling as well as the implementation of new EU telecommunications directives and the continuing entry of strong, international operators in our markets are increasing competition for the services we provide, particularly in our fixed line business, which could also adversely affect our business.

 

Our business may be adversely affected and we may be unable to increase our revenues if we are unable to continue the introduction of new services to stimulate increased usage of our fixed and wireless networks.

 

In order to sustain growth in revenues despite increased competition and lower prices, particularly in our core Italian domestic market, our strategy has been to introduce new services in our fixed-line and wireless businesses to increase traffic on our networks and find alternative revenue sources, in addition to carrying voice traffic on our networks. These services include non-voice services such as ADSL, which provides services such as fast Internet, multimedia and video conferencing, data traffic and value-added services such as interactive mobile services that allow users to receive news or engage in simple banking transactions. Other revenue sources also include increased interconnection traffic from other operators using our fixed-line network. In addition to the introduction of new services in recent years, we continue to develop new products and services, such as new data services for business customers, broadband services, enhanced communication services and new equipment and voice packages, in order to attract and retain customers, particularly business customers, and to stimulate usage of our fixed and wireless telecommunications network. We are also investing in new infrastructure and technologies to enable us to introduce new products and services. These strategic initiatives have required and will continue to require substantial expenditures and commitment of human resources. Although these initiatives are core to our strategy, we may be unable to introduce commercially these new products and services, and even if we introduce them, there can be no assurance they will be successful.

 

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Our business will be adversely affected if we are unable to successfully implement our business plans, particularly in light of the Merger and the TIM Acquisition. Factors beyond our control may prevent us from successfully implementing our strategy.

 

Following the change in control of Old Telecom Italia in late 2001, we adopted our 2002-2004 Industrial Plan (the “Industrial Plan”) and established priorities for this three year period. The main objectives were to:

 

    strengthen competitive capabilities;

 

    improve cost efficiency; and

 

    strengthen the financial structure.

 

The most significant objectives of the Industrial Plan were achieved, particularly the sale of non-core assets and debt reduction. We also took steps to strengthen our competitive position in our core Italian domestic market through the introduction of new products and tariff packages and our focus on lowering costs through the reduction of operating expenses and capital expenditures.

 

In order to satisfy a series of business needs, prompted by the progressive convergence between fixed and mobile platforms, Telecom Italia decided to make the TIM Acquisition. The strategic and industrial objectives of the TIM Acquisition are to:

 

    simplify the chain of ownership of the Telecom Italia Group;

 

    unify management of the fixed and mobile businesses to improve business opportunities;

 

    realize significant synergies from the integrated management of fixed and mobile telecommunications in Italy and abroad; and

 

    optimize financial and cash flows within the Telecom Italia Group by managing our debt more efficiently, making better use of financial leverage and reducing our weighted average cost of capital.

 

In connection with the Merger and the TIM Acquisition, we confirmed the objectives and guidelines of the Industrial Plan and established certain targets for the 2005-2007 period, which include strict limits on capital expenditures and cost controls and instituting other actions to ensure the reduction of the debt level we have as a result of the Merger and the TIM Acquisition. See “—As a result of the Merger and the TIM Acquisition we remain highly leveraged”.

 

Factors beyond our control that could affect the further implementation and achievement of the strategic objectives of the TIM Acquisition and reaching our targets for the period 2005-2007 include:

 

    our ability to manage costs;

 

    our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled and qualified personnel;

 

    our ability to effectively integrate the Telecom Italia and TIM organizations;

 

    our ability to achieve the synergies anticipated from the TIM Acquisition;

 

    our ability to leverage on our core skills with particular focus on Latin America mobile and international broadband operations;

 

    difficulties in developing and introducing new technologies, managing innovation, providing value-added services and increasing usage of our networks;

 

    our ability to manage the fixed to mobile substitution trends;

 

    our ability to divest additional non-core businesses and the adequacy of the returns of such divestitures;

 

    the need to establish and maintain strategic relationships;

 

    declining prices for some of our services and increasing competition;

 

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    the effect of adverse economic trends on our principal markets;

 

    the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on our results of operations; and

 

    the success of new “disruptive” technologies that could cannibalize fixed and mobile revenues.

 

Regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment could adversely affect our business.

 

Our fixed and mobile telecommunications operations, as well as our broadband services businesses, are subject to significant extensive regulatory requirements in Italy and our international operations and investments are subject to regulation in their host countries. In Italy, we are the only operator subject to universal service obligations, which requires us to provide:

 

    fixed line public voice telecommunications services in non-profitable areas;

 

    subscriber information services at affordable prices; and

 

    public payphones.

 

In addition, the Italian regulator responsible in Italy for the regulation of the telecommunications, radio and television broadcasting sector (the “National Regulatory Authority”) has identified us as an operator having significant market power in all relevant markets. As a result, we are, and, if we continue to be identified as having significant market power in all relevant markets, will be, subject to a number of regulatory constraints, including:

 

    a requirement to conduct our business in a transparent and non-discriminatory fashion;

 

    a requirement to have our prices for fixed voice telephony services and Reference Interconnection Offer, the tariff charged to other operators to utilize our network, subject respectively to a price cap and a network cap mechanism. This cap mechanism places certain limits on our ability to change our prices for certain services; and

 

    a requirement to provide interconnection services, leased lines and access to the local loop to other operators at cost-oriented prices. These services include allowing other operators to connect to our network and transport traffic through the network as well as offering certain services related to our local access network, or local loop, on an unbundled basis to these other operators to enable these operators directly to access customers connected to the network by leasing the necessary components from us.

 

As a member of the EU, Italy is required to adapt its telecommunications regulatory framework to the legislative and regulatory framework established by the EU for the regulation of the European telecommunications market. The EU Commission approved a new electronic communications framework in March 2002 which has been effective in Italy since September 2003. Included within this new framework is the obligation on the part of the National Regulatory Authority to identify operators with “significant market power” based on a market analysis in eighteen separate retail and wholesale markets, in which it is considered necessary to intervene to protect free competition. The National Regulatory Authority is currently conducting its analysis. The new framework establishes criteria and procedures for identifying remedies applicable to operators with “significant market power”. The conclusion of this analysis and the implementation of these revised telecommunications regulations and possible future decisions relating thereto, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2005, may change the regulatory environment in a manner adverse to us, particularly as they relate to new services which may not currently be part of the eighteen identified markets. Please see “Item 4. Information on the Telecom Italia Group—Regulation” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference for more information on the regulatory requirements to which we are subject.

 

We are unable to predict the impact of any proposed or potential changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate both in Italy and internationally. Changes in laws, regulation or government policy could adversely affect our business and competitiveness. In particular, our ability to compete effectively in our existing or new markets could be adversely affected if regulators decide to expand the restrictions and obligations to

 

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which we are subject or extend them to new services and markets. In addition, changes in tax laws in countries in which we operate could adversely affect our results of operations. Finally, decisions by regulators regarding the granting, amendment or renewal of licenses, to us or to third parties, could adversely affect our future operations in Italy and in other countries where we operate.

 

We may not achieve the expected return on our significant investments and capital expenditures made in Latin America and in our other selected international investments due to the competitive environment in these markets.

 

In recent years we have repositioned our international strategy, sold significant non-core international assets, and elected to focus our international strategy on:

 

    consolidating our international presence in Latin America, Europe and the Mediterranean Basin;

 

    developing our international investments in high-growth market segments, such as wireless, data and internet (broadband);

 

    strengthening our role of strategic partner in existing investments by increasing the transfer of our technological expertise and marketing know-how; and

 

    rationalizing our existing international portfolio by divesting minority participations in non-strategic geographical markets.

 

As a result of this change in strategy, in the 2002-2003 period we divested certain of our most significant European assets such as BDT (Bouygues Decaux Telecom), Autel (Mobilkom Austria), Telekom Austria, 9Telecom group and Auna. Consistent with our strategy to focus our Latin American operations principally in Brazil, we recently disposed of Entel Chile (Chile) and TIM Perù and intend to sell our interests in Corporacion Digitel (Venezuela) and Entel Bolivia and we will continue to seek to divest certain international non-strategic assets. We also recently disposed of our stake in TIM Hellas, a Greek Mobile telecommunications operator. In addition, certain investments which were made during the 1999-2001 period declined significantly in value resulting in write-downs and asset impairments which materially adversely affected our results of operations in 2002, and to a lesser degree in 2003 and 2004. We will continue to target our international investments in Latin America, particularly mobile telecommunications in Brazil, European broadband and mobile telecommunications in selected markets. These investments will continue to require significant capital expenditures and there can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve a satisfactory return on our investments or that we will not suffer further losses and write-downs in markets where we have decided to focus our investments.

 

Continuing rapid changes in technologies could increase competition or require us to make substantial additional investments.

 

The telecommunications industry is in a period of rapid technological change. Many of the services we offer are technology-intensive and the development of new technologies may render such services non-competitive or reduce prices for such services. We make and will have to make substantial additional investments in new technologies to remain competitive. The new technologies we choose may not prove to be commercially successful. In addition, we may not receive the necessary licenses to provide services based on new technologies in Italy or abroad. Furthermore, our most significant competitors in the future may be new entrants to our markets who do not have the obligations to maintain an installed base of older equipment. As a result, we could lose customers, fail to attract new customers or incur substantial costs in order to maintain our customer base.

 

The value of our operations and investments may be adversely affected by political and economic developments in Italy or other countries.

 

Our business is dependent on general economic conditions in Italy, including levels of interest rates, inflation and taxes. A significant deterioration in these conditions could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We may also be adversely affected by political and economic developments in other countries

 

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where we have made significant investments in telecommunications operators. Some of these countries have political, economic and legal systems that are unpredictable. Political or economic upheaval or changes in laws or their application in these countries may harm the operations of the companies in which we have invested and impair the value of these investments. We have had investments in Turkey, Argentina and Brazil in recent years in which we have had to take significant write-downs in value due to political and economic developments in those countries. A significant additional risk of operating in emerging market countries is that foreign exchange restrictions could be established. This could effectively prevent us from receiving profits from, or from selling our investments in, these countries.

 

Fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates may adversely affect our results.

 

Because we have made substantial international investments, primarily in U.S. dollars, and have significantly expanded our operations outside the euro zone, particularly in Latin America, movements in the exchange rates of the euro against other currencies can adversely affect our revenues and operating results. A rise in the value of the euro relative to other currencies in certain countries in which we operate or have made investments will reduce the relative value of the revenues or assets of our operations in those countries and, therefore, may adversely affect our operating results or financial position. In addition, we have raised, and may raise in an increasing proportion in the future, financing in currencies other than the euro, principally the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, the value of those liabilities will be affected by fluctuations of the currencies of the countries in which we operate against the currency in which the financing is denominated. We generally enter into a number of forward currency transactions, swaps and options to manage foreign currency risk exposure with respect to our non-euro denominated liabilities. However, we can give no assurances that we will be successful in managing foreign currency risk exposure, taking into consideration that appropriate foreign currency swaps and options may not be available as needed on the relevant financial markets. In recent years reported results of our Latin American operations have been adversely affected by changes in local currencies against the euro. In particular, in 2004 the strengthening of the euro against the local currencies in Latin America adversely affected the revenues of our Mobile Business Unit by €150 million.

 

Under IFRS, our total gross financial debt as of June 30, 2005 was €50,912 million (€43,627 million at year end 2004). Such increase was mainly due to the Cash Tender Offer for TIM shares as part of the TIM Acquisition. In particular, on January 28, 2005 in connection with such Tender Offer, we borrowed an additional €11.3 billion under a €12 billion Term Loan Facility, granted by a pool of Italian and international banks (€0.7 billion of the Tranche A was partially cancelled at the time of drawdown). On February 11, 2005, the remaining €2.3 billion of Tranche A was repaid in advance and cancelled, leaving €9 billion outstanding under the Term Loan Facility. Before the re-financing and amendment of the Term Loan Facility occurred on August 1, 2005 (for further information please refer to “Recent Developments” included under Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference), interest on this debt was calculated by applying an average spread over Euribor of 0.55 basis points. As a result, our total interest payable will increase in 2005 compared to 2004 and our exposure of total debt subject to floating interest rates has increased as well.

 

We enter into derivative transactions to hedge our interest exposure and to diversify debt parameters in order to reduce debt cost and volatility within predefined target boundaries. However, we can give no assurance that fluctuations in interest rates will not adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We may not realize the benefits of our investment in our UMTS licenses and related capital expenditures.

 

We have acquired a third generation mobile telephone, or UMTS, license to commence operations of UMTS services in Italy. The Telecom Italia businesses then operating as TIM committed to pay €2,417 million for this license, with €2,066 million paid in December 2000 and three installments of €117 million paid in November 2001, November 2002 and December 2003. The size of the market for UMTS products and services is unknown and may fall short of the industry’s expectations. We cannot be certain that the demand for such services will justify the related costs. We have made investments, although required under our license, which may not be commercially desirable. In addition, there are a number of significant competitors in Italy offering these services including one competitor only offering third generation services, which entered the market prior to our third generation services being available.

 

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We have made significant investments, in accordance with the terms and conditions of our licenses, to create the infrastructure to offer UMTS services. The Telecom Italia businesses then operating as TIM commenced offering UMTS services in Italy in the second half of 2004 and it is not yet possible to assess the response of the market. Given the substantial costs of upgrading our existing networks to support UMTS and the uncertainty regarding the commercial adoption of UMTS, we may not be able to recoup our investment according to our estimates, if at all.

 

The mobile telecommunications market in Italy has matured and become saturated in recent years and growth has slowed significantly which means our revenues may not grow as rapidly as in the past.

 

In recent years, our consolidated revenues have grown or remained stable in large part because of the rapid growth in the mobile communications business which has offset flat or declining revenues in our Italian fixed line business. This growth has been driven largely by the rapid expansion of the mobile telecommunications market in Italy. However, as a result of this growth, the Italian market is approaching saturation levels, with penetration rates now around 109% (due to many subscribers having more than one line). The domestic market share of the Telecom Italia businesses which then operated as TIM declined in 2004 from approximately 46% in the past two years to 42% at the end of 2004. As a result, revenue growth is no longer driven by the rapid subscriber growth which TIM experienced in the 1998-2001 period. Offsetting this decline between growth in international markets, particularly Brazil, but these markets on the whole are not yet profitable.

 

Continued growth in the mobile telecommunications markets in which we operate will depend on a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. These factors include:

 

    the activities of our competitors, including consolidation, tariff reductions and handset subsidies;

 

    competitive pressures and regulations applicable to retail and wholesale prices;

 

    the development and introduction of new and alternative technologies for mobile telecommunications products and services and the attractiveness of these to customers;

 

    the success of new disruptive technologies;

 

    customer usage habits;

 

    general economic conditions; and

 

    health risks or safety concerns associated with mobile telephones and transmission equipment.

 

If the mobile telecommunications markets in which we operate do not continue to expand, or we are unable to retain our existing customers or stimulate increases in customer usage, our financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.

 

Devaluations of telecom assets and write-downs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

In recent years the market for telecom stocks and credit ratings of market participants, as well as our ongoing review and refinement of our business plan, resulted in substantial impairment write-downs of our assets (in particular goodwill) which materially adversely affected our results of operations in 2001 and 2002. Although the negative impact of write-downs in 2003 and 2004 was much lower than in 2001 and 2002, there can be no assurance that similar events in the future may not result in further substantial impairment write-downs from assets.

 

We may be adversely affected if we fail to successfully implement our Internet and broadband strategy in Italy and internationally.

 

The introduction of internet and broadband services are an important element of our growth strategy and means to increase the use of our networks in Italy and expand our operations outside of Italy, particularly in

 

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Europe. Our strategy is to replace the mature, traditional voice services with value added content and services to consumers and small and medium-sized companies. Our ability to successfully implement this strategy may be affected if:

 

    Internet usage in Italy grows more slowly than anticipated, for reasons such as changes in Internet users’ preferences;

 

    broadband penetration in Italy and other European countries does not grow as we expect;

 

    competition increases, for reasons such as the entry of new competitors, consolidation in the industry or technological developments introducing new platforms for Internet access and/or Internet distribution or other operators can provide broadband connections superior to that we can offer; and

 

    we experience any network interruptions or related problems with network infrastructure.

