Merger Plan of Terra and TEF
Telefonica SA
24 February 2005
Telefonica S.A., as provided in article 82 of the Spanish Stock Market Act
(Ley del Mercado de Valores), hereby reports the following
SIGNIFICANT EVENT
The Board of Directors of both Telefonica, S.A. and Terra Networks, S.A.
have each adopted, at their meetings held today, a Merger Plan for the
acquisition of Terra Networks, S.A. by Telefonica, S.A., with the termination,
through dissolution without liquidation, of the former company, and the en bloc
transmission of all of its assets to the latter company, which, through
universal succession, will acquire the rights and obligations of Terra Networks,
S.A.
The exchange ratio for the shares of the entities participating in the
merger, which was determined on the basis of the real value of the corporate
assets and liabilities of Telefonica, S.A and Terra Networks, S.A., will be the
following: Two (2) shares of Telefonica, S.A., each having a par value of one
euro (€1), for every nine (9) Terra Networks, S.A. shares, each having a par
value of two euros (€2).
In accordance with article 226 of the Mercantile Registry Regulation in
force, a copy of the Merger Plan shall be filed at the Madrid Mercantile
Registry, a copy of which is included in the present Significant Event as Annex
1.
Likewise, it is hereby included as Annex 2, the Press Release that shall be
distributed by the Company today.
Madrid, February 23rd 2005.
ANNEX - 1
MERGER PLAN
OF
TELEFONICA, S.A.
and
TERRA NETWORKS, S.A.
Madrid, February 23, 2005
For the purposes of the provisions of Articles 234, 235 and related articles of
the Corporations Law, as approved by Royal Legislative Decree No. 1564/1989, of
December 22 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Corporations Law'), the
undersigned, in their capacity as members of the Boards of Directors of
TELEFONICA, S.A. (hereinafter referred to as 'TELEFONICA') and TERRA
NETWORKS, S.A. (hereinafter referred to as 'TERRA'), have drawn up the present
merger plan (hereinafter referred to as the 'Merger Plan' or the 'Plan'), which
shall be submitted for approval of the shareholders at their respective general
shareholder meetings pursuant to the provisions of Article 240 of the
above-mentioned Law. The contents of such Plan are as follows.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Reasons for the merger
Like many other Internet companies, TERRA has evolved within the context of
a strategic model based on a separation between the telecommunications
business and the business of providing Internet services (ISP).
Notwithstanding other prior circumstances, it has recently (more
specifically, during the last twelve months) become manifestly obvious, in a
clear and distinct manner, that an irreversible crisis is affecting the
traditional model of the pure Internet service provider, and that, in
parallel, a new model based on the operational integration of the telephone
and Internet businesses has appeared in the telecommunications market. The
root of these changes lies in the emergence, development, and blossoming of
broadband technology applied to Internet access, which has led to the
blurring - especially in the last year, during which its penetration and
growth have accelerated exponentially - of the traditional line of
separation between the above-mentioned businesses.
• The explosion of broadband technology has, in effect, created a new
dynamic in the supply market, with which synchronization can only be
obtained based on a complete interweaving of the network functions and
the provision of services, or, put another way, the integrated
management of the connectivity, access, and service layers. In this
scenario, Internet access providers need to become communications
operations in order to compete in the market. For such reason, they must
either invest in network infrastructure (which could compromise their
viability, given the time required for the maturation of the investment
and the high capital cost of addressing it), or else become fully
integrated with network operators, who already have the necessary
infrastructure and technical and human resources.
• Moreover, on the demand side, today's customer is not content with
Internet access alone. Users' preferences are becoming increasingly
oriented toward integrated offerings (voice, images, Internet access,
etc.), for which it is necessary to hold a position as operators who can
offer all of the services that the market demands, and thereby compete
with other entities that are able to provide all of these services to
the end customer.
• In addition, the technological evolution of the services - the rapid
increase in connection speeds, the technical complexity needed to
provide high-quality audiovisual content, the required interoperability
of the various elements of the offering (e-mail, messaging, voicemail,
content consumption, etc.) - demands increasingly greater capabilities,
scale, and resources in order to stay competitive in a market that is
growing in size but whose offerings are constantly changing.
All of this explains the activities of the competing groups aimed at making
bandwidth the center or core of their strategy, and, consequently, at
combining the telephone and Internet businesses. The most recent examples
are the mergers of France Telecom and its Internet subsidiary Wanadoo, and
of Deutsche Telekom and T-Online, the latter of which is about to be
completed.
