Indicate the number of outstanding shares
of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
The number of outstanding shares of each
class (excluding treasury shares) as of December 31, 2016 was:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is
a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
x
Yes
o
No
If this report is an annual or transition
report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
o
Yes
x
No
Note – Checking the box above will not
relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their
obligations under those sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x
Yes
o
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such files)
o
Yes
o
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and
large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting
the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
If “Other” has been checked in
response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
If this is an annual report, indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
References in this annual report to “Telefônica
Brasil,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “our company” and “the company” are
to Telefônica Brasil S.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires). All references in this
annual report to:
Unless otherwise specified, data relating
to the Brazilian telecommunications industry included in this annual report were obtained from ANATEL.
The “Glossary of Telecommunications
Terms” that begins on page 145 provides the definition of certain technical terms used in this annual report.
This annual report contains statements
that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this Annual Report can be identified, in some instances, by the use of words such
as “will,” “expect,” “aim,” “hope,” “anticipate,” “intend,”
“believe” and similar language or the negative thereof or by the forward-looking nature of discussions of strategy,
plans or intentions. These statements appear in a number of places in this Annual Report including, without limitation, certain
statements made in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company,”
“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Risk” and include statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other
things:
We undertake no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Because of these risks
and uncertainties, the forward-looking information, events and circumstances discussed in this annual report might not occur. Our
actual results and performance could differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements.
The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its
judgment in the process of applying our accounting policies. Those areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or
areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in Note 3 to our
consolidated financial statements.
Our financial statements prepared in accordance
with IFRS as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December
31, 2014 have also been filed with the CVM, the local securities regulator in Brazil and made publicly available. Our selected
financial information included in “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected Financial Data” should be read in conjunction
with, and is qualified in its entirety by, our financial statements and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”
appearing elsewhere in this annual report.
The consolidated financial statements as
of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016 are in compliance with IFRS,
as issued by the IASB and also with the pronouncements, interpretations and guidance issued by the IASB and the IFRS Interpretations
Committee, or the IFRIC, which entered into force as of January 1, 2016.
We have made rounding adjustments to reach
some of the figures included in this annual report. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an
arithmetic aggregation of the figures that preceded them.
Results of GVT
Participações S.A. are consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. Consequently, our
results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 are not comparable with our results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
PART I
|
ITEM 1.
|
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 2.
|
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
|
Not applicable.
|
A.
|
Selected Financial Data
|
The selected financial data presented below
should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
annual report. Our consolidated financial statements included herein as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December
31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been audited by Ernst & Young Auditores Independentes S.S. The report of Ernst & Young Auditores
Independentes S.S. on the consolidated financial statements appears elsewhere in this annual report.
Results of GVT are consolidated into our
financial statements as from May 1, 2015. Consequently, our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 are not
comparable with our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012. For further information on
our corporate restructurings, see “Item 4.A Historical Background—Acquisition of GVT.”
The following tables present a summary of
our selected financial data at the dates and for each of the periods indicated. You should read the following information together
with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report and with “Item
5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
2016
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
(in millions of U.S. dollars)(1)
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
|
|
(except for share and per share data)
|
Net operating revenue
|
|
|
13,043
|
|
|
|
42,508
|
|
|
|
40,287
|
|
|
|
35,000
|
|
|
|
34,722
|
|
|
|
33,919
|
|
Cost of goods and services
|
|
|
(6,389
|
)
|
|
|
(20,823
|
)
|
|
|
(20,345
|
)
|
|
|
(17,223
|
)
|
|
|
(17,542
|
)
|
|
|
(16,557
|
)
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
6,654
|
|
|
|
21,685
|
|
|
|
19,942
|
|
|
|
17,777
|
|
|
|
17,180
|
|
|
|
17,362
|
|
Operating expenses, net
|
|
|
(4,700
|
)
|
|
|
(15,317
|
)
|
|
|
(14,702
|
)
|
|
|
(12,668
|
)
|
|
|
(12,248
|
)
|
|
|
(10,152
|
)
|
Equity in earnings (losses) of associates
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
|
1
|
|
Operating income, net
|
|
|
1,954
|
|
|
|
6,369
|
|
|
|
5,242
|
|
|
|
5,116
|
|
|
|
4,877
|
|
|
|
7,211
|
|
Financial expense, net
|
|
|
(379
|
)
|
|
|
(1,234
|
)
|
|
|
(848
|
)
|
|
|
(362
|
)
|
|
|
(215
|
)
|
|
|
(291
|
)
|
Income before tax
|
|
|
1,575
|
|
|
|
5,135
|
|
|
|
4,394
|
|
|
|
4,754
|
|
|
|
4,662
|
|
|
|
6,920
|
|
Income and social contribution taxes
|
|
|
(322
|
)
|
|
|
(1,050
|
)
|
|
|
(974
|
)
|
|
|
183
|
|
|
|
(946
|
)
|
|
|
(2,468
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
1,253
|
|
|
|
4,085
|
|
|
|
3,420
|
|
|
|
4,937
|
|
|
|
3,716
|
|
|
|
4,452
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling shareholders
|
|
|
1,253
|
|
|
|
4,085
|
|
|
|
3,420
|
|
|
|
4,937
|
|
|
|
3,716
|
|
|
|
4,453
|
|
Non-controlling shareholders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
2.27
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
|
|
3.10
|
|
|
|
3.72
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
|
2.37
|
|
|
|
4.53
|
|
|
|
3.41
|
|
|
|
4.09
|
|
Cash Dividends per share in
reais
, net of withholding tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
1.86
|
|
|
|
2.57
|
|
Preferred Shares
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
1.81
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
|
|
2.04
|
|
|
|
2.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
(in millions of U.S. dollars)(1)
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
|
|
(except for share and per share data)
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
9,796
|
|
|
|
31,925
|
|
|
|
30,477
|
|
|
|
20,454
|
|
|
|
18,442
|
|
|
|
17,604
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
31,317
|
|
|
|
102,066
|
|
|
|
101,685
|
|
|
|
73,065
|
|
|
|
69,504
|
|
|
|
70,251
|
|
Loans and financing—current portion
|
|
|
780
|
|
|
|
2,543
|
|
|
|
2,222
|
|
|
|
1,509
|
|
|
|
1,237
|
|
|
|
1,270
|
|
Loans and financing—noncurrent portion
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
|
3,127
|
|
|
|
4,455
|
|
|
|
2,123
|
|
|
|
3,215
|
|
|
|
3,774
|
|
Debentures—current portion
|
|
|
651
|
|
|
|
2,120
|
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
|
755
|
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
|
702
|
|
Debentures—noncurrent portion
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
1,434
|
|
|
|
3,424
|
|
|
|
3,412
|
|
|
|
4,015
|
|
|
|
2,254
|
|
Shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
21,246
|
|
|
|
69,244
|
|
|
|
68,567
|
|
|
|
44,950
|
|
|
|
42,894
|
|
|
|
44,681
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling shareholders
|
|
|
21,246
|
|
|
|
69,244
|
|
|
|
68,567
|
|
|
|
44,950
|
|
|
|
42,894
|
|
|
|
44,681
|
|
Noncontrolling shareholders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Capital stock
|
|
|
19,506
|
|
|
|
63,571
|
|
|
|
63,571
|
|
|
|
37,798
|
|
|
|
37,798
|
|
|
|
37,798
|
|
Number of shares outstanding (in thousands)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,688,694
|
|
|
|
1,688,694
|
|
|
|
1,123,269
|
|
|
|
1,123,269
|
|
|
|
1,123,269
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flow Data:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
(in millions of U.S. dollars)(1)
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
3,510
|
|
|
|
11,440
|
|
|
|
9,897
|
|
|
|
9,384
|
|
|
|
9,576
|
|
|
|
10,054
|
|
Investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,115
|
)
|
|
|
(6,895
|
)
|
|
|
(14,626
|
)
|
|
|
(7,608
|
)
|
|
|
(5,543
|
)
|
|
|
(3,721
|
)
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
(1,466
|
)
|
|
|
(4,777
|
)
|
|
|
5,373
|
|
|
|
(3,627
|
)
|
|
|
(4,622
|
)
|
|
|
(2,089
|
)
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(71
|
)
|
|
|
(232
|
)
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
|
(1,851
|
)
|
|
|
(589
|
)
|
|
|
4,244
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
1,637
|
|
|
|
5,337
|
|
|
|
4,693
|
|
|
|
6,544
|
|
|
|
7,133
|
|
|
|
2,889
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
|
|
1,566
|
|
|
|
5,105
|
|
|
|
5,337
|
|
|
|
4,693
|
|
|
|
6,544
|
|
|
|
7,133
|
|
|
(1)
|
Translated for convenience only using the commercial offer rate as reported by the Central Bank as of December 31, 2016 for
reais
into U.S. dollars of R$3.2591 to US$1.00. These translations should not be considered representations that any such
amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that or at any other exchange rate as of that or
any other date. In addition, translations should not be construed as representations that the
real
amounts represent or
have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars as of that or any other date.
|
|
(2)
|
As of the date of this annual report, we held 2,291 thousand treasury shares.
|
Exchange Rates
The Central Bank allows the
real
/U.S.
dollar exchange rate to float freely and has intervened to control the exchange rate volatility. However, the exchange market may
continue to be volatile, and the
real
may depreciate or appreciate substantially in relation to the U.S. dollar. The Central
Bank or the Brazilian government may intervene in the exchange rate market.
Since 1999, the Central Bank has allowed
the
real
/U.S. dollar exchange rate to float freely, and, since that time, the
real
/U.S. dollar exchange rate has
fluctuated considerably. In 2012, the
real
depreciated 8.9% against the U.S. dollar. In 2013 and 2014, the
real
depreciated
further 14.6% and 13.4%, respectively against the U.S. dollar. In 2015, the depreciation of the
real
against the U.S. dollar
was 47%. In 2016, the
real
appreciated 16.5%, against the U.S. dollar, ending the year at an exchange rate of R$3.2591 per
US$1.00.
The Brazilian government has implemented
various economic plans and utilized a number of exchange rate policies, including sudden devaluations, periodic mini-devaluations
during which the frequency of adjustments ranged from a daily to a monthly basis, floating exchange rate systems, exchange controls
and dual exchange rate markets. We cannot predict whether the Central Bank or the Brazilian government will continue to let the
real
float freely or intervene in the exchange rate market by returning to a currency band system or otherwise. The
real
may depreciate or appreciate substantially against the U.S. dollar.
The following tables set forth the selling
exchange rate, expressed in
reais
per U.S. dollar (R$/US$) for the periods indicated, as reported by the Central Bank.
|
|
Exchange Rates of R$ per US$1.00
|
|
|
Period-End
|
|
Average(1)
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2.0435
|
|
|
|
1.9550
|
|
|
|
2.1121
|
|
|
|
1.7024
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2.3426
|
|
|
|
2.1605
|
|
|
|
2.4457
|
|
|
|
1.9528
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2.6562
|
|
|
|
2.3547
|
|
|
|
2.7403
|
|
|
|
2.1974
|
|
2015
|
|
|
3.9048
|
|
|
|
3.3387
|
|
|
|
4.1949
|
|
|
|
2.5754
|
|
2016
|
|
|
3.2591
|
|
|
|
3.4833
|
|
|
|
4.1558
|
|
|
|
3.1193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Month
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 2016
|
|
|
3.2403
|
|
|
|
3.2097
|
|
|
|
3.2733
|
|
|
|
3.1302
|
|
September 2016
|
|
|
3.2462
|
|
|
|
3.2564
|
|
|
|
3.3326
|
|
|
|
3.1934
|
|
October 2016
|
|
|
3.1811
|
|
|
|
3.1858
|
|
|
|
3.2359
|
|
|
|
3.1193
|
|
November 2016
|
|
|
3.3967
|
|
|
|
3.3420
|
|
|
|
3.4446
|
|
|
|
3.2024
|
|
December 2016
|
|
|
3.2591
|
|
|
|
3.3523
|
|
|
|
3.4650
|
|
|
|
3.2591
|
|
January 2017
|
|
|
3.1270
|
|
|
|
3.1966
|
|
|
|
3.2729
|
|
|
|
3.1270
|
|
February 2017 (through February 22)
|
|
|
3.0824
|
|
|
|
3.1070
|
|
|
|
3.1479
|
|
|
|
3.0510
|
|
Source: Brazilian Central Bank.
|
(1)
|
Annually, represents the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the periods presented; monthly,
represents the average of the end-of-day exchange rates during the periods presented.
|
On February 22, 2017, the exchange rate
was R$3.0824 to US$1.00. The
real
/dollar exchange rate fluctuates and, therefore, this exchange rate may not be indicative
of future exchange rates.
|
B.
|
Capitalization and Indebtedness
|
Not applicable.
|
C.
|
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
|
Not applicable.
This section is intended to be a summary
of more detailed discussions contained elsewhere in this annual report. The risks described below are not the only ones we face.
Additional risks that we do not presently consider material, or of which we are not currently aware, may also affect us. Our business,
results of operations or financial condition could be impacted if any of these risks materializes and, as a result, the market
price of our preferred shares and our ADSs could be affected.
Risks Relating to Brazil
The Brazilian government has exercised,
and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy. This influence, as well as Brazilian political and
economic conditions, could adversely affect us and the trading price of our preferred shares and ADSs.
In the past, the Brazilian government has
intervened in the Brazilian economy and made changes in policy and regulations. The Brazilian government’s actions to control
inflation and affect other policies have often involved wage and price controls, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits
on imports, among other things. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our preferred
shares and ADSs may be adversely affected by changes in government policies, especially those related to our sector, such as changes
in telephone fees and competitive conditions, as well as general economic factors, including:
|
·
|
exchange control policies;
|
|
·
|
internal economic growth;
|
|
·
|
liquidity of domestic capital and lending markets;
|
|
·
|
other political, diplomatic, social and economic developments in or affecting Brazil.
|
Uncertainty regarding changes by the Brazilian
government to the policies, regulations or standards affecting these or other factors in the future may contribute to economic
uncertainty in Brazil and heightened volatility in the Brazilian securities markets and securities issued abroad by Brazilian companies.
In addition, possible political crises may affect the confidence of investors and the public in general, which may result in economic
deceleration and affect the trading prices of shares issued by companies listed on the stock exchange, such as us.
Our business may be vulnerable to the
current disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets.
We are susceptible to swings in global
economic conditions, typified most recently by difficult credit and liquidity conditions and disruptions leading to greater volatility
commencing in mid-2007 with the global financial crisis. The global economy has largely recovered, however markets remain subject
to ongoing volatility factors including interest rate divergence, geopolitical events, and global growth expectations, and there
is no assurance that similar conditions will not arise again. In the long term, as a consequence, global investor confidence may
remain low and credit may remain relatively lacking. Hence, additional volatility in the global financial markets may occur. The
Brazilian economy remains subject to risks and adjustments arising from international financial conditions. Various governments
may continue to intervene in their financial systems and perform fiscal and monetary adjustments. There is no assurance, however,
that these measures will be successful in stimulating growth or in stabilizing conditions in international financial markets.
The conditions and volatility in the global
financial markets may have a material adverse effect on our ability to access the capital markets under appropriate financial conditions,
which may adversely affect our operations. Furthermore, an environment of economic downturn may negatively affect the financial
stability of our customers, which could result in a general reduction in Brazil’s economic activity and the consequent loss
of income for us.
Political instability may have an adverse
impact on the Brazilian economy and on our business.
Political conditions in Brazil may affect
the confidence of investors and the public in general, as well as the development of the economy. For example, 2016 was marked
by an unstable political scenario evidenced by widespread protests and ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption in
state-controlled enterprises that contributed to the decline of the confidence of investors and the public in general. The Brazilian
Congress commenced impeachment proceedings against then President Dilma Rousseff on December 2, 2015, for violating budgetary laws
to prop up the Brazilian economy during her reelection campaign in 2014. On April 17, 2016, more than two-thirds of Brazil’s
Congress voted to proceed with the impeachment proceedings. The proceedings then moved to the Senate, which on May 12, 2016 voted
to commence a trial of President Rousseff, resulting in her suspension from the post for up to 180 days, during which time Vice
President Michel Temer assumed the Presidency. On August 31, 2016, President Rousseff was convicted by the Senate and definitively
removed from office. On the same date, Michel Temer assumed the Presidency of Brazil until the next general elections, scheduled
for October of 2018. Rousseff appealed the Senate’s final decision to the Supreme Court, whose decision is pending. In this
context, it is currently uncertain whether Temer will enjoy the support of the Brazilian Congress, or what policies he will be
able to implement. In addition, Temer and his government have been the target of protests throughout Brazil since he assumed power
on a provisional and now definitive basis. The resolution of the political and economic crisis in Brazil still depends on the outcome
of Operation “Lava Jato” and approval of reforms that are expected to be promoted by the new president. We have no
control over the situation and cannot foresee what policies or actions the Brazilian government
may pursue. The Brazilian government may be subject to internal pressure to change its current macroeconomic policies, including
its fiscal policy, in order to achieve higher rates of economic growth and/or meet its fiscal targets. During the past years, the
Central Bank has maintained a tight monetary policy with high interest rates, thus restricting the availability of credit and reducing
economic growth in order to control inflation. We cannot foresee what policies the government will adopt. Furthermore, any indecision
by the Brazilian government in implementing changes in certain policies or regulations may contribute to economic uncertainty in
Brazil, and increase stock market volatility. Any of these factors may adversely affect the Brazilian economy, our business, financial
condition, results of operations and the market price of our preferred shares and ADSs.
Inflation and government efforts to curb
inflation may contribute to economic uncertainty in Brazil, adversely affecting our business and results of operations.
Brazil has historically experienced high
rates of inflation. Inflation and certain governmental measures taken in the attempt to curb inflation have had significant negative
effects on the Brazilian economy. In 2015, inflation measured by the Brazilian consumer price index (
Índice de Preços
ao Consumidor
), or IPCA, reached 10.67%, above the upper limit of 6.5%, established by the CMN. In 2016, inflation as measured
by the IPCA retreated to 6.3%, below the upper limit of 6.5%, established by the CMN. In 2017, the Brazilian monetary policy will
continue to use the IPCA as a reference for the inflation target. The inflation target for 2017 is set at 4.5%, allowing 1.5 percentage
points below or above this target, which means a reduction of 0.5 percentage points to this interval in relation to the target
for 2016. If the Central Bank’s assessment is that inflation will be above this target, it may raise interest rates, directly
affecting the cost of our debt and indirectly reducing the demand for products and services related to telecommunications. In 2017,
factors that may adversely affect consumer inflation are, among others, the depreciation of the
real
against global benchmark
currencies, a possible decision by the Brazilian federal government to raise utility prices (such as electricity tariffs) and potential
tax increases.
Currently, fixed broadband and mobile service
providers use the internal general price index (
Índice Geral de Preços - Disponibilidade Interna
), or IGP-DI,
to adjust their prices and TV and cable service providers use the market general price index (
Índice Geral de Preços
ao Mercado
), or IGP-M. The IGP-DI and IGP-M are inflation indexes developed by the Fundação Getúlio Vargas,
a private organization. Since 2006, telephone fees for fixed line services have been indexed to the telecommunication services
index, or IST, adjusted by a factor of productivity, which is defined by ANATEL Resolution 507/2008. The IST is an index composed
of other domestic price indexes that is intended to reflect the telecommunications industry’s operating costs. As a result,
this index serves to reduce potential discrepancies between our industry’s revenue and costs, and thus reduce the apparent
adverse effects of inflation upon our operations.
The authorization by ANATEL to adjust the
rate of fees, which is pegged to the IST, is reduced by a factor of productivity, which is calculated based on a compensation index
established by ANATEL to share earnings from fixed charge services with their users. The IST is calculated based on a 12-month
period average. This may cause increases in our revenues above or below our costs (including salaries), with potentially adverse
impacts on our profitability.
Increases in interest rates may have a
material adverse effect on our business. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank (
Comitê de Política
Monetária do Banco Central do Brasil
) sets the basic interest rate for the Brazilian financial system based on the future
inflation rate and the central inflation target. On December 31, 2016, the basic interest rate was 13.75% per year, compared to
14.25% per year on December 31, 2015. The basic interest rate decreased 75 basis points on January 11, 2017 and is currently 13.00%
per year. The current market consensus is converging towards an IPCA target of 4.5%. The Copom justified its decision based on
the lower-than-expected economic activity, lower inflation expectations and positive advances on the necessary economic reforms.
As a result, the Central Bank may keep the pace of the cuts of the overnight rate (
Sistema Especial de Liquidação
e de Custódia – Selic
) in the next months, but may increase rates depending on how the macroeconomic scenario
evolves. Such rate increases may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely
affect our ability to meet liabilities denominated or linked to foreign currencies or reduce our income in foreign currency, and
may have a material adverse effect on the market value of our preferred shares and ADSs.
The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar
and the Brazilian
real
has experienced significant fluctuations in recent years. The
Real
depreciated 12.6% against
the U.S. dollar in 2011, 8.9% in 2012, 14.6% in 2013, 13.4% in 2014, 47% in 2015 and appreciated 16.5% in 2016.
As of December 31, 2016, 14% of our total
indebtedness of R$9.2 billion was denominated in foreign currency (of which 10% was denominated in U.S. dollars). As of December
31, 2016, we had currency hedges in place to cover all of our financial foreign currency-denominated indebtedness.
Approximately 6.2% of our operating costs
and expenses are payable or linked to payment by us in U.S. dollars or Euros. By contrast, 99.7% of our revenue is generated in
reais
, except income derived from hedging transactions, international long-distance interconnection fees and services to
customers outside of Brazil.
To the extent that the value of the
real
decreases relative to the U.S. dollar or the Euro, our commitments payable or linked to payment by us in foreign currencies become
more expensive. Although our accounts receivable denominated in foreign currencies would also appreciate, the net effect could
adversely affect our revenue and expenses.
Nearly all of our transactions denominated
in foreign currencies are covered by hedge transactions. Since May 2010, we have been using a “net balance coverage”
strategy, pursuant to which we seek to hedge our net foreign exchange exposure arising from invoices issued or received in foreign
currencies. Our corporate market risk department periodically reviews our foreign currency invoices and manages our commitments
linked to foreign currencies to limit our overall foreign currency exposure. We believe this strategy has substantially reduced
our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates.
Additionally, the IST does not adequately
reflect the true effect of exchange rate fluctuations. Thus, our revenue, when translated to U.S. dollars, does not adequately
reflect the true effect of exchange rate fluctuations, which may affect our results of operations.
Political, economic and social developments
and the perception of risk in other developed and emerging countries may adversely affect the Brazilian economy, our business,
and the market price of Brazilian securities, including our preferred shares and ADSs.
The market for securities issued by Brazilian
companies may be influenced, to varying degrees, by economic conditions in both developing and developed economies. The reaction
of investors to developments in other countries may have an adverse impact on the market value of securities of Brazilian companies.
Crises in other emerging countries or the economic policies of other countries may reduce investor demand for securities of Brazilian
companies, including our preferred shares. Any of the foregoing developments may adversely affect the market value of our preferred
shares and hinder our ability to access the capital markets and finance our operations in the future on acceptable terms and costs,
or at all.
Exchange controls and restrictions on
remittances abroad may adversely affect holders of our preferred shares and ADSs.
Brazilian law allows for the Brazilian
government to impose temporary restrictions on capital outflows whenever there is a significant imbalance in Brazil’s balance
of payments or a significant possibility that such imbalance will exist. Such restrictions could hinder or prevent the holders
of our preferred shares or the custodian of our shares in Brazil, Citibank N.A. (acting as the agent for the depositary), from
remitting dividends abroad. The Brazilian government last imposed restrictions on capital outflows for a six-month period at the
end of 1989. If similar restrictions are introduced in the future, they would likely have an adverse effect on the market price
of our preferred shares and ADSs.
Risks Relating to the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry
and Us
Extensive government regulation of the
telecommunications industry and our concession may limit, in some cases, our flexibility in responding to market conditions, competition
and changes in our cost structure or impact our fees.
Our business is subject to extensive regulation,
including any regulatory changes that may occur during the terms of our concession agreements and our authorizations to provide
telecommunication services. ANATEL, the main telecommunications industry regulator in Brazil, regulates, among other things:
|
·
|
industry policies and regulations;
|
|
·
|
competition, including our ability to grow by acquiring other telecommunications businesses;
|
|
·
|
telecommunications resource allocation;
|
|
·
|
interconnection and settlement arrangements; and
|
|
·
|
universal service obligations.
|
Brazil’s telecommunications regulatory
framework is continuously evolving. The interpretation and enforcement of regulations, the assessment of compliance with regulations
and the flexibility of regulatory authorities are all marked by uncertainty. We operate under authorizations and a concession from
the Brazilian government, and our ability to maintain these authorizations and concession is a precondition to our success. However,
because of the regulatory framework, we cannot provide assurances that ANATEL will not adversely modify the terms of our authorizations.
Furthermore, according to the terms of our operating authorizations and concession, we must meet certain requirements and maintain
minimum quality, coverage and service standards. Failure by us to comply with these requirements may result in the imposition of
fines or other regulatory responses, including the termination of our operating authorizations and concession. Any partial or total
revocation of any of our operating authorizations or our concession would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, revenues, results of operations and prospects.
In recent years, ANATEL has also been reviewing
and introducing changes to its regulation, especially regarding asymmetric competition measures and interconnection fees charged
among Brazilian telecommunications service providers. Asymmetric competition measures can include regulations intended to rebalance
markets in which a market participant has distinct market power over other competitors. The adoption of disproportionately asymmetric
measures could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and prospects.
Interconnection fees, which are fees charged
by telecommunications service providers to each other to interconnect to each other’s networks, are an important part of
our revenue and cost bases. To the extent that changes to the rules governing interconnection fees reduce the amount of interconnection
fees we are able to collect, our businesses, financial conditions, revenues, results of operations and prospects could be materially
adversely affected.
Therefore, our business, results of operations,
revenues and financial conditions could be negatively affected by the actions of the Brazilian authorities, including, in particular,
the following:
|
·
|
the introduction of new or stricter operational and/or service requirements;
|
|
·
|
the granting of operating licenses in our areas;
|
|
·
|
limitations on interconnection fees we may charge to other telecommunications service providers;
|
|
·
|
delays in the granting of, or the failure to grant, approvals for rate increases; and
|
|
·
|
antitrust limitations imposed by ANATEL and CADE.
|
We may be unable to successfully accomplish
expected synergies of the GVT acquisition.
In order to achieve the full potential
of expected GVT synergies, we will depend on our ability to continue to effectively integrate GVT’s business and management
into our business and management, as well as the overall macroeconomic environment. The integration of GVT into Telefônica
has been progressing according to schedule; however, there are inherent risks to any integration that may harm the process. We
have to integrate certain systems and processes, such as customer service, field operations, investments optimization, as well
as GVT’s services into our mix of products. While the integration process has progressed smoothly so far, it consumes time
and brings uncertainties to the business. An inability to fully capture the benefits of synergy opportunities, including delays
on integration process, would have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
Our concession may be terminated by the
Brazilian government under certain circumstances.
We operate our fixed line business in the
state of São Paulo under a concession granted by the Brazilian government. According to the terms of the concession, we
are obligated to meet certain universal service requirements and to maintain minimum quality and service standards. For example,
ANATEL requires that we satisfy certain conditions with respect to, among other things, expansion of our network to provide public
pay-phone service for all locations with a population over 100 inhabitants, expansion of our network to provide private individual
telephone service for all locations with a population over 300 inhabitants, as well as several quality of service targets. Our
ability to satisfy these and other terms and conditions may be affected by factors beyond our control. Our failure to comply with
the requirements of our concession may result in the imposition of fines up to R$50.0 million or other government actions, including
the termination of our concession. Any partial or total revocation of our concession would have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, the concession agreements establish
that all assets owned by us, which are indispensable to the provision of the services described in such agreements, are considered
“reversible assets” (
bens reversíveis
) and are deemed to be part of the concession assets. According
to recent interpretations by ANATEL of current regulation, reversible assets will be automatically returned to ANATEL upon expiration
of the concession agreements, according to the regulation in force at that time and would not be available to creditors in the
event of insolvency, bankruptcy or similar events. As of December 31, 2016, the net book value of our reversible assets is estimated
at R$8.8 billion, which are comprised of switching and transmission equipment and public use terminals, external network equipment,
energy equipment and system and operation support equipment.
Review of our concession agreements and/or
the implementation of a new regulatory framework in Brazil could have a materially adverse effect on our operations.
The expiration date of our fixed line concession
agreements is December 31, 2025. The concession agreements contain a provision allowing ANATEL to review the concession terms in
2015 and 2020. This provision permits ANATEL to update the renewed concession agreements with respect to network expansion, modernization
and quality of service targets in response to changes in technology, competition in the marketplace and domestic and international
economic conditions.
On June 27, 2014,
as set forth in our concession agreement for fixed line services, ANATEL opened a public review and comment period for the revision
of the terms of our concession agreement with respect to the 2016-2020 period. The review period was scheduled to expire on December
26, 2014. As
the Federal Senate is currently holding discussions
over a new regulatory framework for telecommunications that are expected to affect our concession agreement,
the deadline
for the termination of this review period and the finalization of any revisions to our concession contracts has been continuously
postponed. On December 30, 2016, the review period deadline was postponed once more, to June 30, 2017, as ANATEL
cannot
publish a new version of the contract while this discussion is in progress within the Brazilian legislative branch.
Changes to our concession agreement, or
to the regulatory framework more broadly, may entail new requirements imposed on us, including requirements to make certain investments
and/or capital expenditures, as well as the imposition of conditional investment requirements in order to obtain certain benefits
under a new regulatory framework. Moreover, ANATEL may impose new service targets on us, with values that we are not able to predict.
The conditions, terms and criteria being considered with respect to any such changes in the regulatory framework are still uncertain,
and will only be defined by ANATEL after the approval of a law amending the General Telecommunications Act. Any such changes to
laws, rules or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Telefônica Brasil is exposed to
risks in relation to compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations.
Telefônica Brasil is required to
comply with Brazilian anti-corruption laws and regulations, as well as laws and regulations on the same subject in jurisdictions
where it has its securities traded. In particular, the Company is subject, in Brazil, to the Law nº 12.846/2013 and, in the
United States, to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
Although the Company has internal policies
and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the aforementioned anti-corruption laws and regulations, there can be no assurance
that such policies and procedures will be sufficient or that the Company’s employees, directors, officers, partners, agents
and service providers will not take actions in violation of the Company’s policies and procedures (or otherwise in violation
of the relevant anti-corruption laws and regulations) for which the Company or they may be ultimately held responsible. Violations
of anti-corruption laws and regulations could lead to financial penalties, damage to the Company’s reputation or other legal
consequences that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In connection with the above-mentioned
policies, Telefônica Brasil is currently conducting an internal investigation - which is part of a broader investigation
being conducted by the controlling shareholder of the Company (Telefónica, S.A.) - regarding possible violations of the
abovementioned laws and regulations. Telefônica Brasil is in contact with governmental authorities about this matter and
intends to cooperate with those authorities as the investigation continues. It is not possible at this time to predict the scope
or duration of this matter or its likely outcome.