 

Outside of Italy our ability to implement this strategy will depend on whether we are able to acquire assets or networks or utilize networks of incumbent operators that will allow us to offer such services.

 

Any of the above factors may adversely affect the successful implementation of our strategy, our business and results of operations.

 

As a result of the Merger and the TIM Acquisition we remain highly leveraged.

 

Under IFRS, our gross financial debt was €50,912 million at June 30, 2005 compared with €43,627 million at December 31, 2004, and our total net financial debt was €44,111 million as of June 30, 2005 compared with €32,862 million at December 31, 2004. See “Selected Financial and Statistical Information—Note 3” included under Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference which reconciles our net financial debt to our gross financial debt.

 

As described above, the increases in gross and net financial debt were mainly due to the Cash Tender Offer for the TIM shares. We are targeting reducing our net financial debt through:

 

    significant cash flow generation by our core businesses, and

 

    net proceeds from disposals used to reduce outstanding debt.

 

There can be no assurance that factors beyond our control, including but not limited to deterioration in general economic conditions, will not significantly affect our ability to generate cash to reduce debt or to refinance existing debt through further borrowing.

 

System failures could result in reduced user traffic and reduced revenue and could harm our reputation.

 

Our technical infrastructure (including our network infrastructure for fixed-line and mobile telecommunication services) is vulnerable to damage or interruption from information and telecommunication technology failures, power loss, floods, windstorms, fires, terrorism, intentional wrongdoing, human error and similar events. Unanticipated problems at our facilities, system failures, hardware or software failures, computer viruses or hacker attacks could affect the quality of our services and cause service interruptions. Any of these occurrences could result in reduced user traffic and reduced revenue and could harm our reputation.

 

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Actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to mobile handsets or transmission masts could lead to litigation or decreased mobile communications usage.

 

Various reports have alleged that certain radio frequency emissions from wireless handsets and transmission equipment may be linked to various health concerns and may interfere with various electronic devices. We cannot rule out that exposure to electromagnetic fields or other emissions originating from wireless handsets will not be identified as a health risk in the future. Our mobile communications business may be harmed as a result of these alleged health risks. For example, the perception of these health risks could result in a lower number of customers, reduced usage per customer or potential consumer liability.

 

In addition, although Italian law already requires strict limits in relation to transmission equipment, these concerns may cause regulators to impose greater restrictions on the construction of base station towers or other infrastructure, which may hinder the completion of network build-outs and the commercial availability of new services.

 

In 2005 we are obliged to adopt IFRS which will impact our financial results and results of operations as they differ in significant respects from Italian GAAP.

 

Until 2004, we prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with Italian GAAP. In June 2002, the Council of Ministers and the Parliament of the EU adopted new regulations requiring all listed EU companies, including us, to apply IFRS (previously known as “International Accounting Standards” or “IAS”) in preparing their consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2005. Because our consolidated financial statements that are prepared in accordance with IFRS differ from our financial statements prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP, the methods used by the financial community to assess our financial performance and value our publicly-traded securities could be affected. Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Adoption of International Accounting Standards” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated by reference herein as well as Note 36 to Telecom Italia’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 “Impact of the application of IAS/IFRSincluded in Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference for a more complete description of the expected impact of IFRS reporting on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Risks associated with Telecom Italia’s ownership chain.

 

Although, as a result of the Merger, no shareholder controlled Telecom Italia, because of the “voto di lista” system for the election of directors, currently 15 out of 21 of our directors (of whom, however, 11 are considered independent) were elected from a slate of candidates proposed by Olimpia, which is currently the largest shareholder in Telecom Italia. As a result of a series of transactions entered into by Olimpia, by March 14, 2005 Olimpia held 21.4% of the Telecom Italia shares. Following the merger of TIM into Telecom Italia on June 30, 2005, Olimpia’s stake in Telecom Italia was diluted to approximately 18%. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—The Olimpia Shareholders’ Agreements” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference for more information.

 

In addition, Marco Tronchetti Provera and Carlo Orazio Buora, respectively Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Telecom Italia, are also, respectively, Chairman and Managing Director of Pirelli & C. S.p.A., which currently owns a 57.66% stake in Olimpia. Mr. Tronchetti Provera is Chairman of Olimpia, and Mr. Buora is a member of Olimpia’s board of directors. Please see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors—Biographical Data” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference for more information.

 

Although Olimpia does not and will not own a controlling interest in Telecom Italia voting shares, Olimpia retains significant power as a result of its proposal of a majority of the present Telecom Italia Board members who were elected in May 2004. As a result, Olimpia may be able to influence certain corporate actions and may exert a significant influence on all matters to be decided by a vote of shareholders. In principle, the interests of Olimpia in deciding these matters could be different from the interests of Telecom Italia’s other ordinary shareholders, and it is possible that certain decisions could be taken that may be influenced by the needs of Olimpia.

 

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Olimpia is in effect a holding company and the sole full operating company in which it holds shares is Telecom Italia. Therefore, if Olimpia were unable to obtain additional funding from new or existing shareholders or from other sources, Olimpia would be entirely dependent on dividends paid on its Telecom Italia shares for its funding needs, including to reimburse its existing debt. Under such circumstances, among the Telecom Italia corporate decisions that could be influenced by the needs of Olimpia would be the level of dividends payable by Telecom Italia to its shareholders.

 

Telecom Italia’s financial position is not directly related to Olimpia and—as such—Telecom Italia does not have any obligations with respect to such debt since they are separate legal entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, since certain rating agencies view Olimpia’s and Telecom Italia’s financial position together, such a view could affect our debt ratings, which may adversely affect Telecom Italia’s financial flexibility and its cost of capital.

 

Although no shareholder controls Telecom Italia and thus is in a position to prevent a takeover of Telecom Italia, the Italian State, through the Treasury, is in a position to exert certain powers with respect to Telecom Italia through the exercise of the special powers included in Telecom Italia’s Bylaws pursuant to compulsory legal provisions: specifically the so-called “Golden Share” still provides for the Italian State’s authority to approve or disapprove of the acquisition of material interests in our share capital (which is defined as 3% of the voting share capital). Currently, the exercise of special powers by the Italian State with respect to privatized companies (including Telecom Italia) is governed by ad hoc rules and the special powers themselves are undergoing further changes, but it is possible that the Italian State’s Golden Share could make a merger with or takeover of Telecom Italia more difficult or discourage certain bidders from making an offer. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions—Major Shareholders—Continuing Relationship with the Italian Treasury” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report incorporated herein by reference for more information.

 

Risks Associated with the Offering

 

Servicing our debt obligations requires a significant amount of cash, and our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.

 

Our ability to pay the principal of and interest on the notes, our credit facilities and other debt securities depends, among other things, upon our future financial performance and our ability to refinance indebtedness, if necessary. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our debt service obligations, and we may not be able to obtain funding sufficient to do so. If this occurs, we may need to reduce or delay capital expenditures or other business opportunities. In addition, we may need to refinance our debt, obtain additional financing or sell assets to raise cash, which we may not be able to do on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

 

A downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our ability to market securities, increase our borrowing costs and/or hurt our relationships with creditors.

 

Our credit ratings, which are intended to measure our ability to meet our debt obligations, are an important factor in determining our cost of borrowing funds. The interest rates of our borrowings are largely dependent on our credit ratings. Telecom Italia’s long-term rating is Baa2 with a stable outlook according to Moody’s, BBB+ with a stable outlook according to Standard & Poors and A- with a negative outlook according to Fitch. A downgrade of our credit ratings, resulting from our acquisition and divestiture activity or otherwise, would likely increase our cost of borrowing and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

A downgrade of our credit ratings could also limit our ability to raise capital or our subsidiaries’ ability to conduct their businesses. A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

 

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The notes will be effectively subordinated to our secured debt.

 

The notes will not be secured by any of our assets. Therefore, in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, holders of our secured debt will have claims with respect to the assets securing their debt that have priority over your claims as holders of the notes. To the extent that the value of the secured assets is insufficient to repay our secured debt, holders of the secured debt would be entitled to share in any of our remaining assets equally with you and any other senior unsecured lenders.

 

An active trading market for the notes may not develop or continue.

 

Although we expect the notes to be listed on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, TI Capital cannot assure you regarding the future development or continuance of a market for the notes or the ability of holders of the notes to sell their notes or the price at which such holders may be able to sell their notes. The notes could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than the offering price of the initial notes depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, Telecom Italia’s operating results and the market for similar securities. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the notes as permitted by applicable laws and regulations; however, the underwriters are not obligated to do so, and any such market-making activities with respect to the notes may be discontinued at any time. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of the Luxembourg or any other trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop, or if developed, will continue.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

Our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges calculated in accordance with Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP for each of our fiscal years ended December 31, 2000 through 2004 are as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,

     2000(1)

   2000 pro
forma(1)(2)
(Unaudited)


   2001(1)

   2002(1)

   2003(1)

   2004(1)

Italian GAAP

   2.76    2.87    0.58    0.21    2.55    3.39

U.S. GAAP

   —      —      0.68    2.16    3.03    3.63

 

Our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges calculated in accordance with IFRS (on an unaudited basis) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 was 3.38.


(1) Beginning with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001, under Italian GAAP, Nortel Inversora and the controlled Telecom Argentina group (Nortel Inversora group), which in 2000 were consolidated proportionally, have been accounted for using the equity method. Prior to 2000 the Nortel Inversora group was accounted for using the equity method. Under U.S. GAAP, the Nortel Inversora group is accounted for using the equity method. These differences in accounting treatment for 2000 did not affect net income and shareholders’ equity but had an impact on other line items, such as operating revenues and operating expenses, as well as a number of balance sheet line items.
(2) The 2000 unaudited pro forma amounts give effect to the consolidation of the Nortel Inversora group using the equity method instead of the proportional consolidation method.

 

For purposes of calculating the ratio of “earnings to fixed charges”:

 

    “earnings” is calculated by adding:

 

    pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries;

 

    “fixed charges” (as defined below);

 

    amortization of capitalized interest and issue debt discounts or premiums;

 

    dividends from equity investees; and

 

    equity in losses of equity investees;

 

and then subtracting:

 

    capitalized interest for the applicable period; and

 

    equity in earnings of equity investees.

 

    “fixed charges” is calculated by adding:

 

    interest costs (both expensed and capitalized);

 

    issue costs and any original issue debt discounts or premiums; and

 

    an estimate of the interest within rental expense for operating leases.

 

The term “equity investees” means investments that Telecom Italia accounts for using the equity method of accounting.

 

A ratio of less than one indicates that earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges. The amount by which fixed charges exceeded earnings for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 under Italian GAAP was €1,172 million and €2,037 million, respectively. The amount by which fixed charges exceeded earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001 under U.S. GAAP was €1,034 million.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

Telecom Italia Group

 

The following table provides as of June 30, 2005 the cash and cash equivalents, the current financial liabilities (short-term debt), the financial debt relating to discontinued operations/assets held for sale and the capitalization of the Telecom Italia Group in accordance with IFRS:

 

    on an actual basis as of June 30, 2005; and

 

    as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the notes offered hereby.

 

There are significant differences between IFRS and Italian GAAP. See “Item 5.5 Adoption of International Accounting Standards” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report for a discussion of the principal differences between Italian GAAP and IFRS. See also Note 36 to Telecom Italia’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 “Impact of the application of IAS/IFRS” included in Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

You should read the table below together with “Telecom Italia Group Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 compared to June 30, 2004” set forth in Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

     As of June 30, 2005

     Actual

   As
Adjusted


     (millions of Euro)
(Unaudited)

Cash and cash equivalents

   4,106     
    
  

Current financial liabilities (Short-term debt)

   8,725    8,725
    
  

Financial debt relating to discontinued operations / assets held for sale

   150    150
    
  

Non-current financial liabilities (Long-term debt):

         

Amounts due to banks

   10,156    10,156

Other financial debt

   1,002    1,002

Convertible and exchangeable notes

   463    463

Notes and bonds

   28,574    28,574

Notes offered hereby(1)

   —       

Finance lease liabilities

   1,841    1,841

Other financial liabilities

   1    1
    
  

Total non-current financial liabilities (a)

   42,037     
    
  

Shareholders’ equity:

         

Share capital(2)(3)

   10,667    10,667

Additional paid-in capital

   6,462    6,462

Reserves, retained earnings and profit for the period

   6,999    6,999
    
  

Total shareholders’ equity before minority interests

   24,128    24,128

Minority interests

   1,656    1,656
    
  

Total shareholders’ equity (b)

   25,784    25,784
    
  

Total capitalization (a + b)

   67,821     
    
  

(1) The U.S.$             aggregate principal amount of the notes offered hereby has been translated into Euro using the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate of Euro 1=U.S.$             in effect on             , 2005 as announced by the European Central Bank.
(2) As of June 30, 2005, Telecom Italia’s share capital (equal to €10,667,339,007.05) comprised:

 

    13,369,041,170 ordinary shares (par value of €0.55 each, corresponding to €7,352,972,643.50) subscribed, issued and existing; and

 

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    6,026,120,661 savings shares (par value of €0.55 each, corresponding to €3,314,366,363.55) subscribed, issued and existing.

 

(3) This amount includes €69,199,012.85 attributable to 125,816,387 ordinary shares of treasury stock.

 

Since June 30, 2005:

 

    on July 21, 2005, convertible notes 2002-2032 for €250 million with an annual coupon of 7.77% maturing on August 9, 2032 (originally issued by Olivetti Finance N.V. which was merged in Telecom Italia Finance S.A. on June 1, 2004) were cancelled, having being bought back by Telecom Italia Finance S.A. on June 22, 2005; and

 

    on August 1, 2005, a partial anticipated re-financing as well as the amendment of the Term Loan signed last December for the purpose of the cash tender offer for TIM shares were concluded. In particular, Tranche B of this loan, equal to €6 billion maturing January 2008, has been converted into a new revolving loan in the same amount and with a lengthening of its maturity to 2012, with more favorable conditions. Tranche C in the amount of €3 billion, maturing January 2010, has been changed only by reducing its margin from 0.70% to 0.275%, in order to reflect the new and more favorable conditions in the syndicated loan market.

 

Telecom Italia Capital

 

The following table provides as of June 30, 2005 the cash and cash equivalents, the short-term debt and the capitalization of TI Capital in accordance with IFRS:

 

    on an actual basis as of June 30, 2005; and

 

    as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the notes offered hereby.

 

     As of June 30, 2005

     Actual

   As Adjusted

    

(Unaudited)

(thousands of Euro)

Cash and cash equivalents

   5,559    5,559
    
  

Current financial liabilities (Short-term debt)

   121,709    121,709
    
  

Non-current financial liabilities (Long-term debt):

         

Amounts due to banks

   45,685    45,685

Other financial debt

   30,725    30,725

Notes and bonds

   6,273,644    6,273,644

Notes offered hereby(1)

   —       
    
  

Total non-current financial liabilities (a)

   6,350,054     
    
  

Shareholders’ equity:

         

Share capital, 100,000 shares, nominal value €23.36 per share

   2,336    2,336

Reserves, retained earnings and loss for the period

   10,905    10,905
    
  

Total shareholders’ equity (b)

   13,241    13,241
    
  

Total capitalization (a + b)

   6,363,295     
    
  

(1) The $             aggregate principal amount of the notes offered hereby has been translated into Euro using the Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate of Euro 1=$             in effect on             , 2005 as announced by the European Central Bank.

 

Except as disclosed in this prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference herein), there has not been any material change in the capitalization of the Telecom Italia Group since June 30, 2005 or of TI Capital since June 30, 2005.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the notes, after deducting the underwriting discount and expenses relating to the offering, will be approximately U.S.$            , which at the exchange rate on                     , 2005 of €1=U.S.$            , corresponds to approximately €            . These proceeds are intended to be used for loans to the Telecom Group companies for their general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing indebtedness.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES AND GUARANTEES

 

General

 

The following description of the notes being offered supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith supersedes, the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus. We refer you to that description set forth under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees.”