The proposed merger of TELEFONICA and TERRA, as describe in this Plan,
obeys the same logic. In fact, the Boards of Directors of both companies
believe that this path must be taken in order to have any guarantee of
success in dealing with the challenges posed by the development of the
industry, technological change, and customers' new needs. It is thus
intended to create a customer-oriented business segment able to offer
customers integrated solutions within the telecommunications market.
Therefore, the merger is viewed as a strategic imperative of the highest
order, and as an outstanding opportunity for mutual advantage. The
shareholders of both TERRA and TELEFONICA will benefit from it. In terms
of summarizing the most essential aspects, it can be stated that the
integration of the businesses resulting from the merger will make it
possible:
a) To strengthen the competitive positioning of TERRA and TELEFONICA in
the above-referenced markets, which will translate into an increase in
customers and an expanded share of the market. This is the case because of
(i) the greater capacity of the unified firm to respond to the integrated
offerings of competitors; (ii) the better position for creating new services
that optimize the use of the TELEFONICA's network capabilities (which is
critical for services with a need for greater bandwidth, greater security,
etc.) and that integrate them fully into the service provided to the end
customer; (iii) the strengthening of the offering made to the market,
combining the positive attributes of the TELEFONICA and TERRA brand
names, which in turn will make it possible to strengthen the leadership of
the combined company; (iv) the greater scale of operations, which will make
it possible to undertake innovative projects that would now be more
difficult to undertake; and (v) the greater leveraging of the commercial
resources of the two companies, e.g., proprietary channels, third-party
channels, joint advertising, etc.
b) To make better use of current customer bases, through (i) the ability to
define and implement a global strategy based on customer segments, beyond
the current product-based vision; (ii) increased penetration; (iii) an
increase in the loyalty of existing customers, by reducing churn rates
through the packaged sale of services; (iv) increased cross-sales of
services; and (v) the resulting increase in per-customer earnings.
c) To minimize costs and optimize investments, through (i) the integrated
management of networks and platforms (provision of services, billing, CRM/
customer service, etc.), with the additional benefit of greater quality for
the end customer, through end-to-end management; (ii) the rationalization of
investments that are particularly relevant, given the growing needs for an
ability to manage new services that are broadband intensive; (iii) the total
elimination of duplication in the development of new services; (iv) the
streamlining of corporate structures, eliminating duplications and thereby
improving management and increasing efficiency; and (v) an increased ability
to achieve synergies in the purchases of contents and services.
d) To facilitate the exploitation of the opportunities for growth in new
markets, using broadband Internet access as an offering that is more
attractive and competitive than fixed-base telecommunications (a factor that
is particularly relevant in terms of the expansion of the Brazilian market).
e) To develop a single strategy of promoting and creating businesses in the
e-commerce field and general gateways for access to information and
advertising, as a result of the major growth of broadband Internet access in
all markets.
1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE TRANSACTION
The legal structure selected for the integration of the businesses is - as
noted above - a merger pursuant to the terms of Articles 233 et. seq. of the
Corporations Law. The planned merger will take place specifically through
the acquisition of TERRA (the acquired company) by TELEFONICA (the
acquiring company), with the termination, through dissolution without
liquidation, of the former company, and the en bloc transmission of all of
its assets to the latter company, which, through universal succession, will
acquire the rights and obligations of TERRA. As a result of the merger,
TERRA shareholders will receive an exchange of shares of TELEFONICA,
pursuant to the terms specified below.
The merger of TERRA with the parent company of the TELEFONICA Group has
notable advantages. The most pertinent ones consist of ensuring liquidity
for TERRA's shareholders (inasmuch as, in exchange, they will receive shares
of TELEFONICA, which probably are the most liquid ones on the Spanish
market), and simplifying the implementation of the transaction, because once
the merger has been completed, it will be easier to undertake the process of
reallocating the assets of TERRA within the TELEFONICA Group.
2. IDENTIFICATION OF THE ENTITIES PARTICIPATING IN THE MERGER
2.1 TELEFONICA (the Acquiring Company)
TELEFONICA, domiciled in Madrid, at calle Gran Via, 28, which was
incorporated for an indefinite time by means of an notarial instrument
executed before Mr. Alejandro Rosello Pastor, a Madrid Notary, on April 19,
1924, at entry No. 141.
TELEFONICA is registered with the Commercial Registry of Madrid, in Book
12.534, Folio 21, Page M-6.164.
TELEFONICA's Taxpayer ID number is A-28.015.865.