We are dependent on key personnel and
the ability to hire and retain additional personnel.
We believe that our success will depend
on the continued services of our senior management team and other key personnel. Our management team is comprised of highly qualified
professionals, with extensive experience in the telecommunications industry. The loss of the services of any of our senior management
team or other key employees could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also depend
on the ability of our senior management and key personnel to work effectively as a team.
Our future success also depends on our
ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and motivate highly skilled technical, managerial, sales and marketing personnel.
Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot guarantee that we will successfully attract, assimilate or retain a sufficient
number of qualified personnel. Failure to retain and attract the necessary technical, managerial, sales and marketing and administrative
personnel could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on key suppliers to obtain
necessary equipment and services for our business.
We depend on certain key suppliers of equipment
and services, especially telecommunications network equipment and handsets, for the execution and development of our business.
These suppliers may delay delivery, alter prices and limit supply as a result of problems related to their own businesses, over
which we have no control. If these suppliers are not able to deliver equipment and services regularly, we may face problems with
the continuity of our business activities, which may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We are subject to liabilities relating
to third party contractors, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We are exposed to contingent liabilities
resulting from our contracting structure, which includes third party service providers. Such potential liabilities may involve
labor claims by third party providers that are treated as direct employees as well as joint liability claims relating to wage or
overtime pay complaints and workplace injury claims. If a significant portion of these contingent liabilities are decided against
us and for which we have not made adequate provisions, our financial condition and results of operation may be adversely affected.
Furthermore, if the contracting of third
party service are considered to involve the main activities of the company, it may be characterized as a direct employment, which
would significantly increase our costs and as a result we may be subject to administrative proceedings by the relevant labor regulators
and may be required to pay fines to the third party service providers.
Certain key inputs are subject to risks
related to importation, and we acquire other key inputs from a limited number of domestic suppliers, which may further limit our
ability to acquire such inputs in a timely and cost effective manner.
The high growth in data markets in general
and broadband in particular may result in a limited supply of equipment essential for the provision of such services, such as data
transmission equipment and modems. The restrictions on the number of manufacturers imposed by the Brazilian government for certain
inputs, mainly data transmission equipment and modems, and the geographical locations of non-Brazilian manufacturers of these inputs,
pose certain risks, including:
|
·
|
vulnerability to currency fluctuations in cases where inputs are imported and paid for with U.S. dollars, Euros or other non-Brazilian
currency;
|
|
·
|
difficulties in managing inventory due to an inability to accurately forecast the domestic availability of certain inputs;
and
|
|
·
|
the imposition of customs or other duties on key inputs that are imported.
|
If any of these risks materialize, they
may result in our inability to provide services to our customers in a timely manner or may affect the prices of our services, which
may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We make investments based on demand forecasts
that may become inaccurate due to economic volatility and may result in revenues that lower than expected.
We make certain investments, such as the
procurement of materials and the development of physical sites, based on our forecasts of the amount of demand that customers will
have for our services at a later date (generally several months later). However, any major changes in the Brazilian economic scenario
may affect this demand and therefore our forecasts may turn out to be inaccurate. For example, economic crises may restrict credit
to the population, and uncertainties relating to employment may result in a delay in the decision to acquire new products or services
(such as broadband or Pay TV). As a result, it is possible that we may make larger investments based on demand forecasts than were
necessary given actual demand at the relevant time, which may directly affect our cash flow.
Furthermore, improvements in economic conditions
may have the opposite effect. For example, an increase in demand not accompanied by our investment in improved infrastructure may
result in a possible loss of opportunity to increase our revenue or result in the degradation of the quality of our services.
Consolidation in the telecommunications
market may increase competition in the near future and may change Brazilian market dynamics.
Mergers
and acquisitions may change market dynamics, create competitive pressures, force small competitors to find partners and impact
our financial condition; and may require us to adjust our operations, marketing strategies (including promotions), and product
portfolio.
The
entry of a new market participant with significant financial resources or potential changes in strategy by existing telecommunications
service providers can change the competitive environment in the Brazilian market. We may be unable to keep pace with these changes,
which could affect our ability to compete effectively and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Additional
joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions among telecommunications service providers are possible in the future. If such consolidation
occurs, it may result in increased competition within our market. We may be unable to adequately respond to pricing pressures resulting
from consolidation in our market, adversely affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also
consider engaging in merger or acquisition activity in response to changes in the competitive environment, which could divert resources
away from other aspects of our business.
We face significant competition in the
Brazilian market.
The Brazilian telecommunications market
growth (measured in revenues) declined in 2016, mainly due to mandatory reductions in mobile termination rates required by Brazilian
regulators, as well as a decrease in the use of traditional services (voice and lower speed broadband). By contrast, premium services
such as ultra-broadband and mobile data boosted the revenues of telecommunications companies. Customers are demanding higher quality
and more data availability, which require investments in the development and expansion of new technologies (Fiber and 4G), pressing
companies’ results.
Additionally, the following factors have
also impacted competition in the telecommunications sector: (1) commercial and pricing pressures from new mobile portfolios launched
by competitors; (2) competitors increasing 3G and 4G coverage, improving the quality of service provided by them; and (3) low-cost
alternative services, such as voice and text services provided over IP and Video on Demand, may affect our competitive position
in the market.
We continuously monitor the market progress
in order to anticipate future challenges and opportunities and how to address them. Nevertheless, our operational results, market
position, competitiveness in the market and margins may be negatively affected if we are unable to keep the same pace as our competitors.
Our results of operations may be negatively
affected by the application of the Fixed Commuted Telephone Service (Serviço de Telefonia Fixa Comutada), or STFC, rules
relating to fixed telephone service and the Personal Mobile Service (Serviço Móvel Pessoal), or SMP, rules relating
to mobile services.
We receive payments for the termination
of calls in our fixed network. On May 18, 2014, ANATEL established a gradual decrease in termination rates for the STFC concessionaries,
including TU-RL (Urban Usage Rate), TU-RIU1 (Interurban Usage Rate Level 1) and TU-RU2 (Interurban Usage Rate Level 2).
In 2014, ANATEL established gradual decreases
in mobile interconnection fees, also known as mobile termination rates, or MTR, based on a cost model. Such figures appear in the
following table:
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
Sector 31 (fixed)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TU-RL
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
0.01139
|
|
|
|
0.00574
|
|
|
|
0.00289
|
|
|
|
0.00146
|
|
TU-RU1
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
0.05339
|
|
|
|
0.02191
|
|
|
|
0.00899
|
|
|
|
0.00369
|
|
TU-RU2
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
0.06129
|
|
|
|
0.02348
|
|
|
|
0.009
|
|
|
|
0.00345
|
|
Mobile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Region I
|
|
|
0.16751
|
|
|
|
0.09317
|
|
|
|
0.04928
|
|
|
|
0.02606
|
|
|
|
0.01379
|
|
Region II
|
|
|
0.16237
|
|
|
|
0.10309
|
|
|
|
0.05387
|
|
|
|
0.02815
|
|
|
|
0.01471
|
|
Region III
|
|
|
0.14776
|
|
|
|
0.11218
|
|
|
|
0.06816
|
|
|
|
0.04141
|
|
|
|
0.02517
|
|
We cannot assure you that new mobile service
plans will not be suspended by ANATEL, that the mobile interconnection fees we negotiated will not be changed or that future negotiations
regarding mobile termination rates will be as favorable as those that were previously set by ANATEL. If the readjustments to mobile
interconnection fees that we negotiated are cancelled or if negotiated mobile interconnection fees in the future are less favorable
to us, our business, financial condition, revenues, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.
ANATEL’s annual regulations regarding
interconnection fees could have an adverse effect on our results.
ANATEL has the authority to issue new regulations
affecting many of our areas of operations. Such new regulations could have an adverse effect on our operating results because:
(1) ANATEL could significantly reduce the interconnection fees we are able to charge, thereby reducing our revenues (see “—Our
results of operations may be negatively affected by the application of the Fixed Commuted Telephone Service (
Serviço
de Telefonia Fixa Comutada
), or STFC, rules relating to fixed telephone service and the Personal Mobile Service (
Serviço
Móvel Pessoal
), or SMP, rules relating to mobile services”); (2) ANATEL may allow more favorable conditions for
economic groups without significant market power; (3) the granting of new licenses may increase competition in our area from other
operators, which could adversely affect our prices or market share, thereby reducing our revenues; (4) ANATEL may require that
revenue received for the usage of the SMP network must be included in the calculation of operating revenue, which will increase
the cost of renewing licenses; and (5) ANATEL’s general plan of updating the telecommunications regulations targets several
areas of vital importance for the mobile telecommunications business, such as regulations (A) to improve the quality of services,
which may cause an increase in operating costs, (B) of virtual mobile operations, or MVNO, which may cause an increase in competitive
pressure, (C) against SMP providers exercising market power to negotiate lower mobile termination rate fees, which could cause
a decrease in our revenues from the mobile termination rate fees we are able to charge to SMP providers, and (D) relating
to multimedia communication. For a detailed description of the regulations issued by ANATEL and their impact on our business, see
“Item 4. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation of the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry.”
The industry in which we conduct our
business is continually changing and evolving technologically, which demands adequate changes in the regulatory environment.
The telecommunications industry is subject
to rapid and significant technological changes. Our future success depends on our ability to anticipate and adapt in a timely manner
to technological changes. We expect that new products and technologies will emerge and that existing products and technologies
will be further developed.
The advent of new products and technologies
could have a variety of consequences. These new products and technologies may reduce the price of our services by providing lower-cost
alternatives, for instance over-the-top, or OTT, players (that provide voice and messages over IP), and creation of new digital
services. New product and technologies may also be superior to, and render obsolete, the products and services we offer and the
technologies we use, thus requiring investment in new technology.
Furthermore, such new technologies will
demand changes in the regulatory environment challenging the government agencies and telecommunication companies. For example,
companies that provide OTT services, that have some characteristics of the telecommunications service, are not subject to the same
rules that a telecommunications operator, this gap can bring additional challenges to telecommunications operators. Currently,
it is unclear what the level of regulation for this type of service will be.
Resolution No. 600, approved in November
2012, establishes relevant markets and asymmetric measures which were intended to stimulate the competition in such markets. We
are subject to review by ANATEL to decide if we have a significant market power in a specific relevant market and, as a result,
are subject to asymmetric measures. Both relevant markets and asymmetric measures will be evaluated every four years beginning
in 2016 and the list of companies deemed to have significant market power will be reviewed every two years. Such asymmetric measures
may have material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In December 2016 and January 2017, ANATEL
held a public consultation to discuss new parameters to regulate asymmetries in the telecommunications market. In contrast to the
current model, ANATEL is proposing to regulate companies not based on their market power throughout the country, but according
to the degree of competition present in each municipality.
Additionally, a new regulatory framework
for the telecommunications sector is being considered by the Brazilian government. In this regard, legislators are considering
the possibility of switching the STFC from the current concession regime to an authorization regime, as well as revisions to the
reversibility of assets associated with a concession regime, in order to take account of ongoing technological convergence and
changing market dynamics in the sector. Those measures would remove the current legal uncertainty imposed on concession holders and are expected to encourage a more efficient
use of assets. The failure to implement any such changes to the regulatory infrastructure could adversely affect the operational
and financial results of concession holders.
Changes to any of the above described regulations
may have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to certain risks related
to conditions and obligations imposed by ANATEL for the use of the spectrum needed for the LTE services we offer.
In 2010, ANATEL required multichannel multipoint
distribution service, or MMDS, companies, including us, to return a significant portion of the 2.5GHz spectrum we owned at that
time. In addition, on June 12 and 13, 2012, ANATEL held a public auction for 273 lots of 4G, on the 2.5GHz to 2.69GHz frequencies.
We acquired the “X” band, with a nationwide coverage, for R$1.05 billion. According to spectrum cap rules for bidding
processes, we had to return the remaining portion of the 2.5GHz spectrum we previously owned to operate our MMDS services. In order
to meet the coverage obligations and the schedule defined by ANATEL, we have made 4G services available to 516 cities in Brazil.
To complete the coverage requirements, we will need to implement 4G coverage in 787 cities with between 30,000 and 100,000 residents
by December 31, 2017.
To achieve these goals, Telefonica has
deployed and continues to deploy 4G coverage in such municipalities and serves its customers through the use of its own network
or by agreement of RAN-sharing approved by ANATEL. Verification of compliance with these targets will be made by the Agency under
a supervisory.
The coverage commitments in cities with
less than 30,000 inhabitants may be fulfilled with other frequency bands, according to the following schedule:
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·
|
by December 31, 2017: 117 cities;
|
|
·
|
by December 31, 2018: another 117 cities; and
|
|
·
|
by December 31, 2019: 156 more cities.
|
In 2012, ANATEL auctioned a 450 MHz frequency
lot tied to the 2.5 GHz band, to meet voice and data demand in remote rural areas. Under band “X,” which we acquired
in the bidding process, we will be required to provide infrastructure in rural areas in the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Minas
Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe, and countryside of São Paulo, for a total
of 2,556 municipalities.
In 2016, ANATEL’s board of directors
approved a request made by telecommunications companies to allow for coverage in those remote areas with other technologies, since
there is no available ecosystem to use the 450 MHz frequency.
Regarding the 700 MHz spectrum, ANATEL
has allocated the band for the provision of fixed, mobile and broadband services. On September 30, 2014, ANATEL held the public
bidding for 18 blocks of 4G, on the 708 to 803 MHz frequencies. We acquired 20 MHz (10+10 MHz) with nationwide coverage, for R$1.92
billion, at the minimum price, plus R$904 million for the band cleaning (migration of broadcasters that currently occupy the band
and interference management). According to the auction rules, the winning bidders will be responsible for financing and managing
the band cleaning process and ANATEL has deducted the cleaning cost associated with two blocks for which no bids were made.
In January 2016, the Ministry of Communications
published a new schedule for the Analog TV Switch Off, postponing the usage of the 700 MHz frequency for telecommunications in
some major Brazilian cities. According to the new schedule, two cities were turned off in 2016: Rio Verde (GO) and Brasília
(DF). Despite minor delays, the program implementation was considered successful. According to the schedule, analog TV services
in 349 municipalities in 8 states (Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio
de Janeiro and Pernambuco) will be shut down in 2017, including the capitals of these states. The list of municipalities for 2018
has not yet been defined.
In December 2015, ANATEL auctioned the
remaining spectrum lots in the 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2500 MHz bands, where Telefônica acquired seven lots of 2.5 GHz frequency
band for a total of R$185.4 million. These lots are associated to six different States, five of them in the capital cities of the
States of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, and Palmas
and one in an interior city of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Such frequencies will be used for provision of mobile broadband
service on 4G.
The targets established by ANATEL for
the fast-paced implementation of networks could be impacted by (1) our ability to obtain licenses for the construction of new sites
at the speed necessary to achieve the coverage targets, (2) the capacity of our suppliers to deliver the equipment necessary for
this expansion, which may increase the price of such equipment, and (3) lack of qualified resources to meet the expected implementation
pace.
If we are not able to meet targets and
obligations set forth in the bid documents, ANATEL may use our bank guarantees, we may be subject to fines and/or have our
licenses to operate these frequencies revoked, negatively affecting our business and results of operations. Additionally, the inefficient
use of any frequency may lead to the loss of the usage license.
Our sales could be suspended as a result
of issues with the quality of our services.
ANATEL and other judiciary and administrative
agencies have the authority to suspend our sales in an attempt to improve the overall quality of telecommunications services. Sales
suspensions are generally applied to the services for which there have been complaints by consumers and the consumer protection
agencies. When applied, the suspension is temporary and usually lifted once the company presents an improvement action plan. In
July 2012 ANATEL suspended mobile service sales from three of our main competitors, Oi, Claro and Tim, as result of a considerable
increase in consumer complaints. The suspensions lasted about 20 days and ANATEL requested that all telecommunications companies,
including us, present an action and investment plan to improve the mobile network. Although our action plan was approved by ANATEL
in September 2012, if a similar increase in customer complaints occurs in the future, we may face suspension of one or more of
our services until a plan can be produced and approved by ANATEL, which may materially affect our business and results of operations.
Certain of our debt agreements contain
financial covenants, and any default under such debt agreements may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
cash flows.
Certain of our existing debt agreements
contain restrictions and covenants and require the maintenance or satisfaction of specified financial ratios and tests. Failure
to meet or satisfy any of these covenants, financial ratios or financial tests could result in an event of default under these
agreements.
We are subject to environmental laws
and regulations. Failure to comply with governmental laws and regulations could subject us to penalties that could have an
adverse effect on our business.
Our operations and properties are subject
to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, environmental licensing and registries, protection
of flora and fauna, air emissions, waste management and remediation of contaminated areas, among others. Our failure to comply
with present and future requirements, or the management of existing and identification of new contamination, could cause us to
incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, indemnification, compensation, fines, suspension of activities and other penalties,
investments to upgrade our facilities or change our processes, or curtailment of operations. The identification of presently unidentified
environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by regulatory agencies, enactment of more stringent laws and regulations or
other unanticipated events may arise in the future and give rise to material environmental liabilities and related costs. The occurrence
of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Companies in the telecommunication industry,
including us, may be harmed by restrictions regarding the installation of new antennas for mobile services.
Currently, there are approximately 250
municipal laws in Brazil that limit the installation of new antennas for mobile service, which has been a barrier to the expansion
of mobile networks. Those laws are meant to regulate issues related to zoning and the alleged effects of the radiation and radiofrequencies
of the antennas. The federal law, that establishes new guidelines to create a consolidated plan for the installation of antennas
was approved in 2015, however, it is still pending specific regulation. Despite the federal initiative, as long as the municipal
laws remain unchanged, the risk of noncompliance with regulations and of having services of limited quality in certain areas continues
to exist.
Additional antenna installation is also
limited as a result of concerns that radio frequency emissions from base stations may cause health problems. These concerns could
have an adverse effect on the wireless communications industry and, possibly, expose wireless providers, including us, to litigation.
Based on information from the World Health Organization, or WHO, we are not aware of any evidence in the latest medical research
that conclusively establishes any relationship between radio frequency emissions of base stations and health concerns. However,
perceived risks may delay expansion of our network if we experience problems in finding new sites, which in turn may delay expansion
and may affect the quality of our services.
In May 2009, the Brazilian government published
Law No. 11934/2009 that limits the exposure for fields with frequencies up to 300 GHz. The new law uses the exposure limits determined
by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and recommended by the WHO. In addition, this law further
restricts the installation of new antennas.
New laws may create additional transmission
regulations, which in turn, could have an adverse effect on our business. Also, health concerns regarding the effects of radio
frequency emissions may discourage the use of mobile telephones and may result in the adoption of new measures by governments or
any other regulatory interventions, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
We face risks associated with litigation.
We are party to a number of lawsuits and
other proceedings. An adverse outcome in, or any settlement of, these or other lawsuits could result in significant costs to us.
In addition, our senior management may be required to devote substantial time to these lawsuits, which they could otherwise devote
to our business. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal
Proceedings.”
Risks Relating to the Preferred Shares and the ADSs
Holders of our ADSs may face difficulties
in serving process on or enforcing judgments against us and other persons.
We are organized under the laws of Brazil,
and all of our executive officers and our independent public accountants reside or are based in Brazil. Also, six of our twelve
directors reside or are based in Brazil. Substantially all of our assets and those of these other persons are located in Brazil.
As a result, it may not be possible for holders of the ADSs to effect service of process upon us or these other persons within
the United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil or to enforce against us or these other persons judgments obtained in the
United States or other jurisdictions outside Brazil. Because judgments of U.S. courts for civil liabilities based upon the U.S.
federal securities laws may only be enforced in Brazil if certain conditions are met, holders may face greater difficulties in
protecting their interests due to actions by us, our directors or executive officers than would shareholders of a U.S. corporation.
Holders of our preferred shares and ADSs
generally do not have voting rights.
In accordance with Brazilian Corporate
Law and our bylaws, holders of our preferred shares, and therefore of our ADSs, are not entitled to vote at meetings of our shareholders,
except in limited circumstances set forth in “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
Holders of our preferred shares might
be unable to exercise preemptive rights with respect to the preferred shares unless there is a current registration statement in
effect which covers those rights or unless an exemption from registration applies.
Holders of our preferred shares will not
be able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to the preferred shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement
under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, is effective with respect to the shares underlying those
rights, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. We are not obligated to file a registration
statement. Unless we file a registration statement or an exemption from registration applies, holders of our preferred shares may
receive only the net proceeds from the sale of their preemptive rights by the depositary, or if the preemptive rights cannot be
sold, they will lapse and they will not receive any value for them. For more information on the exercise of these rights, see “Item
10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Description of Our Bylaws—Preemptive Rights.”
An exchange of ADSs for preferred shares
risks the loss of certain foreign currency remittance and Brazilian tax advantages.
Beginning on March 30, 2015, the different
forms of foreign portfolio investments in Brazil, including investments via Depositary Receipts, have been regulated by CMN Resolution
4,373, of September 29, 2014 (or “Resolution No. 4,373”), which revoked the former rule (CMN Resolution 2,689, of January
26, 2000) that had been in effect for the previous 15 years. Resolution No. 4,373 provides for the issuance of Depositary Receipts
in foreign markets in respect of shares of Brazilian issuers, and, pursuant to this regulation, the ADSs benefit from the certificate
of foreign capital registration, which permits Citibank N.A., as depositary, to convert dividends and other distributions with
respect to preferred shares into foreign currency, and to remit the proceeds abroad. Holders of ADSs who exchange their ADSs for
preferred shares will then be entitled to rely on the depositary’s certificate of foreign capital registration for five business
days from the date of exchange. Thereafter, they will not be able to remit non-Brazilian currency abroad unless they obtain their
own certificate of foreign capital registration, or unless they qualify under CMN Resolution No. 4,373, which entitles certain
investors to buy and sell shares on Brazilian stock exchanges without obtaining separate certificates of registration. CMN Resolution
No. 4,373 replaced both CMN Resolution No. 1,927 and CMN Resolution No. 2,689 as of March 30, 2015. Further rules will be issued
by CVM and by the Central Bank to regulate foreign investments in ADSs, including with regard to the exchange of ADSs for preferred
shares and the remittance of funds arising from the sale of these preferred shares.
If holders of ADSs do not qualify under
Resolution No. 4,373, they will generally be subject to less favorable tax treatment with respect to our preferred shares. There
can be no assurance that the depositary’s certificate of registration or any certificate of foreign capital registration
obtained by holders of ADSs will not be affected by future legislative or regulatory changes, or that additional Brazilian law
restrictions applicable to their investment in the ADSs may not be imposed in the future.
Holders of our preferred shares will
be subject to, and holders of our ADSs could be subject to, Brazilian income tax on capital gains from sales of preferred shares
or ADSs.
Brazilian Law No. 10,833 provides that
gains on the disposition of assets located in Brazil by nonresidents of Brazil, whether to other nonresidents or to Brazilian residents,
will be subject to Brazilian taxation. The preferred shares are expected to be treated as assets located in Brazil for purposes
of the law, and gains on the disposition of preferred shares, even by nonresidents of Brazil, are expected to be subject to Brazilian
taxation.
Based on the fact that the ADSs are issued
and registered abroad, we believe that gains on the disposition of ADSs made outside of Brazil by nonresidents of Brazil to another
non-Brazilian resident would not be subject to Brazilian taxation, since they would not fall within the definition of assets located
in Brazil for purposes of Law 10,833. However, considering the general and unclear scope of Law No. 10,833 and the absence of judicial/administrative
court rulings in respect thereto, we cannot be assured that such an interpretation of this law will prevail in the courts of Brazil.
In case of any assessment by the Brazilian
tax authorities, the gains arising from the disposal of ADSs made as of January 1, 2017 could be subject to capital gain tax in
Brazil at (i) progressive rates ranging from 15% to 22.5% (for transactions executed after January 1, 2017) or at a flat rate of
15% (for transactions executed before January 1, 2017), or (ii) 25% if the non-Brazilian holder is located in a tax haven jurisdiction,
whether the transaction was executed before or after January 1, 2017. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Brazilian
Tax Considerations.”
Certain Factors Relating to Our Controlling
Shareholder
Our controlling shareholder has power
over the direction of our business.
Telefónica S.A., or Telefónica,
our controlling shareholder, and its affiliates currently own directly and indirectly approximately 94.47% of our voting shares
and 73.58% of our total capital stock. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders”
and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions.” As a result of
its share ownership, Telefónica has the power to control us and our subsidiaries, including the power to elect our directors
and officers and to determine the outcome of any action requiring shareholder approval, including corporate reorganizations and
the timing and payment of our dividends. Given this degree of control over our company, circumstances could arise under which the
interests of Telefónica could be deemed to be in conflict with the interests of our other shareholders.
|
ITEM 4.
|
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
|
|
A.
|
History and Development of the Company
|
General
We were incorporated on May 22, 1998, as
a corporation (
sociedade anônima
) organized under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil, as a result of the
restructuring and privatization of Telecomunicações Brasileiras S.A. and its operating subsidiaries, or the Telebrás
System, which monopolized the provision of public telecommunications services in virtually all areas of Brazil prior to 1998. We
were incorporated under the name Telesp Participações S.A. and after subsequent reorganizations we were named Telecomunicações
de São Paulo S.A. – TELESP. After our merger with Vivo Participações in October 2011, we changed our
corporate name to Telefônica Brasil S.A.
On September 18, 2014, we entered into
a stock purchase agreement with Vivendi S.A. to acquire all of the shares of GVT Participações S.A., or GVT, the
controlling shareholder of Global Village Telecom S.A., or Operating GVT, which was approved by our board of directors on the same
date.
According to Brazilian Law, the transaction
must be approved by both ANATEL and CADE. On December 22, 2014, ANATEL approved the transaction and imposed certain obligations,
that include (1) the maintenance of current GVT services and plans within the same geographic scope in which GVT previously operated,
requiring, in addition, that the successor company expand its operations to at least ten new municipalities within three years
beginning on January 26, 2015; and (2) the waiver of the STFC license held by GVT within 18 months of ANATEL’s decisions,
since the same economic group cannot hold more than one STFC license in the same geographic area. Telefônica has satisfied
both obligations.
On March 25, 2015, CADE provisionally approved
the GVT acquisition, subject to a series of obligations imposed to prevent any undesired concentration effects of the merger. Such
obligations require that we:
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Maintain, for at least three years, the current geographical coverage for STFC, SCM and SeAC services;
|
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Maintain, for at least three years, the current average broadband speed for GVT’s customers on a nationwide basis. The
reference as of December, 2014 is 15.1 Mbps;
|
|
·
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Maintain, for at least three years, the current average broadband speed for GVT’s customers in São Paulo. The
reference as of December, 2014 is 18.25 Mbps; and
|
|
·
|
Do not exchange, directly or indirectly, classified information, strategic or competitively sensitive information with any
other company or between management and representative responsible for subsidiaries of Vivendi Group, Telefónica Group and
Telecom Italia Group related to its operations in the Brazilian market.
|
In November 2015, ANATEL consented to our
corporate reorganization involving Telefônica Brasil S.A., GVT Participações S.A. and its subsidiaries . The
approval was subject to certain conditions such as the end of overlap licenses of STFC, SCM and SeAC within 18 months and the obligation
to present a list of all assets from the companies incorporated in our STFC (Sector 31, Region III) concession area, confirming
the absence of reversible assets burdened judicially (by means of a negative certificate), or in case of attachment, present the
appropriate requests for replacement.
On March 14, 2016, the corporate reorganization
was approved by our Board of Directors, and was completed on April 1, 2016, after the approval by an extraordinary shareholders
meeting of the relevant companies
We are registered with the CVM as a publicly
held company and our stock is traded on the BM&FBOVESPA under the symbol “VIVT3” (formerly “TLPP3”)
for common shares and “VIVT4” (formerly “TLPP4”) for preferred shares. We are also registered with the
SEC in the United States and our ADSs are traded on the NYSE, under the symbol “VIV” (formerly “TSP”).
Our headquarters are located at Avenida Engenheiro Luis Carlos Berrini, 1376, 04571-936, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Our telephone
number is 55-11-3430-3687 and our website is www.telefonica.com.br/ir. The information on our website is not part of this annual
report on Form 20-F.
As of December 31, 2016, we had 569,354,053
outstanding common shares (excluding treasury shares), with no par value per share, and 1,119,340,367 outstanding preferred shares
(excluding treasury shares), with no par value per share. Our shareholders’ equity was in the amount of R$69.2 billion as
presented in our audited financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Historical Background
Corporate Restructuring Involving Telefônica
Brasil and Vivo Participações
On July 28, 2010, our controlling shareholder,
Telefónica, reached an initial agreement with Portugal Telecom for the acquisition of 50% of the capital stock of Brasilcel,
N.V., or Brasilcel. As a result of this transaction, Telefónica held 100% of the capital stock of Brasilcel. At that time,
Brasilcel held approximately 60% of the capital stock of Vivo Participações. On December 21, 2010, Brasilcel was
merged into Telefónica.
Due to the acquisition of control of Vivo
Participações, on February 16, 2011, Telefónica, through its subsidiary SP Telecomunicações
Ltda., or SP Telecom, launched a public tender offer for the common shares of Vivo Participações (the only shares
with voting rights) held by minority shareholders. As a result of the public tender offer, on March 18, 2011, SPTelecom acquired
10,634,722 common shares of Vivo Participações, representing 2.66% of its shares, resulting in the Telefónica
group’s ownership of 62.1% of Vivo Participações.
On December 27, 2010, the boards of directors
of Vivo Participações and Telefônica Brasil approved the terms and conditions of a corporate restructuring,
which provided for the merger of shares issued by Vivo Participações into Telefônica Brasil. The corporate
restructuring was approved by ANATEL on March 24, 2011, and on April 27, 2011, the shareholders of Vivo Participações
and Telefônica Brasil approved the merger of shares issued by Vivo Participações into Telefônica. On
June 14, 2011, the board of directors of both companies approved a second corporate restructuring, pursuant to which Vivo Participações
became our wholly owned subsidiary. The terms and conditions of the second corporate restructuring were approved unanimously by
the shareholders of both companies on October 3, 2011. Vivo Participações was merged into us, and the holders of
the merged shares of Vivo Participações received new shares in the company.
In addition to the concentration of the
equity ownership mentioned above, the purpose of the corporate restructuring was to simplify the organizational structure of the
companies, both of which were publicly held, so as to: (i) focus all authorizations for the rendering of SMP services (originally
held by Vivo Participações and Vivo), and (ii) simplify the current corporate structure, eliminating the structure
of Vivo Participações, which due to the concentration of commitments, had become a holding company.
Moreover, the corporate restructuring provided
for the rationalization of the cost structure of the two companies and facilitated the integration of the businesses and the generation
of synergies, thus positively impacting both companies. Due to the merger of Vivo Participações into us, our capital
was increased by R$31.2 billion, reflecting the economic value of the shares issued as a result of the merger. The merger did not
change the identity of the controlling shareholders of the companies.