 

TI Capital will issue the notes under an indenture dated as of October 6, 2004 among TI Capital, Telecom Italia and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by a second supplemental indenture to be entered into among TI Capital, Telecom Italia and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee. Herein we refer to the indenture as supplemented by the second supplemental indenture as the “indenture”. The trustee has normal banking relationships with us.

 

Application will be made to list the notes on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that an active public market for the notes will develop. The absence of an active public trading market could have an adverse effect on the liquidity and value of the notes.

 

After the closing of this offering the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part may be used to offer up to the remaining $         billion of debt securities originally registered. We may from time to time, without giving notice to or seeking the consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as either series of the notes, except for the issue price and the issue date. Any additional notes having such similar terms, together with the notes of the applicable series offered hereby, will constitute a single series of senior guaranteed notes under the indenture.

 

Principal, Maturity and Interest

 

The notes will be issued in two series referred to herein as the          notes and the          notes. The          notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $         and the          notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $        . Each          note will mature on         ,          and each          note will mature on         ,         . The          notes and the          notes will bear interest at the respective rates per annum shown on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. Interest on the          notes and the          notes will accrue from the date of original issuance, or from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or provided for. We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on          and          of each year, commencing         , 2006 to holders of record at the close of business on the immediately preceding          and         , respectively.

 

Unless previously redeemed, see “—Redemption at TI Capital’s Option” and “—Optional Tax Redemption”, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of each series of notes will be payable on the applicable maturity date.

 

Interest will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30 day months. Interest on the notes will be paid by check mailed to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on the applicable record date or, at our option, by wire transfer to accounts maintained by such persons with a bank located in the United States. For so long as the notes are represented by global notes, we will make payments of interest by wire transfer to The Depository Trust Company (DTC) or its nominee, as the case may be, which will distribute payments to beneficial holders in accordance with its customary procedures.”

 

The notes are not entitled to any sinking fund. The provisions of the indenture described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Discharge and Defeasance” will apply to the notes.

 

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Payment of Additional Amounts

 

For more information on additional amounts and the situations in which TI Capital and Telecom Italia may be required to pay additional amounts, see “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Redemption at TI Capital’s Option

 

Beginning on         , 2007, the notes will be redeemable in whole or in part at TI Capital’s (or TI Capital successor’s) option at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

    100% of the principal amount of the applicable notes; or

 

    as determined by the quotation agent, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the adjusted treasury rate, plus          basis points for the          notes and          basis points for the          notes,

 

plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

 

The definitions of certain terms used in the paragraph above are listed below.

 

Adjusted treasury rate means, with respect to any redemption date:

 

    the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the comparable treasury issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the remaining life, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the comparable treasury issue will be determined and the treasury rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month); or

 

    if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the comparable treasury issue, calculated using a price for the comparable treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the comparable treasury price for such redemption date.

 

The treasury rate will be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the date fixed for redemption.

 

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are generally authorized or obligated by law, regulations or executive order to close.

 

Comparable treasury issue means the U.S. Treasury security selected by the quotation agent as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

 

Comparable treasury price means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of five reference treasury dealer quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest reference treasury dealer quotations, or (2) if the quotation agent obtains fewer than five such reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of all such quotations.

 

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Quotation agent means either J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or Lehman Brothers Inc., or such other agent as appointed by TI Capital or Telecom Italia, or, if these firms are unwilling or unable to select the comparable treasury issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by TI Capital or Telecom Italia.

 

Reference treasury dealer means:

 

    each of J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. or their respective affiliates which are primary U.S. Government securities dealers, or their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “primary treasury dealer”), TI Capital will substitute such reference treasury dealer with another primary treasury dealer; and

 

    any three primary treasury dealers selected by the quotation agent after consultation with TI Capital or Telecom Italia.

 

Reference treasury dealer quotations means with respect to each reference treasury dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the quotation agent, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable treasury issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the quotation agent by such reference treasury dealer at 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

 

Remaining scheduled payments means, with respect to each note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption; provided, however, that, if that redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to such notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to that redemption date.

 

If less than all of a series of notes is to be redeemed at any time, selection of notes for redemption will be made by the trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate; provided that notes with a principal amount of $2,000 will not be redeemed in part.

 

TI Capital will give DTC a notice of redemption at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date. If any notes are to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such notes will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note.

 

Unless TI Capital defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

Optional Tax Redemption

 

In the event of various tax law changes after the date of this prospectus supplement and other limited circumstances that require us to pay additional amounts, as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts”, we may call all, but not less than all, of the notes for redemption. This means we may repay them early. You have no right to require us to call the notes. We discuss our ability to redeem the notes in greater detail under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Optional Tax Redemption” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

 

The notes will be issued in the form of one or more global notes deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. See “Description of the Debt Securities and Guarantees—Book Entry System” and “Clearance and Settlement” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

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Same-Day Settlement and Payment

 

Settlement for the notes will be made by the underwriters in immediately available funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made in immediately available funds.

 

Trustee

 

See “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Regarding the Trustee” and “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the trustee’s procedures and remedies available in the event of default.

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

You understand that the notes will only be offered and sold to investors who are resident for income tax purposes in countries listed in the Decree of the Ministry of Finance of Italy of September 4, 1996, as amended. A copy of the decree can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Finance of Italy at www.finanze.it. You also understand that it is the intention of Telecom Italia that the notes will be held only by investors resident in countries identified in the above mentioned decree. If Telecom Italia becomes the obligor under the notes due to substitution or otherwise (see “—Mergers and Similar Events”) and Telecom Italia was obligated to withhold on any payments made on the notes, there would be no obligation to gross up such payments to investors resident in the countries identified in the above Decree (including investors resident in the United States) who do not furnish the required certifications under applicable Italian tax requirements. See “—Payment of Additional Amounts”.

 

The following is the current exclusive list of countries or territories where, if the notes were held by residents for income tax purposes of such countries or territories, and Telecom Italia were to become the obligor on the notes, Telecom Italia would have an obligation to gross up payments in the event of a withholding on any payments on the notes, subject to the limitations set forth under “—Payment of Additional Amounts”: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China (People’s Republic), Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia and Zambia.

 

You also understand the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy. Investors resident in Italy for tax purposes may suffer adverse tax consequences from holding the notes and in connection therewith there is no obligation for either TI Capital or Telecom Italia to gross up any payment on the notes made to Italian investors. See also “Notice to Investors in Italy”.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus between Telecom Italia, TI Capital and the underwriters named below, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite the name of such underwriter below.

 

     Principal amount

Underwriter


   · notes

   · notes

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   $                 $             

Lehman Brothers Inc.

             

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC

             

Goldman Sachs International

             

Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

             

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

             
    

  

Total

   $                 $             
    

  

 

The underwriters will initially offer to sell the notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may sell notes to securities dealers at a discount from the public offering price of up to     % of the principal amount of the          notes and     % of the principal amount of the          notes. These securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to other broker or dealers at a discount from the public offering price of up to     % of the principal amount of the          notes and     % of the principal amount of the          notes. If the underwriters cannot sell all the notes at the offering price, they may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

 

The obligations of the underwriters under the underwriting agreement, including their agreement to purchase notes from us, are several and not joint. In the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, to purchase all of the notes if any of the notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that, in certain circumstances, the underwriting commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

 

TI Capital and Telecom Italia have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

The underwriters are offering the notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to certain conditions contained in the underwriting, including the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions, being satisfied. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to investors and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Each series of the notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We will apply for the listing of the notes on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The underwriters have advised us that they presently intend to make a market in the notes after completion of this offering. However, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. A liquid or active public trading market for the notes may not develop. If an active trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected. If the notes are traded, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors.

 

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order

 

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to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

 

The underwriters and/or their affiliates have provided investment banking, commercial banking and/or financial advisory services to Telecom Italia or its affiliates in the past, for which they have received customary compensation and expense reimbursement, and may do so again in the future.

 

The underwriters expect to make offers and sales both inside and outside of the United States through their selling agents. Any offers and sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC. The underwriters are expected to make offers and sales in the United States through their respective selling agents in the United States.

 

Certain underwriters will make the notes available for distribution on the Internet through a proprietary website and/or a third-party system operated by Market Axess Corporation, an Internet-based communications technology provider. Market Axess Corporation is providing the system as a conduit for communication between such underwriters and their customers and is not a party to any transaction. Market Axess Corporation, a registered broker-dealer, will receive compensation from such underwriters based on transactions such underwriters conduct through the system. Such underwriters will market the notes available to their customers through the Internet distributions, whether made through a proprietary or third-party system, on the same terms as distributions made through other channels.

 

Delivery of the notes will be made against payment on                 , 2005. Trades of securities in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, referred to as T+3, unless the parties to a trade agree otherwise. Accordingly, by virtue of the fact that the initial delivery of the notes will not be made on a T+3 basis, investors who wish to trade the notes before a final settlement will be required to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

No underwriter is authorized to make any representation or use any information in connection with the issue, offering and sale of the notes other than as contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or incorporated by reference herein, or such other information relating to TI Capital, Telecom Italia and the notes which we have authorized to be used or is otherwise publicly available.

 

General. Other than in the United States, no action has been or will be taken by TI Capital (prior to the issue date), Telecom Italia or by or on behalf of any underwriter which would permit a public offering of any of the notes or distribution of a prospectus or offering material in any jurisdiction where there are requirements for such purpose to be complied with. Accordingly, notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in any jurisdiction other than the United States except under an exemption that would result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it will only offer, sell or deliver any notes or distribute copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the notes in the countries listed in the Decree of the Ministry of Finance of Italy of September 4, 1996, as amended. A copy of the decree can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Finance of Italy at www.finanze.it.

 

Each underwriter will to the best of its knowledge comply with all relevant laws, regulations and directives in each jurisdiction in which it offers, sells, or delivers notes or has in its possession or distributes this prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any other offering material.

 

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European Economic Area

 

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter represents and agrees that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State (provided that the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy):

 

    in (or in Germany, where the offer starts within) the period beginning on the date of publication of a prospectus in relation to those notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and ending on the date which is 12 months after the date of such publication;

 

    at any time to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

    at any time to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than EUR 43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than EUR 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or

 

    at any time in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

 

For the purposes of the foregoing, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

 

Italy. No application has been made to obtain an authorization from CONSOB for a public offering of the notes. Each underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, any notes in Italy or to investors resident in Italy and will not distribute copies of this prospectus or any other document relating to the notes in Italy.

 

United Kingdom. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

    it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any notes in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to TI Capital or Telecom Italia; and

 

    it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to such notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

Japan. The notes offered hereby have not been and will not be registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that the notes offered hereby which it purchases will be purchased by it as principal and that, in connection with the offering of the notes offered hereby, it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any notes in Japan or to, or for the account of, any resident thereof or to others for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account of, any resident thereof, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

 

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France. Each underwriter has represented and agreed that (i) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any notes to the public in France and (ii) it has not released, issued, distributed or caused to be released, issued or distributed and will not release, issue, distribute or cause to be released, issued or distributed in France this prospectus or any other offering material relating to the notes and has not used and will not use such material in connection with any offer for subscription or sale of the notes to the public in France. In France, such offers, sales, releases, issuances and distributions will have been and shall only be made to (a) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) and/or (b) a restricted circle of investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs), in each case investing for their own account, all as defined in and in accordance with Article L. 411-2 of the French Code monétaire et financier as amended by article 25 of law n° 2005-842 dated 26 July 2005 and décret no. 98-880 dated October 1, 1998.

 

Such notes may be resold only in compliance with Articles L. 411-1 Seq, L. 412-1 and L. 621-8 of the Code monétaire et financier as amended by law n° 2005-842 dated 26 July 2005. Investors in France and persons into whose possession offering material comes must inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions.

 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES

 

The validity of the notes in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered and other matters of Luxembourg law will be passed upon for TI Capital by Linklaters Loesch. The validity of the guarantees under Italian law relating to the notes offered through this prospectus and other matters of Italian law will be passed upon for Telecom Italia by Gianni, Origoni, Grippo & Partners. The enforceability of the notes and guarantees under New York law and certain matters of United States law relating to the notes and guarantees offered through this prospectus will be passed upon for Telecom Italia and TI Capital by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Certain matters of Italian tax law will be passed upon for Telecom Italia by Maisto e Associati Associazone Professionale. The underwriters are being represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, London, England, for matters of United States law, and by Chiomenti Studio Legale for matters of Italian law.

 

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

 

TELECOM ITALIA CAPITAL

 


 

Unconditionally Guaranteed By

 

TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.

 

$10,000,000,000

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may offer debt securities in various series from time to time. When we decide to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities in a prospectus supplement. The debt securities offered by this prospectus will have an aggregate public offering price of up to $10,000,000,000.

 

We may sell these debt securities directly or to or through underwriters or dealers, and also to other purchasers through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. We may not use this prospectus to sell debt securities unless it includes a prospectus supplement.

 


 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please refer to “ risk factors” as set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement for a description of the risks you should consider when evaluating an investment in debt securities offered herein.

 


 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

The date of this prospectus is August 30, 2005.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

   1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   2

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   3

RISK FACTORS

   4

ADOPTION OF IFRS

   4

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS

   4

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   5

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

   6

USE OF PROCEEDS

   8

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

   9

CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT

   22

CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS

   26

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   39

VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

   41

EXPERTS

   41

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This document is called a prospectus and is a part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, utilizing the “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $10,000,000,000.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the debt securities in the offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.

 

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the debt securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement can be read at the SEC’s website or at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”.

 

When acquiring any debt securities discussed in this prospectus, you should rely on the information provided in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference (see the discussion under the heading “Incorporation by Reference”). Neither we, nor any underwriters or agents, have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not offering the debt securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is prohibited. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or any document incorporated by reference, is truthful or complete at any date other than the date set forth on the cover page of these documents.

 

We may sell the debt securities to underwriters who will sell the debt securities to the public on terms fixed at the time of sale. In addition the debt securities may be sold by us directly or through dealers or agents designated from time to time. If we, directly or through agents, solicit offers to purchase the debt securities, we reserve the right to accept and, together with our agents, to reject, in whole or in part, any of those offers.

 

The prospectus supplement will contain the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, together with the terms of offering, the compensation of those underwriters, and the net proceeds to us. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the offering may be considered “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

In this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, references to the “Issuer” and “TI Capital” refer to Telecom Italia Capital. References to the “Guarantor” and “Telecom Italia” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. References to “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Telecom Italia Capital or, if the context so requires, also to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and, if the context so requires, its consolidated subsidiaries (including TI Capital). References to “Telecom Italia Group” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries (including TI Capital). References to “Old Telecom Italia” refer to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries as they existed immediately prior to August 4, 2003, the effective date of the merger (the “Merger”) between Olivetti S.p.A. (“Olivetti”) and Old Telecom Italia.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some of the information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

 

Telecom Italia

 

Telecom Italia is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to foreign private issuers and files annual reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document Telecom Italia files with the SEC at its public reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Since November 4, 2002, Telecom Italia has been required to file and furnish its documents to the SEC on EDGAR, the SEC’s electronic filing system. All such filings made since such date can be reviewed on EDGAR by going to the SEC’s website: http://www.sec.gov.

 

On completion of the Merger on August 4, 2003, Olivetti changed its name to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and succeeded to the Exchange Act information requirements of Old Telecom Italia. All annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K filed or furnished with the SEC prior to August 4, 2003, were so filed or furnished by Old Telecom Italia. As a foreign private issuer, Telecom Italia is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and Telecom Italia’s officers, directors and controlling shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

Telecom Italia’s ordinary share ADSs and savings share ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and you can inspect Telecom Italia’s reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York. For further information about Telecom Italia’s American Depositary Receipt arrangements, you may call JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., the depositary under Telecom Italia’s American Depositary Receipt arrangements in the United States, at +1 (781) 575-4328.