2.2 TERRA (the Acquired Company)
TERRA, domiciled in Barcelona, at calle Nicaragua, 54, which was
incorporated for an indefinite time as TELEFONICA COMUNICACIONES
INTERACTIVAS, S.A. by means of a notarial instrument executed before Mr.
Jose Antonio Escartin Ipiens, a Madrid Notary, on December 4, 1998, at entry
No. 5,276 in his notarial register, which changed its name to the current
name by means of an instrument dated October 1, 1999, drawn up before Mr.
Francisco Arriola Garrote, a Madrid Notary, and recorded under entry No.
1,269 in his notarial register, and which moved to its current domicile by
resolution adopted at the Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting held on
June 8, 2000, which resolution was converted into a public instrument before
Mr. Nicolas Ferrero Lopez, a Notary of Pozuelo de Alarcon, on August 3,
2000, and recorded under entry No. 2,893 in his notarial register.
TERRA is registered with the Commercial Registry of Barcelona, in Book
32.874, Folio 165, Page B-217.925.
TERRA's Taxpayer ID number is A-82.196.080.
3. MERGER EXCHANGE RATIO
The exchange ratio for the shares of the entities participating in the
merger, which was determined on the basis of the real value of the corporate
assets and liabilities of TELEFONICA and TERRA, will be as described
below (with no supplemental cash compensation):
Two (2) shares of TELEFONICA, each having a par value of one euro
(€1), for every nine (9) TERRA shares, each having a par value of two
euros (€2).
The determination of the exchange ratio took into consideration the
dividends that both companies are expected to distribute, to which reference
is made in Section 8 below.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Limited, as TELEFONICA's financial advisor for this
transaction, has expressed to the company's Board of Directors in its
fairness opinion that the agreed-upon exchange ratio is equitable for
TELEFONICA's shareholders. For their part, Lehman Brothers International
(Europe), Spain Branch, and Citigroup Global Markets Limited, as TERRA's
financial advisors for this transaction, have expressed to the latter
company's Board of Directors in their fairness opinion that the agreed-upon
exchange ratio is equitable for TERRA's shareholders other than its majority
shareholder, TELEFONICA.
4. MERGER BALANCE SHEETS
For the purposes set forth in Article 239.1 of the Corporations Law, the
balance sheets for the merger shall be deemed to be the balance sheets of
TELEFONICA and TERRA as of December 31, 2004. Such balance sheets have
been prepared on the date hereof by the respective Boards of Directors, and
will be verified by the auditors of both companies and submitted for the
approval of the shareholders at the General Shareholders' Meetings of each
of the companies that must decide on the merger, prior to the adoption of
the merger resolution itself.
5. PROCEDURE FOR THE EXCHANGE OF SHARES
The procedure for the exchange of shares of TERRA for shares of
TELEFONICA shall as follows:
a. Once the merger has been approved at the General Shareholder Meetings
of both companies, the corresponding Information Memorandum has been
verified, if required, by the Comision Nacional del Mercado de
Valores (the Spanish National Securities Commission) (hereinafter,
the 'CNMV'), and the merger deed has been recorded with the
Commercial Registry of Madrid (after having been evaluated by the
Commercial Registry of Barcelona), the TERRA shares will be
exchanged for TELEFONICA shares.
b. The exchange will take place beginning on the date indicated in the
announcements to be published in the Official Bulletin of the
Commercial Registry, in one of the widely-circulated daily
newspapers in Madrid and Barcelona, and, if necessary, in the
Official Bulletins of the Spanish stock exchanges. A financial
institution shall be appointed to act as an Agent for such purpose,
and such institution shall be named in the above-mentioned
announcements.
c. The exchange of the TERRA shares for TELEFONICA shares will take
place through participants in Sociedad de Gestion de los Sistemas de
Registro, Compensacion y Liquidacion de Valores, S.A. (Securities
Registration, Clearing, and Liquidation Systems Management Company,
Inc.) (Iberclear) that are depositaries thereof, in accordance with
the procedures established for the book-entry system, pursuant to
the provisions of Royal Decree No. 116/1992, of February 14, and
with the application of the provisions of Article 59 of the
Corporations Law, to the extent applicable.
d. Shareholders who hold shares representing a fraction of the number of
TERRA shares designated as the exchange ratio may purchase or
transfer shares in order to exchange them in accordance with such
exchange ratio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the companies
participating in the merger may establish mechanisms for the purpose
of facilitating the implementation of the exchange for those TERRA
shareholders who own a number of shares that is not a multiple of
nine (9), including the designation of a Fractional Agent.
e. As a result of the merger, the TERRA shares will become null and
void.