Additionally, as a consequence of this
merger, on July 6, 2011, Vivo Participações filed a statement with the SEC in order to cancel the registration of
its American Depositary Shares, or ADS, program since all of its ADSs were converted into ADSs of Telefônica Brasil. The
SEC approved the deregistration on July 7, 2011.
A third stage of the corporate restructuring
was approved by ANATEL on August 16, 2011. On October 3, 2011, our shareholders approved the merger of Vivo Participações
into us and Telefônica Brasil absorbed Vivo Participações’ equity, extinguishing Vivo Participações,
which further simplified and rationalized our cost structures. On the same date, we changed our name from Telecomunicações
de São Paulo S.A. – TELESP to Telefônica Brasil S.A., to reflect our nationwide operations. On October 18, 2011,
ANATEL approved transfer of the authorization for the provision of SMP services in the state of Minas Gerais from Vivo Participações
to Vivo.
As a result of this name change, the ticker
symbols for our shares were also changed as of October 6, 2011 (inclusive), from TLPP3, for the common shares, and TLPP4, for the
preferred shares, to VIVT3 and VIVT4, respectively, with the subsequent change of our trading name to TELEF BRAZIL. Our ticker
symbol for the ADRs on the NYSE was changed to VIV, from TSP.
Telefónica and Telecom Italia
Agreement
The Italian company TELCO S.p.A. had a
22.4% interest with voting rights in Telecom Italia, and is its major shareholder. Telecom Italia holds an indirect interest in
TIM Participações S.A., or TIM, a Brazilian telecommunications company. None of Telefónica, Telefônica
Brasil or any other affiliate of Telefónica is involved with or has decision-making powers over TIM’s operations in
Brazil, although Telefónica does hold an indirect interest with respect to TIM’s operations in Brazil. They are also
legally and contractually forbidden from exercising any voting rights in TIM’s operations in Brazil. TIM and Telefônica
Brasil compete in all markets in which they operate in Brazil and maintain usual and customary contractual relations with one another
as well as with the other players in the telecommunications industry (many of which are regulated and reviewed by ANATEL), and
notice is given to ANATEL and CADE, when required, concerning the commitments assumed pursuant to these contracts so as to ensure
total independence of their operations.
On September 24, 2013, Telefónica
entered into a shareholders’ agreement with the other shareholders of TELCO S.p.A. whereby Telefónica subscribed and
paid for shares (without voting rights) of TELCO S.p.A. in the amount of €324 million. As a result of this capital increase,
the share capital of Telefónica with voting rights in TELCO S.p.A. remained unchanged at 46.18%, although its ownership
interest increased to 66%. Thus, the governance of TELCO S.p.A., as well as the obligations of Telefónica to abstain from
participating in or influencing the decisions that impact the industries where they both operate, remained unchanged.
On January 1, 2014, Italian shareholders
of TELCO S.p.A. granted Telefónica an option to purchase all of their shares in TELCO S.p.A. The ability to exercise this
call option was subject to approvals from the applicable antitrust authorities and telecommunications regulatory agencies as applicable
(including in Brazil and Argentina). The call option was available since January 1, 2014 and remained available during the shareholders’
agreement mentioned above was in effect, except (i) during the period between January 15 and February 15, 2015 and (ii) during
certain periods in the event that the Italian shareholders of TELCO S.p.A. requested TELCO S.p.A.’s spin-off.
On December 4, 2013, CADE announced its
decision to approve, subject to the limitations described below, the acquisition, by Telefónica, of the total interest held
by Portugal Telecom in Brasilcel, which previously controlled Vivo Participações. The transaction had previously
been approved by ANATEL and its completion (requiring no prior approval from CADE at the time) took place immediately after approval
from ANATEL, on September 27, 2010. Pursuant to CADE’s decision of December 4, 2013, Telefônica was required to (1)
obtain a new shareholder and share control over Vivo Participações with Telefónica, under the same conditions
applied to Portugal Telecom when it held an interest in Brasilcel or (2) Telefónica should cease to have, either directly
or indirectly, equity interest in TIM.
Additionally, on December 4, 2013, CADE
announced its decision to impose a R$15 million fine on Telefónica for violating the intent and purpose of the agreement
executed by and between Telefónica and CADE (as a requirement to approve the initial purchase transaction of Telecom Italia
in 2007), due to the subscription and payment, by Telefónica, of non-voting shares of TELCO S.p.A. in the context of its
recent capital increase. This decision also required that Telefónica would dispose of its non-voting shares held in TELCO
S.p.A. The deadlines for compliance with the conditions and obligations imposed by CADE in both decisions were classified as confidential
by CADE.
In order to strengthen its firm commitment
to the obligations previously assumed by Telefónica to not interfere with decisions that affect Telecom Italia and, consequently,
TIM Brasil, Telecom Italia’s business in Brazil, Telefónica pointed out, in a material communication, that Mr. César
Alierta Izuel and Mr. Julio Linares López had decided to resign with immediate effect, from the position of Directors at
Telecom Italia. Additionally, Mr. Julio Linares López decided to resign, with immediate effect, from his position on the
list presented by TELCO S.p.A. for potential reelection to the board of directors of Telecom Italia.
Likewise, Telefónica, notwithstanding
the rights defined in the TELCO S.p.A. shareholders’ agreement, stated in a material communication that it decided not to
exercise its right to appoint or nominate directors of Telecom Italia.
On June 16, 2014, TELCO, S.p.A.’s
Italian shareholders exercised their right to a spin-off, in accordance with the shareholders’ agreement. The implementation
of the spin-off was approved by the shareholders on July 9, 2014 and was subject to approval from ANATEL and CADE. When approved
by ANATEL and CADE, the spin-off would consist of the shares held by Telecom Italia being spun-off to four new companies, each
of which would be wholly owned by one of TELCO, S.p.A.’s
shareholders and each of which would hold shares of Telecom Italia, S.p.A. proportional to their holding in TELCO, S.p.A.
As a result of the spin-off, Telefónica
S.A. would indirectly hold 14.77% of Telecom Italia S.p.A. of which 8.3% would be exchanged with Vivendi as consideration in the
GVT acquisition and 6.47% would be tied to debentures issued by Telefónica S.A. in July 2014 convertible into shares of
Telecom Italia upon maturity.
On December 22, 2014,
ANATEL authorized the spin-off of TELCO, S.p.A. conditional on the suspension of all control rights of Telefónica S.A. in
Telecom Italia, S.p.A. and its subsidiaries. In addition, ANATEL authorized the GVT acquisition, subject to certain regulatory
obligations. On March 25, 2015, CADE approved the spin-off of TELCO S.p.A. and the GVT acquisition, subject to certain regulatory
obligations. Such obligations are in accordance with the transaction and are already being fulfilled.
On April 7, 2015,
ANATEL approved the swap transaction to exchange 12% of our common shares and 0.7% of our preferred shares owned by Vivendi for
8.3% Telecom Italia’s common shares with voting rights, previously held by Telefónica, S.A..
On July 29, 2015, Telefónica, S.A.
entered into an agreement with Vivendi, S.A. through which Telefónica, S.A. committed to transfer its treasury shares representing
approximately 0.95% of its capital stock in exchange for Telefônica Brasil S.A. preferred shares (received by Vivendi, S.A.
in the GVT acquisition) representing approximately 3.5% of our capital stock. Pursuant to this agreement, Vivendi, S.A. has committed
to, among other obligations: (i) refrain from selling the Telefónica shares during specified periods (lock up), and (ii)
comply with certain restrictions that, in case of sale, and once the lock up periods have lapsed, would ensure an orderly sale
of such shares.
On July 30, 2015, Vivendi S.A. announced
that after the closing of the New York Stock Exchange on July 30, 2015, it sold 67.9 million preferred shares of Telefônica
Brasil S.A. (representing 4.0% of our capital stock).
As a result of the above, Telefónica
no longer held, directly or indirectly, any economic interest in TELCO on December 31, 2015.
Restructuring Involving the Subsidiaries
of Telefônica Brasil
On March 15, 2012, our board of directors
approved a corporate restructuring of our wholly owned subsidiaries to align the services provided by each such subsidiary and
to concentrate all telecommunication services in one company. The restructuring was finalized on July 1, 2013.
The restructuring was implemented by means
of a spin-off and mergers involving only our wholly owned subsidiaries, A. TELECOM S.A., or A. TELECOM, Telefonica Data S.A., or
TData, Telefônica Sistema de Televisão S.A. and Vivo. The mergers did not result in an increase in our capital stock
or in the issuance of new shares by us, and the corporate restructuring did not give rise to a change in the equity interests held
by our shareholders. As a result of the restructuring, value added services and innovative services provided by several wholly
owned subsidiaries of the company were consolidated under TData and other telecommunications services were consolidated under Telefônica
Brasil, which, as a final step to the corporate restructuring, merged these subsidiaries.
Since the completion of the merger, all
services which are exclusively telecommunications services have been provided by us, Telefônica Brasil. Other services, including
value added services, have been performed by our wholly owned subsidiary, TData. We were required to separate our services into
separate companies because the telecommunications laws in Brazil and our concession agreement require that we only perform telecommunications
services. ANATEL approved the corporate restructuring in May 2013.
Acquisition of GVT
On September 18, 2014, we entered into
a stock purchase agreement with Vivendi and certain of its controlled companies, or collectively, Vivendi, and with GVTPar, Telefónica,
S.A. and Operating GVT, pursuant to which we agreed to purchase all of the shares of GVTPar, the controlling shareholder of Operating
GVT. This acquisition was approved by our board of directors on September 18, 2014.
As consideration for the acquisition, we
agreed to pay a portion of the price in cash and a portion in kind, in the form of our common and preferred shares, as follows:
(1) €4,663,000,000 to be paid in cash on the closing date, as adjusted pursuant to the stock purchase agreement, and (2) our
common and preferred shares amounting to 12% of our total share capital following the capital increase contemplated in the stock
purchase agreement and the merger of shares of GVTPar, which must be in the same proportion as our existing common shares and preferred
shares. The total consideration was paid after the conclusion of (A) a capital increase, the proceeds of which were used to pay
the cash consideration described in (1) above, and (B) the merger of shares of GVTPar into us.
On December 22, 2014, ANATEL approved the
transaction and imposed certain obligations, which include (1) the maintenance of current GVT services and plans within the same
geographic scope in which GVT operates today, requiring, in addition, that the successor company expand its operations to at least
ten new municipalities within three years beginning on January 26, 2015; and (2) the waiver of the FSTS license held by GVT within
18 months of ANATEL’s decisions, because regulations establish that the same economic group cannot hold more than one FSTS
license in the same geographic area. We understand that obligations imposed do not compromise the terms of the GVT acquisition
or its value.
On March, 25 2015 CADE’s administrative
tribunal approved the transaction on the basis of certain confidential commitments offered by us and Vivendi S.A. The commitments
include the execution of two merger control agreements: the first between CADE and us and the second between CADE and Vivendi S.A.
On March 25, 2015, our board of directors
approved the public offering of shares, including shares in the form of ADSs, pursuant to a capital increase in the amount of R$15,812,000,038.03,
through issuance of 121,711,240 common shares, at a price of R$38.47 and 236,803,588 preferred shares, at a price of R$47.00 as
well as an additional 6,282,660 preferred shares pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option.
On May 28, 2015, our shareholders approved
the ratification of the Stock Purchase Agreement and Other Covenants, entered into by the Company, as Buyer, and Vivendi S.A. and
its subsidiaries, Société d’Investissements et de Gestion 108 SAS and Société d’Investissements
et de Gestion 72 S.A., as Sellers, whereby all the shares issued by GVTPar, the controlling shareholder of Global Village Telecom
S.A., were acquired by us.
Therefore, as provided for in the stock
purchase agreement, we paid a portion of the GVT acquisition price in cash, receiving shares of GVTPar and GVT Operator, and another
portion in shares, to FrHolding108 as a result of the merger of GVTPar’s shares into us, representing 12% of our capital
stock after the merger.
After the merger and as a result of the
acquisition, our corporate structure is as follows:
On June 24, 2015, the transaction for the
exchange of shares between Telefónica and Société d’Investissements et de Gestion 108 SAS, a company
controlled by Vivendi S.A. was completed, through which FrHolding108 transferred to Telefónica 76,656,559 shares representing
4.5% of our capital stock, including 68,597,306 common shares representing 12% of such class of shares and 8,059,253 preferred
shares representing 0.72% such class of shares, in exchange for 1,110,000,000 shares representing 8.2% of the common shares of
Telecom Italia, S.p.A., previously held by Telco TE, S.p.A., a subsidiary of Telefónica.
On July 29, 2015, Vivendi S.A. sold 67.9
million preferred shares, representing 4% of our capital stock. On the same day, Telefónica S.A. announced that it entered
into an agreement with Vivendi’s subsidiary Société d’Investissements et de Gestion 108 SAS, through
which Telefónica committed to deliver 46.0 million of its treasury shares, representing 0.95% of its share capital, in exchange
for 58.4 million preferred shares of Telefonica Brasil, S.A., (received by Société d’Investissements et de
Gestion 108 SAS. in the context of the acquisition of GVT Participaçoes, S.A.). On September 16, 2015, the exchange of shares
was concluded. Consequently, Telefónica S.A.’s interest in the Company was increased by 5.2% in relation to the total
preferred shares of the Company, and by 3.5% in relation to the total capital stock of the Company. Conversely, SIG108 shareholding
interest in the Company was reduced by the same proportion. Therefore, from that date on, SIG108 does not hold any interest at
the Company.
On March 14, 2016, our board of directors
approved a corporate restructuring in order to simplify our organizational structure. In the previous corporate structure, GVT
Participações S.A. (“GVTPart”) was 100% owned by Telefonica Brasil, as shown below:
On the date of the merger, GVT was split
and its net assets were transferred to GVTPart and to POP. The portion of the spun-off net assets of GVT concerning the goods,
rights and obligations related to telecommunications activities were transferred to GVTPart and the remaining portion, concerning
the assets, rights and obligations related to the other activities of non-telecommunications were transferred to POP. GVTPart was
subsequently merged into Telefônica Brasil, resulting in the following corporate structure:
The corporate restructuring did not result
in a capital increase or change in ownership of the Company’s shareholders and was ratified by an extraordinary shareholders’
meeting on April 1, 2016.
Acquisition of Telefônica Transporte
e Logística Ltda. (TGLOG) by TData
On October, 28, 2015, TData, as buyer,
and Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos España S.A., as seller, entered into a Stock Purchase agreement
that resulted in the acquisition of Telefônica Transporte e Logística Ltda., a company headquartered in Brazil which
provides Logistics services.
Capital Expenditures
Year Ended December 31, 2016
In 2016, we invested R$8,189.1 million,
a 6.8% increase over the amount we invested in 2015, primarily due to the cost of acquiring the remains of the 2,500MHz 4G spectrum
(R$185 million) and also because GVT’s capital expenditures from January 1, 2015 to April 30, 2015, which totaled R$582.9
million, were not consolidated in our 2015 financial statements. Investments in projects were strongly focused on network (which
accounted for 84% of investments in 2016, excluding licenses) and included expenditures on items such as radio access network (Node-Bs,
eNode-Bs and WCDMA carriers), transmission backhaul and backbone, FTTH and copper network. The investments helped sustain our commercial
and revenue growth while maintaining the quality of the services provided and are also designed to prepare us for medium-term growth.
To meet the needs of an increasingly data
driven and connected society, significant investments were made to support the strong growth of data usage in our residential fiber,
mobile 3G/4G and dedicated corporate networks. We continue to invest in expanding our national data transmission backbone to meet
the increase in data traffic throughout Brazil.
The following table sets forth our capital
expenditures for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016.
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Network
|
|
|
6,743.9
|
|
|
|
6,557.6
|
|
|
|
5,517.0
|
|
Technology / Information Systems
|
|
|
929.5
|
|
|
|
870.3
|
|
|
|
590.4
|
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
515.6
|
|
|
|
239.6
|
|
|
|
3,033.0
|
|
Total capital expenditures
|
|
|
8,189.1
|
|
|
|
7,667.5
|
|
|
|
9,140.4
|
|
|
(1)
|
Consists primarily of handset sales made to corporate customers for the length of their contracts, furniture and fixtures,
office equipment and store layouts and spectrum licensing costs. The licensing costs are R$2,770 million in 2014 and R$0.1 million
in 2015 related to the acquisition of the new 700MHz frequency spectrum; also R$185 million in 2016 related to the acquisition
of the remains of 2,500 MHz spectrum for 4G usage.
|
Year Ended December 31, 2015
In 2015, considering the consolidation
effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, we invested R$7,667.5 million, a 16% decrease over the amount we invested in 2014, primarily due
to the cost of acquiring the new 700 MHz frequency spectrum, in an amount of R$2,770 million. However, the consolidation of GVT’s
investment partially compensated for the decrease in investments with spectrum licenses (20% increase in capital expenditures,
excluding licenses). Investments in projects were strongly focused on network (which accounted for 86% of investments in 2015,
excluding licenses) and included expenditures on items such as radio access network (Node-Bs, eNode-Bs and WCDMA carriers), transmission
backhaul and backbone, FTTH and copper network. The investments helped sustain our commercial and revenue growth while maintaining
the quality of the services provided and are also designed to prepare us for medium-term growth.
Year Ended December 31, 2014
In 2014, we invested R$9,140.4 million,
a 52% increase over the amount we invested in 2013, primarily due to the cost of acquiring the new 700 MHz frequency spectrum,
in an amount of R$2,770 million; however, we also increased the capital expenditures for projects (14% in capital expenditures,
excluding licenses).
We are the leading mobile telecommunications
company in Brazil (30.2% market share as of December 31, 2016, based on accesses), with a particularly strong position in postpaid
mobile services (42.1% market share as of December 31, 2016, based on accesses). We are also the leading fixed telecommunications
company in the state of São Paulo where we began our business as a fixed telephone service provider pursuant to our concession
agreement. In the same period, we reached almost 51% of market share in ultra-fast broadband accesses with speeds higher than 34
Mbps in the state of São Paulo.
According to ANATEL’s customer service
performance index, we are and have been the highest-quality mobile operator in Brazil. Our Vivo brand, under which we market our
mobile services, is among the most recognized brands in Brazil. The quality of our services and strength of our brand recognition
enable us to, on average, achieve higher prices relative to our competition and, as a result, generally earn higher margins. As
of December 31, 2016, our average revenue per mobile user, or ARPU, of R$28.6 represented a significant premium relative to the
market average of R$16.1 (considering the average Mobile ARPU of Claro, TIM and Oi for the third quarter of 2016). In 2016, we
captured 38.0% of the net additions of 6.1 million in the postpaid mobile segment. We offer our clients a complete portfolio of
products, including mobile and fixed voice, mobile data, fixed broadband, ultra-fast broadband, or UBB (based on our Fiber to the
Home, or FTTH and Fiber to the Curb, or FTTC infrastructure), Pay TV, information technology and digital services (such as entertainment,
cloud and financial services). We also have one of the most extensive distribution networks of the sector, where our clients can
obtain certain services, such as purchasing credit for prepaid phones.
We seek to continue to increase our operating
margins by focusing on developing and growing our product offerings so that they comprise an integrated portfolio of higher-margin
services. As part of this strategy, we acquired GVT in 2015, a high-growth telecommunications company in Brazil that offers high-speed
broadband, fixed telephone and Pay TV services to high income customers across its target market, primarily located outside the
state of São Paulo.
Our Operations and Services
Our operations consist of:
|
·
|
local and long distance fixed telephone services;
|
|
·
|
mobile services, including value-added services;
|
|
·
|
data services, including broadband services and mobile data services;
|
|
·
|
Pay TV services through DTH (a satellite technology), IPTV and cable;
|
|
·
|
network services, including rental of facilities, as well as other services;
|
|
·
|
wholesale services, including interconnection;
|
|
·
|
services designed specifically for corporate customers;
|
|
·
|
the sale of wireless devices and accessories.
|
Fixed Voice Services
Our fixed line services portfolio includes
local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance calls provided both on the public and private regime.
Local Service
Fixed local services include activation,
monthly subscription, public telephones and measured services. Measured services include all calls that originate and terminate
within the same area code within our concession region, which we refer to as local calls.
Intraregional, Interregional and International
Long-Distance Services
Intraregional long-distance services consist
of all calls that originate in one local area or municipality and terminate in another local area or municipality within our concession
region. Interregional long-distance services consist of state-to-state calls within Brazil and international long-distance services
consist of calls between a phone line in Brazil and a phone line outside Brazil. We were the first telecommunications company to
be granted the authorization to develop local, intraregional, interregional and international services throughout Brazil, including
outside our concession area.
Mobile Services
According to data regarding market share
published by ANATEL, we are among the leading providers of mobile telecommunications services in Brazil.
Our mobile portfolio includes voice and
broadband internet access through 3G and 4G as well as value-added services, including voice mail, voice mail translation in speech-to-text,
caller identification, voice minutes in unlimited bundles to other mobile phones of postpaid customers, ring tones, and innovative
services such as multi-media backup, cloud based services to save texts, entertainment and music apps, advertising platforms, among
others. All these services can be bought directly by the client at Vivo Service Stores (“
Lojas de Serviços Vivo
”).
We also offer wireless roaming services
through agreements with local mobile service providers throughout Brazil and other countries, allowing our subscribers to make
and receive calls while outside of our concession areas. We provide reciprocal roaming rights to the customers of the mobile service
providers with which we have such agreements.
Data Services
We provide fixed broadband through xDSL
technologies, coaxial cable and fiber (FTTH – fiber-to-the-home and FTTC – fiber-to-the-curb), with speeds ranging
from 1Mbps to 300Mbps.
In 2016, we covered 100% of the municipalities
in our concession area in the state of São Paulo, reaching more than 7.2 million fixed broadband customers, and we expanded
our national fiber network to reach more than 17 million homes.
In 2010, we began offering the “Banda
Larga Popular,” an initiative of the government of the state of São Paulo to provide broadband at affordable prices
to the low-income population. This product currently has a top speed of 2Mbps.
Through the GVT acquisition in 2015, we
were able to further expand our data services by providing high speed broadband to high income customers across our target markets.
GVT’s last mile architecture was based on FTTC technology, with broadband commercial speeds of up to 300 mbps. GVT provided
services that were complementary to our own, with limited overlap with the services we already provided. Such complementary services
included fiber broadband to locations in the state of São Paulo (outside of the city of São Paulo, where we
already have a large presence) and nationwide.
In mobile broadband, we use a variety of
technologies to provide wireless internet services to our customers. Our 3G network is currently available nationwide. In addition,
we offer the HSPA+ technology, commercially known as 3G Plus. This technology allows customers with compatible terminals (including
handsets) to reach up to three times the speed of traditional 3G. In December 2016, we covered 3,652 municipalities with our 3G
network, reaching 89.7% of Brazil’s population. We also offer the 4G LTE technology which, by the end of 2016, was available
in 516 municipalities, reaching 60.2% of Brazil’s population.
In 2014, Vivo conducted a systematic change
to its offering of data plans under the SMP network, blocking data usage after consumption of the total contracted volume. This
change, which was initially applicable to customers using SMP services under the prepaid billing model, was implemented in order
to enhance the user experience for this type of connection. In 2015, we began implementing the new data plan system under the SMP
network for customers using the service under the post-paid billing model. With this new model, Vivo strengthened its guarantee
that consumers can monitor their data consumption at any time through the client relationship portal, known as “My Vivo”
or through the “My Vivo” app.
Pay TV Services
We began offering subscription-based television,
or “Pay TV,” services via DTH (“direct to home,” a special type of service that uses satellites for the
direct distribution of television and audio signals to subscribers) on August 12, 2007. We currently provide Pay TV services by
means of DTH and IPTV (a type of service that offers video broadcast through the use of IP protocol) technologies and as of December
31, 2016, had 1.7 million Pay TV customers, including more than 253 thousand IPTV customers. We currently offer DTH nationwide
and IPTV and cable in the metropolitan area of the city of São Paulo.
Network Services
Our network management technology ensures
comprehensive management and supervision of all our network processes and network performance for our wholesale clients. We have
two Network Management Centers, one located in São Paulo (with a remote team in Minas Gerais) and another located in Curitiba.
These centers monitor all regions of the country, but each has a different function.
The Network Management Center in São
Paulo monitors the critical network operational parameters of the countrywide transmission backbone, IP networks, broadband networks,
core networks and services platforms. The remote team in Minas Gerais monitors the critical operational parameters of the radio
access network, infrastructure and online services performance. The Network Management Center in Curitiba monitors the critical
operational parameters of the countrywide transmission backbone, network interconnection and IPTV/DTH networks. These centers are
able to identify abnormalities in both our network and in third-party networks, using failure and signaling monitoring systems.
In addition, quality and service standards are constantly monitored. The Network Management Centers are integrated with maintenance
and operations teams that maintain and operate cellular network elements, as well as cellular infrastructure and transmission,
in addition to the radio network elements and computing bases, service platforms and communications backbones.
Our network provides for continuity of
service to our customers in the event of network interruptions. We have developed contingency plans for potential catastrophes
in our switchboard centers, power supply interruptions and security breaches.
We continuously aim to consolidate our
network and increase its offerings, to deliver the best possible service to our customers and to meet their expectations. Some
of the improvements we have made in recent years include advancements in the migration of time-division multiplex switches to next
generation network switches, which offer new digital services to our clients and reduce our maintenance costs, including improvements
in levels of security, power supply, battery and air conditioning infrastructure. The most significant implementation of technology
has been a project to exchange optical cabinets, used for offering voice and data services without broadband internet, for Multi-Service
Access Nodes, which allows us to offer broadband service to a large number of clients who did not previously have this service.
Network and Facilities
We provide industrial exploration of dedicated
lines (
Exploração Industrial de Linha Dedicada
), or EILD, pursuant to our concession agreement and our authorization
agreements. The EILD consists of the rental of dedicated circuits and clear channel protocols for the provision of services to
third parties.
In addition, we are able to offer a complete
portfolio of wholesale products, including L2L, IP, ETHERNET, MPLS and GPON. All of these products are used to meet the demands
of other network operators and regional internet providers. The circuits are requested with different service level agreements,
and we are required to provide the facilities with contingency routes, sites and equipment to improve the service against
points of failure. In 2017, we expect to meet demand for more than 3Gbps of bandwidth in special circuits.
Our network consists of an access layer
that connects our clients through our copper or optical networks, which are connected to voice and data centers. These centers
are interconnected locally or remotely through transmission equipment connected predominantly with fiber optics and occasionally
through a microwave network, which together form a network layer that enables connectivity between the various central aggregate
service platforms as well as interconnection with other carriers. Our network strategy is based on the expansion of the fiber optic
access network to allow greater coverage and broadband services for our customers, as well as to develop an integrated multiservice
network and multimedia applications. As a telecommunication service provider, we do not manufacture equipment for the construction of our networks
and facilities. We buy the equipment from qualified suppliers in Brazil and abroad and through this equipment we implement our
networks and facilities through which we supply our services.
Wholesale Services (including Interconnection)
We have continuously adapted and expanded
our network topology aiming to develop new business opportunities throughout Brazil by offering services to other telecommunications
companies. The result has been a significant increase in the number of providers that use our wholesale services.
As part of our wholesale services, we provide
interconnection services to users of other network providers. We earn revenue from any call that originates from another mobile
or fixed-line service provider network connecting to one of our customers. We charge the service provider from whose network the
call originates an interconnection fee for every minute that our network is used in connection with the call. See “—Operating
Agreements—Interconnection Agreements.”
At the end of 2016, we had 312 local and
long-distance interconnection agreements and 115 agreements for provision of local traffic and long-distance.
The interconnection is a link between compatible
telecommunications networks which permits that a fixed or mobile service user of one network can adequately communicate with the
users of a network from another provider.
All providers of telecommunication services
(fixed or mobile) are required to provide interconnection upon request to any other telecommunication collective service provider.
The conditions for interconnection agreements may be freely negotiated among the parties. The agreements are required to be formalized
by contract, whose effectiveness depends on ANATEL’s approval. If any given agreement is contrary to the principles of free
competition or conflicts with other regulations, ANATEL may reject it. If the parties cannot reach an agreement on the terms of
interconnection, including the interconnection fee, ANATEL may determine those terms and conditions by arbitration.
Digital Services (including Value Added
Services)
We continued to make strides in 2016 in
the process of becoming a digital telecommunications company in areas such as financial services, machine-to-machine operations,
e-health solutions, security, education, insurance, entertainment and mobile advertising. In entertainment, for example, we have
over 10 million clients, served by a wide portfolio of products directed towards the B2C segment, such as Studio+, the first global
premium video series offer for mobile screens, and WatchMusic, a streaming music video service with unlimited access to live shows
and original performances from thousands of artists from Brazil and from the rest of the world. In addition, in mobile advertising
we have launched a new platform called Vivo Ads through which clients who exceed their data plans and try to use the browser are
redirected to a captive portal where they have the option to watch a video ad from a third-party to receive free internet to browse.
These internet rewards are acquired from us by the third-party companies who want their video ad to be displayed in our platform.
In 8 months of operation, Vivo Ads has distributed over 200 Terabytes in internet rewards.
Corporate
We offer our corporate clients comprehensive
telecommunications solutions and IT support designed to address specific needs and requirements of companies operating in all types
of industries (retail, manufacturing, services, financial institutions, government, etc.).
Our clients are assisted by our highly
qualified professionals who are capable of meeting the specific needs of each company with voice, data, broadband and computer
services solutions, including hardware and software (for example, anti-virus software). We work to consistently achieve greater
quality and efficiency in our services and increase our level of competitiveness in the market.
Sale of Devices and Accessories
In addition, we sell handsets and accessories
at our physical stores, to customers who purchase our digital services. We sell only GSM and WCDMA devices such as handsets, smartphones,
broadband USB modems and devices that are certified to be compatible with our network and service. We have special offers on smartphones, USB modems and other data devices for customers of bundled packages. Our current device suppliers are Motorola, LG, Samsung, Sony, Alcatel, Apple, D-Link, ZTE, Harman (JBL), Alfacomex (SanDisk, Ultimate Ears and Geonav) and Comesp (SanDisk).
Rates, Taxes and Billing
Rates
We generate revenue from (i) activation
and monthly subscription charges, (ii) usage charges, which include measured service charges, (iii) interconnection fees that we
charge to other telecommunications service providers, and (iv) other additional services. Rates for all telecommunications services
are subject to extensive regulation by ANATEL. We set forth below the different methods used for calculating our rates.