 

TI Capital

 

TI Capital is a directly and indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia, organized under the laws of Luxembourg. TI Capital does not, and will not, file separate reports with the SEC.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC in other documents, which means:

 

    incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;

 

    Telecom Italia can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents; and

 

    information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and information that Telecom Italia files with the SEC after the date of this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the information contained in a document that was filed later over differing information included in this prospectus or the prospectus supplement.

 

We are incorporating by reference the following documents:

 

    Telecom Italia’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004 (the “Telecom Italia Annual Report”) (File No. 001-13882) filed with the SEC on May 27, 2005; and

 

    Telecom Italia’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2005.

 

We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that Telecom Italia will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus until we file a post-effective amendment indicating that the offering of securities made by this prospectus has been terminated:

 

    reports filed under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

 

    any future reports filed on Form 6-K that indicate they are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

You may obtain a copy of any of the documents referred to above (including exhibits) at no cost by contacting Telecom Italia or TI Capital at the following respective addresses:

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Piazza degli Affari 2

20123 Milan

Italy

(+39-02-85951)

Attention: Alex Bolis

 

Telecom Italia Capital

287-289 route d’Arlon

L-1150

Luxembourg

(+352-4560601)

Attention: Adriano Trapletti

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should carefully consider the important factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement before investing in any securities that may be offered hereunder.

 

ADOPTION OF IFRS

 

Telecom Italia will adopt “International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Commission for use in the European Union” (“EU GAAP”) for the first time in its annual consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2005, which will include comparative financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. IFRS 1, First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, requires that an entity develop accounting policies based on the standards and related interpretations effective at the reporting date of its first annual IFRS financial statements (i.e., for Telecom Italia, December 31, 2005). IFRS 1 also requires that those policies be applied as of the date of transition to IFRS (i.e., for Telecom Italia, January 1, 2004) and throughout all periods presented in the first IFRS financial statements. The EU GAAP that will be applicable at December 31, 2005, including those that will be applicable on an optional basis, are not known with certainty at the present time. As a result, the accounting policies used to prepare interim and annual data are subject to change up to the reporting date of Telecom Italia’s first IFRS year-end financial statements. There are significant differences between IFRS and Italian GAAP. See “Item 5.5 Adoption of International Accounting Standards” in the Telecom Italia Annual Report for additional information on the Telecom Italia Group’s adoption of IFRS, including the principal differences between IFRS and Italian GAAP.

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS

 

Telecom Italia is a joint stock company (Società per Azioni) organized under the laws of the Republic of Italy, and TI Capital is a company with limited liability (société anonyme) for an unlimited duration, established under the laws of Luxembourg. None of the members of the Board of Directors of TI Capital and only two members of the Board of Directors of Telecom Italia are resident in the United States. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-U.S. residents and of TI Capital and Telecom Italia are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for you to effect service of process within the United States upon the non-U.S. resident directors or upon TI Capital or Telecom Italia or it may be difficult to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws against TI Capital or Telecom Italia in Luxembourg or Italy, as applicable. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may not be enforceable in Italy or in Luxembourg. Enforceability in Italy of final judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States is subject, among other things, to the absence of a conflicting judgment by an Italian court or of an action pending in Italy among the same parties arising from the same facts and circumstances and started before the U.S. proceedings, and to the Italian courts’ determination that the U.S. courts had jurisdiction, that process was appropriately served on the defendant(s), and that enforcement would not violate Italian public policy. In general, the enforceability in Italy of final judgments of U.S. courts would not require retrial in Italy, subject to the decision of the competent court of appeal ascertaining the existence, inter alia, of the above mentioned requirements and subject to challenge by the other party. In original actions brought before Italian courts, there is substantial doubt as to the enforceability of liabilities based on the U.S. federal securities laws. The United States and Luxembourg do not currently have a treaty providing for recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters. As a result, a civil judgment by a U.S. court is enforceable in Luxembourg subject to applicable exequatur proceedings.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus and any related prospectus supplement or incorporated document may contain certain forward-looking statements, which reflect Telecom Italia’s management’s current views with respect to certain future events and financial performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements:

 

    the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market, including competition from global and regional alliances formed by other telecommunications operators in our core Italian domestic fixed-line and wireless markets;

 

    the ability of Telecom Italia to introduce new services to stimulate increased usage of our fixed and wireless networks to offset declines in the traditional fixed-line voice business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required price reductions, market share loss, pricing pressures generally and shifts in usage patterns;

 

    the level of demand for telecommunications services, particularly wireless telecommunications services in the maturing Italian market and for new higher value added products and services such as broadband;

 

    the ability of Telecom Italia to achieve cost-reduction targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of rationalizing its non-core assets;

 

    the success of Telecom Italia’s loyalty and retention programs, particularly in the fixed line business, and the impact of such programs on its revenues;

 

    the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment, including implementation of recently-adopted EU directives in Italy;

 

    the impact and consequences of the Merger and the acquisition of the shares of Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A. not previously owned by Telecom Italia;

 

    the impact of the slowdown in Latin American economies and the slow recovery of economies generally on the international business of Telecom Italia and on Telecom Italia’s foreign investments and capital expenditures;

 

    the continuing impact of rapid or “disruptive” changes in technologies;

 

    the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which Telecom Italia operates;

 

    the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully implement its strategy over the 2005-2007 period;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully achieve its debt reduction targets;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully roll out its UMTS networks and services and to realize the benefits of its investment in UMTS licenses and related capital expenditures;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to successfully implement its internet and broadband strategy both in Italy and abroad;

 

    Telecom Italia’s ability to achieve the expected return on the significant investments and capital expenditures it has made and continues to make in Latin America;

 

    the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for the Telecom Italia Group’s licenses, goodwill or other assets; and

 

    the impact of litigation or decreased mobile communications usage arising from actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to mobile handsets or transmission masts.

 

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Telecom Italia will achieve its projected results.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information about Telecom Italia and TI Capital and provides a brief overview of the material terms of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. For more information regarding the Telecom Italia Group and for a more complete understanding of the terms of a particular issuance of offered securities, and before making your investment decision, you should carefully read:

 

    this prospectus, which explains the general terms of the debt securities that we may offer;

 

    the accompanying prospectus supplement for such issuance, which explains the specific terms of the debt securities being offered and which may update or change information in this prospectus; and

 

    the documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” for information about us, including our consolidated financial statements.

 

Description of the Companies

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A.

 

Telecom Italia S.p.A. is incorporated as a joint stock company (Società per Azioni) under the laws of Italy. The duration of the company extends until December 31, 2100. The registered office and principal executive offices of Telecom Italia are at Piazza degli Affari 2, 20123 Milan, Italy. The telephone number is +39-02-85951.

 

The Telecom Italia Group is a leader in the international information and communication technology sector. As leaders in wireline and mobile communications, Internet, media, information technology and R&D, its companies provide integrated and innovative services in Italy and certain countries outside of Italy. Moreover, the Telecom Italia Group also supplies office products and solutions, commercial systems and information technology for gaming and lotteries.

 

In its domestic Italian market, the Telecom Italia Group is both a technological and market leader in the fastest-growing segments (mobile, broadband and data transmission). The Telecom Italia Group’s international operations are concentrated mainly in Latin America, Europe and the Mediterranean basin.

 

In particular, the Telecom Italia Group, through its subsidiary, Tim Italia S.p.A., the company which resulted from the spin-off of the domestic mobile activities of Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A., is one of the three mobile operators licensed to provide services using GSM 900 technology and one of the three operators licensed to provide services using GSM 1800 (formerly DCS 1800) technology. It is also one of five operators (of which four are in operation) holding a UMTS license to provide third-generation telephony services in Italy.

 

Telecom Italia Capital

 

TI Capital is a limited liability company (société anonyme) organized under the laws of Luxembourg, incorporated on September 27, 2000 and is a directly and indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia. TI Capital is registered with the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés of Luxembourg under B-77.970.

 

TI Capital’s primary purpose is to provide access to the international financial markets for the Telecom Italia Group.

 

TI Capital’s registered office and postal address is 287-289 route d’Arlon, L-1150, Luxembourg and its telephone number is + 352-456060-1.

 

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Debt Securities

 

TI Capital may use this prospectus to offer up to $10,000,000,000 of debt securities.

 

Debt securities may bear interest at a fixed or a floating rate based upon one or more indices.

 

For any particular debt securities we offer, the prospectus supplement will describe the specific designation; the aggregate principal or face amount and the purchase price; the stated maturity; the conversion terms, if any; the redemption terms, if any; the rate or manner of calculating the rate and the payment dates for interest, if any; the amount or manner of calculating the amount payable at maturity and whether that amount may be paid by delivering cash, securities or other property; any specific covenants applicable to the particular debt securities; and any other specific terms. The prospectus supplement may also describe certain risks associated with an investment in those securities. Terms used in the prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified. Debt securities offered and sold by TI Capital will be unconditionally guaranteed by Telecom Italia.

 

The debt securities will be issued by TI Capital under an indenture between Telecom Italia, TI Capital and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee. For a more detailed description of the features of the debt securities and related guarantees, see “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” below. You are also encouraged to read the indenture, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and is incorporated by reference therein from our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-125900-01) which was filed with the SEC on June 17, 2005. You can obtain copies of the indenture by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Listing

 

We intend to apply for each series of debt securities offered hereby to be listed on a recognized securities exchange. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the recognized securities exchange on which a particular series of debt securities will be listed.

 

Plan of Distribution

 

We may sell the offered securities in any of the following ways:

 

    to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

    by ourselves directly;

 

    through agents; or

 

    through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities will explain the ways we will sell specific securities, including the names of any underwriters and details of the pricing of the securities, as well as the commissions, concessions or discounts we are granting any underwriters, dealers or agents.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the net proceeds received by TI Capital from the sale of securities offered through this prospectus will be used for loans to the Telecom Italia Group companies for their general corporate purposes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

 

General

 

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be senior debt issued by TI Capital and guaranteed by Telecom Italia. TI Capital will issue the debt securities under an indenture, as supplemented from time to time. The indenture is a contract entered into among TI Capital, as Issuer, Telecom Italia, as Guarantor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “trustee”). We have filed the indenture with the SEC as exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and is incorporated by reference therein from our Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-125900-01) which was filed with the SEC on June 17, 2005. Copies of the indenture can be obtained by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find More Information”.

 

The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms disclosed for a particular issuance in an accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the more detailed provisions of the indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also read the particular terms of a series of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the indenture are referred to, such sections or defined terms are incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and the statement in this prospectus is qualified by that reference.

 

The indenture provides that debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as we authorize from time to time. We also have the right to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities by issuing additional debt securities of such series.

 

We may issue the debt securities as original issue discount securities, which are debt securities that are offered and sold at a substantial discount to their stated principal amount.

 

The debt securities will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The provisions of Articles 86 to 94-8 of the Luxembourg law on commercial companies of August 10, 1915, as amended, are excluded and will not be applicable. In connection with any legal action or proceeding relating to the debt securities, TI Capital has agreed to submit to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any Federal or State court in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York.

 

Information in the Prospectus Supplement

 

The prospectus supplement for any offered series of debt securities will describe the following terms, as applicable:

 

    the title or designation;

 

    the aggregate principal amount offered and authorized denominations;

 

    the initial public offering price;

 

    the maturity date or dates;

 

    any sinking fund or other provision for payment of the debt securities prior to their stated maturity;

 

    whether the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities or floating rate debt securities or original issue discount debt securities;

 

    if the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities, the yearly rate at which the debt security will bear interest, if any;

 

    if the debt securities are floating rate debt securities, the method of calculating the interest rate;

 

    if the debt securities are original issue discount debt securities, their yield to maturity;

 

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    the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or how such date or dates will be determined, and the interest payment dates and any related record dates;

 

    any provisions for the payment of additional amounts for taxes;

 

    the denominations in which the securities will be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples $1,000;

 

    whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be convertible or exchangeable;

 

    the terms and conditions on which the debt securities may be redeemed at our option;

 

    any obligation of TI Capital or Telecom Italia to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities at the option of a holder upon the happening of any event and the terms and conditions of redemption, purchase or repayment;

 

    the names and duties of any co-indenture trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, calculation agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities;

 

    any material provisions of the applicable indenture described in this prospectus that do not apply to the debt securities;

 

    the place where we will pay principal and interest;

 

    additional provisions, if any, relating to the defeasance of the debt securities;

 

    any United States federal or other income tax consequences, if material;

 

    the dates on which premium, if any, will be paid;

 

    our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of this deferral period;

 

    the securities exchange on which the debt securities will be listed; and

 

    any other specific terms of the debt securities.

 

We will issue the debt securities only in registered form. As currently anticipated, debt securities of a series will trade in book-entry form, and global securities will be issued in physical (paper) form, as described below under “—Book-Entry System” and “—Definitive Debt Securities”.

 

Guarantees

 

Telecom Italia will fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities issued by TI Capital, including any additional amounts which may be payable by TI Capital in respect of the debt securities, as described under “—Payment of Additional Amounts”. Telecom Italia will guarantee the payment of such amounts when such amounts become due and payable, whether at the stated maturity of the debt securities, by declaration or acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

The guarantees of Telecom Italia for the debt securities issued by TI Capital will be unsecured obligations of Telecom Italia and each will rank equally in right of payment with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Telecom Italia. Telecom Italia has provided a restriction on liens for the benefit of the debt securities as provided under “—Restrictive Covenants—Restrictions on Liens”. In connection with other debt issuances (including debt issued by Olivetti), Telecom Italia has provided different restrictions on liens that in some cases could be viewed as more restrictive. Consequently it is possible that, under certain limited circumstances, other debt of Telecom Italia could be secured when the debt securities offered hereby are not secured.

 

The guarantees will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. In connection with any legal action or proceeding relating to the guarantees, Telecom Italia has agreed to submit to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any Federal or State court in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York.

 

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Book-Entry System

 

Upon issuance, each series of debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities (each a “Global Security”). Each Global Security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Except under the circumstances described below, Global Securities will not be exchangeable at the option of the holder for certificated debt securities and Global Securities will not otherwise be issuable in definitive form.

 

Upon issuance of the Global Securities, DTC will credit the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the Global Securities to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee (“participants”), including Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”). Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to participants’ interests) or by participants or persons that hold through participants. Such beneficial interest will be in minimum denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.

 

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered owner or holder of the Global Securities, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Global Securities for all purposes under the indenture.

 

Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Securities:

 

    will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by the Global Securities registered in their names;

 

    will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form registered in their names; and

 

    will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture.

 

Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the Global Securities must rely on the procedures of DTC, and indirectly Euroclear and Clearstream, and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

 

Principal and interest payments on Global Securities registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner or holder of the Global Security. None of TI Capital, Telecom Italia, the trustee, or any paying agent for such Global Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in Global Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

 

TI Capital expects that DTC, upon receipt of any payments of principal or interest in respect of the Global Securities, will credit the accounts of the related participants (including Euroclear and Clearstream), with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the Global Securities as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Global Securities held through such participants will be the responsibility of the participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”.

 

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive form in accordance with the terms of the indenture, a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC.

 

Beneficial interests in the Global Securities will trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and secondary market trading activity in such interests will, therefore, settle in same-day funds.

 

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Definitive Debt Securities

 

Global Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive debt securities registered in the names of persons other than DTC or its nominee for such Global Securities only if:

 

    DTC has notified TI Capital and Telecom Italia that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary;

 

    DTC has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; or

 

    there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default (as defined in the indenture) with respect to the debt securities.

 

Any Global Security that is exchangeable for definitive debt securities pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for debt securities issuable in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and registered in such names as DTC shall direct. Subject to the foregoing, a Global Security shall not be exchangeable, except for a Global Security of like denomination to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Bearer debt securities will not be issued.

 

In the remainder of this description “you” means direct holders and not street name or other indirect holders of debt securities.

 

 

Additional Mechanics

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

TI Capital will pay interest, principal and any other money due on the debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee in New York City. That office is currently located at 4 New York Plaza, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10004. If you ever hold definitive debt securities you will make arrangements to have your payments picked up at or wired from that office or such other paying agency as we may establish. We may also arrange for additional payment officers and may cancel or change these officers, including our use of the trustee’s corporate trust officer. These offices are called paying agents. TI Capital may also choose to act as its own paying agent. TI Capital must notify you of changes in the paying agents for the debt securities.