It is noted for the record that, as of the date of this Plan, TELEFONICA
is the holder of four hundred thirty-six million, two hundred five thousand,
four hundred nineteen (436,205,419) TERRA shares, representing seventy-five
point eighty-seven percent (75.87%) of its share capital. Pursuant to the
provisions of Article 249 of the Corporations Law and of the regulations
governing treasury stock, the shares of TERRA controlled by TELEFONICA
will not be exchanged for shares of TELEFONICA.
In addition, it is noted for the record that TERRA holds seven million
(7,000,000) of its own shares in treasury, which shares were earmarked for
redemption following the amendment of the hedging system for the following
stock option plans: (i) the TERRA stock option plan approved at the General
Shareholders' Meeting of TERRA on October 1, 1999, as amended by resolutions
approved at the General Shareholders' Meetings held on June 8, 2000 and on
June 7, 2001, and as further developed by the Board of Directors of TERRA,
and (ii) stock option plans resulting from the assumption by TERRA of the
LYCOS INC. stock option plans as approved at the General Shareholders'
Meeting of TERRA on June 8, 2000, and as amended by the General
Shareholders' Meeting held on June 7, 2001, and as further developed by the
Board of Directors. The above-mentioned seven million (7,000,000) shares
will neither be part of the exchange, in compliance with the provisions of
Article 249 of the Corporations Law and similar provisions, although,
following the registration of the merger, TELEFONICA will succeed TERRA
as the entity bound by such plans, which will be amended in accordance with
the exchange ratio established in this Plan. So as to avoid prejudice to the
interests of the beneficiaries of said plans, TELEFONICA will establish,
if necessary, mechanisms to ensure the that due attention will be given to
the commitments assumed by TERRA in connection with the above-mentioned
stock option plans.
6. INCREASE IN TELEFONICA'S CAPITAL
If necessary, TELEFONICA will increase its share capital by the exact
amount needed to make the exchange for TERRA shares in accordance with the
exchange equation established in this Merger Plan.
The increase will be carried out through the issuance of a precise number of
shares, each having a nominal value of one euro (€1), belonging to the same
single class and series as the current TELEFONICA shares, as represented
by book-entry accounts, with the application, in any event, of the
provisions of Article 249 of the Corporations Law. In particular, the TERRA
shares held by TELEFONICA will not be exchanged, and will be redeemed.
The maximum amount of the capital increase to be carried out by
TELEFONICA pursuant to the established exchange ratio may be reduced
through the delivery to TERRA shareholders of old shares held in
TELEFONICA's treasury.
The difference between the net book value of the assets and liabilities
received by TELEFONICA by virtue of the merger covered by this Plan and
the par value of the new shares issued by TELEFONICA - adjusted, if
necessary, by the proportion represented by the new shares of the total
shares delivered in exchange - shall be treated as issuance premium.
Both the par value of such shares and the corresponding issuance premium
shall be entirely paid-up as a result of the en bloc conveyance of the
corporate assets and liabilities of TERRA to TELEFONICA, which, through
universal succession, shall acquire the rights and obligations of TERRA.
7. DATE FROM WHICH THE SHARES DELIVERED IN EXCHANGE WILL CARRY THE RIGHT TO
PARTICIPATE IN CORPORATE EARNINGS
The shares which may be issued by TELEFONICA in connection with the
capital increase mentioned in Section 6 above, shall entitle their owners to
participate in the corporate earnings obtained by TELEFONICA starting on
January 1, 2005.
Previously existing TELEFONICA shares and shares delivered or issued in
connection with the exchange will participate, with equal rights in
proportion to the par value of each share, in distributions made after the
merger deed is recorded with the Commercial Registry.
8. DIVIDENDS
For the preparation of this Merger Plan and the determination of the
exchange ratio indicated in Section 3 above, the Boards of Directors of
TELEFONICA and TERRA took into consideration the following
dividend-payment plans:
a. TELEFONICA plans to make the following distributions:
i. Payment of an interim dividend based on the earnings for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2004, which will be paid on May 13, 2005.
This dividend was announced by the board of directors at its meeting
held on January 26, 2005. On the date hereof, the Board of Directors
has resolved to set the amount of such dividend at 0.23 Euros per
share.