Local Rates
Our concession agreement sets forth three
mandatory plans for local fixed service, and allows us to design alternative pricing plans. Customers have a choice among three
plans that we are required to offer or any other alternative plan that we may choose to offer. ANATEL must be informed of any alternative
plan and notified of its implementation. The three main mandatory plans are:
|
·
|
Local Basic Plan: for clients that make mostly short-duration calls (up to three minutes), during regular hours;
|
|
·
|
Mandatory Alternative Service Plan (
Plano Alternativo de Serviços de Oferta Obrigatória
or PASOO): for
clients that make mostly long-duration calls (above three minutes), during regular hours and/or that use the line for dial-up service
to the internet; and
|
|
·
|
Individual Special Class Access (
Acesso Individual Classe Especial
or AICE): a plan created specifically for families
enrolled in the Brazilian government’s social program.
|
The following table outlines the basic
billing requirements and gross rates for the Local Basic Plan and the Mandatory Alternative Plan as of the date of this annual
report:
Characteristics
of Plan
|
Local
Basic Plan
|
Mandatory
Alternative Service Plan
|
Monthly Basic Assignment
|
|
|
Allowance (minutes included in the residential assignment)
|
200 minutes
|
400 minutes
|
Commercial Assignment Allowance (minutes included in the commercial assignment)
|
150 minutes
|
360 minutes
|
Local Call Charges
|
|
|
Regular Hours
|
|
|
Completing the call (minutes deducted from the allotment)
|
–
|
4 minutes
|
Completing the call after the terms of the allotment Sector 31
|
–
|
R$0.17545
|
Local Minutes–charges in excess use of the allotment Sector 31
|
R$0.11440
|
R$0.04385
|
Minimum time billing
|
30 seconds
|
–
|
Reduced Hours
|
|
|
Charge per answered call (minutes deducted from allotment)
|
2 minutes
|
4 minutes
|
Charge per answered call after the allotted duration Sector 31
|
R$0.22375
|
R$0.17545
|
As of the date of this annual report, the
subscription to the AICE plan costs R$10.87 (including taxes) and allows for 90 minutes of local fixed-line calls per month. Any
additional fixed or mobile calls may be made only if the customer purchases prepaid credits. The prices of mobile and long-distance
calls are determined pursuant to a standard plan.
We may offer alternative plans with any
pricing structure. However, we must notify ANATEL of any alternative plan before the publication and implementation of any such
plan.
Our concession agreement also sets forth
criteria for annual fee adjustments for all of our plans for local fixed service. We derive a substantial portion of our revenue
from services subject to this price adjustment. The method of price adjustment is an annual price index
correction applied by ANATEL to our local and long-distance fees that reflects the inflation index for the period and a productivity
factor, which is calculated based on a compensation index established by ANATEL to share earnings from fixed charge services with
their users. Currently, the inflation index used by ANATEL is the IST, which reflects variations in telecommunications companies’
costs and expenses. ANATEL has consistently complied with the fee range set by the concession agreements.
Long-Distance Rates
Rates for domestic long-distance calls
are computed on the basis of the time of day, day of the week, duration and distance of the call, and also may vary depending on
whether special services, including operator assistance, are used. We have several options of domestic long-distance calling plans
for consumers using our carrier dial code, or Code 15. Customers of any local and long-distance operator may use Code 15 when dialing
long-distance and will benefit from our rates. To readjust the long-distance local rates, ANATEL applies an annual price index
correction that reflects inflation.
We also offer international long-distance
rates, which are also available to all users using Code 15. International long-distance call charges are computed on the basis
of the time of day, day of the week, duration and destination of the call, and also may vary depending on whether special services
are used or not, including operator assistance. Our rates for international services are not subject to regulation and are not
required to follow the annual rate adjustment described above for other services. Therefore, we are free to negotiate our fees
for international calls based on the international telecommunications market, where our main competitor is Embratel.
We have developed alternative rate plans
for our residential and corporate customers with respect to long-distance calls.
Mobile Services Rates
With respect to our Local Basic Plan, as
described above, and certain roaming charges incurred in connection with alternative service plans, our authorizations provide
for a mechanism to set and adjust rates on an annual basis. The maximum rate is calculated as the current rate
plus
the
rate of inflation. The maximum rate is revised annually and the rate of inflation is measured by the IGP-DI index. The maximum
rate is applicable to all service plans; however, mobile operators are able to freely set the maximum rates for alternative service
plans (other than with respect to certain roaming charges).
The initial price cap agreed by ANATEL
and us in our authorizations was based on the previously existing or bidding prices, and has been adjusted annually on the basis
of a formula contained in our authorizations. The 2017 adjustment was approved in February 2017 and established the tariffs of
R$0.20981 for regular hours and R$0.14686 for reduced hours.
Other telecommunications companies that
interconnect with and use our network must pay certain fees, primarily an interconnection fee. The interconnection fee is a flat
fee charged per minute of use that directly affects the mobile services rates. Since 2005, ANATEL has permitted free negotiations
for mobile interconnection fees, or MTR.
In December 2013, ANATEL established the
reference values for MTR for 2014 and 2015. In July 2014, ANATEL established values for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The
table below shows the ranges for these reference values:
Year
|
Reduction
in %
|
MTR
in
reais
|
2014
|
25
|
0.22164 – 0.25126
|
2015
|
33
|
0.14776 – 0.16751
|
2016
|
37
|
0.09317 – 0.11218
|
2017
|
47
|
0.04928 – 0.06816
|
2018
|
47
|
0.02606 – 0.04141
|
2019
|
50
|
0.01379 – 0.02517
|
Interconnection Fees
We are paid interconnection fees by any
fixed-line or mobile service provider that either originates or terminates a call within our network. We also pay interconnection
fees to other service providers when we use their network to place or receive a call. The interconnection agreements are freely
negotiated among the service providers, subject to a price cap and in compliance with the regulations established by ANATEL, which
includes not only the interconnection basic costs including commercial, technical and legal aspects, but also the traffic capacity
and interconnection infrastructure that must be made available to requesting parties. If a service provider offers to any party
an interconnection fee below the price cap, it must offer the same fee to any other requesting party on a non-discriminatory basis.
If the parties cannot reach an agreement on the terms of interconnection, including the interconnection fee, ANATEL can establish
the terms of the interconnection. For additional information about interconnection fees, see “—Regulation of the Brazilian
Telecommunications Industry—Obligations of Telecommunications Companies—Interconnection Fees.”
Data Services Rates
We receive revenue from charges for data
transmission, which includes our fixed broadband, dedicated analog and digital lines for privately leased circuits to corporations
and others services. Data transmission rates are not regulated by ANATEL, except for EILD. Multimedia services operators are able
to freely set the rates for alternative service plans.
TV Rates
Pay TV rates are not regulated. Service
providers are able to freely set the rates for alternative service plans.
Taxes
The cost of telecommunications services
to each customer includes a variety of taxes. The main tax is a state value-added tax, the
Imposto sobre Circulação
de Mercadorias e Serviços
, or ICMS, which the Brazilian states impose at rates ranging from 7% to 35% on certain revenues
from the sale of goods and services, including telecommunication services.
Other taxes include: (1) Federal Social
Contributions (
Contribuição para o Programa de Integração Social
), or PIS, and Social Security
Financing Contributions (
Contribuição para o Financiamento da Seguridade Social
), or COFINS; (2) Fund for
Universal Access to Telecommunications Services (
Fundo de Universalização dos Serviços de Telecomunicações
),
or FUST; (3) the Telecommunications Technological Development Fund (
Fundo para o Desenvolvimento Tecnológico das Telecomunicações
),
or FUNTTEL; and (4) Fund for Telecommunications Regulation (
Fundo de Fiscalização das Telecomunicações
),
or FISTEL.
Billing
We send each contract customer a monthly
bill covering all of the services provided during the previous monthly period. Pursuant to Brazilian law, telephone service providers
are required to offer their customers the choice of at least six different monthly payment dates.
We have a billing and collection system
with respect to local, national and international long-distance voice, subscriptions, broadband, data, IT services, outsourcing,
television and third-party services. For invoice payments, we have agreements with various banks. These agreements include options
for customers to select their preferred payment type: direct debit, payment to a bank, Internet and other collection agencies (including
lottery-playing facilities, drugstores and supermarkets). We aim to avoid losses in the implementation of new processes and the
roll-out of new products through the monitoring of billing, collection and recovery controls. The billing process is audited by
the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (
Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas
), or ABNT.
These practices are closely monitored by our revenue assurance team, which measures every risk of revenue loss detected along the
billing and collection chain. These risks are managed to minimize revenue losses.
Co-billing
In accordance with Brazilian
telecommunications regulations, we use a billing method called “co-billing” for both fixed and mobile services.
This method allows billing from other phone service providers to be included within our own invoice. Our customers can
receive and subsequently pay all of their bills (including the fees for the use of services of another telephone service
provider) on our invoice. To allow for this method of billing, we provide billing and collection services to other phone
service companies. We have co-billing agreements with national and international long-distance phone service providers.
Similarly, we use the same method of co-billing to bill our services to customers of other fixed and mobile providers. This
service is charged to the long-distance operator, by means of a call record described in the invoice.
For customers who use our long-distance
services through operators that have no joint billing agreement with us, we use direct billing through the national registry of
clients.
Value Added Services
Value added services such as entertainment,
information and online interactivity services are available to mobile prepaid as well as postpaid customers through agreements
with content suppliers. These agreements are based on a revenue-sharing model.
Third-party Services
We incorporate third party services in
our billing, collection and transfer process. These services are later passed on to the third party contractor.
Collection
Our collection policies
with respect to customers in default follow ANATEL regulations, as well as those of
Serviços de Telecomunicações
,
or RACO, and the Foundation for Consumer Protection and Defense (
Fundação de Proteção e Defesa do
Consumidor
), or PROCON. For mobile, fixed and Pay TV customers, as a general rule, if payment is more than 15 days overdue,
service can be partially suspended by blocking out-going calls that generate costs to the customer. If payment is more than 30
days overdue after this partial suspension, the service can be fully suspended, disabling all services (out-going and incoming
calls), until payment is received. We offer an installment payment plan for clients with overdue balances. However, if accounts
are not paid after 30 days following the total suspension, the contract can be cancelled and reported to credit protection agencies.
The collection process
for customers in default involves several steps, from an internal interactive voice response, SMS contact, email contact, followed
by a late payment notice, and finally reporting customer information to an external credit bureau. Concurrently with our internal
process, delinquent customers are also contacted by collection agencies. Customer risk profile, overdue debt and other quality
issues are used to increase strategy efficiency and maximize debt recovery efforts. Amounts overdue by over 105 days, except for
accounts receivables from interconnection fees and government and corporate customers (there is a specific rule for those exceptions),
are considered provisions for doubtful accounts. In accordance with Brazilian regulations, bad debt write-offs are permitted for
late payments of zero to R$5,000 if they are over 180 days late or R$5,001 to R$30,000 if they are over 365 days late. Late payments
of over R$30,001 that are open for more than 365 days require the commencement of a lawsuit. This rule is applied for outstanding
debt through October 8, 2014; after this period, amount ranges change as follows: zero to R$15,000 if they are over 180 days late
or R$15,001 to R$100,000 if they are over 365 days late. Lawsuits are demanded for debts over R$100,000 open for more than 365
days.
In the year ended December 31, 2016, the
monthly average of partial suspensions, for mobile and fixed services, was 4.1 million lines and the monthly average of total suspensions
was 700,821 lines. For Pay TV services, the monthly average of partial and total suspension was 167,124 terminals and 36,430 terminals,
respectively. Provisions for doubtful accounts in the year ended December 31, 2016 were 2.1% of the total gross revenue.
Our Markets of Operation
Our concession agreement allows us to operate
in the state of São Paulo, except for a small region that is still subject to an earlier concession. In addition, we offer
fixed telephone, data and Pay TV services throughout Brazil pursuant to licenses and authorization. We also operate mobile voice
and broadband services throughout Brazil, under the mobile service (SMP) authorization.
The following table sets forth population,
gross domestic product, or GDP, and per capita income statistics for each state in our service regions at the dates and for the
years indicated:
|
Last Available IBGE Data from 2014 (1)
|
Area
|
Pop.(million)
|
Percent
of Brazil’s pop.
|
GDP
(R$ million)
|
Percent
of Brazil’s GDP
|
Per
capita income (
reais
)
|
São Paulo State
|
44.0
|
21.7%
|
1,858,196
|
32.2%
|
42,198
|
Rio de Janeiro State
|
16.5
|
8.1%
|
671,077
|
11.6%
|
40,767
|
Minas Gerais State
|
20.7
|
10.2%
|
516,634
|
8.9%
|
24,917
|
Rio Grande do Sul State
|
11.2
|
5.5%
|
357,816
|
6.2%
|
31,927
|
Paraná State
|
11.1
|
5.5%
|
348,084
|
6.0%
|
31,411
|
Santa Catarina State
|
6.7
|
3.3%
|
242,553
|
4.2%
|
36,056
|
Federal District
|
2.9
|
1.4%
|
197,432
|
3.4%
|
69,217
|
Bahia State
|
15.1
|
7.5%
|
223,930
|
3.9%
|
14,804
|
Goiás State
|
6.5
|
3.2%
|
165,015
|
2.9%
|
25,297
|
Pernambuco State
|
9.3
|
4.6%
|
155,143
|
2.7%
|
16,722
|
Espírito Santo State
|
3.9
|
1.9%
|
128,784
|
2.2%
|
33,149
|
Pará State
|
8.1
|
4.0%
|
124,585
|
2.2%
|
15,372
|
Ceará State
|
8.8
|
4.4%
|
126,054
|
2.2%
|
14,255
|
Mato Grosso State
|
3.2
|
1.6%
|
101,235
|
1.8%
|
31,397
|
Amazonas State
|
3.9
|
1.9%
|
86,669
|
1.5%
|
22,373
|
Maranhão State
|
6.9
|
3.4%
|
76,842
|
1.3%
|
11,216
|
Mato Grosso do Sul State
|
2.6
|
1.3%
|
78,950
|
1.4%
|
30,138
|
Rio Grande do Norte State
|
3.4
|
1.7%
|
54,023
|
0.9%
|
15,849
|
Paraíba State
|
3.9
|
1.9%
|
52,936
|
0.9%
|
13,422
|
Alagoas State
|
3.3
|
1.6%
|
40,975
|
0.7%
|
12,335
|
Rondônia State
|
1.7
|
0.9%
|
34,031
|
0.6%
|
19,463
|
Sergipe State
|
2.2
|
1.1%
|
37,472
|
0.6%
|
16,883
|
Piauí State
|
3.2
|
1.6%
|
37,723
|
0.7%
|
11,808
|
Tocantins State
|
1.5
|
0.7%
|
26,189
|
0.5%
|
17,496
|
Amapá State
|
751.0
|
0.4%
|
13,400
|
0.2%
|
17,845
|
Acre State
|
790.0
|
0.4%
|
13,459
|
0.2%
|
17,034
|
Roraima State
|
497.0
|
0.2%
|
9,744
|
0.2%
|
19,608
|
Total
|
202.8
|
100.0%
|
5,778,953
|
100.0%
|
28,477
(2)
|
|
(1)
|
According to IBGE data (2014) – subject to revision.
|
|
(2)
|
Average per capita income for Brazil, weighted by percentage of population represented by each state.
|
Seasonality
Our business and results of operations
are not materially affected by seasonal fluctuations in the consumption of our services.
Marketing and Sales
Our commercial distribution
network (marketed under the Vivo brand), as of December 31, 2016, consisted of 295 own sales outlets throughout Brazil. In addition,
we also have approximately 12,000 sales outlets run by authorized dealers (including exclusive dealers and retail channels), maintaining
a solid capillarity strategy that contributed to our leadership position in Brazilian telecommunications market.
In 2016, we had approximately
600,000 points of sale where prepaid mobile service customers could purchase credits. Prepaid phones can be credited remotely or
by purchasing cards containing credits. Credits may also be purchased through credit and debit cards, call centers, Vivo PDV (M2M
using a cell phone for transferring the credit), personal recharge (using the phone itself to recharge credits), as well as certain
certified internet websites.
We bring our solutions to our clients through
the following physical sales channels:
|
·
|
Vivo stores:
targeting individual clients and located in strategic points, our own stores provide a highly trained team
built to guarantee the best sales experience for the customer. Innovation is a core focus of this channel. As a result, most stores
also offer self-service terminals for value added services and purchases of pre-paid credit. We also offer special treatment for
premium clients with scheduled appointments via the internet to assure that they are not required to wait in line. In addition,
to improve customer experience, we launched a new concept store at JK Iguatemi Shopping and renovated strategic stores.
|
|
·
|
Exclusive dealers:
this channel is composed of select companies that have been certified to provide our full product
portfolio. These dealers comprise a wide distribution network throughout the country. Although the channel offers the entire product
portfolio, its focus is on the postpaid product. We also renovate certain strategic stores to provide a better purchase experience
to the customer, to ensure an experience that is consistent with our own stores.
|
|
·
|
Retail channel:
our retail channel emphasizes prepaid credit and data services, working closely with our main retail
partners in Brazil. This channel utilizes a sales incentive program that focuses on sales of our postpaid product
Controle
and
is tied directly to the performance of our retail partners’ salesforce, improving our relationship with retailers and eliminating
the need to use our own sales promoters in this channel
.
|
|
·
|
Distribution channel
: the broadest and most complex sales channel across our markets, this channel allows our prepaid
customers to purchase service credits. In order to be as close as possible to potential and existing customers, this channel comprises
authorized agents, lottery stores, post offices, bank branches and small retailers, such as pharmacies, newspaper stands, bookstores,
stationery shops, bakeries, gas stations, bars and restaurants.
|
|
·
|
Door-to-door sales:
aimed at approaching corporate and individual clients that our other channels cannot reach, we use
niche physical channels, such as door-to-door sales of services by outsourced small companies and our own team of consultants.
We focus mostly on voice products, as well as our postpaid
Controle
plans.
|
We also offer our
services through digital channels, which are transforming our salesforce model, making transactions more efficient and promoting
the integration of all points of sale. In 2016, e-commerce sales in our mobile segment grew 245% compared to 2015. Meanwhile, in
fixed segment annual leads reached 51% during this year. The continuous improvement in e-commerce user experience was the most
remarkable achievement, which contributes to our client’s digital experience and promotes Vivo’s digital presence and
brand awareness.
Vivo’s digital
strategic self-service channel “Meu Vivo” also contributed to positive performance in digital channel: downloads reached
144% higher than previous year. Unique users in the app had an annual growth by 188%.
Vivo Guru –
a support environment for devices setup –, Fórum Vivo – collaborative environment where clients help each other
– and virtual assistant Vivi are other digital channels available to our clients. Altogether, they reached 80% growth in
total accesses.
Expanding our digital
frontiers, in November 2016, in order to diversify our contacts channels, the Company launched a virtual assistant, Vivi, in the
Company’s Facebook page. Through this functionality clients can check credit balances, generate second billing and get acquainted
to our mobile voice and data plans using instant messaging – Facebook Messenger. The Company is the first telecommunications
company to create this channel for the platform in Brazil.
In order to explore
all the digital strategic initiatives mentioned above and Internet’s businesses potential, the Company made special offers
and promotions during Black Friday/Black November in Brazil, which reinforces Vivo’s digital maturity. Sales went up to 223%
during 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Customer Service
The year of 2016 was marked by the reevaluation
of the existing operating frameworks and identification of our best practices in order to define the most suitable model to increase
efficiency and customer satisfaction. In recent months, various work fronts were established. Regarding customer service, our initiatives
have been structured to leverage customers’ online experience, transform the customer care model and increase perceived quality
in interactions. We continued to work on integrating the systems used in the operation, defining processes and business rules and
internalizing operations considered fundamental for transforming the customer experience in all channels and points of contact.
Seeking to maintain our leadership position,
we worked to expand digital channels, standardize and integrate them, seeking to provide a unique and relevant multichannel experience
for customers. Our customer care mobile app reached more than 40 million contacts in December 2016. We worked on the refinement
of the assertiveness and scope of the Virtual Assistant Vivi, which today is already capable of answering more than 90% of the
queries by means of artificial intelligence. We advanced in the humanization of our Customer Relationship Center’s electronic
service, in a personalized way and with intelligent dialogue, streamlining the understanding of the request. In this process, we
were able to provide answers to customers through the electronic service at levels of 70% in certain segments, shortening the path
through a more convenient experience. We also developed our services through social networks, increasing the volume of interactions
with a concomitant reduction in response time, and invested efforts in the simplification and robotization of calls in the foregoing
channels.
In 2016, we implemented a new model of
hiring of call center attendants with a repeated incentive to good performance, based entirely on quality goals, which led to an
improvement of our operational indicators. We perceived a reduction in the contact rate in all segments, increased availability
of agents, and increased the autonomy of representatives of the call centers to solve the customers’ requisitions in the
first contact. Telefônica Brasil also reduced 14% of the absolute volume of complaints in the ranking released by
Fundação
PROCON-SP Capital
when compared to 2015, reaching a 7% reduction in the nationwide ranking. All of these results, associated
with the Customer Satisfaction Survey, demonstrate that we are on the right path, converting these interactions into a positive
experience with the brand.
In 2017, Telefônica Brasil maintains
the strategy of enriching content and increasing the functionalities available in each of the channels, seeking integration among
them, so that a client can choose how to interact with us with a high quality experience, regardless of which channel he or she
selects. We will continue to accelerate the digitalization of the customer care, providing more agility, autonomy, standardization
and convenience, which are decisive factors for the perception of quality.
Technology
In order to offer a greater variety of
integrated services, we have incorporated a series of new technologies in our voice and data networks.
We remain focused on the evolution and
convergence of the mobile and fixed networks based on All-IP IMS technology, encouraging technological advancement and offering
new services to our customers. The voice network is being prepared to initiate migrations of mobile subscribers 2G and 3G to Voice
over LTE, or VoLTE, as well as fixed subscribers to VoIP.
Voice network is being modernized with
the use of new generation technology that improves redundancy, reliability and capacity. In addition, we have already started the
implementation of VoLTE technology that will allow us to offer voice services over LTE access instead of CS Fallback, or CSFB,
which we currently use. As a result, we expect a faster call completion comparing with CSFB. We expect to improve the voice communication
experience, offering voice service with HD quality that is native for VoLTE technology. We also have already started to implement
Voice over FTTH technology that will allow us to offer voice services over FTTH access instead of voice over copper currently used.
As a benefit, we expect to have cost savings for equipment, lines, manpower and maintenance. We also expect to offer new voice
services. In order for that to be possible, a new Core infrastructure has already been installed in Vivo networks: the IMS Core,
an ALL-IP framework that uses the IP protocol as the main protocol for the network.
We have equipped the network to support
traffic bursts of enterprise inbound and outbound call center services, such as contact center and outbound dialing, by developing
and implementing high-capacity and scalability core elements.
As more services migrate to IP, our IP
backbone has become a strategic asset to support customer demands and increase revenues. The migration of sensitive and demanding
services such as voice and television to IP has also increased the demand for higher quality broadband networks and is further
augmented by growing products like cloud services and video on demand. At the same time, the expansion of fiber to customer homes
strongly increases bandwidth demands over the networks. As a result, three main drivers have surfaced as critical to our business:
availability, performance and cost effectiveness.
To reach these goals, which may appear
to conflict with each other, it is essential to optimize network resources and find synergy multipliers. The first step is to integrate
Vivo’s and GVT’s IP Backbones, simplifying our network and avoiding redundant infrastructure. As we have done in the
mobile and fixed integration, we have designed a robust architecture, using two distinct backbones to provide public and private
services using multi-protocol networks infrastructures, to guarantee service reliability to our clients and the deployment has
already begun.
To cope with greater traffic, core network
capacity has been expanded, introducing more 100-gigabyte Ethernet interfaces and reducing aggregate layers, resulting in a simpler
yet more scalable network. Moreover, by absorbing other existing networks obtained by means of earlier acquisitions into both backbones,
we have been able to simplify the network and reduce operational costs.
We further optimized costs by sharing access
networks with other Brazilian operators, in which IP backbones played a key role in connecting and transporting traffic among different
operators’ networks, reducing the need for mobile sites expansion.
Nonetheless, robust and reliable networks
are not enough to meet customers’ expectations. As content gains importance in the data world, quality of experience becomes
a key concept to improve revenue without compromising costs. In 2016, by greatly expanding the use of caching solutions throughout
the network, we have made content locally available to our customers, not only reducing transport costs but also strongly improving
user experience without increasing access investments.
Finally, as the Internet address numbers
in Brazil were exhausted in 2014 and our own resources are reaching critical levels, we have seen strong growth in the next version
of the IP protocol, the IPv6. Not only is this important to guarantee full connectivity to our clients but also to support sales
and keep expanding our customer base.
With regards to the local area network,
or LAN, as there is an increase in IP services, we have aimed to create a design that can absorb an exponential port growth for
services without increasing operational costs. The result was the adoption of a new network implementation, using top of rack,
or TOR, and end of row, or EOR, architecture. The technology reduces the amount of equipment on site and drastically decreases
the use of cables, by placing small switches inside server racks, where cables are kept confined. From the rack to the site’s
core switches, only one pair of fiber is sufficient. The result is a significant savings in operating expenditures, as well as
space, energy and air conditioning, despite the significant increase of network ports on site. Recently, the deployment of Fabric
technology, which helps avoid LAN interruptions, increases the reliability of service in our local networks without losing flexibility
and quick service deployment to customers. In 2016, we maintained the strategy of implementing the TOR and EOR framework with Fabric
technology, providing more reliable, efficient and scalable network infrastructure on sites that still had and standard Ethernet
structure. Link Aggregation technology is still being used to optimize network ports. In 2016 we implemented Fabric technology
on 27 sites.
In 2016, we implemented the Cache framework
to reduce bandwidth consumption in the IP backbone by locally storing content from partners such as Google, Netflix, Akamai and
Facebook. With this we can optimize network resources, improving quality of service and user experience. The Cache framework has
been implemented in 27 sites.
During the course of 2014, we saw a
variety of targets and natures of attacks with regards to cyber security, with special attention to the mobile terminal,
where we already offer a comprehensive suite of applications for mobile security. On the network side, besides tightening our
perimeter security, we have focused on automation. Periodic tasks such as analyzing attacks notifications, auditing firewalls
rules and evaluating security elements performance were the main areas subject to automation, allowing security professionals
to focus on problems that are more complex. In addition, those actions
improve network performance, extending the lifespan and reducing costs related to the network. In 2016, we implemented a platform
to avoid DNS querying malicious domains which could overload DNS servers.
We offer the IPTV service through the FTTH
network using a platform that is well recognized in the world (Global Video Platform). This platform consists of Pay TV with video
broadcasting offered through the IP protocol. Several features were added in the platform, such as the inclusion of Instant Channel
Change (ICC), Picture in Picture (PiP), Live Pause, applications (Social Networks, Weather, Health, Multi-view, News, Kids and
others) providing a better user experience. Additional services, such as pay-per-view and VoD, are also available.
The IPTV platform also offers games, interaction
and connectivity services through third party content, as well as OTT, content for the broadband users, through the applications
developed for smart TVs, smart phones with Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS, and STBs and PCs. A new service, OTT Live,
will deliver broadcast channels to those devices.
In 2016, the Open
Platform Program was launched seeking improvement for local operation, reducing operational costs and infrastructure investment.
It consists of several global partners, developing modules in partnership with Telefonica and connecting into the exiting Global
Video Platform. Our local team is customizing the middleware for Set-Top-Box, creating one standard version which brings better
time-to-market for new developments and product releases, as well as future convergence between IPTV and DTH platforms. For the
year of 2017, we intend to launch the IPTV service based on the Open Platform and will continue to expand all the services to other
cities in the state of São Paulo and looking for other cities in Brazil as the FTTH network expands.
We also offer digital television service
via satellite (DTH) to the subscribers that receive broadcast/PPV content through a Ku band antenna and standard Set Top Box (with
Smart Card), also available with a Personal Video Record (PVR) service with 4K technology. The customer has additional services
through IP when connecting the Set-top-box into broadband service, offering VoD and interactive applications. After four years,
we expect to use one satellite and one Middleware solution consolidating in a single platform.
Our development plan contemplates the use
of the most advanced technology available, focusing on integration with the internet and an increase in the number of multimedia
transmission services, with an emphasis on DSL, FTTH (GPON), NGN, DWDM, ROADM and relays technologies of TV over IP protocol (IPTV),
satellite (DTH), and the continuous evolution of TV services.
We currently offer HSPA+ technology, commercially
known as 3G Plus, across 100% of our WCDMA coverage, allowing customers that have compatible terminals to achieve up to three times
more than traditional 3G rate. Since 2013, we offer the LTE system in spectrum (2600 MHz). At the end of 2016, 516 Brazilian cities
had 4G availability.
Since 2015, we started to develop the network
sharing in 4G with Oi and TIM. At the end of 2016, 83 Brazilian cities had radio base stations shared, and in 86 cities we provided
new 4G coverage with RAN Sharing using infrastructure from TIM or Oi .The strategy of Radio Access Network Shared allow us to fulfill
part of the ANATEL’s requirements due the LTE spectrum acquisition.
In 2016, we also successfully provided
coverage and capacity in areas catering to the Olympics, such as airports, tourist areas, shopping centers and some Olympic venues.
In 2016,
we started to offer new frequencies to LTE (700MHz and 1800MHz), with goal to improve the coverage and capacity. At the end of
2016 we had 10 sites with LTE 700MHz and 709 sites with LTE 1800MHz.
Fraud Detection and Prevention
During 2016, we continued our work in combating
the two main types of fraud, as follows:
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Subscription fraud:
is a type of fraud that occurs when the issuance of one or more accesses are granted without the
consent of the real “holder” of identification documents with the main objective of evading payment. We had an increase
of 15% in subscription fraud-related losses, from R$32.9 million in 2015 to R$37.9 million in 2016. The main cause of this increase
was the larger coverage area in 2016. However, the review of certain detection processes and improvement of the controls used in
monitoring fraud events during the year allowed us to capture more fraudulent cases relatively to the expansion of our network.
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Identity Fraud:
also known as “social engineering”, identity fraud takes place through call centers or dealers,
where a caller who has access to information belonging to our existing clients reaches out to our call centers and makes unauthorized
alterations and activations. We did not have any losses related to Identity Fraud for financial accounts of expenses, representing
100% of effectiveness in 2016. The main reason for this result was the identification of cases in a shorter period of time.
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Operating Agreements
Interconnection Agreements
The terms of our interconnection agreements
include provisions with respect to the number of connection points and traffic signals. See “—Regulation of the Brazilian
Telecommunications Industry—Obligations of Telecommunications Companies.”
We believe that we have adequate interconnection
agreements with fixed-line operators necessary to provide our services and that we have all the necessary interconnection agreements
with long-distance carriers.
Roaming Agreements
We provide international GSM roaming in
over 200 destinations worldwide by means of over 500 roaming agreements with local service providers.
Network Sharing Agreement
In 2014, Telefônica Brasil announced
that a networking sharing agreement with Nextel was signed to provide mobile services coverage (voice, data and SMS) through our
2G and 3G network to 67 area codes. The contract has a term of five years, with a minimum payment of R$1.0 billion for the whole
period, as follows: (i) R$44.3 million in the first year; (ii) R$132.1 million in the second year; (iii) R$237.1 million in the
third year; (iv) R$263.0 million in the fourth year and (v) R$361.5 million in the fifth year. Term and payments are subject to
the fulfillment of the contractual obligations assumed by the parties.
ANATEL approved the agreement and the execution
of the operation in March 2014. The network sharing has been fully operational since July 31, 2014, when the Parties had executed
the Notice of Network Full Availability.