 

Holders buying and selling debt securities in registered form must work out between them how to compensate for the fact that TI Capital will pay all the interest for an interest period to the one who is the registered holder on the regular record date. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to pro rate interest fairly between buyer and seller. This pro rated interest amount is called accrued interest.

 

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments.

 

 

Notices

 

TI Capital and the trustee will send notices only to direct holders, using their addresses as listed in the trustee’s records. Such notices will be mailed to holders of registered securities.

 

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money that TI Capital pays to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of five years after the amount is due to direct holders will be repaid to TI Capital. After that five-year period, you may look only to TI Capital, or its successor, for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

 

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Mergers and Similar Events

 

Each of TI Capital and Telecom Italia is generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another company or firm. Each of TI Capital and Telecom Italia is also permitted to sell or lease substantially all of its assets to another company or to buy or lease substantially all of the assets of another company. In addition, Telecom Italia or one of its Italian subsidiaries will generally be permitted to assume the obligations of TI Capital (or any successor) under the debt securities for the payment of the principal of and interest on the debt securities and any other payments on the debt securities. Upon assuming the obligations of TI Capital, Telecom Italia or any such subsidiary may exercise every right and power of TI Capital under the indenture. However, neither TI Capital nor Telecom Italia may consolidate or merge with, or sell or lease all or substantially all of its assets to, another company or firm, nor may Telecom Italia or one of its Italian subsidiaries assume the obligations of TI Capital under the debt securities, unless all of the following conditions are met:

 

    Where TI Capital or Telecom Italia merges out of existence or sells or leases all or substantially all of its assets, the acquiring or resulting company must assume its obligations, including, in the case of Telecom Italia, the obligations arising from Telecom Italia’s guarantee of the debt securities either by law or contractual arrangements. The acquiring or resulting company’s assumption of these obligations must include the obligation to pay the additional amounts described under “—Payment of Additional Amounts”. If the acquiring or resulting company is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, it must indemnify each holder of the debt securities against any governmental charge or other cost resulting from the transaction.

 

    TI Capital, Telecom Italia, or Telecom Italia’s Italian subsidiary, as the case may be, must provide the trustee with an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel as to compliance with the merger or assumption, as the case may be, provisions of the indenture; provided that if TI Capital consolidates or merges with, or sells or leases all or substantially all of its assets to, an Italian company, or Telecom Italia or one of its Italian subsidiaries assumes TI Capital’s obligations under the debt securities, TI Capital, or Telecom Italia or its Italian subsidiary, as the case may be, is required to deliver the additional opinions of counsel described below.

 

    The merger or sale or lease of all or substantially all of TI Capital or Telecom Italia’s assets, or the assumption of the obligations of TI Capital under the debt securities, must not cause a default on the debt securities, and Telecom Italia and TI Capital must not already be in default. For purposes of this no-default test, a default would include an event of default that has occurred and not been cured, as described under “—Events of Default”. A default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an event of default if the requirement for giving Telecom Italia or TI Capital default notice or their default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.

 

Telecom Italia or one of its Italian subsidiaries may only become the obligor under the debt securities by assumption or merger, and any other Italian company may only become the obligor under the debt securities by merger, if TI Capital (or any successor) delivers to the trustee a legal opinion, reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, of nationally recognized external Italian and U.S. law firms to the effect that the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, are not in conflict with mandatory provisions of Italian law applicable to holders of debt securities of Italian companies.

 

It is possible that an assumption, merger or other similar transaction may cause the holders of the debt securities to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as though they had exchanged the debt securities for new debt securities. This could result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and possibly other adverse tax consequences.

 

Modification and Waiver

 

There are three types of changes TI Capital, or its successors, can make to the indenture and the debt securities.

 

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Changes Requiring Your Approval

 

First, there are changes that cannot be made to the debt securities without the specific approval of each holder of debt securities of that series. The following is the list of those changes:

 

    change the stated maturity of the principal on a series of the debt securities;

 

    change the interest on a series of the debt securities;

 

    reduce the principal amount due on a series of the debt securities;

 

    change any obligation of TI Capital to pay additional amounts described under “—Payment of Additional Amounts”;

 

    reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of a series of debt securities following a default;

 

    change the place of payment of a series of debt securities;

 

    impair your right to sue for payment;

 

    reduce the percentage of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of a series of debt securities whose holder’s consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

    reduce the percentage of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of a series of debt securities whose holder’s consent is needed to waive compliance with various provisions of the indenture or to waive various defaults;

 

    modify any other aspect of the provisions dealing with modification and waiver of the indenture; and

 

    change the obligations of Telecom Italia as Guarantor with respect to payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest payments in any manner adverse to the interests of the holders of the series of debt securities.

 

Changes Requiring a Majority Vote

 

The second type of change to the indenture and the debt securities is the kind that requires a vote in favor by holders of debt securities owning a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the particular series affected. Most changes fall into this category, except for clarifying changes and other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities in any material respect. The same vote would be required for TI Capital to obtain a waiver of all or part of the covenants described in this section, or a waiver of a past default. However, TI Capital cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or any other aspect of the indenture or the debt securities listed in the first category described under “—Changes Requiring Your Approval” unless TI Capital obtains your individual consent to the waiver.

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval

 

The third type of change does not require any vote by holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications and other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the debt securities in any material respect.

 

Further Details Concerning Voting

 

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if TI Capital has deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described under “—Discharge and Defeasance”.

 

TI Capital will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. In limited

 

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circumstances, the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If TI Capital or the trustee set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of a particular series of the debt securities, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of that series on the record date and must be taken within 180 days following the record date or another period that TI Capital may specify (or as the trustee may specify if it set the record date). TI Capital or the trustee, as the case may be, may shorten or lengthen (but not beyond 180 days) this period from time to time.

 

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if TI Capital seeks to change the terms of the indenture or request a waiver.

 

 

Redemption at TI Capital’s Option

 

If the debt securities of a particular series are redeemable at TI Capital’s option, then the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series of debt securities will describe the terms and conditions of such redemption.

 

Optional Tax Redemption

 

In addition to any option to redeem the debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement as referred to above under “—Redemption at TI Capital’s Option,” TI Capital will have the option to redeem the debt securities in the two situations described below. The redemption price for the debt securities will be equal to the principal amount of the debt securities being redeemed plus accrued interest and any additional amounts due on the date fixed for redemption. Furthermore, TI Capital must give holders of the debt securities between 30 and 60 days’ notice before redeeming the debt securities.

 

    The first situation is where, as a result of a change in, execution of or amendment to any laws, regulations or treaties or the official application or interpretation of any laws, regulations or treaties, either:

 

    TI Capital (or its successor) or Telecom Italia (or its successor) would be required to pay additional amounts as described below under “—Payments of Additional Amounts”, or

 

    Telecom Italia (or its successor) or any of its subsidiaries would have to deduct or withhold tax on any payment to TI Capital (or its successor) to enable TI Capital (or its successor) to make a payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities.

 

This applies only in the case of changes, executions, amendments, applications or interpretations that occur on or after the date of the issuance of the securities and in the jurisdiction where TI Capital (Luxembourg) or Telecom Italia (Italy) is incorporated. If TI Capital or Telecom Italia is succeeded by another entity, the applicable jurisdiction will be the jurisdiction in which the successor entity is organized, and the applicable date will be the date the entity became a successor.

 

TI Capital would not have the option to redeem the debt securities if TI Capital or Telecom Italia could have avoided the payment of additional amounts or the deduction or withholding by using reasonable measures available to TI Capital or Telecom Italia.

 

    The second situation is where a person into which TI Capital or Telecom Italia is merged or to whom it has conveyed, transferred or leased all or substantially all of its property, is required to pay additional amounts. TI Capital would have the option to redeem the debt securities even if TI Capital or Telecom Italia is required to pay additional amounts immediately after the merger, conveyance, transfer or lease. Neither Telecom Italia nor TI Capital is required to use reasonable measures to avoid the obligation to pay additional amounts in this situation. However, TI Capital will not have the option to redeem the debt securities if the sole purpose of such a merger would be to permit TI Capital to redeem the debt securities.

 

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The election of TI Capital to redeem the debt securities shall be evidenced by a board resolution or in another manner specified in the indenture. In case of any redemption TI Capital shall, at least 60 days prior to the redemption date (unless a shorter notice will be reasonably satisfactory to the trustee), notify the trustee of the redemption date and of the principal amount of debt securities to be redeemed.

 

Payment of Additional Amounts

 

Luxembourg or Italy may require TI Capital, as Issuer, or Telecom Italia, as Guarantor, to withhold amounts from payments of principal or interest on the debt securities or any amounts to be paid under the related guarantees, as the case may be, for taxes or any other governmental charges. If Luxembourg or Italy requires a withholding of this type, TI Capital or Telecom Italia, as the case may be, may be required to pay holders of the debt securities additional amounts so that the net amount you receive will be the amount specified in the debt securities to which you are entitled.

 

TI Capital or Telecom Italia, as the case may be, will not have to pay additional amounts in respect of taxes or other governmental charges that are required to be deducted or withheld by any paying agent from a payment on a debt security, if such payment can be made without such deduction or withholding by any other paying agent, or in respect of taxes or other governmental charges that would not have been imposed but for:

 

    the existence of any present or former connection between you and Luxembourg or Italy, as the case may be, other than the mere holding of a debt security and the receipt of payments thereon;

 

    the application of the European Directive 2003/48/EC of June 3, 2003, on the taxation of income from savings, as well as any equivalent measure adopted according to such directive;

 

    a failure to comply with any certification, documentation, information or other reporting requirements concerning your nationality, residence, identity or connection with Luxembourg or Italy, as the case may be, if such compliance is required as a precondition to relief or exemption from such taxes or other governmental charges (including, without limitation, a certification that you are not resident in Luxembourg or Italy or are not an individual resident of a member state of the European Union);

 

    a change in law that becomes effective more than 30 days after a payment on the debt securities becomes due and payable or on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later; or

 

    any tax or other governmental charge imposed on non-residents for income tax purposes in Italy as provided under Italian laws and regulations relating to countries which do not have an adequate exchange of information with Italy (i.e., other than the countries listed under heading “—Transfer Restrictions”).

 

These provisions will also apply to any taxes or governmental charges imposed by any jurisdiction in which a successor to TI Capital or Telecom Italia is organized.

 

For additional information, see section 803 of the indenture.

 

Restrictive Covenants

 

Restrictions on Liens

 

Some of TI Capital’s and Telecom Italia’s property may be subject to a mortgage or other legal mechanism that gives their lenders preferential rights in that property over other lenders, including you and the other direct holders of the debt securities, or over their general creditors if they fail to pay them back. These preferential rights are called liens. Each of TI Capital and Telecom Italia promises that it will not create or permit to subsist any encumbrance to secure capital markets indebtedness, which is described further below, on the whole or any part of its present or future revenues or assets, other than permitted encumbrances.

 

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As used here, encumbrance means:

 

    any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other encumbrance securing any obligation of any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof; and

 

    any arrangement providing a creditor with prior right to an asset, or its proceeds of sale, over other creditors in a liquidation.

 

As used here, permitted encumbrance means:

 

    any encumbrance existing on the date of issuance of the debt securities;

 

    any encumbrance over or affecting any asset acquired by TI Capital or Telecom Italia after the date of the indenture and subject to which such asset is acquired, if:

 

    such encumbrance was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of such asset by TI Capital or Telecom Italia;

 

    the amount thereby secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the date of, the acquisition of such asset by TI Capital or Telecom Italia;

 

    any encumbrance over or affecting any asset of any company which becomes an obligor after the date of issuance of the securities, where such encumbrance is created prior to the date on which such company becomes an obligor under the debt securities, if:

 

    such encumbrance was not created in contemplation of that company becoming an obligor; and

 

    the amount thereby secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the date of, that company becoming an obligor under the debt securities;

 

    any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Telecom Italia Group in the normal course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;

 

    any title transfer or retention of title arrangement entered into by any member of the Telecom Italia Group in the normal course of its trading activities on the counterparty’s standard or usual terms;

 

    encumbrances created in substitution of any encumbrance permitted under the first two bullet points above over the same or substituted assets. This only applies if: (a) the principal amount secured by the substitute encumbrance does not exceed the principal amount outstanding and secured by the initial encumbrance; and (b) in the case of substituted assets, if the market value of the substituted assets at the time of the substitution does not exceed the market value of the assets replaced;

 

    encumbrances created to secure:

 

    loans provided, supported or subsidized by a governmental agency, national or multinational investment guarantee agency, export credit agency or a lending organization established by the United Nations, the European Union or other international treaty organization, including, without limitation the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation;

 

    project finance indebtedness (as described below);

 

this will, however, only apply if the encumbrance is created on an asset of the project being financed by such loans (and/or on the shares in, and/or shareholder loans made to, the company conducting such project) or, as the case may be, such project finance indebtedness and remains confined to that asset (and/or shares and/or shareholder loans);

 

    encumbrances arising out of the refinancing of any capital markets indebtedness secured by any encumbrance permitted by the preceding bullet points. These encumbrances will, however, only be permitted if the amount of such capital markets indebtedness is not increased and is not secured by an encumbrance over any additional assets;

 

    any encumbrance arising by operation of law;

 

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    any encumbrance created in connection with convertible bonds or notes where the encumbrance is created over the assets into which the convertible bonds or notes may be converted and secures only the obligation of the issuer to effect the conversion of the bonds or notes into such assets;

 

    any encumbrance created in the ordinary course of business to secure capital markets indebtedness under hedging transactions entered into for the purpose of managing risks arising under funded debt obligations such as credit support annexes and agreements;

 

    any encumbrance over or affecting any asset of Telecom Italia to secure capital markets indebtedness under a permitted leasing transaction (as described below); provided that the aggregate capital markets indebtedness secured by all such encumbrances does not exceed €1 billion;

 

    any encumbrance created on short-term receivables used in any asset-backed financing;

 

    any encumbrance on real estate assets of Telecom Italia, any subsidiary or any person to which such real estate assets may be contributed by Telecom Italia or any subsidiary in connection with the issuance of any indebtedness, whether such indebtedness is secured or unsecured by such real estate assets or any other assets of such person to which real estate assets have been contributed by Telecom Italia or any subsidiary; and

 

    any other encumbrance securing capital markets indebtedness of an aggregate amount not exceeding 10% of the total net worth of Telecom Italia (as disclosed in the most recent audited consolidated balance sheet of Telecom Italia).

 

As used here, capital markets indebtedness means any obligation for the payment of borrowed money which is in the form of, or represented or evidenced by, any certificate of indebtedness, bond, note or other security which is listed or traded on a stock exchange or other recognized securities market. For the purposes of avoiding any doubt in respect of asset-backed financings originated by Telecom Italia or TI Capital, the expressions “assets” and “obligations for the payment of borrowed money” as used in this definition do not include assets and obligations of Telecom Italia or TI Capital which, pursuant to the requirements of law and accounting principles generally accepted in Italy or Luxembourg, as the case may be, currently need not, and are not, reflected in the balance sheet of Telecom Italia or TI Capital, as the case may be.

 

As used here, permitted leasing transaction means one or more transactions or a series of transactions as a result of which Telecom Italia disposes of or otherwise transfers (including, without limitation, by way of sale of title or grant of a leasehold or other access, utilization and/or possessory interest(s)) its rights to possess, use and/or exploit all or a portion of a particular asset or particular assets owned, used and/or operated by Telecom Italia (or its rights and/or interests in respect thereof) to one or more other persons in circumstances where Telecom Italia or an affiliate shall have the right to obtain or retain possession, use and/or otherwise exploit the asset or assets (or rights and/or interests therein) so disposed of or otherwise transferred.