As indicated in Section 7 above, TERRA shareholders who become
TELEFONICA shareholders as a result of the merger will not
benefit from such dividend. This was therefore taken into
consideration in determining of the exchange ratio.
ii. The distribution of TELEFONICA's treasury stock, at the ratio of
one share of treasury stock for each twenty-five shares owned by the
shareholder, charged against the reserve for issuance premium. The
proposal for such distribution plan was approved by the Board of
Directors at its meeting held on November 24, 2004. The
effectiveness of the distribution is subject to the corresponding
approval by the shareholders at the Ordinary General Shareholders'
Meeting of TELEFONICA. The payment is expected to be made during
the days following the meeting and, in any event, before the merger
of TELEFONICA and TERRA is recorded with the Commercial Registry.
TERRA shareholders who become TELEFONICA shareholders as a result
of the merger will not benefit from such distribution. This was
therefore taken into consideration in the determination of the
exchange ratio.
iii. The payment of a dividend with a charge against the reserve for
issuance premium, which should be paid on November 11, 2005. The
proposal for this dividend was announced by the Board of Directors
at its meeting held on November 24, 2004. The effectiveness of the
distribution is subject to the corresponding approval by
shareholders at the Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of
TELEFONICA. The exact amount of such dividend is expected to be
0.27 Euros per share.
Unlike the provisions for dividends described above in subsections
(i) and (ii), this dividend will be received by both the
TELEFONICA shareholders and the TERRA shareholders who become
TELEFONICA shareholders as a result of the merger. This was
therefore not taken into consideration in the determination of the
exchange ratio.
b. TERRA expects to pay a dividend in the amount of 0.60 Euros per share,
with a charge against the 'Reserve for Shares Issuance Premium' account.
The proposal for such distribution was approved by the Board of
Directors at its meeting held on February 23, 2005. The effectiveness of
the distribution is subject to the corresponding approval by the
shareholders at the Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of TERRA.
Payment is expected to be made during the days following the meeting
and, in any event, before the merger of TELEFONICA and TERRA is
recorded with the Commercial Registry.
Only the shareholders of TERRA will benefit from such distribution. This
was therefore taken into consideration in the determination of the
exchange ratio.
9. DATE OF THE ACCOUNTING EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
January 1, 2005 is hereby established as the date from which the TERRA
transactions shall be deemed for accounting purposes to have taken place on
behalf of TELEFONICA.
10. SPECIAL RIGHTS
There are no special TERRA shares. Nor are there any owners of special
rights other than the shares, except for those belonging to the
beneficiaries (employees, officers, and directors of the companies in the
TERRA Group) of TERRA; stock option plans mentioned in the Section 5 above
of this Plan. Following the implementation of the merger, TELEFONICA will
succeed TERRA as the entity bound by such plans. TERRA stock option rights
shall be automatically converted into TELEFONICA stock option rights,
upon the terms resulting from the exchange ratio established in this Plan.
All references to TERRA or, as applicable, to LYCOS INC. or to LYCOS
VIRGINIA in such option plans shall be deemed to be made to TELEFONICA
starting on the date of registration of the merger.
The TELEFONICA shares that are delivered to the TERRA shareholders
pursuant to the merger contemplated in this Plan shall not give the holders
thereof any special rights whatsoever.
11. BENEFITS EXTENDED TO DIRECTORS AND INDEPENDENT EXPERTS
No benefits of any type shall be extended to the directors of any of the
entities participating in the merger, or to the independent expert who
participates in the merger process.
12. TAX REGULATIONS
The planned merger shall be governed by the tax regulations set forth in
Chapter VIII of Title VII, and by the second supplemental provision of the
Consolidated Text of the Corporate Income Tax Law, as approved by Royal
Legislative Decree No. 4/2004.
For this purpose, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 96 of the
above-mentioned Consolidated Text, the merger transaction will be reported
to the Government Inspection Office in the manner established by the
regulations.
13. BYLAW/CHARTER AMENDMENTS
TELEFONICA's Board of Directors shall submit for the approval of the
shareholders at the General Shareholders' Meeting of TELEFONICA wherein
the merger is approved, the bylaw/charter amendments that pertain to this
Merger Plan and such other amendments that the Boards of Directors of
TELEFONICA and TERRA mutually decide upon.
14. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXPERT
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 236 of the Corporations Law, the
directors of TELEFONICA and TERRA shall ask the Commercial Registry of
Madrid to appoint a single independent expert for the preparation of a
single report on this Merger Plan and on the assets and liabilities
contributed by TERRA to TELEFONICA as a result of the merger.
15. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORIZATIONS
The effectiveness of the planned merger shall be subject to the provision of
notices and the acquisition of the applicable relevant authorizations and
registrations in Spain and in the other jurisdictions in which both
companies are present.
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 234 of the Corporations Law, the directors
of TELEFONICA and TERRA whose names appear below have signed and, through
their signature, approved, this Merger Plan, in the form of four (4) original
specimens, of identical form and content, which were approved by the Boards of
Directors of TELEFONICA and of TERRA on February 23, 2005.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TELEFONICA
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Cesar Alierta Izuel Mr. Isidro Faine Casas
___________________________________ ___________________________
Mr. Fernando de Almansa Moreno-Barreda Mr. Jesus Maria Cadenato Matia
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Maximino Carpio Garcia Mr. Carlos Colomer Casellas
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Alfonso Ferrari Herreo Mr. Gonzalo Hinojosa Fernandez de Angulo
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Miguel Horta e Costa Mr. Luis Lada Diaz
__________________________ __________________________
Mr. Antonio Massanell Lavilla Mr. Mario E. Vazquez
__________________________
Mr. Antonio Alonso Ureba
It is noted for the record that the Directors Antonio Viana-Baptista and Enrique
Used Aznar have abstained from participating in the deliberations and voting on
the merger plan because it was believed that they are subject to a potential
conflict of interest. For this reason their signatures do not appear in this
document. In addition, it is noted for the record that the Directors Pablo Isla
Alvarez de Tejera, Gregorio Villalabeitia Galarraga, J. Antonio Fernandez Rivero
and Jose Fonollosa Garcia did not attend the meeting at which this Merger Plan
was approved, with the first of them being represented by Cesar Alerta Izuel and
the remaining three being represented by Jesus Maria Cadenato Matia. For this
reason, their signatures also do not appear in this document.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TERRA
__________________________ __________________________
Mr. Joaquin Faura Battle Mr. Francisco Moreno de Alboran y de Vierna
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Fernando Labad Sasiain Mr. Enrique Used Aznar
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Luis Bassat Coen Mr. Alfonso Merry del Val Gracie
__________________________ _____________________
Mr. Carlos Fernandez-Prida Mendez-Nunez Mr. Jose Alfonso Bustamante Bustamante
__________________________
Mr. Luis Badia Almirall
It is noted for the record that all the Directors appointed as per indication of
Telefonica, S.A., that is, Mr. J. Alfonso Bustamante Bustamante, Mr. Enrique
Used Aznar and Mr. Fernando Labad Sasiain have abstained from attending and
participating in the deliberations of the Board of Directors of Terra Networks,
S.A. on the merger plan and, consequently, have not signed it, because it was
believed that they are subject to a potential conflict of interest. For this
reason the signatures of Mr. J. Alfonso Bustamante Bustamante, Mr. Enrique Used
Aznar and Mr. Fernando Labad Sasiain do not appear in this document.
In addition, it is noted for the record that D. Luis Bassat Coen, who could not
attend this meeting of the Board of Directors at which this Merger Plan was
approved, because of illness, has also abstained from participating in the
deliberations in relation to it, because it was believed that he is subject to a
potential conflict of interest. For this reason his signature does not appear
in this document.
ANNEX - 2
Nota de Prensa
Press Release
23/02/05
Terra Networks has requested to distribute a dividend in cash of 0.60 euros per
share
THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF TELEFONICA AND TERRA APROVE THE MERGER PLAN OF
BOTH COMPANIES
Madrid, February 23rd 2005.- In the context of the negotiations that Terra
Networks, S.A. is holding with Telefonica, S.A. leading to a probable merger
between the two companies, the Board of Directors of Terra Networks, S.A. has
proposed to Telefonica, S.A. the distribution to Terra Networks, S.A.'
shareholders, as an additional element of profitability, and as a dividend in
cash, the aggregate amount of 340,764,907 euros.
This distribution, which will be charged against Additional Paid-in Capital
Reserve of Terra Networks, S.A. represents an additional 0.60 euros per share to
the exchange ratio pursuant to the merger.
The Board of Directors of Telefonica, S.A. has accepted the proposal of
Terra Networks, S.A. and, in consequence, both Boards of Directors have approved
the Merger Plan.
Para mas informacion / For further information
Direccion de Comunicacion Corporativa Tel: +34 91 584 09 20
Press Office Fax: +34 91 532 71 18
Gran Via, 28 - 3(a) Planta e-mail: prensa@telefonica.es
28013 - MADRID http://www.telefonica.es/saladeprensa
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