In 2016, both parties decided to extend
the agreement throughout the national territory. CADE approved the extension in July 2016 and ANATEL in August 2016. ANATEL’s
approval was conditioned to the effective commercialization of SMP service in the locations subject of Nextel obligations. The
agreement will be revised by the regulator in two years and could be terminated depending on the parties’ compliance with
related obligations. Nextel has appealed on the conditions mentioned above, which currently are under review.
In March 2015, Claro and Telefônica
have entered into a RAN Sharing agreement in order to provide telecommunication coverage in rural areas in Brazil, which was approved
by CADE and ANATEL.
In December 2015, Telefônica, Oi
and TIM have entered into a RAN Sharing agreement in order to provide mobile services coverage (voice, data and SMS) through the
4G network and comply with coverage commitments assumed by the operators. The agreement was approved by CADE and ANATEL.
In August 2016, ANATEL approved the agreement
between Telefônica and TIM to share of electronic equipment and mobile sites for the fulfilment of the obligations acquired
with 450 MHz auction. The approval of the agreement, however, does not exempt the providers from fulfilling their obligations,
nor from the coverage of the entire area. In case the agreement is ended before the expected deadline, each provider must meet
its coverage commitments with its own network, under penalty of extinction of the authorizations for use of radio frequencies.
Competition
In 2016, competition remained strong in
the Brazilian telecommunications market. By November 2016 Brazil reached nearly 336 million accesses of fixed and mobile phone,
pay TV, broadband fixed and mobile according to Telebrasil and Teleco.
In the first half
of the year, Vivo and GVT merger was operationally completed. We started to act commercially integrated throughout the country
and released a new positioning campaign "Viva Tudo", presenting the company as a digital partner of the people, offering
all the connections with quality in a single company: fixed and mobile services, broadband, pay TV, applications, besides digital
services.
We face intense competition in all businesses
we operate, primarily from other mobile service providers and fixed services operators. Most of these competitors are part of large,
national or multinational groups and, therefore, have access to capital, new technologies and other benefits.
In the mobile market we continued in the
lead with a 30.2% market share as of December 2016. The 4G technology continued to expand. In December 2016, there were 60.1 million
4G lines. We remain the leaders in such technology with a 35.7% market share, according to ANATEL.
We also lead mobile market share, measured
in terms of the number of mobile accesses in 11 States: Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso,
Mato Grosso do Sul, Roraima, Rio Grande do Sul, Sergipe and São Paulo. TIM Celular or TIM, a Brazilian telephone company
and subsidiary of Telecom Italia lead the mobile market in six states: Alagoas, Ceará, Pará, Paraná, Rio Grande
do Norte and Santa Catarina. Oi leads mobile services in three states: Maranhão, Paraiba and Pernambuco. Claro Telecom Participações
or Claro is a mobile operator controlled by a Mexican company, America Movil Group, and leads mobile service in seven states: Bahia,
Distrito Federal, Goiás, Piauí, Rio de Janeiro, Rondônia and Tocantins.
Our main competitors in fixed telecommunications
services are: America Móvil (which includes NET, Claro and Embratel), TIM (which offers broadband services under the TIM
Live brand) and SKY (currently controlled by AT&T). Furthermore, in the fixed broadband market there are more than 3 thousand
small regional providers that, in recent years, have been expanding their market shares with their local operations.
In 2016, Claro, Embratel and NET introduced
a new institutional campaign showing themselves as a single company, even though maintaining different brands. The concept was
to highlight the synergy of operations and to strengthen convergent services.
Oi is stronger in the fixed services outside
the state of São Paulo and remains focused on the convergence strategy of fixed and mobile services. Oi filed for bankruptcy
protection in June 2016 with R$65 billion in debt, making it the largest bankruptcy filing in Brazilian history.
Other competitors highlighted by their
growth in 2016 were: TIM Live, with approximately 326 thousand fixed broadband customers (ANATEL, December 2016) and SKY, that
usually provides satellite Pay TV services, from low to high price packages to its customers, has significantly expanded its broadband
operations through LTE TDD 4G technology (long term evolution-division duplex time). In December 2016, according to ANATEL, SKY
registered 5.2 million customers in Pay TV and 310 thousand broadband customers.
Regulation of the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry
Our business, including the services we
provide and the rates we charge, is materially affected by comprehensive regulation under the General Telecommunications Law and
various administrative rules thereunder. We operate under a concession agreement that authorizes us to provide specified services
and subjects us to certain obligations, according to the General Universal Service Targets Plan (
Plano Geral de Metas de Universalização
),
or PGMU, and the General Quality Targets Plan (
Plano Geral de Metas de Qualidade
), or PGMQ.
ANATEL is the regulatory agency established
by the General Telecommunications Law, and is administratively and financially independent from the Brazilian government. Any proposed
regulation by ANATEL is subject to a period of public comment and, occasionally, public hearings, and its decisions may be challenged
in Brazilian courts.
Concessions and Authorizations
In accordance with the General Telecommunications
Law concessions are licenses to provide telecommunications services that are granted under the public regime, while authorizations
are licenses to provide telecommunications services granted under the private regime.
Companies that provide services under the
public regime, known as the concessionaires, are subject to certain obligations as to quality of service, continuity of service,
universality of service, network expansion and modernization.
A concession may only be granted pursuant
to a public bidding process. As a result, regulatory provisions are included in the relevant concession agreements and the concessionaire
is subject to public service principles of continuity, changeability and equal treatment of customers. In addition, ANATEL is authorized
to direct and control the provision of services, to apply penalties and to declare the expiration of the concession and the return
of assets from the concessionaire to the government authority upon termination of the concession. Another distinctive feature of
public concessions is the right of the concessionaire to maintain certain economic and financial standards, which are calculated
based on the rules set forth in our concession agreement and was designed based on a price cap model. The concession is granted
for a fixed period of time and is generally renewable only once.
The companies that operate concessions
under the public regime are Telefônica Brasil, Oi, CTBC Telecom, Sercomtel and Embratel (Embratel for domestic and international
long distance service). These companies provide fixed-line telecommunications services in Brazil that include local, intraregional,
interregional and international long-distance services. All other telecommunications service providers, including the other companies
authorized to provide fixed-line services in our concession region, operate pursuant to authorizations under the private regime.
Companies that provide services under the
private regime, known as authorized companies, are generally not subject to the same requirements regarding continuity or universality
of service; however, they may be subject to certain network expansion and quality of service requirements that are obligations
set forth in their authorizations. Authorizations are granted for an indeterminate period of time. Under an authorization, the
government does not guarantee to the authorized company an economic-financial equilibrium, as is the case under concessions.
An authorization is a license granted by
ANATEL under the private regime, which may or may not be granted pursuant to a public bidding process, to the extent that the authorized
company complies with the objective and subjective conditions deemed necessary for the rendering of the relevant type of telecommunication
service in the private regime.
The General Telecommunications Law delegates
to ANATEL the power to authorize private regime companies to provide local and intraregional long-distance services in each of
the three fixed-line regions and to provide intraregional, interregional and international long-distance services throughout Brazil.
ANATEL has already granted authorizations for companies to operate in Region III, our concession region. ANATEL has also granted
other authorizations for companies to operate in other fixed-line regions and authorizations to provide intraregional, interregional
and international long-distance services throughout Brazil competing with Embratel, which operates under a long-distance fixed-line
concession.
Concessionaires, including us, can also
offer other telecommunications services in the private regime, which primarily include data transmission services, mobile services
and Pay TV.
Obligations of Telecommunications Companies
Pursuant to the concessions and authorizations,
we and other telecommunications service providers are subject to obligations concerning quality of service, network expansion and
modernization. Telecommunication concessionaires are also subject to a set of special restrictions regarding the services they
may offer, which are listed in the General Grants Plan (
Plano Geral de Outorgas
), or PGO, and special obligations regarding
network expansion and modernization contained in the PGMQ.
In 2001, a presidential decree published
with the PGO increased the flexibility of telecommunications provider groups as fixed line concessionaires by allowing such providers
to provide services in up to two of the three regions established by the PGO. Before this decree, telecommunications provider groups
holding fixed-line concessions could offer fixed line services in only one region under the public regime.
In 2008, another presidential decree allowed
concessionaries to operate outside their concession areas and unified sectors 31, 32 and 34. Thus, region III was comprised of
sectors 31 and 33.
In December 2016, ANATEL held a public
consultation relating to the new rules of the PGO. In the proposed text, there is an exclusive chapter aimed at verifying the migration
of fixed telephony concessions for authorizations, in accordance with the new regulatory framework being considered. The new regulation
should be subject to extensive discussion in 2017 and its effects should only come after the approval of the new framework.
Any breach of telecommunications legislation
or of any obligation set forth in concessions and authorizations may result in a fine of up to R$50 million.
Our main operations are regulated as follows:
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Fixed line voice services (local and long distance) under concession agreement in the state of São Paulo and under authorization
agreement in rest of the Brazilian territory. The concession was granted in 1998 by the Brazilian Government and renewed in December
2005 for 20 more years and authorizes us to provide fixed-line telecommunications services in the state of São Paulo, except
for a small area (Sector 33) and to place and manage public telephones in our concession area. We also provide fixed-wireless services
throughout our concession area. The authorization was granted in 2001 by the Brazilian Government for the whole Brazilian territory;
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Mobile voice and broadband services, in all 26 states and the Federal District, under the personal mobile service (
Serviço
Móvel Pessoal
), or SMP authorization. We operate under various SMP authorizations, each for a term varying according
to the related authorization;
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Multimedia communication services, such as audio, data, voice and other sounds, images, texts and other information throughout
Brazil. We operate under a nationwide SCM authorization, valid for an indefinite term;
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Pay TV service, throughout all regions of Brazil under the conditioned public service (
Serviço de Acesso Condicionado
),
or SeAC authorization. We operate under SeAC authorizations, which are valid for indefinite terms; and
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Wholesale services, such as interconnection, governed by the interconnection agreements discussed under “—Operating
Agreements—Interconnection Agreements,” industrial dedicated line (
Exploração Industrial de Linha
Dedicada
), or EILD, which are regulated by ANATEL Resolution No. 590, dated May 15, 2012 and Mobile Virtual Network Operator,
or MVNO agreements.
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We set forth below details of the concession,
authorizations, licenses and regulations that regulate our operations.
Fixed Services
Our Concession Agreement
We are authorized to provide fixed line
services to render local and domestic long-distance calls originating in Region III, which comprises the state of São Paulo,
except for Sector 33, established in the PGO.
The current concession agreement is valid
through December 31, 2025 and was renewed in 2006 and 2011. According to Resolution No. 559, two additional revision periods were
defined (2015 and 2020), and due to the government discussion on a new regulatory framework for the telecommunications, the 2015
review was postponed by ANATEL. The current date for the publication of the revised concession agreement is February 28, 2017.
Other regulations have been adopted to
revise certain aspects of our concession. On June 30, 2011, ANATEL determined the new basis of calculation of the biannual concession
fees. Every two years, during the new 20-year period of our concession, we are required to pay a renewal fee, which amounts to
2% of the total revenue in the previous year, calculated based on the revenues and social contribution of fixed line basic and
alternative plans. The most recent payment of this biennial fee was made on April 30, 2015, based on 2014 revenue. The next payment
is scheduled for 2017 based on 2016 revenue. See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition, the Brazilian government published
Decree No. 7,512 which proposed the General Plan for the Universalization of Fixed Telephone Services under the Public Regime (
Plano
Geral de Metas para a Universalização do Serviço Telefônico Fixo Comutado Prestado no Regime Publico
),
or PGMU III. It set forth new targets for public pay phones (
Telefone de Uso Público
) availability in rural and low-income
areas and targets related to low-income fixed line services (
Acesso Individual Classe Especial
), or AICE.
On June 27, 2014, tied to the public consultation
for the new concession agreements, ANATEL held a public consultation for the PGMU. Since the publication of the new concession
agreement has been postponed until February, 28, 2017, the new version of PGMU was also delayed.
Pursuant to our concession agreements,
all assets owned by us which are indispensable to the provision of the services described in such agreements are considered “reversible
assets”. According to a recent interpretation by ANATEL of the current regulation, these assets will be automatically returned
to ANATEL upon the expiration of the concession agreements, according to the regulation in force at that time and would not be
available to creditors in the event of insolvency, bankruptcy or similar events. With discussions relating to a new regulatory
framework under way, this rule could no longer exist in light of the possibility of transforming concessions into authorizations.
On April 8, 2008, we entered into an amendment
to the concession agreement to substitute the obligation to install telecommunications service posts with an obligation to roll
out broadband network infrastructure throughout the municipalities serviced by such concessionaires. This amendment could be extended
with the approval of the counterparties of the new regulatory framework.
On October 23, 2012, ANATEL published Resolution
No. 598, which addresses population density, setting deadlines to meet access requests and benchmarks for use of the public telephone
plant and the establishment of a list of agencies that can request access to its location, review of deadline for proposing service
plans and the establishment of universal obligations disclosure.
Currently, the
Brazilian legislature is discussing a new regulatory framework for telecommunications that is expected to affect our concession
agreements. After a long debate on the bill of law that defines the new framework in both houses of congress, on January 31, 2017,
the Federal Senate approved the bill and forwarded it for approval by the president. The new regulatory framework contains several
changes to the existing regime, which primarily include, among others, the immediate replacement of the current concession-based
regime for an authorization-based regime, changes in the standards for the use of frequencies and Brazilian orbital position, as
well as terms relating to the transfer of reversible assets to telecommunication companies in exchange for investments in the fixed
broadband infrastructure by such companies.
However, opposition
parties filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking the judges to analyze the legality of the approval of the bill since their
legislative appeal was not considered and the proposed bill was not discussed and voted on in a plenary session of congress. The
Supreme Court determined that the bill should be returned to the Senate and that the opposition parties’ appeal seeking further
debate regarding the bill should be reconsidered. The president has abided the decision of the Court and the draft bill is currently
on the Senate pending further debate.
For information about regulations affecting
rates we are able to charge under our concession agreements, see “—Rates, Taxes and Billing.”
Obligations and Restrictions on concessionaires
to provide fixed line service under the public regime
We and other concessionaires are subject
to the General Universal Service Targets Plan (
Plano Geral de Metas de Universalização
), or PGMU, and the
General Quality Targets Plan (
Plano Geral de Metas de Qualidade
), or PGMQ, each of which respectively requires that concessionaires
undertake certain network expansion activities with respect to our fixed-line services and meet specified quality of service targets.
The timing for network expansion and benchmarks for quality of service are revised by ANATEL from time to time. If any given concessionaire
does not fulfill its obligations under the PGMU and the PGMQ, ANATEL may impose various monetary penalties and such concessionaire
may lose its license if ANATEL determines that it will be unable to provide basic services under the two General Plans.
Concessionaires are also subject to certain
restrictions on alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, including:
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a prohibition on holding more than 20% of the voting shares in any other concessionaire, unless previously approved by ANATEL,
according to ANATEL Resolution No. 101; and
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a prohibition on concessionaires to provide similar services through related companies.
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Fixed line service under the private regime
In 2002, we began providing local and interregional
services in Regions I and II and Sector 33 of Region III, and international long-distance services in Regions I, II and III, which
constitute regions in Brazil that are outside of our public regime concession area.
Public Telephone Regulation
On June 30, 2014, ANATEL published the
new Public Telephone Regulation. Among the new rules, it opened up the possibility of advertising on the public telephones and
the possibility of alternative payment modalities.
In 2016, ANATEL extinguished the Standard
for the Certification and Homologation of the Inductive Card. Instead, a list of Technical Requirements for Telecommunications
Products was issued.
Mobile Services
In October 2016, ANATEL approved new spectrum
use regulations, which facilitates access to radio frequencies and generates efficiency in its use, due to the simplification of
procedures and necessary documentation. The regulation also alters spectrum pricing, rules for extending use authorization and
new rules for frequency use on a secondary basis prior to primary use.
Mobile Service Licenses (SMP)
Our authorizations to provide mobile services
throughout Brazil consist of two licenses—one to provide mobile telecommunications services, and another to use the respective
frequency spectrum for a period of 15 years. The frequency license is renewable for an additional 15-year period upon payment of
2% of net operating revenues over usage charges in the region described above, every two years for the duration of the extension
period. In the 15th year, the Company will pay 1% of the aforementioned amount.
In order to transfer our services to SMP,
we were required to comply with several technical and operational conditions, including, among other things, the adoption of a
carrier selection code for long-distance calls originating from our network.
Our renewed SMP authorizations include
the right to provide mobile services for an unlimited period of time but restrict the right to use the spectrum according to the
schedules listed in the old authorizations. The table below sets forth our current SMP authorizations, their locations, band and
spectrums, date of issuance or renewal and date of expiration:
Authorization
|
800
MHz
|
900
MHz
|
1800
MHz
|
2100
MHz (3)
|
Rio de Janeiro
|
Band A
November 2020
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Espírito Santo
|
Band A
November 2023
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará and Maranhão
|
Band B
November 2028
|
Extension 2 April 2023
|
Extensions 7, 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Minas Gerais (except for “Triângulo Mineiro” region)
|
Band A
April 2023
|
Extension 2 April 2023
|
Extensions 11&14
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Authorization
|
800
MHz
|
900
MHz
|
1800
MHz
|
2100
MHz (3)
|
Minas Gerais (“Triângulo Mineiro” region)
|
—
|
Band E
April 2020
|
Band E
April 2020
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Bahia
|
Band A
June 2023
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Sergipe
|
Band A
December 2023
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte
|
—
|
—
|
Band E
April 2023
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Paraná (except for Londrina and Tamarana) and Santa Catarina
|
Band B
April 2028
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Paraná - Londrina and Tamarana
|
Band B
April 2028
|
—
|
Band M
April 2023
Extension 10 April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Rio Grande do Sul (except for Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão and Turuçu)
|
Band A
December 2022
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Rio Grande do Sul (Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão and Turuçu)
|
—
|
—
|
Bands D&M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Federal District
|
Band A
July 2021
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Goiás and Tocantins
|
Band A
October 2023
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Goiás (Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia, Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão)
|
—
|
—
|
Extensions 7 to 10
April 2023
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Mato Grosso
|
Band A
March 2024
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Mato Grosso do Sul (except for Paranaíba)
|
Band A
September 2024
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Mato Grosso do Sul (Paranaíba)
|
—
|
—
|
Extensions 7, 9&10
April 2023
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Authorization
|
800
MHz
|
900
MHz
|
1800
MHz
|
2100
MHz (3)
|
Rondônia
|
Band A
July 2024
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M - April/23
|
Band J
April 2023
|
Acre
|
Band A
July 2024
|
Extension 1 April 2023
|
Band M
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
São Paulo
|
Band A
August 2023
|
—
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
São Paulo (Ribeirão Preto, Guatapará and Bonfim Paulista)
|
Band A
January 2024
|
—
|
Extensions 5, 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
São Paulo (Franca region)
|
Band A
August 2023
|
—
|
Extensions 5, 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
São Paulo (Altinópolis, Aramina, Batatais, Brodosqui, Buritizal, Cajuru, Cássia dos Coqueiros, Colômbia, Franca, Guaíra, Guará, Ipuã, Ituverava, Jardinópolis, Miguelópolis, Morro Agudo, Nuporanga, Orlândia, Ribeirão Corrente, Sales de Oliveira, Santa Cruz da Esperança, Santo Antônio da Alegria and São Joaquim da Barra)
|
—
|
—
|
Extensions 9&10
April 2023
|
Band J
April 2023
|
In 2013, we changed the terms of our authorization
regarding Band “L” (1.9 GHz) in certain locations, adapting their blocks of frequencies to 2.1 GHz and aligning them
with the band “J” (3G) which provides a more efficient use of the spectrum. The alignment has not occurred in the following
areas: Northeast, with the exception of Bahia and Sergipe; Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão and Turuçu,
in Rio Grande do Sul; Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia, Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão,
in Goiás; and Paranaíba in Mato Grosso do Sul. This change is foreseen in the bidding document No 001/2007. We do
not have band “G” in the northeast region and in Londrina and Tamarana, Paraná.
On June 12 and 13, 2012, ANATEL held a
public auction for 273 lots of 4G, on the 2.5GHz to 2.69GHz frequencies. We acquired the “X” band, with a nationwide
coverage, for R$1.05 billion. According to spectrum cap rules for bidding processes, we had to return the remaining portion of
the 2.5GHz spectrum we previously owned to operate our MMDS services.
In order to meet the coverage obligations
and the schedule defined by ANATEL, we have made 4G services available to 516 cities in Brazil. To complete the coverage requirements,
we will need to implement 4G coverage in 787 cities with between 30,000 and 100,000 residents by December 31, 2017.
Telefonica has deployed, and continues
to deploy 4G coverage in the municipalities and serves its customers through the use of its own network or by agreement of RAN-sharing
approved by ANATEL. Verification of compliance with these targets will be made by ANATEL.
The coverage in cities with less than
30,000 inhabitants may be fulfilled with other frequency bands, according to the following schedule:
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·
|
by December 31, 2017: 117 cities;
|
|
·
|
by December 31, 2018: another 117 cities; and
|
|
·
|
by December 31, 2019: 156 more cities.
|
ANATEL auctioned a 450 MHz frequency lot
that is tied to the 2.5 GHz band, to meet voice and data demand in remote rural areas. Under band “X,” which we acquired
in the bidding process, we will be required to provide infrastructure in rural areas in the states of Alagoas, Ceará, Minas
Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe, and countryside of São Paulo, for a total
of 2,556 municipalities. The expiration date for this band is October 2027, with an automatic renewal option.
In 2016, the ANATEL board of directors
approved a request made by telecommunications companies to allow for coverage in those remote areas with other technologies, since
there is no available ecosystem to use the 450 MHz frequency.
In December 2015, ANATEL and CADE approved
the agreement between Telefônica Brasil, TIM and Oi for the construction, implementation and mutual assignment of network
tools for supporting the Personal Mobile Service (voice and broadband) in the 2.5 GHz band, in order to make compliance with the
scope of commitments between 2015 and 2017 and the expansion of 4G coverage, considering municipalities with a population over
30 thousand inhabitants. The operation involves the search for more efficiency of resources application of rationality and presenting
a solution to the urban planning and environmental restrictions on the deployment of the new radio base stations (cell sites).
ANATEL did not accept, however, the proposed
agreement to do the RAN Sharing in conurbations, since interference was detected. The agency has decided that until a technological
solution is found against this interference, there can be no sharing in these cities.
Regarding the 700 MHz spectrum, ANATEL
has allocated the band for the provision of fixed, mobile and broadband services. On September 30, 2014, ANATEL held the public
bidding of 4G, on the 708 to 803 MHz frequencies.
We acquired 20 MHz (10+10 MHz) with nationwide
coverage, for R$1.92 billion, at the minimum price, plus R$904 million for the band cleaning (migration of broadcasters that currently
occupy the band and interference management). The expiration date for this band is in December 2029, with an automatic renewal
option.
According to the auction rules, the winning
bidders will be responsible for financing and managing the band cleaning process.
In January 2016, the Ministry of Communications
published a new schedule for Analog TV Switch Off, postponing the use of 700 MHz frequency for telecommunications in some Brazilian
big cities. According to the new schedule just two cities should be turned off in 2016, Rio Verde (GO) and Brasilia (DF). Despite
minor delays, the cleaning was considered successful. Following the schedule in 2017, there will be 349 municipalities in 8 Brazilian
states (Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco)
to be turned off. The capitals of these states are on the list. The list of municipalities for 2018 will be defined in a specific
ordinance.
In December 2015, ANATEL auctioned the
remaining spectrum lots in the 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2500 MHz bands, where Telefônica acquired seven lots of 2.5 GHz frequency
band offering a total of R$ 185.4 million. These lots are associated to six different States, five of them in the capital cities
of the States of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, and Palmas and one in an interior city of
the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Such frequencies will be used for provision of mobile broadband service on 4G.
Mobile Services Obligations
The mobile service authorizations of Telefônica
Brasil involve obligations, established by ANATEL, to meet quality of service standards relating to the system’s ability
to make and receive calls, call failure rates, the network’s capacity to handle peak periods, failed interconnection of calls
and customer complaints.
To restructure the process of assessing
the quality of mobile service, with the inclusion of new processes and measurement of new indicators to check the quality of mobile
broadband and the quality perceived by the user, and the modernization of existing indicators, ANATEL approved the Regulation for
the Management of Quality of Provision of Personal Mobile Service (
Regulamento de Gestão da Qualidade da Prestação
de Serviço Móvel Pessoal
), or SMP-RGQ.
The SMP-RGQ provides for the assessment
of the network connection and their respective data transmission rate, assessing aspects of availability, stability and connection
speed for the data network. In addition, the rule established the formation of a Quality Measurement Process Deployment Group (
Grupo
de Implantação de Processos de Aferição da Qualidade
), or GIPAQ, which is responsible for implementing
the processes on the quality indicators for the “Instant Transmission Rate Guarantee “and “Average Transmission
Rate Guarantee.”
The methodology and procedures regarding
the collection of data connection indicators has been defined by a group composed of providers, ANATEL and the entity responsible
for the measurement of the rate of data transmission indicators (
Entidade Aferidora da Qualidade
), or EAQ, which shall be
responsible for implementing these processes and which has been hired by the mobile operators, as a group, starting with February
29, 2012. All costs associated with implementing the new procedures for measuring quality are borne by the providers of SMP services.
Initially, targets were defined by at least
60% of the speed hired by users and 20% of the instant speed. In November 2013 and November 2014, ANATEL raised the target values
to 80% of speed hired by users and 40% of the instant speed, according to the definitions of the Resolution 575/2011.
In July 2012, ANATEL suspended the sale
and activation of the mobile lines of three major Brazilian operators. We were not affected by this measure. Since then, ANATEL
has requested the submission of an Action Plan for Quality Improvement of the Mobile Telephone from operators. We had our plan
approved on September 10, 2012. The measurement results of the indicators defined on the PMQ were published in August 2012 and
are under an ongoing monitoring process set forth by ANATEL.
Multimedia Communication Services (SCM)
Our multimedia services include broadband
and wireless internet services as well as fiber UBB services.
Authorization to Provide Multimedia Services
On January 29, 2003, ANATEL granted our
multimedia communication license nationwide, allowing A. TELECOM S.A. (formerly Assist Telefónica), our wholly owned subsidiary
at that time, to provide voice and data services through points-of-presence (POPs), which are comprised of private telecommunications
networks and circuits. In addition to A. TELECOM S.A., ANATEL granted multimedia communication licenses to T-Data (formerly T-Empresas)
and Emergia.
As a result of our merger with Vivo S.A.
and pursuant to the concession agreement, we are not able to provide services other than telecommunications. Consequently, we submitted
a request to ANATEL for the cancellation of T-Data’s multimedia communication license and the unification of our multimedia
communication licenses under Telefônica Brasil. On September 3, 2014, ANATEL granted Telefônica Brasil a nationwide
multimedia communication license.
Obligation to provide fixed broadband access
As a telecommunications concessionaire,
we have the obligation to provide free Internet access to public schools in our concession area during the term of the agreement
(until 2025). The number of schools for which we should provide broadband is determined by the National Education Ministry school
census. Currently our obligations include 10,660 schools, of which 10,054 were met.
Pay TV services
Authorization to provide Pay TV Services –
SeAC
On March 14, 2007, ANATEL granted A. TELECOM
S.A. authorization to provide services of Pay TV via satellite (Direct to Home – DTH). DTH is one of the special types of
subscription TV services that utilize satellites for the direct distribution of television and audio signals for subscribers. The
launching of the commercial transaction occurred on August 12, 2007.
On October 31, 2007, the board of ANATEL
concluded its regulatory review of the agreement between us and Grupo Abril, which included a special license that allows us to
offer Pay TV and broadband services. In November 2012, ANATEL approved the adoption of service licenses for subscription television
by the Telefónica group to the conditional access service.
Following the merger of Telefônica
Brasil S.A. and Vivo S.A., the company requested the adjustment of the Multimedia Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS), the Pay
TV via satellite Direct to Home – DTH, and the Cable TV service licenses, to the SeAC single license. On January 25, 2013,
it was issued by ANATEL.
Regulations for Pay TV Services– SeAC
On September 12, 2011, the Brazilian Congress
adopted Law 12,485/2011 as a result of Bill 116, which establishes a new legal framework for audiovisual communication with restricted
access. This law opens the Pay TV market by enabling telecom operators to offer audiovisual content to subscribers through their
networks, creating a new service called Pay TV Services (
Serviço de Acesso Condicionado
), or SeAC. The absence of
restrictions on foreign capital to be invested in Pay TV providers, as well as the elimination of restrictions for the provision
of other telecommunications services through fixed line concession, allow us to provide Pay TV services, as well as other telecommunication
services previously limited under the General Telecommunications Law.
Pursuant to Law 12,485/2011, the Pay TV
service has replaced current cable subscription TV services, subscription TV, MMDS and DTH, giving power to ANATEL to regulate
the Pay TV service. As a result of this law, ANATEL introduced in December 2011 the proposed regulations for Pay TV services through
Public Consultation No. 65/2011, including license grants, installation and licensing of stations and mandatory distribution programming
channels. The Public Consultation was finalized on February 2, 2012 and resulted in Resolution No. 581, issued by ANATEL on
March 28, 2012, as well as the new Authorization Terms of the SeAC.
Law No. 12,485/2011 also established an
annual payment to Condecine (
Contribuição para o Desenvolvimento da Indústria Cinematográfica
)
to be made by providers of telecommunication services and amended Law No. 5,070/1966 by revising the amount due as Inspection Fee
(
Taxa de Fiscalização de Funcionamento
) for telecommunication stations from 45% to 33% of the Installation
Fee (
Taxa de Fiscalização de Instalação
). The amount due to Condecine is approximately 12% of
the Installation Fee for telecommunication services and must be paid yearly by March 31 of each year.
As a result of Law No. 12,485/2011, the
National Cinema Agency (
Agência Nacional do Cinema
), or ANCINE issued one public consultation by the end of 2011 and
one public consultation in 2012 to regulate the registration of economic agents. In 2013, we had our licenses adapted to the new
regulation and was recognized as an economic agent by ANCINE. In 2014, ANCINE recognized Telefônica Brasil S.A. as a Pay
TV content packer.
In March 2016, ANATEL published a Public
Consultation to change the regulation for Pay TV access services (SeAC). The proposal brought new rules for the isonomic treatment
of open channels, transfer of grants, for the transfer of control between pay-TV companies, and the obligation to load channel
accessibility resources, among other aspects. The new regulation may be finalized in 2017.