 

As used here, project finance indebtedness means any indebtedness incurred by a debtor to finance the ownership, acquisition, construction, development and/or operation of an asset in respect of which the person or persons to whom such indebtedness is, or may be, owed have no recourse whatsoever for the repayment of or payment of any sum relating to such indebtedness other than:

 

    recourse to such debtor for amounts limited to the cash flow from such asset; and/or

 

    recourse to such debtor generally, which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specified way) for breach of an obligation, representation or warranty (not being a payment obligation, representation or warranty or an obligation, representation or warranty to procure payment by another or an obligation, representation or warranty to comply or to procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other test of financial condition) by the person against whom such recourse is available; and/or

 

    if such debtor has been established specifically for the purpose of constructing, developing, owning and/or operating the relevant asset and such debtor owns no other significant assets and carries on no other business, recourse to all of the assets and undertaking of such debtor and the shares in the capital of such debtor and shareholder loans made to such debtor.

 

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Discharge and Defeasance

 

TI Capital or Telecom Italia can be legally released from any payment or other obligation on the debt securities except for various obligations described below if, in addition to other actions, the following arrangements for you to be repaid are put in place:

 

    TI Capital or Telecom Italia deposits in trust for your benefit and the benefit of all other direct holders of the debt securities of a particular series a combination of money and U.S. government or U.S. government agency notes or bonds that will generate enough cash to make interest, premium, if any, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates.

 

    TI Capital or Telecom Italia delivers to the trustee a legal opinion of their counsel confirming that there has been a change in U.S. federal income tax law, and under then current U.S. federal income tax law TI Capital or Telecom Italia may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if TI Capital or Telecom Italia did not make the deposit and was not legally released from its obligations on the debt securities. TI Capital or Telecom Italia would not have to deliver this opinion if TI Capital or Telecom Italia received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) a ruling that states the same conclusion.

 

    If the debt securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or another exchange, TI Capital or Telecom Italia must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of their counsel confirming that the deposit, defeasance and discharge will not cause the debt securities to be delisted from such exchange.

 

However, even if TI Capital or Telecom Italia takes these actions, a number of TI Capital’s or Telecom Italia’s obligations relating to the debt securities will remain. These include the following obligations:

 

    to register the transfer and exchange of debt securities;

 

    to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;

 

    to maintain paying agencies; and

 

    to hold money for payment in trust.

 

Ranking

 

No debt securities offered hereby are secured by any of Telecom Italia’s or TI Capital’s property or assets. Accordingly, your ownership of the debt securities means you are one of Telecom Italia’s or TI Capital’s senior unsecured creditors. The debt securities are not subordinated to any of Telecom Italia’s or TI Capital’s other debt obligations and therefore they rank equally with all Telecom Italia’s and TI Capital’s other senior unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

 

Events of Default

 

A holder of debt securities of a particular series will have special rights if an event of default occurs with respect to that series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

 

An “event of default” with respect to the debt securities is defined in the indenture as:

 

    the failure by TI Capital or Telecom Italia to pay principal on a series of debt securities within 10 days from the relevant due date or the failure to pay interest on a debt security within 30 days from the relevant due date;

 

    the failure by TI Capital to perform any other obligation under a series of the debt securities or the failure by Telecom Italia to perform any obligation under its guarantee and such failure continues for more than 60 days after the trustee has received notice of it from the affected holder of the debt securities;

 

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    any of TI Capital’s or Telecom Italia’s capital markets indebtedness (as defined above in “—Restrictive Covenants—Restrictions on Liens”) in excess of €100 million (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies) has to be repaid prematurely due to a default under its terms;

 

    the failure by TI Capital or Telecom Italia to fulfill any payment obligation exceeding €100 million (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies) under any capital markets indebtedness (as defined above in “—Restrictive Covenants—Restriction on Liens”) of TI Capital or Telecom Italia, or under any guarantee provided for any such capital markets indebtedness in excess of €100 million (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies) of others, and this failure remains uncured for 30 days;

 

    any security or guarantee relating to capital markets indebtedness in excess of €100 million (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies) provided by TI Capital or Telecom Italia is enforced by the lenders and such enforcement is not contested in good faith by TI Capital or Telecom Italia or TI Capital or Telecom Italia publicly announces their inability to meet their financial obligations;

 

    a court opens insolvency or equivalent proceedings against TI Capital or Telecom Italia which are not resolved within six months, unless such proceedings are frivolous or vexatious and contested in good faith and appropriately and do not result in court orders; or TI Capital or Telecom Italia apply for such insolvency or equivalent proceedings;

 

    TI Capital or Telecom Italia approves a resolution pursuant to which it goes into liquidation unless this is done in connection with a merger, or other form of combination with another company and such company assumes all obligations contracted by TI Capital or Telecom Italia, in connection with the debt securities; or

 

    Telecom Italia’s guarantee relating to the debt securities ceases to be valid or legally binding for any reason.

 

If an event of default has occurred and has not been cured, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

 

Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This protection is called an indemnity. If reasonable indemnity is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing another action under the indenture.

 

Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

    You must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred and remains uncured.

 

    The holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and must offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action.

 

    The trustee must have not taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity.

 

Each of TI Capital and Telecom Italia will furnish to the trustee every year, within 120 days after the end of Telecom Italia’s fiscal year, a written statement from its designated officers certifying that, to their knowledge, it is in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

 

Street name and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and to make or cancel a declaration of acceleration.

 

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Regarding the Trustee

 

Telecom Italia and several of its subsidiaries maintain banking relations with the trustee in the ordinary course of their business.

 

If an event of default occurs, or a default, that would become an event of default if the requirements for giving a default notice or any specific grace period of time were disregarded, occurs, the trustee may be considered to have a conflicting interest with respect to the debt securities for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. In that case, the trustee may be required to resign as trustee under the applicable indenture, in which case TI Capital and Telecom Italia would be required to appoint a successor trustee.

 

Transfer Restrictions

 

You understand that the debt securities will only be offered and sold to investors who are resident for income tax purposes in countries listed in the Decree of the Ministry of Finance of Italy of September 4, 1996, as amended. A copy of the decree can be obtained from the website of the Ministry of Finance of Italy at www.finanze.it. You also understand that it is the intention of Telecom Italia that the debt securities will be held only by investors resident in countries identified in the above Decree. If Telecom Italia becomes the obligor under the debt securities due to substitution or otherwise (see “—Mergers and Similar Events”) and Telecom Italia was obligated to withhold on any payments made on the debt securities, there would be no obligation to gross up such payments to investors resident in the countries identified in the above Decree (including investors resident in the United States) who do not furnish the required certifications under applicable Italian tax requirements. See “—Payment of Additional Amounts”.

 

The following is the current exclusive list of countries or territories where, if the debt securities were held by residents for income tax purposes of such countries or territories, and Telecom Italia were to become the obligor on the debt securities, Telecom Italia would have an obligation to gross up payments in the event of a withholding on any payments on the debt securities, subject to the limitations set forth under “—Payment of Additional Amounts”: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China (People’s Republic), Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yugoslavia and Zambia.

 

You also understand the debt securities will not be offered, sold or delivered in Italy or to investors resident in Italy. Investors resident in Italy for tax purposes may suffer adverse tax consequences from holding the debt securities and in connection therewith there is no obligation for either TI Capital or Telecom Italia to gross up any payment on the debt securities made to Italian investors.

 

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CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT

 

Debt securities we issue may be held through one or more international and domestic clearing systems. The principal clearing systems we will use are the book-entry systems operated by DTC in the United States, Clearstream in Luxembourg and Euroclear in Brussels, Belgium. These systems have established electronic securities and payment transfer, processing, depositary and custodial links among themselves and others, either directly or through custodians and depositaries. These links allow securities to be issued, held and transferred among the clearing systems without the physical transfer of certificates.

 

Special procedures to facilitate clearance and settlement have been established among these clearing systems to trade securities across borders in the secondary market. Where payments for debt securities in global form will be made in U.S. dollars, these procedures can be used for cross-market transfers and the securities will be cleared and settled on a delivery against payment basis. Cross-market transfers of debt securities that are not in global form may be cleared and settled in accordance with other procedures that may be established among the clearing systems for these securities.

 

The policies of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will govern payments, transfers, exchange and other matters relating to the investor’s interest in securities held by them. This is also true for any other clearance system that may be named in a prospectus supplement.

 

We have no responsibility for any aspect of the actions of DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. We have no responsibility for any aspect of the records kept by DTC, Clearstream or Euroclear or any of their direct or indirect participants. We also do not supervise these systems in any way. This is also true for any other clearing system indicated in a prospectus supplement.

 

DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their participants perform these clearance and settlement functions under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers. You should be aware that they are not obligated to perform or continue to perform these procedures and may modify them or discontinue them at any time.

 

The description of the clearing systems in this section reflects our understanding of the rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear as they are currently in effect. These systems may change their rules and procedures at any time.

 

The Clearing Systems

 

The information in this section concerning DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, and their book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that TI Capital and Telecom Italia believe to be reliable. Neither TI Capital nor Telecom Italia take any responsibility for or make any representation or warranty with respect to this information, other than that it has been accurately extracted and/or summarized from those sources.

 

DTC

 

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. DTC participants include the U.S. depositaries, the fiscal agent, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations (including Clearstream and

 

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Euroclear) and may in the future include certain other organizations. Indirect access to the DTC system is also available to others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and DTC participants are on file with the SEC.

 

Transfers of ownership or other interests in Global Notes in DTC may be made only through DTC participants.

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg

 

Clearstream (formerly Cedelbank) is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a bank. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to its participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing.

 

Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a bank, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier. Clearstream participants are financial institutions around the world, including securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream participant either directly or indirectly.

 

Euroclear

 

Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for its participants and to clear and settle transactions between its participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash.

 

Euroclear provides various other services, including securities lending and borrowing, and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. (which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Euroclear Operator”) under a contract with Euro-Clear Clearance Systems, S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks (including central banks), other securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to others that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

 

Because the Euroclear Operator is a Belgian banking corporation, Euroclear is regulated and examined by the Belgian Banking Commission.

 

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

 

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Other Clearing Systems

 

We may choose any other clearing system for a particular series of debt securities. The clearance and settlement procedures for the clearing system we choose will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Primary Distribution

 

The distribution of the debt securities will be cleared through one or more of the clearing systems that we have described above or any other clearing system that is specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Payment for debt securities will be made on a delivery versus payment or free delivery basis.

 

We will submit applications to the relevant system or systems for the debt securities to be accepted for clearance. The clearance numbers that are applicable to each clearance system will be specified in the prospectus supplement.

 

Clearance and Settlement Procedures—DTC

 

DTC participants that hold debt securities through DTC on behalf of investors will follow the settlement practices applicable to United States corporate debt obligations in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, or such other procedures as are applicable for other securities. Debt securities will be credited to the securities custody accounts of these DTC participants against payment in same-day funds on the settlement date.

 

Clearance and Settlement Procedures—Euroclear and Clearstream

 

We understand that investors that hold their debt securities through Euroclear or Clearstream accounts will follow the settlement procedures that are applicable to conventional Eurobonds in registered form, or such other procedures as are applicable for other securities. Debt securities will be credited to the securities custody accounts of Euroclear and Clearstream participants on the business day following the settlement date, for value on the settlement date. They will be credited either free of payment or against payment for value on the settlement date.

 

Secondary Market Trading

 

Trading Between DTC Participants

 

Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in accordance with DTC’s rules. Secondary market trading will be settled using procedures applicable to United States corporate debt obligations in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System for debt securities, or such other procedures as are applicable for other securities. Settlement will be in same-day funds.

 

Trading between Euroclear and/or Clearstream Participants

 

We understand that secondary market trading between Euroclear and/or Clearstream participants will occur in the ordinary way following the applicable rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream. Secondary market trading will be settled using procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in registered form, or such other procedures as are applicable for other securities.

 

Trading between a DTC Seller and a Euroclear or Clearstream Purchaser

 

A purchaser of debt securities that are held in the account of a DTC participant must send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream at least one business day prior to settlement. The instructions will provide for the transfer of the debt securities from the selling DTC participant’s account to the account of the purchasing Euroclear or Clearstream participant. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will then instruct the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream to receive the debt securities either against payment or free of payment.

 

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The interests in the debt securities will be credited to the respective clearing system. The clearing system will then credit the account of the participant, following its usual procedures. Credit for the debt securities will appear on the next day, European time. Cash debit will be back-valued to, and the interest on the debt securities will accrue from, the value date, which would be the preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York. If the trade fails and settlement is not completed on the intended date, the Euroclear or Clearstream cash debit will be valued as of the actual settlement date instead.

 

Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants will need the funds necessary to process same-day funds settlement. The most direct means of doing this is to preposition funds for settlement, either from cash or from existing lines of credit, as for any settlement occurring within Euroclear or Clearstream. Under this approach, participants may take on credit exposure to Euroclear or Clearstream until the debt securities are credited to their accounts one business day later.

 

As an alternative, if Euroclear or Clearstream has extended a line of credit to them, participants can choose not to preposition funds and will instead allow that credit line to be drawn upon to finance settlement. Under this procedure, Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants purchasing debt securities would incur overdraft charges for one business day (assuming they clear the overdraft as soon as the debt securities were credited to their accounts). However, interest on the debt securities would accrue from the value date. Therefore, in many cases, the investment income on securities that is earned during that one business day period may substantially reduce or offset the amount of the overdraft charges. This result will, however, depend on each participant’s particular cost of funds.

 

Because the settlement will take place during New York business hours, DTC participants will use their usual procedures to deliver debt securities to the depositary on behalf of Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants. The sale proceeds will be available to the DTC seller on the settlement date. For the DTC participants, then, a cross-market transaction will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

 

Special Timing Considerations

 

You should be aware that investors will only be able to make and receive deliveries, payments and other communications involving the debt securities through Clearstream and Euroclear on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

 

In addition, because of time-zone differences, there may be problems with completing transactions involving Clearstream and Euroclear on the same business day as in the United States. U.S. investors who wish to transfer their interests in the debt securities, or to receive or make a payment or delivery of the debt securities, on a particular day, may find that the transactions will not be performed until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, depending on whether Clearstream or Euroclear is used.

 

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CERTAIN TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following summary of the principal United States federal income tax consequences of ownership of debt securities deals only with debt securities held as capital assets by initial purchasers, and not with special classes of holders, such as:

 

    dealers in securities or currencies;

 

    traders in securities that elect to mark to market;

 

    financial institutions;

 

    tax-exempt organizations;

 

    insurance companies;

 

    persons that hold debt securities that are a hedge or that are hedged against currency risks, that are part of a straddle or conversion transaction or that are part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

    persons that are not “United States Holders”, as defined below;

 

    persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; and

 

    persons that are treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes or that hold debt securities through partnerships or other pass-through entities.

 

Moreover, the summary deals only with debt securities that are due to mature 30 years or less from the date on which they are issued. The United States federal income tax consequences of ownership of debt securities that are due to mature more than 30 years from their date of issue will be discussed in an applicable prospectus supplement. The summary is based on the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect and all subject to change at any time, perhaps with retroactive effect. Additional information regarding United States federal income tax consequences associated with the acquisition, ownership or disposition of debt securities may be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement. In the event of any inconsistency between the discussion set forth herein and any such additional information set forth in a prospectus supplement, the prospectus supplement shall govern.

 

United States Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the consequences, in their particular circumstances, under the Code and the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction, of the ownership of debt securities. United States Holders should also review the discussion under “—Luxembourg Tax Considerations” and “—Italian Tax Considerations” for a discussion of the Luxembourg and Italian tax consequences to a United States Holder of the ownership of debt securities.