Interconnection
Fees
In accordance with ANATEL regulations,
we must charge fees to the other telecommunications service providers based on the following:
|
·
|
Fee for the use of our local fixed service network (TU-RL) - we charge local service providers an interconnection fee for every
minute used in connection with a call that either originates or terminates within our local network, with the exception of calls
between other providers of local fixed service, for which a fee is not charged;
|
|
·
|
Fee for the use of our fixed service long-distance network (TU-RIU) - we charge long distance service providers an interconnection
fee on a per-minute basis only when the interconnection access to our long-distance network is in use;
|
|
·
|
Fee for the use of mobile network (MTR) – we charge mobile service providers an interconnection fee on a per-minute basis
only when the interconnection access to our mobile network is in use;
|
|
·
|
Fee for the use of leased lines by another service provider (EILD). We also lease transmission lines, certain infrastructure
and other equipment to other providers of telecommunications services.
|
Fixed Service
In July 2005, ANATEL published new rules
regarding interconnection. The main changes are: (i) an obligation to have a public offering of interconnection for all services,
besides interconnections fees between providers of fixed and mobile telephone services; (ii) an offer of interconnections for Internet
backbone providers; (iii) establishment of criteria for the treatment of fraudulent calls; and (iv) reduction of service times
for interconnection requests.
In 2006, we completed the implementation
of the interconnection with the mobile service providers in regions with heavier traffic, assuring the proper billing for such
calls. This movement reduced the interconnection costs.
In 2007, ANATEL published a new version
of Fixed Network Compensation Regulation that changed the rules to determine the interconnection fees. Local and long distance
rates that were set at all times became variable according to the rules of public service tariffs. A 20% increase was applied to
tariffs of mobile service operators without significant market power in their regions.
On May 7, 2012 Resolution No. 588/12 was
published. It determined that:
|
·
|
A maximum of two minutes of interconnection should be paid for the use of the local network on reduced hours.
|
|
·
|
The reduction of interconnection fees from domestic and international long distance calls by 30% of the value of the local
fixed service network interconnection fee (TU-RL) and the reduction of 25% and 20% by December 2012 of the value of the long distance
network interconnection tariffs (TU-RIU).
|
|
·
|
The remuneration between networks will not occur until this traffic imbalance is greater than 75% compared to 25%
|
|
·
|
The partial Bill & Keep by December 31, 2013 and full Bill & Keep by December 31, 2014.
|
On
July 1, 2014, ANATEL established gradual decreases in fixed service network interconnection fees, or TU-RL, based on a cost model
for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, as described under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating
to the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry and Us—Our results of operations may be negatively affected by the application
of the Fixed Commuted Telephone Service (
Serviço de Telefonia Fixa Comutada
), or
STFC, rules relating to fixed telephone service and the Personal Mobile Service (
Serviço Móvel Pessoal
),
or SMP, rules relating to mobile services.”
In December 2016, ANATEL held a public
consultation to discuss a new interconnection regulation (RGI). The new document aims to solve the large amount of disputes in
the agreements for voice and data traffic among companies. ANATEL has proposed that in cases of default the cut in the provision
of interconnection could be done without the regulator’s authorization. In addition, the new document aim to establish a
list of prohibited practices in interconnection relationships and to make the interconnection technology neutral. The new rules
should be published during 2017.
Mobile service
In November 2009, ANATEL unified the licenses
of all mobile operators, resulting in the consolidation of interconnection fees, reducing the number of fees for the use of mobile
network from 2 to 1.
On December 2, 2013, Act no. 7,272 was
published, establishing the MTR reference values for providers determined to be a Significant Market Power (PMS), which became
effective on February 24, 2014. On August 28, 2014, Act no. 7,310 was published, replacing the reference values previously set
out in Act no. 7,272.
On July 1, 2014, ANATEL established gradual
decreases in mobile interconnection fees, or MTR, based on a cost model for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, as described in
“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry and Us—Our
results of operations may be negatively affected by the application of the Fixed Commuted Telephone Service (
Serviço
de Telefonia Fixa Comutada
), or STFC, rules relating to fixed telephone service
and the Personal Mobile Service (
Serviço Móvel Pessoal
), or SMP, rules relating to mobile services.”
In addition, the General Competition Plan
(“
Plano Geral de Metas de Competição
– PGMC) determined that the relationship among PMS and non-PMS
providers in the mobile network, the interconnection fee should be paid only when the traffic out of a network in a given direction
is greater than 80% of the total traffic exchanged until February 23, 2015; 60% of the total traffic exchanged from February 24,
2015 to February 23, 2016. And from February 24, 2016, the MTR will be owed to the mobile service provider when its network is
used to originate or terminate calls (full billing). However, in February 2015, after promoting a Public Consultation, ANATEL modified
the rules regarding the interconnection fee to be paid of the outbound traffic:
|
·
|
Up to February 23, 2015: 80% / 20%
|
|
·
|
From February 24, 2015 to February 23, 2016: 75% / 25%
|
|
·
|
From February 24, 2016 to February 23, 2017: 65% / 35%
|
|
·
|
From February 24, 2017 to February 23, 2018: 55% / 45%
|
|
·
|
From February 24, 2018 to February 23, 2019: 50% / 50%
|
|
·
|
From February 24, 2019: Full Billing.
|
Notwithstanding, TIM and Claro have filled
a lawsuit to suspend the modification of the rules concerning the tariff reduction on the fixed-mobile introduced by Resolution
649. This lawsuit remains under way.
TU-RL and TU-RIU
On May 18, 2014, the proposed standards
were approved for setting maximum values of fixed interconnection fees and for the values of mobile interconnection, based on Cost
Models. In addition, values for fixed and mobile interconnection were published through the acts: No. 6210 for TU-RL and TU-RIU
and No. 6211 for MTR.
For fixed and mobile termination fees,
the decision of ANATEL established values for 2018 based on a bottom-up cost model. For 2016 and 2017 intermediate values have
been adopted.
EILD
On May 18, 2014, ANATEL approved the proposed
standard for setting maximum values of Industrial Dedicated Line (EILD), based on Cost Models. Values for EILD were published through
Act No. 6212, which contains a single reference table which will be valid from 2016 until 2020. In addition, the general competition
plan requires companies with significant market power to present a public offer every six months informing standard commercial
conditions, which is subject to approval by ANATEL.
Mobile
Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)
In 2001, ANATEL approved rules for companies
to be licensed as MVNOs. In 2016, ANATEL authorized MVNO companies to be affiliates of certain other network operators.
We have signed agreements with companies
authorized to operate as an MVNO in Brazil.
Internet and Related Services in Brazil
In Brazil, Internet service providers,
or ISPs, are deemed to be suppliers of value-added services and not telecommunications service providers. ANATEL requires SCM operators
to act as carriers of third-party internet service providers.
Exemptions for telecommunications infrastructure
In connection with “Plano Brasil
Maior,” a policy instituted to promote the Brazilian technology industry and foreign trade, the Brazilian Government established
the special tax regime for the taxation of national broadband plans (
Regime Especial de Tributação
para o Plano Nacional de Banda Larga
). This regime provides tax exemptions for telecommunications companies for broadband network
expansions.
Another initiative set forth by “Plano
Brasil Maior” and approved by the government on May 5, 2014, established exemptions for machine-to-machine services. It sets
reductions on both rates that compose Telecommunications Inspections Fund (FISTEL). The Installation Inspection Rate (TFI), which
is charged for each enabled chipset, decreased from R$26.83 in 2013 to R$5.68 in 2014. The Operations Inspection Rate (TFF), paid
every year for each chipset held by a Brazilian operator, decreased from R$12.40 in 2013 to R$1.89 in 2014.
On January 14, 2015, the Ministry of Communications
published a decree that reduces national technology requirement in RePNBL. Some requirements were reviewed in mobile and electrical
networks, in order to accelerate projects and attract more investments.
June 30, 2015 was the deadline for submission
of projects covered by RePNBL. 1,167 projects were approved, totaling investments of R$15.1 billion, reaching 3,699 cities in all
Brazilian states. We had 143 projects authorized, totaling approximately R$4.3 billion.
Civil Rights Framework for Internet
On April 23, 2014, at the opening of NetMundial,
former President Dilma Rousseff approved the Civil Rights Framework for Internet, which was enacted as Law 12,965/2014. The final
text has highlighted Net Neutrality, guarantying equality of treatment for packages. Moreover, it preserves the business model
of Brazilian broadband that offers packages with different speeds. Certain parts of the law went into effect on June 23, 2014 and
others depend on further regulation to be valid.
After three public consultations (CGI.br,
Ministry of Justice and ANATEL), the Brazilian government published
Decree
8,711 that regulates aspects of the civil internet framework. It prohibits service and application providers from discriminating
between data packets- i.e. it establishes certain net neutrality rules. It also establishes mechanisms to protect the data stored
by service and application providers, as well as the circumstances in which such data can be obtained by the public administration,
by judicial determination.
Personal Data Protection
In June 2016, the Brazilian House of Representatives
put into consultation a draft of law regarding the Personal Data Protection. The text of this law was based on the European Union’s
Directives on Data Protection, and as such, imposes restrictive rules on the express consent to process personal data, international
data transfer, processing of sensitive data, among others. The public consultation ended in July 2016 and now the contributions
are under review. The House of Representatives expect to have a draft bill to be voted in 2017.
Resolutions Published
A series of new regulations, published
by ANATEL as well as other regulatory bodies in Brazil, became effective in 2016. The most relevant among these regulations were:
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·
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Resolution No. 662: Amends Annex III and art. 39 of the Regulation for the Certification of Telecommunications Products, approved
by Resolution No. 242 of November 30, 2000.
|
|
·
|
Resolution No. 667: Approves the conditions to the measurement of the satisfaction level of costumer’s perceived quality
about the telecommunication services.
|
|
·
|
Resolution No. 670: Repeals the Regulation for Inductive Card Certification, approved by Resolution 471, of July 5, 2007.
|
|
·
|
Resolution N° 671: Approves the Regulation for Radio Spectrum Use and amends the Regulation for Public Price Charge for
the Right to Use of Radio Frequencies and the Regulations for the Application of Administrative Sanctions.
|
Public Consultations Published
In 2016, ANATEL announced a series of public
consultations. The most relevant among these public consultations were:
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 2: Proposal for a Public Consultation to amend the Regulation on the Conditions of Use of Frequencies
in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 1,900 MHz and 2,100 MHz bands, approved by Resolution 454, of December 11, 2006, and amended
by Resolution no. 562, of February 9, 2011.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 3: Proposal for amendment of the Regulation of the Conditional Access Service (SeAC) approved by Resolution
581, of March 26, 2012, and amended by Resolution 618, of July 24, 2013.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 4: Proposal for revocation of the Regulation for Certification and Homologation of Inductive Card,
approved by Resolution 471, of July 5, 2007.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 14: Proposal for a Regulation on the Evaluation of Human Exposure to Electrical, Magnetic and Electromagnetic
Fields Associated with the Operation of Radio Communication Stations
|
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·
|
Public Consultation No. 16: Proposal for Regulation of Availability of Telecommunications Services
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 26: Proposal for Regulation on Infrastructure Sharing to Support the Provision of Telecommunications
Services and revocation of Resolution No. 274, of September 5, 2001
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 30: Proposal for assessment of technical requirements for assessing the technical compliance of inductive
cards.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 33: Proposal for Revision of the methodology to calculate the productivity factor applied to tariff
adjustment of the STFC.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 33: Proposal for General Regulations of Accessibility in the Collective Interest Telecommunication
Services.
|
|
·
|
Public Consultation No. 34: Proposal for Revocation of the technical standards and regulations for certification of telecommunications
products.
|
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·
|
Public Consultation No. 35: Proposal for revision of the General Competition Plan, issued by Resolution n° 600/2012.
|
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·
|
Public Consultation No. 36: Proposal for revision of the General Interconnection Regulation, issued by Resolution n° 410/2015.
|
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·
|
Public Consultation No. 37: Proposal for Regulation for homologation of reference tariffs for wholesale products and amendments
of the General Competition Plan, issued by Resolution n° 600/2012.
|
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·
|
Public Consultation No. 40: Proposal to change the term in clause 3.2 of the concession agreement, aiming to modify the deadline
for publishing the new terms for the period 2016-2020.
|
Other Regulatory Matters
TAC
On October 27, 2016, ANATEL’s Board
of Directors approved a Conduct Adjustment Term (TAC) for the Company, subject to the approval of the Court of Auditors of the
Union (TCU). This TAC aims to settle certain fines currently imposed by ANATEL as long as the Company commits to invest in certain
specific projects. Among these projects, the Company will need to make investments to improve the quality of services provided
and provide fixed broadband access through FTTH to 100 municipalities in and outside the State of São Paulo over a 4-year
period.
Fixed Broadband Cap
In April 2016, discussions on the adoption
of the fixed broadband cap model gained prominence the in Brazilian media. Entities representing consumers and government agencies
reacted to the strategy of some telecommunications companies, including Vivo, which foresaw the service limitation due to the depletion
consumption of the cap.
In response to civil society yearning,
ANATEL published an order prohibiting telecommunication companies to implement speed limitation or suspension of the fixed broadband
service due to full consumption of the cap, until measures were taken to provide the customer with information and tools to control
consumption.
In November 2016, ANATEL published on its
website a questionnaire about the fixed broadband cap model. The consultation will be open to any citizen to respond. At the same
time, this same questionnaire will be sent to a list of 150 specialized entities, including universities, courts, consumer protection
bodies, operators (including Telefonica) and former agency counselors.
This consultation does not replace public
hearings that will be held by ANATEL or change in advance the decision adopted by to suspend the fixed broadband cap commercialization.
Regulation for Reference Offers of Wholesale
Products Approval
ANATEL launched, in December 2016, a Public
Consultation for the Regulation that set price reference for the wholesale products. The proposal aims to determine that ANATEL’s
Cost Model should be the only source of information for the validation of these prices.
It is common, however, new relevant markets
are created in response to significant changes in technological and competitive conditions. In such cases, there is a safeguard
to allow alternative sources of information to temporarily reference and validate these prices, until the cost model is duly.
Telefonica and GVT Merger
In January 2016, ANATEL published
the Act 50,169, authorizing the merger of GVT into Telefônica under certain conditions that should be fulfilled
within 18 months: return of one of the SCM licenses, the sale or transfer of the licenses of SeAC and fixed telephony
(national long distance, international and local) of GVT, and the presentation of the list of all assets legally encumbered
by the incorporated companies in the State of São Paulo and also the consolidated list of reversible assets of the
Company. In addition, the act establishes that fixed-line users in São Paulo will have a tariff reduction that will
be calculated by ANATEL.
Productivity Factor
In November 2016, ANATEL approved a Public
Consultation on the new methodology for calculating the Productivity Factor (X Factor) of fixed telephony service. The proposal
suggested that the calculation should be made annually, rather than every five years per prior regulations, take into account the
company’s historical data, rather than future projections, that the X factor should be calculated by the concessionaire,
and that SCM (broadband) revenues and costs should no longer be considered.
Certification of telecom products
ANATEL has launched, in December 2016,
a public consultation to revoke 36 rules to certificate telecommunications products. The Agency aims to make the updating process
of technical references more simple and efficient in order to keep up with technological developments. The repeal of the rules
will occur 120 days after the final approval of the measure.
Accessibility Regulation
In May 2016, ANATEL Board of Directors
has approved the Resolution No. 667. It brings the General Accessibility Regulation (RGA), with the objective of ensuring access
to telecommunications services and equipment for people with hearing, visual, motor and cognitive disabilities on equal terms with
other people.
The new rules foresee the expansion of
functionalities and facilities in the equipment used for telecommunications and the implementation of improvements in the service
of the providers, both remotely and in person. A comparative ranking will be created among the providers, according to the accessibility
actions promoted by them, with the purpose of encouraging improvements in the service to disabled users.
C. Organizational
Structure
On December 31, 2016, 94.31% of our voting
shares were controlled by three major shareholders: SP Telecomunicações Participações Ltda. with 51.46%,
Telefónica S.A. with 34.67% and Telefônica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L. with 8.18%. Telefônica Latinoamérica
Holding, S.L., or Telefônica Latinoamérica, is the controlling shareholder of SP Telecomunicações S.A.,
or SP Telecomunicações. Telefónica Latinoamérica is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica
S.A.. Therefore, Telefónica S.A. was the beneficial owner of 94.47% of our voting shares, as Telefónica Chile S.A.,
holder of 0.14% of our voting shares, is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica S.A.. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders
and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders.”
Our current general
corporate and shareholder structure is as follows:
Significant Subsidiaries
Our subsidiaries are
Telefonica Data
S.A.,
or TData, and
POP Internet Ltda.
, or POP, both wholly owned subsidiaries headquartered in Brazil.
Associated Companies
Aliança Atlântica Holding
B.V. (Aliança)
: Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, this entity is 50% owned by Telefônica Brasil and holds
proceeds generated from the sale of its Portugal Telecom shares in June 2010. For more information, see “Item 4. Information
On The Company—A. History and Development of the Company—Historical Background—Corporate Restructuring Involving
Telefônica Brasil and Vivo Participações.”
Companhia AIX de Participações
(AIX):
Headquartered in Brazil, this entity is 50% owned by Telefônica Brasil and holds a 93% equity interest in the
Refibra consortium, which was formed to finalize a network of underground fiber pipelines in Brazil in order to make them commercially
viable.
Companhia ACT de Participações
(ACT)
: Headquartered in Brazil, this entity is 50% owned by Telefônica Brasil and holds a 2% equity interest in the Refibra
consortium.
With the implementation of IFRS 11
Joint
Arrangements
in January 1, 2013, our investments in these entities were accounted for retroactively using the equity method.
Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction
and Syria Human Rights Act
Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction
and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act. Section 13(r) requires an issuer to disclose in its
annual or quarterly reports filed with the SEC whether the issuer or any of its affiliates has knowingly engaged in certain activities,
transactions or dealings with the Government of Iran, relating to Iran or with designated natural persons or entities involved
in terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction during the period covered by the annual or quarterly report. Disclosure
is required even when the activities were conducted outside the United States by non-U.S. entities and even when such activities
were conducted in compliance with applicable law.
The following information is disclosed
pursuant to Section 13(r). None of these activities involved U.S. affiliates of Telefónica or the Company.
Roaming Agreements
Various subsidiaries of our controlling
shareholder, Telefónica, have entered into roaming agreements with Iranian telecommunication companies, certain of which
are or may be owned or controlled by the government of Iran. Pursuant to such roaming agreements these subsidiaries’ customers
are able to roam in the particular Iranian network (outbound roaming) and customers of such Iranian operators are able to roam
in the network of Telefónica’s relevant subsidiary (inbound roaming). For outbound roaming, these subsidiaries pay
the relevant Iranian operator roaming fees for use of its network by our customers, and for inbound roaming the Iranian operator
pays the relevant subsidiary roaming fees for use of our network by its customers.
We have a roaming agreement with MTN Irancell.
We recorded 5.39 euros in revenues under this agreement in 2016. In addition, as part of the Telefónica group, we adhere
to the roaming agreements with Telefónica’s subsidiaries described below.
Telefónica’s subsidiaries
were party to the following roaming agreements with Iranian telecommunication companies in 2016:
|
(1)
|
Telefónica Móviles España
(“TME”), Telefónica’s
Spanish directly wholly-owned subsidiary, has respective roaming agreements with (i) Mobile Telecommunication Company of Iran (“MTCI”),
(ii) MTN Irancell (“Irancell”), (iii) Taliya (“Taliya”) and (iv) Telecommunications Kish Co. (“TKC”).
During 2016, TME recorded the following revenues related to these roaming agreements: (i) 105,261.99 euros from MTCI, (ii) 8,690.70
euros from Irancell, (iii) none from Taliya and (iv) none from TKC.
|
TME also
holds Roaming Hub through its 55% directly-owned subsidiary, Link2One, a.e.i.e. (“L2O”). L2O provides a roaming hub
service to Irancell enabling the latter to maintain a relationship with other members of the hub. Some members of the hub are also
entities of the Telefónica Group. Under this roaming hub service, for 2016, L2O has billed Irancell 172,707.82 euros.
|
(2)
|
Telefónica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG
(“TG”), Telefónica’s
German 63.22% indirectly-owned subsidiary, has respective roaming agreements with (i) MTCI and (ii) Irancell. During 2016, TG recorded
revenues of (i) 380,001.54 euros from MTCI and (ii) 1,090.56 euros from Irancell.
|
|
(3)
|
Telefónica UK Ltd
(“TUK”), Telefónica’s English directly
wholly-owned subsidiary, has a roaming agreement with Irancell. TUK recorded 186.93 euros in roaming revenues under this agreement
in 2016.
|
|
(4)
|
Telefónica Argentina, S.A.
and
Telefónica Móviles Argentina, S.A.
(together TA), Telefónica’s Argentinean directly wholly-owned subsidiaries, have a roaming agreement with Irancell.
TA recorded 41.82 euros in roaming revenues under this agreement in 2016.
|
|
(5)
|
Pegaso Comunicaciones y Sistemas, S.A. de C.V.
(“PCS”), Telefónica’s
Mexican directly wholly-owned subsidiary, has a roaming agreement with Irancell. PCS recorded
1.61
euros
in
roaming revenues under this agreement in 2016.
|
The net profit recorded by Telefónica’s
subsidiaries pursuant to these agreements did not exceed the related revenues recorded thereunder.
The purpose of all of these agreements
is to provide the Telefónica group’s customers with coverage in areas where the group does not own networks. For that
purpose, Telefónica’s subsidiaries intend to continue maintaining these agreements.
International Carrier Agreement with
Iran
Telefónica
de España has an international carrier agreement with Telecom Infrastructure Company of Iran, or TICI.
Pursuant to this
agreement, both companies interconnect their networks to allow international exchange of telephone traffic. Telefónica de
España recorded 16,023.82 euros in revenues under this agreement in 2016. The net profit recorded by Telefónica de
España pursuant to this agreement did not exceed such revenues.
The purpose of this
agreement is to allow exchange of international telephone traffic. Consequently, Telefónica intends to continue maintaining
this agreement.
|
D.
|
Property, Plant and Equipment
|
On December 31, 2016,
we had fixed and mobile operations in 2,862 properties, 1,471 of which we own, of which 45 are administrative buildings. Besides
that, we have entered into standard leasing agreements to rent the remaining properties, under which 73 administrative areas, 7
kiosks and 292 retail stores are leased.
Our main physical
properties for providing fixed line telephone services involve the segments of switching (public switching telephone network, or
PSTN), transmission (optic and wireless systems), data communication (multiplex devices, IP network), infrastructure (energy systems
and air conditioning) and external network (fiber optic and metallic cables), which are distributed in many buildings throughout
the state of São Paulo and in the main cities outside the state of São Paulo. Some of these buildings are also used
for administrative and commercial operations.
Our main physical
property for mobile services consists of transmission equipment, switching equipment, base stations, and other communication devices,
such as voicemail, prepaid service, short message service, home location registers, signaling transfer point, packet data switching
network and gateways. All switches, cellular sites, administrative buildings, administrative facilities, warehouses and stores
are insured against damages for operation risks.
Pursuant to Brazilian
legal procedures, liens have been attached to several properties pending the outcome of various legal proceedings to which we are
a party. See “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal
Proceedings.” In addition, certain of our properties are still pending the applicable licenses and approvals from the local
fire departments.
We are constantly
making improvements to our facilities and network to meet customer demand and to improve the level of services we offer our clients.
On December 31, 2016, the net book value
of our property, plant and equipment amounted R$31.9 billion (R$30.5 billion on December 31, 2015), which included reversible assets
in the amount of R$8.8 billion.
Environmental Matters
Brazilian
Federal, State and Municipal legislation provide for the control and protection of the environment. These laws govern the appropriate
use of natural resources, control of atmospheric emissions and noise, treatment of effluents, handling and final disposal of hazardous
materials, amongst others.
Under
these laws, certain environmental licenses must be secured prior to the construction, installation, expansion and operation of
facilities that use natural resources or that may pollute the environment, including those related to installation and operation
of radio/cell stations and antennas. According the stage of the project, the environmental licenses may be: (1) a preliminary license,
which approves the location and design of the project and must be obtained in the early stages of the project or activity to certify
its environmental feasibility; (2) an installation license, which authorizes the installation of the project or activity in accordance
with the specifications set forth in approved plans, programs and projects; or (3) an operation license, which authorizes commencement
of operations once the conditions for compliance with the preliminary and installation licenses are met, and may impose additional
conditions applicable to the project’s operations.
Besides
environmental licensing, other environmental regulations may affect our operations, such as, among other matters, regulations related
to emissions into the air, soil and water, take-back systems, recycling and waste management, protection and preservation of fauna,
flora and other features of the ecosystem, water use, interference with areas of cultural and historical relevance and with Conservation
Units (UCs) or their surroundings, Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs) and contaminated areas.
Regarding
the last subject matter, in accordance with the Environmental National Policy (Law No. 6,938/1981), the owner of a real estate
property located in a contaminated area may be compelled by the relevant environmental agency to clean up the area, regardless
of fault and the damage causes. Environmental authorities have been adopting an increasingly stringent position in connection with
the handling of contaminated areas, including the creation of environmental standards to preserve the quality of land and underground
water. Non-compliance with guidelines set by the relevant environmental and health authorities with respect to surveys and analyses
of potentially contaminated areas or the exposure of persons to toxic fumes or residues may result in administrative and legal
penalties for the developments and their management. We perform periodic environmental investigations to assess any possible liability
with respect to contamination of soil.
We
are subject to administrative review of our activities and corporations found to be in violation of these administrative environmental
regulations can be fined up to R$50 million, have their operations suspended, be barred from entering into certain types of government
contracts, be required to repair or provide indemnification in respect of any environmental damages they cause, be required to
suspend tax benefits and incentives, among others.
In
Brazil, violating environmental rules or regulations may result in civil, administrative or criminal liability. With respect to
civil liability, Brazilian environmental laws adopt a standard of unlimited strict, several and joint liability in determining
the obligation to remediate damages caused to the environment. In addition, Brazilian courts may pierce the corporate veil when
and if it poses an obstacle to the full recovery of environmental damages.
We
have a series of systems in place to protect our networks and operations from environmental damage.
Additionally,
we have systems in place for the proper disposal of batteries and oil, in our construction operations and to address other environmental
issues that may arise in the operation and maintenance of our properties. We also maintain the control of radio frequency energy
levels transmitted by our antennas, in accordance with current legislation. The energy consumption of our network infrastructure
is very high and as a result we have implemented energy efficient technologies in order to reduce consumption and meet greenhouse
gas emission reduction targets. We have also invested in clean energy as the source of our energy consumption, reaching the amount
of 23% currently consumed from this type of source.
Also,
to comply with Brazilian Federal regulations, (National Waste Policy - Law 12,305/10), we were the first telecommunications company
in Brazil to offer collection points at all of our stores for old mobile phones, accessories and batteries, where customers and
other individuals can dispose of their used equipment. We properly dispose of these hazardous materials. Lastly, we have implemented
an environmentally friendly data center, which includes intelligent air conditioning, water reuse, bicycles and bike racks, water
taps with flow control and dual flush discharge, among other measures.
Moreover,
we must emphasize that we perform periodic environmental investigations to assess any possible liability with respect to contamination
of soil and groundwater. Currently, we are executing remediation measures in the following units located at the Municipality of
São Paulo: (i) Brigadeiro Galvão; (ii) Fausto Ferraz; (iii) Justino de Maio; (iv) Jaguaré; (v) Junqueira Freira;
(vi) General Osório; (vii) Conde de Itu; (viii) Livramento; and (ix) Michigan.
|
ITEM 4A.
|
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
|
None.
|
ITEM 5.
|
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
|
The following discussion should be read
in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and other information appearing elsewhere in this
annual report and in conjunction with the financial information included under “Item 3. Key Information—A. Selected
Financial Data.” We prepared our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report in accordance with IFRS.
Overview
Our results of operations are principally
affected by the following key factors.
Brazilian Economic Environment
The Brazilian economy has experienced varying
rates of growth this decade. According to market data, the Brazilian GDP decreased by approximately 3.5% in 2016 compared to another
decrease of 3.8% in 2015.
Consumer prices, as measured by the IPCA,
increased 6.3 % in 2016. Accordingly, growth in consumer prices stood below the upper limit of two percentage points above the
inflation target established by the Central Bank of 4.5%. In 2014 and 2015, the increases in IPCA were 6.4% and 10.7%, respectively.
Inflation, as measured by the Brazilian general price index (
Índice Geral de Preços - Disponibilidade Interna
),
or the IGP-DI, calculated by the FGV, which includes wholesale, retail and home-building prices, increased 3.8% and 10.7% in 2014
and 2015, respectively. In 2016, the IGP-DI increased 7.2%.
As inflation rates measured by IPCA stood
below the upper limit of the inflation target, which means a decrease of 4.4 percentage points from the number of 2015, the Central
Bank decreased the basic interest rate (
Sistema Especial de Liquidação e de Custódia
), or SELIC rate,
to 13.75% by the end of 2016, from 14.25% as of the end of 2015.
Brazil closed 2016 with a trade balance
surplus of US$47.7 billion, an improvement in relation to the surplus of US$19.7 billion at the end of 2015. Exports decreased
3.1%, registering US$185.2 billion, while imports decreased 19.8%, to US$137.5 billion. Foreign Direct Investments inflows into
the country have increased, reaching US$79 billion, compared to US$74.5 billion in 2015. Portfolio investments have registered
negative net flows of US$20 billion in 2016, in comparison to positive flows of US$18.2 billion in 2015. As a result of this performance
of external accounts, international reserves at the end of 2016 were US$372.2 billion, an increase of US$3.5 billion compared to
December 31, 2015.
Despite some improvements, some areas of
the economy deteriorated, as is the case of the primary fiscal deficit. The fiscal result this year was another deficit, of 2.5%
of the GDP, compared to 1.9% in 2015’s result. In 2015, the deterioration of public finances led to the loss of investment
grade by two agencies and by one more agency in 2016. However, risk indexes have lowered. The J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond
Index Plus (EMBI + Brazil), which tracks total returns for traded external debt instruments in emerging markets, reached 328 basis
points by the end of 2016, up from 523 basis points at the end of 2015 and 325 basis points at the end of 2014. Other factors,
such as lower political uncertainties and the approval of fiscal reforms, contributed to diminish the EMBI.
As a consequence, the
real
appreciated
against the U.S. dollar in 2015 by 16.5%. The exchange rate on December 31, 2016 was R$3.2591 per US$1.00, from R$3.9048 per
US$1.00 on December 31, 2015.
Our business is directly affected by the
external environment and the Brazilian economy. Lower volatility of the Brazilian
real
against the U.S. dollar
contributes to the maintenance of the purchasing power of Brazilian consumers and, preventing a negative impact on the ability
of our customers to pay for our telecommunications services. However, if the Brazilian economy stays for a prolonged period in
this recessive scenario, then demand for some telecommunications services is likely to decline.
Impact of Inflation on Our Results of
Operations
Before 2006, the fees we charged our customers
were periodically adjusted by ANATEL based on the inflation rates measured by the IGP-DI.
Starting in 2006, telephone fees were indexed
to the IST, which is a basket of Brazilian indexes that reflect the telecommunications sector’s operating costs. Such indexing
reduced inconsistencies between revenue and costs in our industry and therefore reduced the adverse effects of inflation on our
business. The IST for the twelve-month period ending December 2016 was 6.2% according to the most recent data published by ANATEL.
The table below shows the Brazilian general
price inflation (according to the IGP-DI, IPCA and the IST) for the years ended December 31, 2012 through 2016:
|
|
Inflation Rate (%) as Measured by IGP-DI(1)
|
|
Inflation Rate (%) as Measured by IPCA(2)
|
|
Inflation Rate (%) as Measured by IST(3)
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
6.3
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
|
|
11.1
|
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
December 31, 2012
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
(1)
|
Source: IGP-DI, as published by the FGV.
|
|
(2)
|
Source: IPCA, as published by the
IBGE
.
|
|
(3)
|
Source: IST, as published by the
Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações
.
|
Discussion of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The preparation of the financial statements
included in this annual report in accordance with IFRS involves certain assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts presented
for revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities in the notes to the financial statements.
Therefore, the uncertainty relating to these assumptions and estimates could lead to results that require a significant adjustment
to the accounting value of assets or liabilities affected in future periods. Although we review these estimates and assumptions
in the ordinary course of business, the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations often requires our management
to make judgments regarding the effects on our financial condition and results of operations of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Actual results may differ from those estimated under different variables, assumptions or conditions. For a summary of significant
accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of those financial statements, see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity are described below.
Accounting for long-lived assets
Property, plant and equipment and intangible
assets, other than goodwill, are recorded at acquisition cost. Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with definite
useful lives are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite
useful lives, including goodwill, are not amortized, but are instead, subject to an impairment test on a yearly basis and whenever
there is an indication that such assets may be impaired.
Accounting for long-lived assets and intangible
assets involves the use of estimates for determining the fair value at their acquisition dates, particularly for assets acquired
in business combinations and for determining the useful lives over which they are to be depreciated or amortized as well as their
residual value. Useful lives are assessed annually and changed when necessary to reflect current evaluation on the remaining lives
in light of technological change, network investment plans,
prospective utilization and physical condition of the assets concerned.
The carrying values and useful lives applied
to the principal categories of property, plant and equipment, and intangibles, are disclosed in Notes 13 and 14 to our consolidated
financial statements.
Impairment of nonfinancial assets, including
goodwill
An impairment loss exists when the accounting
value of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher between the fair value less selling
costs and the value in use. The estimated fair value less selling costs is based on the information available from transactions
involving the sale of similar assets or the market price less additional costs regarding the disposition of such asset. The value
in use is based on the model of discounted cash flow. Cash flows are derived from the budget and do not include activities of reorganization
for which the company has not yet been committed or significant future investments that will improve the group of assets of the
cash-generating unit subject to the test. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used in the method of discounted
cash flows as well as to the projected future cash flow and the expected future growth rate used for the purposes of determining
terminal value. Furthermore, additional factors, such as technological obsolescence, the suspension of certain services and other
circumstantial changes are taken into account.
The carrying value of goodwill and the
key assumptions used in performing the annual impairment assessment are disclosed in Notes 3(i) and 14 to our consolidated financial
statements.
Provisions for tax, labor, civil and
regulatory proceedings
We record provisions for tax, labor, civil
and regulatory claims where an outflow of resources is considered probable and a reasonable estimate can be made of the likely
outcome. The assessment of the likelihood of loss includes assessing the available evidence, the hierarchy of laws, the available
jurisprudence, the most recent court decisions and its materiality in the legal system as well as the evaluation of the case by
external counsels. Provisions are reviewed and adjusted to take into account changes in circumstances such as the applicable prescriptive
period, results from tax inspections or additional exposure identified based on newly issued court decisions. A significant change
in these circumstances or assumptions could result in a corresponding increase or decrease the amount of our provisions.
Additional information on provisions for
tax, labor, civil and regulatory proceedings is disclosed in Notes 3(p) and 19 to our consolidated financial statements.
Pension and other post-retirement benefit
plan
The cost of defined benefit retirement
plans and other post-employment medical care benefits and the present value of pension and other postretirement obligations are
determined using actuarial valuation methods. The actuarial valuation methods involve the use of assumptions about discount rates,
expected future salary increases, mortality rates, health care costs trend rates and future increases in retirement benefits and
pensions. The obligation of a defined benefit is highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. All assumptions are reviewed
at each year-end. The mortality rate is based on mortality tables available in the country. Future increases in wages and retirement
benefits and pensions are based on expected future inflation for Brazil. The assumptions reflect historical experience and our
judgment regarding future expectations.
The value of our net pension obligation
on December 31, 2016, the key financial assumption used to measure the obligation as well as the sensitivity of our pension liability
on December 31, 2016 and of the income statement charge in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to changes in these assumptions, is disclosed in
Note 32 to our consolidated financial statements.
Fair value of financial instruments
When the fair value of financial assets
and liabilities presented on the balance sheet cannot be obtained in active markets, it is determined using valuation techniques,
including the method of discounted cash flow. The data obtained for the use of these methods are based as much on the information
prevailing in the market as possible. However, when it is not feasible to obtain such information in the market, a certain assumption
level is required to establish the fair value. The assumption includes consideration of the data that was used, such as the liquidity
risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in the
assumptions regarding these factors could affect the presented fair value of financial instruments.
Additional information on fair value of
financial instruments is disclosed in Notes 3(k) and (l) and 33 to our consolidated financial statements.
Taxes
There may be uncertainties regarding the
interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of future taxable income. We record provisions based on reasonable
estimates for potential disagreement with tax authorities from the jurisdictions in which we operate. The value of these provisions
is based on several factors such as experience from previous tax audits and different interpretations of tax regulations by the
taxable entity and the competent tax authority in charge. Such differences of interpretation may arise in a wide variety of subjects,
depending on the prevailing conditions in the domicile of the company. As a result, we may be required to pay more than our provisions
or to recover less than the related judicial assets recognized.
We evaluate the recoverability of deferred
tax assets based on estimates of future results. This recoverability ultimately depends on our ability to generate taxable profits
over the period in which the temporary difference is deductible. The analysis considers the reversal period of deferred tax liabilities,
as well as estimates of profits from operations, based on updated internal projections reflecting the latest trends.
Determining the proper valuation of the
tax items depends on several factors, including an estimate of the period and the realization of the deferred tax asset and the
expected date of payments of these taxes. The actual flow of receipt and payment of income tax could differ from estimates made
by us, as a result of changes in tax laws or of unexpected future transactions that may impact tax balances.
Additional information on taxes is disclosed
in Notes 3(q), 8 and 17 to our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue recognition
Customer Loyalty Program
We have a customer loyalty program that
allows customers to accumulate points when generating traffic from the use of our mobile services. The accrued points may be exchanged
for handsets or services, provided the customer has a minimum stipulated balance of points. The consideration received is allocated
to the cost of handsets or services and the related points earned based on the relative fair value. The fair value of the points
is calculated by dividing the discount value granted as a result of the customer loyalty program by the amount of points needed
to carry out the redemption. The fair value accrued on the balances of generated points is deferred and recognized as income upon
redemption of points.
For determining the quantity of points
to be recognized, we apply statistical techniques, which take into consideration assumptions such as estimated redemption rates,
expiration dates, cancellation of points and other factors. These estimates are subject to variations and uncertainties due to
changes in the redemption behavior of the customers.
A change in the assumptions regarding these
factors could affect the estimated fair value of the points under the customer loyalty program and it could affect the apportionment
of revenue among the elements and, as a result, revenues in future years.
Multiple-element arrangements
Bundled offers that combine different elements
are assessed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the different identifiable components and apply the corresponding
revenue recognition policy to each element. Total package revenue is allocated among the identified elements based on their respective
fair values.
Determining fair values for each identified
element requires estimates that are complex due to the nature of the business.
Changes in estimates of fair values could
affect the apportionment of revenue among the elements and, as a result, revenues in future years.
Additional information on revenue recognition
is disclosed in Note 3(u) to our consolidated financial statements.
Sources of Revenue
The breakdown of our gross operating revenue
is presented net of discounts granted. In addition, we categorize our revenue according to the following groups:
|
·
|
Fixed and mobile telephone services
|
Includes revenues from fixed and mobile
telephone, principally:
|
·
|
Local: includes the sum of revenues from monthly subscription fees, installation fees, local services, public telephones and
fixed-to-mobile revenues;
|
|
·
|
Domestic long-distance: includes the sum of fixed-to-mobile revenues and domestic long distance calls and domestic long-distance
calls placed on public telephones;
|
|
·
|
International long-distance: includes the sum of revenues from international long distance calls and international long-distance
placed on public telephones; and
|
|
·
|
Usage charges: include measured service charges for calls, monthly fee and other similar charges.
|
|
·
|
Data Transmission and value added services
|
|
·
|
Wholesale: includes the sum of infrastructure rental revenues; and
|
|
·
|
Value Added Services: Vivo Call Sound, Vivo Online Security, List Assistance, E-Health messages, and P2A Interactivity Services
(Kantoo, Vivo Futebol, Vivo Nutrição, Vivo Play and Mailbox); and
|
|
·
|
Data Transmission: Fixed and mobile data including FTTH, xDSL, cable on the fixed side and 3G and 4G on the mobile side.
|
|
·
|
Interconnection fees are amounts we charge other cellular and fixed-line service providers for the use of our network.
|
|
·
|
Includes TV services through satellite, cable or IPTV technology.
|
|
·
|
Sale of goods and equipment
|
|
·
|
The sale of wireless devices and accessories.
|
|
·
|
Other services include integrated solution services offered to residential and corporate clients, such as Internet access,
private network connectivity and leasing of computer equipment; and
|
|
·
|
Other telecommunications services such as extended service, detects, voice mail and cellular blocker, among others.
|
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain
components of our net income for each year ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 as well as the percentage
change of each component. In 2015, we acquired 100% of shares of GVT Participações S.A. See Note 4 to our consolidated
financial statements and “Item 4.A Historical Background—Acquisition of GVT.” for further information.
Results of GVT are consolidated into our
financial statements as from May 1, 2015. Consequently, our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 are not
comparable with our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
For the purposes of this section of
the Form, GVT’s pro forma numbers used to supplement variance explanation were extracted from pro forma income
statements disclosed in Note 35 of our consolidated financial statements, which assumes the acquisition of GVT
had taken place on January 1, 2015.
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2016-2015
|
|
2015-2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Net operating revenue
|
|
|
42,508.4
|
|
|
|
40,286.8
|
|
|
|
35,000.0
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
15.1
|
%
|
Cost of services and goods
|
|
|
(20,823.0
|
)
|
|
|
(20,345.1
|
)
|
|
|
(17,222.7
|
)
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
|
18.1
|
%
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
21,685.4
|
|
|
|
19,941.7
|
|
|
|
17,777.3
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
|
|
12.2
|
%
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
|
|
|
(12,455.4
|
)
|
|
|
(12,005.5
|
)
|
|
|
(10,466.7
|
)
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
|
14.7
|
%
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
(2,793.3
|
)
|
|
|
(2,142.4
|
)
|
|
|
(1,803.9
|
)
|
|
|
30.4
|
%
|
|
|
18.8
|
%
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
(68.7
|
)
|
|
|
(554.2
|
)
|
|
|
(397.7
|
)
|
|
|
(87.6
|
%)
|
|
|
39.4
|
%
|
Total operating expenses, net
|
|
|
(15,317.4
|
)
|
|
|
(14,702.1
|
)
|
|
|
(12,668.3
|
)
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
|
|
16.1
|
%
|
Equity in earnings (losses) of associates
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
|
(40.0
|
%)
|
|
|
(71.0
|
%)
|
Operating income
|
|
|
6,369.2
|
|
|
|
5,241.6
|
|
|
|
5,115.9
|
|
|
|
21.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
Financial expenses, net
|
|
|
(1,234.5
|
)
|
|
|
(848.2
|
)
|
|
|
(362.0
|
)
|
|
|
45.5
|
%
|
|
|
134.3
|
%
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
5,134.7
|
|
|
|
4,393.4
|
|
|
|
4,753.9
|
|
|
|
16.9
|
%
|
|
|
(7.6
|
%)
|
Income and social contribution taxes
|
|
|
(1,049.5
|
)
|
|
|
(973.2
|
)
|
|
|
182.7
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
%
|
|
|
(632.7
|
%)
|
Net income
|
|
|
4,085.2
|
|
|
|
3,420.2
|
|
|
|
4,936.6
|
|
|
|
19.4
|
%
|
|
|
(30.7
|
%)
|
Net income attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling shareholding
|
|
|
4,085.2
|
|
|
|
3,420.2
|
|
|
|
4,936.6
|
|
|
|
19.4
|
%
|
|
|
(30.7
|
%)
|
Net income
|
|
|
4,085.2
|
|
|
|
3,420.2
|
|
|
|
4,936.6
|
|
|
|
19.4
|
%
|
|
|
(30.7
|
%)
|
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net Operating Revenue
Net operating revenue increased by 5.5%
to R$42,508.4 million in 2016 from R$40,286.8 million in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015 do not
include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part of our
results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$1,846.9 million, net operating
revenue would have increased by 0.9% or R$374.7 million in 2016.
Gross Operating Revenue
Our gross operating revenue increased by
6.6% to R$65,006.7 million in 2016 from R$60,997.5 million in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015
do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part
of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$3,321.2 million, gross
operating revenue would have increased by 1.1% or R$688.0 million in 2016, as a result of an increase in revenues from telecommunications
services. The table and descriptions below set forth explanations for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2016-2015
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Telecommunications services (a)
|
|
|
61,513.1
|
|
|
|
57,063.6
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
%
|
Sale of goods and equipment
|
|
|
3,493.6
|
|
|
|
3,933.9
|
|
|
|
(11.2
|
%)
|
Gross operating revenue
|
|
|
65,006.7
|
|
|
|
60,997.5
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
Value-added and other indirect taxes
|
|
|
(22,498.3
|
)
|
|
|
(20,710.7
|
)
|
|
|
8.6
|
%
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
|
42,508.4
|
|
|
|
40,286.8
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
(a)
|
It includes revenues from: telephone services; data transmission
and value added services; interconnection fees charged; pay TV and other services.
|
Telecommunications services:
Revenue
from telecommunications services increased by R$4,449.5 million in 2016, or 7.8%, compared to 2015, primarily because results for
the first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015.
If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled
R$3,321.2 million, telecommunications services revenue would have increased by 1.9% or R$1,128.3 million in 2016, as a result of
(1) a double-digit increase in Data Transmission and Value Added Services Revenues from the successful upselling of mobile data
bundles, strong migration to 4G and higher smartphone penetration within our customer base, and robust fixed broadband evolution,
boosted by an increased migration from lower to ultra-broadband speeds; and (2) a double-digit increase of Pay TV Revenues from
the improved proportion of IPTV accesses within our Pay TV customer base and selective strategy for the service, focused on increasing
profitability. These factors were partially offset by decreasing Outgoing Voice and Interconnection Revenues, resulting from decreases
in mobile and fixed termination rates mandated by ANATEL, which became effective in February 2016, as described in “Item
4. Information On The Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation of the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry—Mobile
Services—Interconnection Fees—Mobile service.”
Sale of goods and equipment:
Revenues
from the sale of goods and equipment in 2016 decreased by R$440.3 million or 11.2% compared to 2015, primarily as a result of the
decline in the overall number of handsets sold due to a new, value-driven, selective sales strategy adopted in 2016, which focused
on selling handsets to higher-value customers.
Cost of Services and Goods
Cost of services and goods increased
by R$477.9 million, or 2.3%, to R$20,823.0 million in 2016 from R$20,345.1 million in 2015, primarily because results for the
first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1,
2015. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which
totaled R$938.8 million, cost of services and goods would have decreased by 2.2% or R$460.9 million in 2016. The table and
descriptions below set forth explanations for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2016-2015
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
(2,118.9
|
)
|
|
|
(2,597.1
|
)
|
|
|
(18.4
|
%)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(5,821.6
|
)
|
|
|
(5,269.6
|
)
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
Outside services and other
|
|
|
(5,794.9
|
)
|
|
|
(5,400.9
|
)
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
Interconnection fees
|
|
|
(1,924.1
|
)
|
|
|
(2,595.9
|
)
|
|
|
(25.9
|
%)
|
Rent, insurance, condominium fees, and leased lines
|
|
|
(2,326.1
|
)
|
|
|
(2,051.1
|
)
|
|
|
13.4
|
%
|
Personnel
|
|
|
(976.2
|
)
|
|
|
(813.6
|
)
|
|
|
20.0
|
%
|
Taxes, fees and contributions
|
|
|
(1,861.2
|
)
|
|
|
(1,616.9
|
)
|
|
|
15.1
|
%
|
Cost of services and goods
|
|
|
(20,823.0
|
)
|
|
|
(20,345.1
|
)
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
Cost of goods sold
: Our cost of
goods sold decreased by R$478.2 million, or 18.4%, to R$2,118.9 million in 2016 from R$2,597.1 million in 2015, primarily as a
result of the decline in the overall number of handsets sold due to a new, value-driven, selective sales strategy adopted in 2016,
which focused on selling handsets to higher-value customers.
Depreciation and amortization
: Costs
related to depreciation and amortization increased by R$552.0 million, or 10.5%, to R$5,821.6 million in 2016 from R$5,269.6 million
in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our
financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation
since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$383.6 million, costs related to depreciation and amortization would have increased by 3.0%
or R$168.4 million in 2016, as a result of the increase in fixed assets, reflecting the higher level of investments made by the
Company, partially offset by the savings from extended useful lives of certain of our PP&E resulting from our annual review
of the useful life estimate of fixed assets, which amounted to R$157 million.
Outside services and other
: Costs
related to outside services and other increased by R$394.0 million, or 7.3%, to R$5,794.9 million in 2016 from R$5,400.9 million
in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our
financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation
since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$252.6 million, costs related to outside services and other would have increased by 2.4%
or R$137.8 million in 2016, as a result of higher expenses with network maintenance and expansion, partially offset by lower expenses
with electricity and insourcing of field services employees.
Interconnection fees
: Costs related
to interconnection fees decreased by R$671.8 million, or 25.9%, to R$1,924.1 million in 2016, from R$2,595.9 million in 2015, primarily
as a result of the decreases in mobile and fixed termination rates mandated by ANATEL, which became effective in February 2016.
If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled
R$51.1 million, interconnection fees would have decreased by 27.3% or R$722.9 million in 2016, principally as a result of the decrease
in regulatory rates.
Rent, insurance, condominium fees and
leased lines
: Costs related to rent, insurance, condominium fees and leased lines increased by R$275.0 million, or 13.4%, to
R$2,326.1 million in 2016, from R$2,051.1 million in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015 do not include
GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part of our results
the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$104.4 million, costs related to rent,
insurance, condominium fees and leased lines would have increased by 7.9% or R$170.6 million in 2016, as a result of higher rental
and leasing expenses in connection with sites where we install our antennas, due to the expansion in 4G coverage and focus on service
quality.
Personnel
: Personnel expenses increased
by R$162.6 million, or 20.0%, to R$976.2 million in 2016 from R$813.6 million in 2015, primarily because results for the first
four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we
considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$110.4
million, personnel expenses would have increased by 5.6% or R$52.2 million
in 2016, as a result of (1) the insourcing of field services and call center employees, aimed at improving the experience of higher-value
customers and increasing productivity; and (2) the increase in salaries from collective bargaining agreements of 7.0% granted on
September 2015 and 2016. These factors were partially offset by cost savings from corporate restructuring activities and cost-control
measures implemented throughout the year.
Taxes, fees and contributions
: Taxes,
fees and contributions increased by R$244.3 million, or 15.1%, to R$1,861.2 million in 2016, from R$1,616.9 million in 2015, primarily
due to higher regulatory taxes. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since
January 1, 2015, which totaled R$33.1 million, taxes, fees and contributions would have increased by 12.8% or R$211.2 million in
2016.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by R$615.3
million, or 4.2%, to R$15,317.4 million in 2016, from R$14,702.1 million in 2015, primarily because results for the first four
months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered
as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$564.7 million,
operating expenses would have increased by 0.3% or R$50.6 million in 2016. The table and descriptions below set forth explanations
for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2016-2015
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
(12,455.4
|
)
|
|
|
(12,005.5
|
)
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(2,793.3
|
)
|
|
|
(2,142.4
|
)
|
|
|
30.4
|
%
|
Other net operating income (expense)
|
|
|
(68.7
|
)
|
|
|
(554.2
|
)
|
|
|
(87.6
|
%)
|
Total
|
|
|
(15,317.4
|
)
|
|
|
(14,702.1
|
)
|
|
|
4.2
|
%
|
Selling expenses
: Our selling expenses
increased by R$449.9 million, or 3.7%, to R$12,455.4 million in 2016 from R$12,005.5 million in 2015, primarily because results
for the first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our financial statements as from May
1, 2015. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation since January 1, 2015, which
totaled R$407.7 million, selling expenses would have increased by 0.3% or R$42.2 million in 2016, as a result of (1) lower costs
with commissions and sales promoters in retail stores; (2) lower expenses with publicity and marketing, due to the synergies generated
with the unification of brands (Vivo and GVT) as of April 2016, eliminating communication redundancies; and (3) lower costs with
call center services due to lower volume of calls driven by digitalization, simplification of offers and improved customer experience.
These factors were partially offset by an annual increase in provisions for bad debt, driven by higher default levels in the B2B
segment.
General and administrative expenses
:
Our general and administrative expenses increased by R$650.9 million, or 30.4%, to R$2,793.3 million in 2016, from R$2,142.4 million
in 2015, primarily because results for the first four months of 2015 do not include GVT, as the latter was consolidated into our
financial statements as from May 1, 2015. If we considered as part of our results the effects of GVT’s pro forma consolidation
since January 1, 2015, which totaled R$154.1 million, general and administrative expenses would have increased by 21.6% or R$496.8
million in 2016, as a result of (1) higher expenses with IT development and integration, as part of the GVT consolidation process;
and (2) higher expenses with commercial efficiency and real estate optimization.
Other net operating income (expense)
:
Other net operating expenses decreased by R$485.5 million, or 87.6%, to R$68.7 million in 2016, from R$554.2 million in 2015. This
decrease is a result of the gain on sale of 1,655 towers on March 31, 2016, totaling R$513.5 million.
Financial Expenses, Net
For the year ended December 31, 2016, net
financial expenses reached R$1,234.5 million, increasing by R$386.3 million or 45.5% when compared to the period ended December
31, 2015, mainly due to the monetary indexation of contingencies, partially compensated by financial losses in 2015 related to
the foreign exchange variation on GVT’s loans and financing denominated in foreign currency, whose result was negatively
impacted by the appreciation of the Euro against the Real.
Income and Social Contribution Taxes
We recorded an expense from income and
social contribution taxes in the amount of R$1,049.5 million in 2016, compared to an expense of R$973.2 million in 2015. This variation
was a result of higher income before income tax and social contribution.
The effective rate of income and social
contribution taxes decreased to 20.4% in 2016 compared with 22.2% in 2015, primarily as a result of an increased distribution of
interest on shareholders’ equity during 2016, which is deductible for income tax purposes.
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net Operating Revenue
Net operating revenue increased by 15.1%
to R$40,286.8 million in 2015 from R$35,000.0 million in 2014 mainly due to the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which
totaled R$3,950.3 million. Excluding such effect, net operating revenue increased by 3.8% or R$1,336.5 million in 2015 to R$36,336.5
million.
Gross Operating Revenue
Our gross operating revenue increased by
16.0% to R$60,997.5 million in 2015 from R$52,602.9 million in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation effect of
GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$6,955.7 million. Excluding that effect, gross operating revenue increased 2.7% or R$1,438.9
million in 2015 to R$54,041.8 million, driven by increases in revenues from telecommunications services and sale of goods and equipment.
The table and descriptions below set forth explanations for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2015-2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Telecommunications services (a)
|
|
|
57,063.6
|
|
|
|
49,178.0
|
|
|
|
16.0
|
%
|
Sale of goods and equipment
|
|
|
3,933.9
|
|
|
|
3,424.9
|
|
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
Gross operating revenue
|
|
|
60,997.5
|
|
|
|
52,602.9
|
|
|
|
16.0
|
%
|
Value-added and other indirect taxes
|
|
|
(20,710.7
|
)
|
|
|
(17,602.9
|
)
|
|
|
17.7
|
%
|
Net operating revenues
|
|
|
40,286.8
|
|
|
|
35,000.0
|
|
|
|
15.1
|
%
|
|
(a)
|
Includes revenues from: telephone services; data transmission
and value added services; interconnection fees charged; pay TV and other services.
|
Telecommunications services:
Revenue
from telecommunications services increased by R$7,885.6 million in 2015, or 16.0%, compared to 2014, primarily as a result of the
consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$6,955.7 million. Excluding that effect, telecommunications services
revenue increased by 1.9% or R$929.9 million in 2015, driven by (1) a double-digit increase in Data Transmission and Value Added
Services Revenues from the successful sales of mobile data plans and packages and higher smartphone penetration within our customer
base and (2) a double-digit increase of Pay TV Revenues from increases in our DTH and IPTV customer base and increased adoption
of high definition television services, partially compensated by the decreasing Outgoing Voice and Interconnection Revenues, result
of the 33% decrease in mobile termination rates mandated by ANATEL, which became effective in February 2015, as described in “Item
4. Information On The Company—B. Business Overview—Regulation of the Brazilian Telecommunications Industry—Mobile
Services—Interconnection Fees—Mobile service”, were the main factors that contributed for the variation.
Sale of goods and equipment:
Revenues
from the sale of goods and equipment in 2015 increased by R$509.0 million or 14.9% compared to 2014, impacted by (1) the greater
share of higher-value devices in the handset portfolio, and (2) the increase in prices due to the depreciation of the Real (R$)
against the U.S. Dollar (US$).
Cost of Services and Goods
Cost of services and goods increased by
R$3,122.4 million, or 18.1%, to R$20,345.1 million in 2015 from R$17,222.7 million in 2014, mainly due to the consolidation effect
of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$2,216.4 million. Excluding such effect, cost of services and goods increased by 5.3% or
R$906.0 million in 2015 to R$18,128.7 million. The table and descriptions below set forth explanations for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2015-2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
(2,597.1
|
)
|
|
|
(2,107.1
|
)
|
|
|
23.3
|
%
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(5,269.6
|
)
|
|
|
(4,067.3
|
)
|
|
|
29.6
|
%
|
Outside services and other
|
|
|
(5,400.9
|
)
|
|
|
(4,074.1
|
)
|
|
|
32.6
|
%
|
Interconnection fees
|
|
|
(2,595.9
|
)
|
|
|
(3,176.3
|
)
|
|
|
(18.3
|
%)
|
Rent, insurance, condominium fees, and leased lines
|
|
|
(2,051.1
|
)
|
|
|
(1,556.4
|
)
|
|
|
31.8
|
%
|
Personnel
|
|
|
(813.6
|
)
|
|
|
(549.4
|
)
|
|
|
48.1
|
%
|
Taxes, fees and contributions
|
|
|
(1,616.9
|
)
|
|
|
(1,692.1
|
)
|
|
|
(4.4
|
%)
|
Cost of services and goods
|
|
|
(20,345.1
|
)
|
|
|
(17,222.7
|
)
|
|
|
18.1
|
%
|
Cost of goods sold
: Our cost of
goods sold increased by R$490.0 million, or 23.3%, to R$2,597.1 million in 2015 from R$2,107.1 million in 2014, impacted by (1)
the greater share of higher-value devices in the handset portfolio, and (2) the increase in prices due to the depreciation of the
Real (R$) against the U.S. Dollar (US$).
Depreciation and amortization
: Costs
related to depreciation and amortization increased by R$1,202.3 million, or 29.6%, to R$5,269.6 million in 2015 from R$4,067.3
million in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation effect of Telefônica and GVT as of May 1, 2015, which totaled
R$841.1 million. Excluding that effect, depreciation and amortization increased by 8.9% or R$361.2 million, particularly influenced
by (1) the acquisition of the 700MHz license in December 2014, and (2) to additions to fixed assets in the year.
Outside services and other
: Costs
related to outside services and other increased by R$1,326.8 million, or 32.6%, to R$5,400.9 million in 2015 from R$4,074.1 million
in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation effect of Telefônica and GVT as of May 1, 2015, which totaled R$701.2
million. Excluding that effect, outside services and other increased by 15.4% or R$625.6 million, driven by (1) higher expenses
with network maintenance and purchase of TV content, and (2) higher expenses with electricity, due to the increase in unit prices.
Interconnection fees
: Costs related
to interconnection fees decreased by R$580.4 million, or 18.3%, to R$2,595.9 million in 2015, from R$3,176.3 million in 2014, primarily
as a result of the 33% decrease in mobile termination rates mandated by ANATEL, which became effective in February 2015. Excluding
the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$113.3 million, interconnection fees decreased by 21.8% or R$693.7
million.
Rent, insurance, condominium fees and
leased lines
: Costs related to rent, insurance, condominium fees and leased lines increased by R$494.7 million, or 31.8%, to
R$2,051.1 million in 2015, from R$1,556.4 million in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1,
2015, which totaled R$220.3 million. Excluding that effect, rent, insurance, condominium fees and leased lines increased by 17.6%
or R$274.4 million, impacted by higher rental and leasing expenses in connection with sites where we install our antennas, due
to the expansion in 4G coverage and focus on service quality.
Personnel
: Personnel expenses increased
by R$264.2 million, or 48.1%, to R$813.6 million in 2015 from R$549.4 million in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation
effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$280.8 million. Excluding that effect, personnel decreased by 3.0% or R$16.6 million,
benefited by the organizational restructuring that took place throughout the year, partially offset by (1) the increase in salaries
from collective bargaining agreement of 7.0% granted in January 2015 and (2) higher expenses with health insurance.
Taxes, fees and contributions
: Taxes,
fees and contributions decreased by R$75.2 million, or 4.4%, to R$1,616.9 million in 2015, from R$1,692.1 million in 2014, due
to lower regulatory taxes. Excluding the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$59.7 million, taxes, fees
and contributions decreased by 8.0% or R$134.9 million.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by R$2,033.8
million, or 16.1%, to R$14,702.1 million in 2015, from R$12,668.3 million in 2014, primarily as result of the consolidation effect
of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$1,127.9 million. Excluding such effect, operating expenses increased by 7.2% or R$905.9
million in 2015 to R$13,574.2 million. The table and descriptions below set forth explanations for these variations:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Percent change
|
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2015-2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
(12,005.5
|
)
|
|
|
(10,466.7
|
)
|
|
|
14.7
|
%
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(2,142.4
|
)
|
|
|
(1,803.9
|
)
|
|
|
18.8
|
%
|
Other net operating income (expense)
|
|
|
(554.2
|
)
|
|
|
(397.7
|
)
|
|
|
39.5
|
%
|
Total
|
|
|
(14,702.1
|
)
|
|
|
(12,668.3
|
)
|
|
|
16.1
|
%
|
Selling expenses
: Our selling expenses
increased by R$1,538.8 million, or 14.7%, to R$12,005.5 million in 2015 from R$10,466.7 million in 2014, primarily as a result
of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$836.4 million. Excluding that effect, selling expenses increased
by 6.7% or R$702.4 million, was influenced mostly by (1) higher commissioning expenses linked to the growth of the mobile subscriber
base and the higher share of data, in addition to (2) higher publicity and marketing expenses.