 

Payments of Interest

 

Interest on a debt security, other than interest on a “Discount debt security” that is not “qualified stated interest” (each as defined below under “—Original Issue Discount—General”), will be taxable to you if you are a United States Holder as ordinary income at the time you receive it or when it accrues, depending on your method of accounting for tax purposes. You are a United States Holder if you are a beneficial owner of a debt security who is:

 

    a citizen or resident of the United States:

 

    a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation, organized under the laws of the United States or any State;

 

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    an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax without regard to its source; or

 

    a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

 

Interest paid to you on the debt securities and original issue discount, if any, accrued by you with respect to the debt securities (as described below under “—Original Issue Discount”) constitutes income to you from sources outside the United States, and, with certain exceptions (including certain circumstances where withholding applies to interest paid on the debt securities), will generally be “passive” income or, in the case of certain United States Holders, “financial services” income for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, interest income will generally constitute “passive category” income or, in the case of certain United States Holders, “general category” income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

 

Payment of Additional Amounts

 

If we pay additional amounts to you, in the circumstances described above under “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Payment of Additional Amounts”, such payments will generally be treated as ordinary income.

 

Original Issue Discount

 

General. A debt security, other than a debt security with a term of one year or less (a “short-term debt security”), will be treated as issued at an original issue discount (a “Discount debt security”) if the excess of the debt security’s “stated redemption price at maturity” over its issue price is more than a “de minimis amount” (as defined below). Generally, the issue price of a debt security will be the first price at which a substantial amount of debt securities included in the issue of which the debt security is a part is sold to persons other than bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers. The stated redemption price at maturity of a debt security is the total of all payments provided by the debt security that are not payments of “qualified stated interest”. A qualified stated interest payment is generally any one of a series of stated interest payments on a debt security that are unconditionally payable at least annually at a single fixed rate (with certain exceptions for lower rates paid during some periods) applied to the outstanding principal amount of the debt security. Special rules for “Variable Rate debt securities” (as defined below under “—Original Issue Discount—Variable Rate Debt Securities”) are described below under “—Original Issue Discount—Variable Rate Debt Securities”. In addition, special rules will apply to debt securities with “teaser rates” or interest holidays, which will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

In general, if the excess of a debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity over its issue price is less than 1/4 of 1 percent of the debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to its maturity, then such excess, if any, constitutes “de minimis original issue discount” and the debt security is not a Discount debt security. If your debt security has de minimis original issue discount, you must include the de minimis original issue discount in income as stated principal payments are made on the debt security, unless you make the election described below under “—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount”. You can determine the includible amount with respect to each such payment by multiplying the total amount of the debt security’s de minimis original issue discount by a fraction equal to:

 

    the amount of the principal payment made; divided by

 

    the stated principal amount of the debt security.

 

If your Discount debt security matures more than one year from its date of issue, you must generally include original issue discount (“OID”) in income calculated on a constant-yield method before you receive cash

 

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attributable to such income, and generally you will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the debt security. More specifically, you can calculate the amount of OID that you must include in income by adding the daily portions of OID with respect to your Discount debt security for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year that you hold your Discount debt security (“accrued OID”). You can determine the daily portion by allocating to each day in any “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. You may select an accrual period of any length with respect to your Discount debt security and you may vary the length of each accrual period over the term of your Discount debt security. However, no accrual period can be longer than one year and each scheduled payment of interest or principal on the debt security must occur on either the final or first day of an accrual period. You can determine the amount of OID allocable to an accrual period by:

 

    multiplying your Discount debt security’s adjusted issue price at the beginning of the accrual period by your debt security’s yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period); and then

 

    subtracting from this figure the sum of the payments of qualified stated interest on your debt security allocable to the accrual period.

 

You determine your Discount debt security’s “adjusted issue price” at the beginning of any accrual period by adding:

 

    your Discount debt security’s issue price and any accrued OID for each prior accrual period; and then

 

    subtracting payments previously made on your Discount debt security that were not qualified stated interest payments.

 

For purposes of determining the amount of OID allocable to an accrual period, if an interval between payments of qualified stated interest on the debt security contains more than one accrual period, then, when you determine the amount of OID allocable to an accrual period, you must allocate the amount of qualified stated interest payable at the end of the interval (including any qualified stated interest that is payable on the first day of the accrual period immediately following the interval) pro rata on the basis of their relative lengths to each accrual period in the interval. In addition you must increase the adjusted issue price at the beginning of each accrual period in the interval by the amount of any qualified stated interest that has accrued prior to the first day of the accrual period but that is not payable until the end of the interval. You may compute the amount of OID allocable to an initial short accrual period using any reasonable method if all other accrual periods other than a final short accrual period are of equal length. The amount of OID allocable to the final accrual period is the difference between:

 

    the amount payable at the maturity of the debt security (other than any payment of qualified stated interest); and

 

    the debt security’s adjusted issue price as of the beginning of the final accrual period.

 

Acquisition Premium. If you purchase your debt security for an amount that is less than or equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest but is greater than the amount of the debt security’s adjusted issue price (as determined above under “—Original Issue Discount—General”), the excess is acquisition premium. If you do not make the election described below under “—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount”, then you must reduce the daily portions of OID by a fraction equal to:

 

    the excess of your adjusted basis in the debt security immediately after its purchase over the adjusted issue price of the debt security, divided by:

 

    the excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase date, other than payments of qualified stated interest, over the debt security’s adjusted issue price.

 

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Pre-Issuance Accrued Interest. An election may be made to decrease the issue price of your debt security by the amount of pre-issuance accrued interest if:

 

    a portion of the initial purchase price of your debt security is attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest;

 

    the first stated interest payment on your debt security is to be made within one year of your debt security’s issue date; and

 

    the payment will equal or exceed the amount of pre-issuance accrued interest.

 

If you make this election, a portion of the first stated interest payment will be treated as a return of the excluded pre-issuance accrued interest and not as an amount payable on your debt security.

 

Debt Securities Subject to Contingencies Including Optional Redemption. If a debt security provides for an alternative payment schedule or schedules applicable upon the occurrence of a contingency or contingencies (other than a remote or incidental contingency), whether such contingency relates to payments of interest or of principal, if the timing and amount of the payments that comprise each payment schedule are known as of the issue date and if one of such schedules is significantly more likely than not to occur, the yield and maturity of the debt security are determined by assuming that the payments will be made according to that payment schedule. If there is no single payment schedule that is significantly more likely than not to occur (other than because of a mandatory sinking fund), the debt security will be subject to the general rules that govern contingent payment obligations. These rules will be discussed in an applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Notwithstanding the general rules for determining yield and maturity in the case of debt securities subject to contingencies, if you or we have an unconditional option or options that, if exercised, would require payments to be made on the debt security under an alternative payment schedule or schedules, then:

 

    in the case of an option or options that we may exercise, we will be deemed to exercise or not exercise an option or combination of options in the manner that minimizes the yield on your debt security; and

 

    in the case of an option or options that you may exercise, you will be deemed to exercise or not exercise an option or combination of options in the manner that maximizes the yield on your debt security.

 

If both you and we have options described in the preceding sentence, those rules apply to such options in the order in which they may be exercised. You may determine the yield on your debt security for the purposes of those calculations by using any date on which the debt security may be redeemed or repurchased as the maturity date and the amount payable on the date that you chose in accordance with the terms of your debt security as the principal amount payable at maturity.

 

If a contingency (including the exercise of an option) actually occurs or does not occur contrary to an assumption made according to the above rules (a “change in circumstances”) then, except to the extent that a portion of the debt security is repaid as a result of the change in circumstances and solely for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of OID, you must redetermine the yield and maturity of your debt security by treating your debt security as having been retired and reissued on the date of the change in circumstances for an amount equal to your debt security’s adjusted issue price on that date.

 

Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount. You may elect to include in gross income all interest that accrues on a debt security using the constant-yield method described above under the heading “—Original Issue Discount—General”, with the modifications described below. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, OID, de minimis original issue discount, market discount (described below under the heading “—Market Discount”), de minimis market discount and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium (described below under “—Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium”) or acquisition premium.

 

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In applying the constant-yield method to a debt security with respect to which this election has been made, the issue price of your debt security will equal your cost, the issue date of your debt security will be the date you acquired it, and no payments on the debt security will be treated as payments of qualified stated interest. This election will generally apply only to the debt security for which you make it, and you may not revoke it without the consent of the IRS. If you make this election with respect to a debt security with amortizable bond premium, then you will be deemed to have elected to apply amortizable bond premium against interest with respect to all debt instruments with amortizable bond premium (other than debt instruments the interest on which is excludible from gross income) that you hold as of the beginning of the taxable year in which the debt security with respect to which the election is made is acquired or that you thereafter acquire. You may not revoke this deemed election with respect to amortizable bond premium without the consent of the IRS.

 

If you make the election to apply the constant-yield method with respect to a Market Discount debt security, you will be treated as having made the election discussed below under “—Market Discount” to include market discount in income currently over the life of all debt instruments that you hold or thereafter acquire. You may not revoke the deemed election without the consent of the IRS.

 

Variable Rate Debt Securities. Your debt security will be a “Variable Rate debt security” if your debt security:

 

(i) has an issue price that does not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments on the debt security by more than the lesser of:

 

(1) the product of:

 

(x) the total noncontingent principal payments on the debt security;

 

(y) the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date; and

 

(z) .015, or

 

(2) 15 percent of the total noncontingent principal payments on the debt security; and

 

(ii) does not provide for stated interest other than stated interest compounded or paid at least annually at:

 

(1) one or more “qualified floating rates”;

 

(2) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates;

 

(3) a single “objective rate”; or

 

(4) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a “qualified inverse floating rate”.

 

A qualified floating rate or objective rate in effect at any time during the term of the instrument must be set at a “current value” of that rate. A “current value” of a rate is the value of the rate on any day that is no earlier than 3 months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than 1 year following that first day.

 

A variable rate is a “qualified floating rate” if:

 

(i) variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds; or

 

(ii) it is equal to the product of a rate described in clause (i) and either:

 

(a) a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35; or

 

(b) a fixed multiple greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or decreased by a fixed rate.

 

If your debt security provides for two or more qualified floating rates that:

 

(i) are within 0.25 percentage points of each other on the issue date; or

 

(ii) can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the term of the debt security, the qualified floating rates together constitute a single qualified floating rate.

 

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A rate is not a qualified floating rate, however, if the rate is subject to certain restrictions (including caps, floors, governors, or other similar restrictions) unless such restrictions are fixed throughout the term of the debt security or are not reasonably expected to significantly affect the yield on the debt security.

 

An “objective rate” is a rate, other than a qualified floating rate, that is determined using a single, fixed formula and that is based on objective financial or economic information that is not within the control of or unique to the circumstances of the issuer or a related party. A variable rate is not an objective rate, however, if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate during the first half of the debt security’s term will be either significantly less than or significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the final half of the debt security’s term. An objective rate is a “qualified inverse floating rate” if:

 

(i) the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate; and

 

(ii) the variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds.

 

If interest on your debt security is stated at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed by either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate for a subsequent period and:

 

(i) the fixed rate and the qualified floating rate or objective rate have values on the issue date of the debt security that do not differ by more than 0.25 percentage points; or

 

(ii) the value of the qualified floating rate or objective rate is intended to approximate the fixed rate,

 

then the fixed rate and the qualified floating rate or the objective rate constitute a single qualified floating rate or objective rate.

 

In general, if your Variable Rate debt security provides for stated interest at a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, all stated interest on your debt security is qualified stated interest and the amount of OID, if any, is determined by using, in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the value as of the issue date of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or, in the case of any other objective rate, a fixed rate that reflects the yield reasonably expected for your debt security.

 

If your Variable Rate debt security does not provide for stated interest at a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate and also does not provide for interest payable at a fixed rate (other than at a single fixed rate for an initial period), you generally must determine the amount of interest and OID accruals on your debt security by:

 

(i) determining a fixed rate substitute for each variable rate provided under your Variable Rate debt security (generally, the value of each variable rate as of the issue date or, in the case of an objective rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate, a rate that reflects the reasonably expected yield on your debt security);

 

(ii) constructing the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument (using the fixed rate substitute described above);

 

(iii) determining the amount of qualified stated interest and OID with respect to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument; and

 

(iv) making the appropriate adjustments for actual variable rates during the applicable accrual period.

 

If your Variable Rate debt security provides for stated interest either at one or more qualified floating rates or at a qualified inverse floating rate, and in addition provides for stated interest at a single fixed rate (other than at a single fixed rate for an initial period), you must determine the amount of interest and OID accruals as in the immediately preceding paragraph with the modification that you must treat your Variable Rate debt security, for purposes of the first three steps of the determination, as if it provided for a qualified floating rate (or a qualified inverse floating rate, as the case may be) rather than the fixed rate. The qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse

 

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floating rate) replacing the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of your Variable Rate debt security as of the issue date would be approximately the same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for the qualified floating rate (or qualified inverse floating rate) rather than the fixed rate.

 

Short-Term Debt Securities. In general, if you are an individual or other cash basis United States Holder of a short-term debt security, you are not required to accrue OID (as specially defined below for the purposes of this paragraph) for United States federal income tax purposes unless you elect to do so (but you may be required to include any stated interest in income as you receive it). If you are an accrual basis taxpayer or a taxpayer in a special class, including but not limited to a bank, regulated investment company, dealer in securities, common trust fund, person who holds a debt security as part of certain identified hedging transactions, or cash basis taxpayer who so elects, you will be required to accrue OID on a short-term debt security on either a straight-line basis or under the constant-yield method (based on daily compounding), at your election. If you are not required and have not elected to include OID in income currently, any gain you realize on the sale or retirement of the short-term debt security will be ordinary income to the extent of the OID accrued on a straight-line basis (unless you elect to accrue the OID under the constant-yield method) through the date of sale or retirement. If you are not required and do not elect to accrue OID on short-term debt securities, you will be required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to short-term debt securities in an amount not exceeding the deferred income until the deferred income is realized.

 

When you determine the amount of OID subject to these rules, you must include all interest payments on a short-term debt security, including stated interest, in your short-term debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity.

 

Market Discount

 

You will be treated as if you had purchased your debt security, other than a short-term debt security, at a market discount, and your debt security will be a “Market Discount debt security”, if:

 

    you purchase your debt security for less than its issue price (as determined above under “—Original Issue Discount—General”), and

 

    the debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity or, in the case of a Discount debt security, the debt security’s “revised issue price”, exceeds the price you paid for your debt security by at least 1/4 of 1 percent of such debt security’s stated redemption price at maturity or revised issue price, respectively, multiplied by the number of complete years to the debt security’s maturity.

 

If such excess is not sufficient to cause the debt security to be a Market Discount debt security, then such excess constitutes “de minimis market discount” and the rules discussed below are not applicable to you. The Code provides that, for these purposes, the “revised issue price” of a debt security generally equals its issue price, increased by the amount of any OID that has accrued on the debt security.

 

You must treat any gain that you recognize on the maturity or disposition of your Market Discount debt security as ordinary income to the extent that such gain does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Also, any partial principal payment on a Market Discount debt security will be includable in gross income as ordinary income to the extent that such payment does not exceed the accrued Market Discount on such debt security. In the case of any maturity, disposition or subsequent partial principal payment on such debt security, the amount of accrued Market Discount is reduced by the amount of the previous partial principal payment included in gross income as ordinary income. Alternatively, you may elect to include market discount in income currently over the life of the debt security. If you make this election, it will apply to all debt instruments with market discount that you acquire on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. You may not revoke this election without the consent of the IRS.

 

You will accrue market discount on your Market Discount debt security on a straight-line basis unless you elect to accrue market discount on a constant-yield method. If you make this election, it will apply only to the

 

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debt security with respect to which it is made and you may not revoke it. If you do not elect to include market discount in income currently, you will generally be required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to your Market Discount debt security in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such Market Discount debt security until the maturity or disposition of such Market Discount debt security.

 

Debt Securities Purchased at a Premium

 

If you purchase your debt security for an amount in excess of its principal amount, you may elect to treat such excess as “amortizable bond premium”, in which case you will reduce the amount you are required include in income each year with respect to interest on the debt security by the amount of amortizable bond premium allocable (based on the debt security’s yield to maturity) to such year. If you elect to amortize bond premium, such election shall apply to all debt instruments (other than debt instruments the interest on which is excludible from gross income) that you hold at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or thereafter acquire, and you may not revoke such election without the consent of the IRS. See also “—Original Issue Discount—Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount”.

 

Purchase, Sale and Retirement of the Debt Securities

 

Your tax basis in your debt security will generally be its cost, adjusted by adding the amount of any OID, market discount, de minimis original issue discount and de minimis market discount previously included in income with respect to your debt security, and reduced by the amount of any payments with respect to your debt security that are not qualified stated interest payments, and any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium applied to reduce interest or OID on your debt security.

 

You will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale or retirement of your debt security equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the sale or retirement and your tax basis in your debt security.

 

Except to the extent described above under “—Original Issue Discount—Short-Term Debt Securities” or “—Market Discount”, described in the next succeeding paragraph, attributable to accrued but unpaid interest or subject to the rules governing contingent payment obligations, gain or loss you recognize on the sale or retirement of your debt security will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the debt security for more than one year. Capital gain of a non-corporate United States Holder that is recognized in a taxable year beginning before January 1, 2009 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the holder has a holding period greater than one year. The ability of a non-corporate United States Holder to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

Mergers or Assumptions of the Debt Securities

 

As discussed in “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees—Mergers and Similar Events”, TI Capital is generally permitted to merge or consolidate with another company or firm, and Telecom Italia or one of its Italian subsidiaries is also permitted to assume the obligations of TI Capital under the debt securities for the payment of principal and interest on the debt securities, if certain conditions are satisfied. The assumption of the obligations of TI Capital under the debt securities by Telecom Italia or another person pursuant to a merger, consolidation or assumption may cause the holders of the debt securities to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they had exchanged the debt securities for new debt securities, with the results described above in “—Purchase, Sale and Retirement of the Debt Securities”.

 

Other Debt Securities

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a discussion of any special United States federal income tax rules with respect to debt securities that are subject to the rules governing contingent payment, debt securities providing for the periodic payment of principal over the life of the debt security, debt securities that are convertible into another security, debt securities that are renewable or extendible, debt securities that are payable by delivering property other than cash and debt securities with respect to which payments of interest may be deferred.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

In general, if you are a noncorporate holder, we or our paying agents may be required to report to the IRS all payments of principal, any premium and interest on your debt security, and the accrual of OID on a Discount debt security.

 

In addition, you may be subject to backup withholding on payments of principal, premium and interest (including OID if any) on, and the proceeds of disposition of, a debt security. Backup withholding only will apply if you :

 

    fail to furnish your Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) which, for an individual, is your Social Security number, or furnish an incorrect TIN,

 

    are notified by the IRS that you have failed to properly report payments of interest and dividends, or

 

    fail to certify, under penalties of perjury, that you have furnished a correct TIN and have not been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding for failure to report interest or dividend payments.

 

You should consult your tax advisor regarding your qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption if applicable. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Luxembourg Tax Considerations

 

The statements herein regarding taxation in Luxembourg are based on the laws in force in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to any changes in law. The following summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations which may be relevant to a decision to purchase, own, exchange or dispose the debt securities. Each prospective holder or beneficial owner of debt securities should consult its tax advisor as to the Luxembourg tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the debt Securities.

 

Luxembourg tax residency of the holders of the Debt Securities

 

A holder of the debt securities will not become resident, or be deemed to be resident, in Luxembourg by reason only of the holding of the debt securities, or the execution, performance, delivery, exchange and/or enforcement of the debt securities.

 

Withholding tax

 

Under Luxembourg tax law currently in effect, there is no withholding tax on payments of interest (including accrued but unpaid interest) made to Luxembourg resident and non-resident holders of the debt securities. There is also no Luxembourg withholding tax upon repayment of the principal or upon redemption or exchange of the debt securities.

 

Luxembourg withholding tax may in the future be introduced for interest payments made to Luxembourg individual residents.

 

On 3 June 2003, the European Union adopted a Directive regarding the taxation of savings income (the “Directive”). The Directive has been implemented in Luxembourg by a Law dated June 21, 2005.

 

Under the Directive, Luxembourg is required since 1 July 2005 to withhold tax on interest and other similar income paid by a paying agent (within the meaning of the Directive) located in Luxembourg to (or under certain circumstances, to the benefit of) an individual resident in another Member State, unless the beneficiary of the

 

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interest payments elects for the exchange of information. The same regime applies to payments to individuals resident in any of the following territories: Netherlands Antilles, Aruba, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands.

 

The withholding tax rate is initially 15%, increasing steadily to 20% and to 35%. The withholding tax system will only apply during a transitional period, the ending of which depends on the conclusion of certain agreements relating to information exchange with certain other countries (the transitional period may therefore never end).

 

Taxation of the Holder of the Debt Securities

 

Taxation of Luxembourg non-residents

 

Holders of the debt securities who are non-residents of Luxembourg and who have neither a permanent establishment nor a fixed base of business in Luxembourg with which the holding of the debt securities is connected are not liable to any Luxembourg income tax, whether they receive repayments of principal, payments of interest (including accrued but unpaid interest), payments received upon the redemption or the exchange of the debt securities, or realise capital gains on the sale of any debt securities.

 

Taxation of Luxembourg residents

 

Luxembourg resident holders of the debt securities, or non-resident holders of the debt securities who have a permanent establishment or a fixed base of business in Luxembourg with which the holding of the debt securities is connected, must, for income tax purposes, include any interest received in their taxable income. They will not be liable to any Luxembourg income tax on repayment of principal.

 

Luxembourg resident individuals

 

Luxembourg resident individual holders of the debt securities or non-resident individual holders of the debt securities who have a fixed base of business with which the holding of the debt securities is connected are not subject to taxation on capital gains upon the disposal of the debt securities, unless the disposal of the debt securities precedes the acquisition of the debt securities or the debt securities are disposed of within six months of the date of acquisition of these debt securities. Upon redemption or exchange of the debt securities, individual Luxembourg resident holders of the debt securities or non-resident holders of the debt securities who have a fixed base of business with which the holding of the debt securities is connected must however include the portion of the redemption price corresponding to accrued but unpaid interest in their taxable income.

 

Luxembourg resident companies

 

Luxembourg resident companies (sociétés de capitaux) holders of the debt securities or foreign entities of the same type which have a permanent establishment in Luxembourg with which the holding of the debt securities is connected, must include in their taxable income the difference between the sale, exchange or redemption price (including accrued but unpaid interest) and the lower of the cost or book value of the debt securities sold, redeemed or exchanged.

 

Luxembourg resident companies benefiting from a special tax regime

 

Luxembourg resident companies holders of the debt securities which are companies benefiting from a special tax regime (such as holding companies subject to the law of 31 July 1929 and undertakings for collective investment subject to the law of 20 December 2002) are tax exempt entities in Luxembourg, and are thus not subject to any Luxembourg tax other than the subscription tax calculated on their share capital or net asset value (i.e., corporate income tax, municipal business tax and net wealth tax).

 

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Net Wealth Tax

 

Luxembourg net wealth tax will not be levied on a holder of the debt securities, unless (i) such holder of the debt securities is a Luxembourg resident or (ii) the debt securities are attributable to an enterprise or part thereof which is carried on in Luxembourg through a permanent establishment or (iii) the debt securities are attributable to a fixed base of business in Luxembourg of the holder of the debt securities.

 

Other Taxes

 

There is no Luxembourg registration tax, stamp duty or any other similar tax or duty payable in Luxembourg by holders of the debt securities as a consequence of the issuance of the debt securities, nor will any of these taxes be payable as a consequence of a subsequent transfer or redemption or exchange of the debt securities.

 

There is no Luxembourg value added tax payable in respect of payments in consideration for the issuance of the debt securities or in respect of the payment of interest or principal under the debt securities or the transfer of the debt securities. Luxembourg value added tax may, however, be payable in respect of fees charged for certain services rendered to the Issuer, if for Luxembourg value added tax purposes such services are rendered or are deemed to be rendered in Luxembourg and an exemption from Luxembourg value added tax does not apply with respect to such services.

 

No gift, estate or inheritance taxes are levied on the transfer of the debt securities upon death of a holder of the debt securities in cases where the deceased was not a resident of Luxembourg for inheritance tax purposes.

 

Italian Tax Considerations

 

The following is a summary of certain Italian tax consequences of the receipt of interest on the debt securities and capital gains upon the disposal thereof by non-Italian investors, along with a summary of the Italian tax treatment of payments which might possibly be made by the Guarantor under the debt securities.

 

This summary is based upon Italian tax law and practice as in effect on the date of the prospectus and is subject to change, potentially with retroactive effect.

 

Prospective investors in the debt securities should consult their own advisors regarding the Italian or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the debt securities in their particular circumstances, including the effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws.

 

Interest on Debt Securities

 

Interest payable on debt securities issued by TI Capital to a beneficial owner who is not resident in Italy and is not acting through an Italian permanent establishment is not subject to Italian taxes. To the extent that debt securities are deposited by a non-resident holder in an account with an Italian withholding agent, interest payable to a non-resident beneficial owner is subject to the substitute tax at rates up to 27%, according to the same rules applicable to Italian resident holders, unless the holder produces a declaration of non-residence in Italy. In addition, any element of the proceeds of sale of debt securities by a non-resident holder which represents accrued, and express or implied, interest in respect of such debt securities will be subject to Italian substitute tax if the debt securities are sold through an Italian withholding agent, unless such holder produces a declaration of non-residence and has provided details of the period during which he was the beneficial owner of the debt securities and the interest derived therefrom.

 

Payments under the Guarantees by Telecom Italia

 

There is no authority directly on point regarding the Italian tax regime of payments made by Telecom Italia under the guarantees. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Italian revenue authorities will not assert an alternative treatment of such payments than that set forth herein or that an Italian court would not sustain such an alternative treatment.

 

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Payments to non-resident holders made by Telecom Italia under the guarantees, which represent interest payable on the debt securities, are subject to the Italian tax regime described above under “—Interest on Debt Securities”.

 

Capital Gains on Debt Securities

 

Capital gains realized by non-residents from the sale of debt securities issued by TI Capital are in principle not subject to tax in Italy. However, a 12.5% substitute tax may apply to the extent the debt securities are located in the Italian territory unless:

 

    the debt securities are listed on a regulated market; or

 

    the debt securities are not listed on a regulated market, but the following requirements are satisfied:

 

    the holder is resident of a country which allows an adequate exchange of information with Italy or, in the case of institutional investors not subject to tax, they are established in such country;

 

    the relevant Italian withholding agent, if any, receives a self-declaration from the holder of the debt securities which states that the holder is a resident of that country. The self-declaration, which must be in conformity with the model approved by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (approved in Decree of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of December 12, 2001, published in the Ordinary Supplement No. 287 to the Official Journal No. 301 of December 29, 2001), is valid until revoked by the investor and does not have to be filed if an equivalent self-declaration (including Form 116/IMP) has been submitted to the same intermediary for the same or different purposes; in the case of institutional investors not subject to tax, the institutional investor shall be regarded as the beneficial owner and the relevant self-declaration shall be produced by the management company; or

 

    the holder is resident in a country which has entered into a double taxation convention with Italy that provides for the exclusive right to tax such gains in the holder’s country of residence.

 

Early Redemption

 

The early redemption of debt securities with a maturity period of no less than 18 months issued by a non-resident company, if occurring before expiration of the first 18 months, in certain cases may trigger the liability for the holder of a 20% surtax to be paid on all interest and other proceeds accrued until the date of early redemption.

 

In any event, the 20% surtax applies only if the holder of the debt securities is resident in Italy at the date of the early redemption. Conversely, no surtax applies if the holder is not resident in Italy, even if the debt securities are deposited by the non-resident holder in an account with an Italian withholding agent (provided that the holder produces a declaration of non-residence in Italy).

 

EU savings directive

 

The Council of the European Union has adopted a directive on June 3, 2003 regarding the taxation of savings income (Directive 2003/48/EC) (the “Directive”). Italy has implemented the directive through Legislative Decree No. 84 of April 18, 2005 (“Decree 84/2005”). Under Decree 84/2005, subject to a number of important conditions being met, with respect to interest paid starting from July 1, 2005 (including the case of interest accrued on the debt securities at the time of their disposal) to individuals which qualify as beneficial owners of the interest payment and are resident for tax purposes in another EU Member State or in a dependent or associated territory under the relevant international agreement (currently, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Netherlands Antilles, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Anguilla and Aruba), Italian paying agents (i.e. banks, SIMs, fiduciary companies, SGRs resident for tax purposes in Italy, permanent establishments in Italy of non-resident persons and any other economic operator resident for tax purposes in Italy paying interest for professional or commercial reasons) shall report to the Italian tax authorities

 

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details of the relevant payments and personal information on the individual beneficial owner. Such information is transmitted by the Italian tax authorities to the competent foreign tax authorities of the State of residence of the beneficial owner. In certain circumstances, the same reporting requirements must be complied with also in respect of interest paid to an entity established in another EU Member State, other than legal persons (with the exception of certain Finnish and Swedish entities), whose profits are taxed under general arrangements for business taxation and, in certain circumstance, UCITS recognised in accordance with Directive 85/611/EEC.

 

Either payments of interest on the notes or the realization of the accrued interest through the sale of the notes would constitute “payments of interest” under Article 6 of the Directive and, as far as Italy is concerned, Article 2 of Decree 84/2005. Accordingly, such payment of interest arising out of the notes would fall within the scope of the Directive being the notes issued after March 1, 2001.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may offer the debt securities in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

    to or through underwriters or dealers;

 

    by ourselves directly;

 

    through agents; or

 

    through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of debt securities will set forth the terms of such offering, including:

 

    the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of debt securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

    the purchase price of the debt securities and the proceeds to us from such sale;

 

    any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

    the initial public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions to be allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    the securities exchange on which such debt securities will be listed.

 

Any initial public offering prices, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

 

Underwriters

 

If underwriters are used in an offering of debt securities, such debt securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The debt securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or by one or more underwriters without a syndicate. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase debt securities unless specified conditions are satisfied, and if the underwriters do purchase any debt securities, they will be obligated to purchase all debt securities contemplated in an offering.

 

Dealers

 

If dealers are utilized in the sale of debt securities, we will sell such debt securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell such debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to that transaction.

 

Direct Sales

 

Debt securities may be sold directly by us to one or more institutional purchasers, or through agents designated by us from time to time, at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

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Agents

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase debt securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

 

Indemnification

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act relating to material misstatements and omissions, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

 

Market Making

 

Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities and, unless we reopen a series, will have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom debt securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such debt securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We intend to apply to list each series of the debt securities on a recognized securities exchange. No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the debt securities.

 

Delayed Delivery Arrangements

 

One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

 

The validity of the debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered and other matters of Luxembourg law will be passed upon for TI Capital by Linkaters Loesch. The validity of the guarantees under Italian law relating to the debt securities offered through this prospectus and other matters of Italian law will be passed upon for Telecom Italia by Gianni, Origoni, Grippo & Partners. The enforceability of the debt securities and guarantees under New York law and certain matters of United States law relating to the debt securities and guarantees offered through this prospectus will be passed upon for Telecom Italia and TI Capital by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Certain matters of Italian tax law will be passed upon for Telecom Italia by Maisto e Associati Associazione Professionale. The underwriters, if any, named in the prospectus supplement pursuant to which any debt securities may be offered will be represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, London, England, for matters of United States law, and by Chiomenti Studio Legale for matters of Italian law.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Telecom Italia appearing in the Telecom Italia Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 2004, have been audited by Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A., independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon and included therein, and incorporated by reference elsewhere herein, which, as to the years 2003 and 2002, is based in part on the reports of Deloitte & Touche Sociedad de Auditores y Consultores Limitada and PricewaterhouseCoopers S.p.A., independent registered public accounting firms. The financial statements referred to above have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. (Chile) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche Sociedad de Auditores y Consultores Limitada, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is incorporated herein by reference from Telecom Italia’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004 and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

The audited consolidated financial statements of Finsiel S.p.A. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, not separately presented in this prospectus, have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers S.p.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon is included in the Telecom Italia Annual Report that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Such consolidated financial statements, to the extent they have been included in the financial statements of Telecom Italia S.p.A., have been so included in reliance on the report of such independent registered public accounting firm given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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