General and administrative expenses
:
Our general and administrative expenses increased by R$338.5 million, or 18.8%, to R$2,142.4 million in 2015, from R$1,803.9 million
in 2014, primarily as a result of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$231.2 million. Excluding that
effect, general and administrative expenses increased by 5.9% or R$107.3 million, driven by higher expenses with third-party service
contracts.
Other net operating income (expense)
:
Other net operating expenses increased by R$156.5 million, or 39.5%, to R$554.2 million in 2015, from R$397.7 million in 2014.
This increase is a result of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015, which totaled R$60.3 million. Excluding that effect,
other net operating income (expense) increased by 24.2% or R$96.2 million, mostly affected by the higher civil contingencies in
the period.
Financial Expenses, Net
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net
financial expenses reached R$848.2 million, increasing by R$486.2 million or 134.3% when compared to the period ended December
31, 2014, mainly due to higher average indebtedness in 2015, as a result of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015. Such
consolidation effect resulted in an additional R$ 461.8 million of net financial expenses, from May 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.
Excluding that effect, net financial expenses increased by 6.7% or R$24.4 million in 2015.
Income and Social Contribution Taxes
We recorded an expense from income and
social contribution taxes in the amount of R$973.2 million in 2015, compared to an income of R$182.7 million in 2014. This variation
was a result of Law No. 12,973, which became effective in 2014. Law No. 12,973 caused us to revise our tax basis of certain intangible
assets resulting from business combinations, which resulted in a positive impact of R$1,196 million in 2014. For additional information,
see “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations” and Note 28 to our
consolidated financial statements.
The effective rate of income and social
contribution taxes increased to 22.2% in 2015 compared with -3.8% in 2014, as 2014 result was impacted by the revisions described,
apart from a higher distribution of interest on shareholders’ equity during 2014, which is deductible for purposes of calculating
income and social contribution taxes based on income.
|
B.
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
General
We fund our operations and capital expenditures
primarily from operating cash flows, loans obtained from financial institutions or development banks, and debentures. As of December
31, 2016, we had R$5.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents. We do not have any material unused sources of liquidity.
Our principal cash requirements include:
|
·
|
the servicing of our indebtedness;
|
|
·
|
capital expenditures; and
|
|
·
|
the payment of dividends.
|
Our management believes that our sources
of liquidity and capital resources, including working capital, are adequate for our present requirements.
Sources of Funds
Our cash flow from operations was R$11.4
billion in 2016, an increase of 15.6% compared to R$9.9 billion in 2015. The increase in cash flow from operations is a reflection
of a significant increase in revenues from telecommunications services and revenues from Pay TV, partially offset by (1) an
increase in costs of services and goods, due to higher personnel and taxes costs and (2) an increase in operating expenses, impacted
by higher selling and general and administrative expenses. A portion of the increases mentioned above were related to the consolidation
of GVT results for the full year in 2016 as compared to eight months in 2015.
Our cash flow from operations was R$9.9
billion in 2015, an increase of 5.1% compared to R$9.4 billion in 2014. The increase in cash flow from operations is a reflection
of the consolidation effect of GVT from May 1, 2015. In addition to the effects of the GVT acquisition, (1) an increase in revenues
from telecommunications services, due to higher Data Transmission and Value Added Services and Pay TV revenues, and (2) an increase
in the sale of goods and equipment, partially offset by (1) an increase of costs of services and goods, due to higher personnel,
network maintenance and rental and leasing expenses and (2) an increase in operating expenses, impacted by higher selling expenses,
were drivers for the variation.
Uses of Funds
Our cash flow used in investing activities
was R$6.9 billion in 2016 compared to R$14.6 billion in 2015. The decrease in cash flow used in investing activities of R$7.7 billion
in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily due to the acquisition of GVT in 2015 (R$8.5 billion, net of cash acquired from GVT).
Our cash flow used in investing activities
was R$14.6 billion in 2015 compared to R$7.6 billion in 2014. The increase in cash flow used in investing activities of R$7.0 billion
in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to the GVT acquisition (R$8.5 billion, net of cash acquired from GVT).
Our cash flow used in financing activities
recorded an outflow of R$4.8 billion in 2016 compared to an inflow of R$5.4 billion in 2015. The increase in cash flow used in
financing activities of R$10.2 billion in 2016 compared to 2015 was due primarily to the R$16.1 billion capital increase performed
by the Company in 2015, partially offset by a decrease in payment of loans and debentures in 2016 compared to 2015 (R$6.5 billion),
along with decrease in dividends and interest on equity paid in 2016 compared to 2015 (R$712.3 million).
Our cash flow used in financing activities
recorded an inflow of R$5.4 billion in 2015 compared to an outflow of R$3.6 billion in 2014. The decrease in cash flow used in
financing activities of R$9.0 billion in 2015 compared to 2014 was due primarily to the R$16.1 billion capital increase performed
by the Company in 2015, which was used principally to pay for the acquisition of GVT, partially offset by an increase in payment
of dividends and interest on equity in 2015 compared to 2014 (R$1.2 billion), along with increased net payments of loans, financing
and debentures (R$7.3 billion).
Indebtedness
As of December 31, 2016, our total debt
was as follows:
Debt
|
Currency
|
Annual
interest rate payable
|
Maturity
|
Total
amount outstanding (in millions of
reais
)
|
BNDES loans and financing
|
UR TJLP
|
TJLP + 0.0% to 4.08%
|
2023
|
2,130.4
|
BNDES loans and financing
|
R$
|
2.5% to 8.7%
|
2023
|
335.4
|
BNDES loans and financing
|
R$
|
SELIC D-2 + 2.32%
|
2023
|
342.0
|
BNDES
|
UMBND
|
ECM(1) + 2.38%
|
2019
|
362.1
|
BNB – Banco do Nordeste loans and financing
|
R$
|
7.0% to 10.0%
|
2022
|
42.3
|
Debentures 4th issue - Series 3
|
R$
|
IPCA + 4%
|
2019
|
37.3
|
Debentures 1st issue - Minas Comunica
|
R$
|
IPCA + 0.5%
|
2021
|
97.3
|
Debentures 3rd issue - Single Series
|
R$
|
100% of CDI + 0.75 spread
|
2017
|
2,086.8
|
Debentures 4th issue - Single Series
|
R$
|
100% of CDI + 0.68 spread
|
2018
|
1,332.9
|
Resolution 4131
|
US$
|
2.36% and Libor + 2.00%
|
2017
|
925.7
|
Finance Leases (2)
|
R$
|
-
|
2033
|
374.4
|
Contingent Consideration
|
R$
|
-
|
2025
|
414.7
|
Suppliers finance arrangements
|
R$
|
108% of CDI
|
2017
|
722.6
|
Total debt
(3)
|
|
|
|
9,224.1
|
Current
|
|
|
|
4,663.6
|
Noncurrent
|
|
|
|
4,560.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The Currency Basket Charge (
Encargos da Cesta de Moedas
), or ECM, is a rate disclosed by BNDES on a quarterly basis.
|
|
(2)
|
Our finance leases are related to towers and rooftops, IT equipment leases, infrastructure rent and other means of transmission.
|
|
(3)
|
Does not include the Company’s issuance on February 8, 2017 of R$2 billion aggregate principal amount of Debentures 5
th
issue – Single Series maturing in 2022.
|
Interest and principal payments on our
indebtedness as of December 31, 2016 due in 2017 and 2018 total R$4,663.3 million and R$2,309.7 million, respectively.
The agreements that govern the majority
of our outstanding loans and financings contain certain standard restrictive covenants, including financial covenants. These agreements
may provide for the acceleration of the full balance of our obligations in the event of any default. In general, these agreements
are subject to acceleration of maturity upon: (i) the inclusion in our shareholders’ agreement, bylaws or articles of incorporation
or those of the companies that control us of conditions leading to restrictions or loss of ability to pay financial obligations
arising from these agreements ; (ii) a conviction or final judgment against us in connection with child labor, slave labor or a
crime against the environment; or (iii) liquidation, dissolution, insolvency; voluntary bankruptcy, judicial or extrajudicial recovery
to any creditor or class of creditors.
As of December 31, 2016, we were not in
default of any of our obligations and therefore none of our liabilities were subject to acceleration.
Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Exposure
We face foreign exchange risk due to our
foreign currency-denominated indebtedness, accounts payable (including our capital expenditures, particularly equipment) and receivables
in foreign currency. A
real
devaluation may increase our cost of debt and certain commitments in a foreign currency. Our
revenue is earned in
reais
, and we have no material foreign currency-denominated assets, except income from hedging transactions,
interconnection of international long-distance services and services
rendered to customers outside Brazil. Equity investments in foreign companies also suffer effects with variations in the exchange
rate.
On December 31, 2016, 14% of our R$9.2
billion of financial indebtedness was denominated in U.S. dollars and UMBNDES. See Note 33 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Devaluation of the
real
causes exchange losses on foreign currency-denominated indebtedness and commitments and exchange
gain on foreign currency-denominated assets and corporate stakes in foreign companies.
We use derivative instruments to limit
our exposure to exchange rate risk. Since September 1999, we have hedged all of our foreign currency-denominated bank debt using
swaps and other derivative instruments. Since May 2010, the company began using net balance coverage, which is the hedging of
net positions in foreign exchange exposures, or assets (issued invoices)
minus
liabilities (received invoices) for foreign
exchange exposures, substantially reducing our risk to fluctuations in exchange rates. We could still continue to face exchange
rate exposure with respect to our planned capital expenditures however, as
a small part
of our planned capital expenditures are denominated or indexed in foreign currencies (mostly U.S. dollars). We systematically
monitor the amounts and time of exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and may hedge positions when deemed appropriate.
The largest part of our
reais
denominated
debt originally pays interest as a percentage of the CDI or has been swapped to do so. The CDI – Certificate of Interbank
Deposits (
Certificado de Depósito Interbancário
) is an index based upon the average rate of operations transacted
among the banks within Brazil. With the CDI being a floating rate, we remain exposed to market risk. This exposure to the CDI is
also present in long derivatives positions and financial investments, which are indexed to percentages of the CDI.
Capital Expenditures and Payment of Dividends
Our principal capital requirements are
for capital expenditures and payments of dividends to shareholders. Capital expenditures consisted of additions to property, plant
and equipment and additions to intangible assets, including licenses which totaled R$8.2 billion, R$7.7 billion and R$9.1 billion
for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These expenditures relate primarily to the expansion of our
network. We may seek financing for part of our capital expenditures and cash management assistance from the Brazilian government,
in particular from BNDES, which is the main government financing agent in Brazil, as well as from the local or foreign capital
markets or from local and foreign financial institutions. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and Development
of the Company—Capital Expenditures.”
Pursuant to our bylaws and Brazilian Corporate
Law, we are required to distribute a mandatory minimum dividend of 25% of “adjusted net income” (as defined below)
in respect of each fiscal year to the extent earnings are available for distribution. Holders of preferred shares are assured priority
in the reimbursement of capital, without a premium, and are entitled to receive cash dividends that are 10% higher than those attributable
to common shares.
Adjusted net income, as determined by Brazilian
Corporate Law, is an amount equal to our net income adjusted to reflect allocations to or from (i) legal reserve, (ii) statutory
reserve and (iii) a contingency reserve for anticipated losses, if any.
We may also make additional distributions
to the extent that we have profits and reserves available to distribute. All of the above distributions may be made as dividends
or as tax-deductible interest on shareholders’ equity. Interest on shareholders’ equity are tax-deductible payments
pursuant to Brazilian Corporate law, that a company may make, in addition to dividends, which the company may treat as financial
expenses for tax and social contribution purposes. For more information on the payment of interests on shareholders’ equity,
see “Item 8. Financial Information—A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends and Dividend
Distribution Policy—Dividends and Interest on Shareholders’ Equity.” We paid dividends and interest on shareholders’
equity of R$3.3 billion, R$4.0 billion and R$2.8 billion in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Our management expects to meet 2017 capital
requirements primarily from cash provided from our operations. Net cash provided by operations was R$11.4 billion, R$9.9 billion
and R$9.4 billion in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Adjustments to net income for purposes
of calculating the basis for dividends include allocations to various reserves that effectively reduce the amount available for
the payment of dividends. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, in addition to the interim dividend and interest on own
capital payments made in 2016, management decided to propose (i) the allocation of R$550.0 million of profits available for distribution
to Reserve of Modernization and Expansion and (ii) an additional dividends payment to shareholders in the amount of R$1.9 billion.
The proposal to allocate profits to Reserve of Modernization and Expansion and to pay dividends will be approved at the shareholders’
meeting that will approve the 2016 annual report. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of
Association—Description of Our Bylaws—Voting Rights.”
Accounting
Pronouncements
The Company’s financial statements
are in compliance with the IFRS as issued by IASB as of December 31, 2016, which are the same as those followed by the financial
statements at December 31, 2015, except for the new pronouncements, interpretations and amendments, of the following standards,
amendments and interpretations published by IASB and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), described below, which came into
effect on January 1, 2016, but did not cause significant impacts on the financial statements.
|
·
|
IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IFRS 11 Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts, as issued;
|
|
·
|
IAS 1 Disclosure Initiative, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IAS 16 and IAS 38 Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortization, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IAS 19 Employee Benefits, as amended; and
|
|
·
|
IAS 27 Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements, as amended.
|
On the date of preparation of these financial
statements, the following IFRS amendments had been published; however, their application was not mandatory. We do not adopt early
any pronouncement, interpretation or amendment that has been issued, before application is mandatory.
Standards
and Amendments to the Standards
|
Effective
as of:
|
IAS 7 Cash Flow, as amended
|
January 1, 2017
|
IAS 12 Income Taxes, as amended
|
January 1, 2017
|
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, issued
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as issued
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 2 Classification and Valuation of Share Based Transactions, as amended
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts, as amended
|
January 1, 2018
|
IAS 40 Investment Property Transfers, as amended
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRIC 22 Transactions in Foreign Currency and Advance Payments, as issued
|
January 1, 2018
|
Annual Improvements to IFRS, 2014-2016 Cycle, as issued
|
January 1, 2017 / 2018
|
IFRS 16 Leases, as issued
|
January 1, 2019
|
IFRS 10, 12 and IAS 28 Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception, as amended
|
TBD
|
Based on our preliminary analysis, we expect
that the implementation of many of these standards, changes and interpretations will not have a significant impact on our financial
statements in the initial period of application. However, we expect the following standards that have been issued, but are not
yet mandatory, may have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements at the time of its application and prospectively.
IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments, Issue:
In July 2014,
the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9, which replaces IAS 39 and all previous versions of IFRS 9.
IFRS 9 applies to financial assets and
liabilities and establishes the classification, valuation, losses and write-off criteria for recognition of such items, as well
as a new hedge accounting model. The Company estimates that major changes will occur in the documentation of hedge policies and
strategies, as well as in the estimation of expected losses on financial assets. The changes introduced by IFRS 9 will affect the
recognition of financial assets and derivative financial instruments as of January 1, 2018. The Company is carrying out the process
of implementing the new criteria, but due to the relevance of the potentially affected items and the complexity of the estimates,
understands that it is not reasonably possible to quantify the impacts of the application of this standard on the closing date
of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Issuance:
IFRS 15 establishes criteria’s for the accounting of revenues from customer contracts. The Company is currently in the process
of estimating the impacts of this new standard on its contracts. This analysis identified a number of expected impacts related
to the following aspects, among others:
|
·
|
Under the current accounting policy, the Company offers commercial packages that combine equipment’s and services of
telephony, fixed and mobile, data, internet and television, total revenue of services is distributed among its elements identified
based on their respective fair values.
|
Under IFRS 15, amounts will be allocated to each element
based on the basis of the independent selling prices of each individual component in relation to the total price of the package
and will be recognized when (and the measure) the obligation is satisfied. Consequently, the application of the new criteria will
mean an acceleration in the recognition of equipment sales revenues, which are generally recognized at the time of delivery to
the final consumer. To the extent that the packages are marketed at a discount, the difference between the profit on sales of equipment
and the amount received from the customer at the inception of the contract will be recognized as a contractual asset.
|
·
|
According to the criteria currently in force, all costs directly related to obtaining commercial contracts (sales commissions
and other expenses with third parties) are accounted as expenses when incurred. On the other hand, IFRS 15 requires the recognition
of an asset for the amounts incurred by these concepts and its subsequent accounting to the income statement according to the period
of the respective agreement. Likewise, certain costs related to the performance of the contract, currently recognized as expenses,
when incurred, will be deferred when associated with compliance obligations over the period of contract.
|
|
·
|
Compared to the current standard, IFRS 15 establishes much more detailed requirements on the accounting treatment of contract
changes. Thus, certain changes will be recorded retrospectively and others prospectively as a separate or contract resulting from
the redistribution of revenues among the various performance obligations identified.
|
The Company is advancing in the process of implementing
the new criteria, but due to the high number of transactions affected, the high volume and dispersion of the necessary information
and the complexity of the estimates, the Company understands that at the closing date of the year ended December 31, 2016 cannot
reliably measure the impact of the application of this standard. However, considering the current commercial offers as well as
the volume of affected contracts, the Company estimates that the changes introduced by IFRS 15 will have a significant impact on
its financial statements at the date of its initial application. In addition, the Company's financial statements will include more
quantitative disclosures of revenue-related accounts.
IFRS 16 - Leasing, Issuance:
IFRS 16 establishes that
companies acting as lessees must recognize in the balance sheet the assets and liabilities arising from all lease agreements (except
for short-term lease agreements and those for low value assets).
The Company has a very large number of
leases as a lessee of various assets, such as third-party towers, circuits, real estate and land (where the towers are primarily
located). Under the current standard, significant portions of such contracts are classified as operating leases, where payments
are generally recorded on a straight-line basis over the contract term.
The Company is currently in the process
of estimating the impact of this new standard on such contracts. In this analysis, the estimate of the term of the lease is included,
considering the non-cancellable period and the periods covered if exercised the option to extend the lease for those cases in which
exist reasonable certainty, which will depend, of the expected use of the Company's assets installed in the leased assets.
In addition to the term of the lease, assumptions
will be used to calculate the discount rate, which will depend mainly on the incremental financing rate for the estimated periods.
In addition to the previous estimates, the standard allows two transition methods, being: i) full retrospective for each comparative
period presented; and (ii) modified retrospective with the cumulative effect of the initial application of the recognized standard
at the date of initial application. In addition, it is possible to choose specific practical relieves at the time of applying the
standard on measurement of liability, discount rate, losses, leases ending within twelve months after the first application, initial
direct costs, and lease duration. Thus, depending on the transition method to be chosen, the impacts will be different.
Due to the different alternatives, as well
as the complexity of the estimates and the high number of contracts, the Company has not yet completed the implementation process,
so that at the closing date of the year ended December 31, 2016 it is not possible to estimate the impact of the application of
this standard. However, considering the volume of contracts affected, the Company estimates that the changes introduced by IFRS
16 will have a significant impact on its financial statements from the date of adoption, including the recognition of the right
to use and the corresponding obligations in respect to the contracts which, under the current standard, are classified as operating
leases. In addition, depreciation of the right to use the assets and recognition of interest on the lease obligation will replace
a significant portion of the amount recognized as expenses in the income statement of the operating lease. The classification of
payments in the statement of cash flows will also be affected by the adoption of IFRS 16.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
Research and Development
We operate in a fast-paced, dynamic and
convergent industry, which demands that our products and services be continuously revamped to keep up with growth expectations.
In addition, to keep pace with constant
innovation, we created a business incubator that allows us to easily handle emerging business opportunities of large sizes or risks
that otherwise would be difficult to manage by our current business units. In 2016, we invested R$0.6 million in innovation.
The table below presents our investments
in development, update and modernization of systems to support the launch of new products and services. In 2016, we invested R$50.9
million in development.
R&D investments
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
)
|
Development
|
|
|
50.3
|
|
|
|
47.9
|
|
|
|
37.6
|
|
Innovation (business incubator and tests)
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
Total
|
|
|
50.9
|
|
|
|
48.4
|
|
|
|
38.2
|
|
Patents and Licenses
Our principal intellectual property assets
include:
|
·
|
permission to use the trademark name “Telefônica” and all names derived from “Telefônica”;
|
|
·
|
our name “Telefônica Brasil S.A.”;
|
|
·
|
our commercial brands in Brazil, “Vivo,” and sub-brands such as “Vivo Fixo,” Vivo TV,” “Vivo
Internet,” “Meu Vivo,” “Vivo Empresas,” “Vivo Play,” “Vivo Ads” for our advertising
services, “Vivo Apps e muito mais” for our digital services, and “Vivo Fibra” among others; and
|
|
·
|
our past commercial brands, “GVT”, “Global Village Telecom”, “Super 15” for long-distance
services, “Speedy” for broadband products, “DUO” for telephone and broadband service and “TRIO”
for telephone, broadband and Digital TV service.
|
In September 2016, the Brazilian Trademark
Office recognized the “Vivo” mixed trademark as of “high reputation”, thus protected in all branches of
activities.
Increasingly, Brazilian
consumers’ consumption patterns have converged towards an emphasis on the consumption of data, rather than traditional services.
In addition, the evolution of technology has exponentially increased the quantity of connected devices. Accordingly, we plan to
continue to invest efficiently in a more modern infrastructure in the mobile segment through the 4G technology and in the fixed
segment through an increased ultra-broadband footprint, improving the experience of our customers with faster and reliable connections.
Due to a macroeconomic
scenario of ongoing recovery, we expect the competitive environment in the coming years to emphasize sustainability through initiatives
to further monetize the customer base, as well as efforts to contain expenses. During 2017, regulatory issues of great importance
to the Brazilian telecommunications sector are expected to alter market dynamics during the year.
Our top priority is
making our customers' digital life easier to manage. We are committed to providing digital and interconnected, cross platform services
that deliver a better user experience and effective customer care, building a competitive advantage to attract new customers and
loyalty our current base.
We believe that revenue
growth will continue to be driven over the next few years by mobile and fixed data services.
E. Off-balance-Sheet Arrangements
None.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations and commercial
commitments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:
|
|
Total
|
|
Up to year
|
|
1-3 years
|
|
4-5 years
|
|
After 5 years
|
|
|
(in millions of
reais
, as of December 31, 2016)
|
Contractual obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans, financing and leases (1)
|
|
|
5,669.8
|
|
|
|
2,543.0
|
|
|
|
1,711.7
|
|
|
|
603.7
|
|
|
|
811.4
|
|
Debentures
|
|
|
3,554.3
|
|
|
|
2,120.5
|
|
|
|
1,406.5
|
|
|
|
27.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Pension and other post-retirement benefits
|
|
|
327.7
|
|
|
|
11.0
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
307.8
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
|
|
9,551.8
|
|
|
|
4,674.5
|
|
|
|
3,122.6
|
|
|
|
635.5
|
|
|
|
1,119.2
|
|
Commercial commitments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable
|
|
|
7,683.2
|
|
|
|
7,611.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
71.9
|
|
Total commercial commitments
|
|
|
7,683.2
|
|
|
|
7,611.3
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
71.9
|
|
|
(1)
|
Includes present value of minimum lease payments on operating leases of rental of equipment, facilities and stores, administrative
buildings, and cell sites and contingent consideration relating to the GVT acquisition. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial
statements.
|
Long-Term Debt – Loans, financing, leases
and debentures
|
|
Amount
|
Year ending December 31,
|
|
(in millions of reais, as of December 31, 2016)
|
2018
|
|
|
2,309.6
|
|
2019
|
|
|
808.6
|
|
2020
|
|
|
380.9
|
|
2021
|
|
|
250.0
|
|
2022
|
|
|
239.1
|
|
2023 and forward
|
|
|
572.3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
4,560.5
|
|
See “Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements.”
|
ITEM 6.
|
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
|
A.
|
Directors and Senior Management
|
We are managed by a Board of Directors
(
Conselho de Administração
) and a Board of Executive Officers (
Diretoria
).
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors comprises a minimum
of five and a maximum of 17 members, elected and dismissed by the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting, serving for
a term of three years and may be reelected. The following is a list of the current members of our Board of Directors, their respective
positions and dates of their election. The members of our Board of Directors are currently mandated until the ordinary general
meeting scheduled to take place up to April 2019.
Name
|
Position
|
Date
of Appointment
|
Eduardo Navarro de Carvalho
|
Chairman
|
April 28, 2016 (1)
|
Ángel Vilá Boix
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Antonio Carlos Valente da Silva
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Antonio Gonçalves de Oliveira
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Ramiro Sánchez de Lerín Garcia-Ovies
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Sonia Julia Sulzbeck Villalobos
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Luis Francisco Javier Bastida Ibargüen
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Luiz Fernando Furlan
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
Narcís Serra Serra
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
José Maria Del Rey Osorio
|
Director
|
January 04, 2017
|
Roberto Oliveira de Lima
|
Director
|
April 28, 2016
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Eduardo Navarro de Carvalho was elected as a Director on April 28, 2016 and as the Chairman of the Board on June 10, 2016.
|
Set forth below are brief biographies of
our directors:
Eduardo Navarro
de Carvalho
is 54 years old and is our Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of our Board of Directors and member of our the Nominations,
Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. He is also Vice President of SP Telecomunicações Participações
Ltda., and CEO of Innoweb Ltda., POP Internet Ltda. and Telefônica Data S.A. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Telefônica Factoring do Brasil Ltda. He is also the Officer of SindiTelebrasil since November 17, 2016. He was Director of
Strategy and Alliances at Telefónica S.A., and from February 2014 to January 2017, he was the Chief Commercial Digital Officer
of Telefónica S.A. Previously, he was responsible for Strategic Planning and Regulatory at Telefónica Internacional
S.A. From 1999 to 2005, he served as Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Regulatory Group at Telefonica in Brazil, participating
in the Steering Committee of several companies of the Telefónica group in Brazil. He worked for five years as a consultant
at McKinsey & Company (1994-1999), during which he led projects in Brazil, Spain, Portugal and South Africa, focusing on strategies
in the areas of Industry, Infrastructure and Telecommunications. He began his professional experience in the steel industry, where
he worked from 1986 to 1994 in Group ARBED in Brazil. He graduated in Metallurgical Engineering from the Federal University of
Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Ángel
Vilá Boix
, is 52 years old and a member of our Board of Directors and our Strategy Committee. He is also Chief
Strategy and Financial Officer of the Executive Committee of Telefónica S.A. Mr. Vilá became a part of the
Telefónica Group in 1997 as Controller of the Group, and in 1998 he became CFO of Telefónica Internacional. In
2000, he was appointed as Head of Corporate Development of the Group and from 2010 on, he also oversaw the affiliated
companies of the Group, composed by Atento, T-Gestiona and Telefónica Contenidos. In 2011, he became Head Manager of
Finance and Corporate Development, and recently he became the new Head Manager of Strategy and Finance. Due to the different
positions that he held within the Telefónica Group, Mr. Vilá concluded important transactions such as O2 plc,
Brasicel/VIVO, E-Plus, GVT, Telco/TI or Telefónica Germany IPO. Before he joined Telefónica, he worked at
Citigroup, McKinsey&Co, Ferrovial and Planeta. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Telefónica
Germany and Trustee of Telefónica Foundation. He was also member of the Board of Telco SpA (Italy), BBVA, Digital
Plus, Atento, Telefónica Contenidos, Telefónica Czech Republic, Endemol, CTC Chile, Indra SSI and Terra Lycos,
and Consultant of the Advisory Board of Macquarie MEIF Funds. Institutional Investor appointed Mr. Vilá as the Best
CFO in European Telecoms in 2015. Mr. Vilá was also awarded by Thomson Reuters Extel Pan-European Awards as the n.1
CFO in Spain, in the years of 2013 and 2014, as well as n.1 CFO for Telecommunications Services in Europe for 2014. He
graduated in Industrial Engineering from Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya and holds a master of Business Administration
degree from the Columbia University (New York).
Antonio Carlos
Valente da Silva
is 64 years old and serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and of the Service Quality and Marketing
Committee of Telefônica Brasil S.A.. He is the Chairman of the Board of Telefónica Venezuela since November 2009.
He was member of the Consejo Asessor of Telefónica Internacional S.A.U from 2015 to 2016; President of the Board of Trustees
of Fundação Telefônica from December 2010 to December 2016, Chief Executive Officer of Telefônica Brasil
S.A. between January 2007 and March 2015, and member of the Appointments, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee of Telefônica
Brasil S.A. in the same period. He was Chief Executive Officer of Telefônica Data S.A., Vice-President Director of SP Telecomunicações
Participações Ltda., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Telefônica Factoring do Brasil Ltda., member of
the Control Committees of Media Networks Brasil Soluções Digitais Ltda., of Telefônica Transportes e Logística
Ltda. and of Telefônica Serviços Empresariais do Brasil Ltda. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the merged
companies Vivo S.A., A. Telecom S.A., Telefônica Sistemas de Televisão S.A., Ajato Telecomunicação Ltda.,
Lemontree Participações S.A., GTR-T Participações e Empreendimentos S.A., Comercial Cabo TV São
Paulo S.A. and TVA Sul Paraná S.A. He was the Chief Executive Officer of Vivo Participações S.A. from May
10, 2011 until October 3, 2011. He was also the President of Telebrasil (Brazilian Association of Telecommunications), President
of SindiTelebrasil (National Union of Fixed and Mobile Telephone Service Operators) and President of Febratel (Brazilian Federation
of Telecommunications) from 2010 through 2013. He was President of AHCIET (
Asociación Hispanoamericana de Centros de
Investigación y Empresas de Telecomunicaciones
) from 2007 to 2011; president of the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce
in Brazil from 2011 to 2015 and former President of the Euro-chambers in Brazil (an association that gathers the main Chambers
of Commerce from the European Union in Brazil). He was a member of the CDES (Economic and Social Development Council of the Presidency
of the Republic of Brazil). He is also a member of the Advisory Council of CPqD, (Brazilian Telecommunications Research and Development
Center), member of the Board of Executive Officers of ABDIB (Brazilian Base Industries Association), member of COINFRA (FIESP’s
Infrastructure Commission) and member of the Advisory Council of Catenon Brasil. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from
PUC/RJ and has significant experience in the telecommunications market, in which he has been working since 1975. He has a post-graduate
degree in business and administration from PUC/RJ and has concluded several specialization courses in telecommunication systems
in Brazil and abroad, as well as several specialization courses in business management, including corporate strategy at MIT/Sloan.
Antonio Gonçalves
de Oliveira
is 72 years old and is a member of our Board of Directors and our Control and Audit Committee since September 2011.
Mr. Oliveira is the Vice-Chairman of the Association of Friends of the Museum of Contemporary Art of USP (AAMAC) since 2011. He
is also a member of the Fiscal Board of Jereissati Participações, since April 2016. Mr. Oliveira was a member of
the Board of Directors of Paranapanema S.A., from April 2012 to April 2014, and a member of the Fiscal Board of Klabin S.A., from
April 2010 until April 2013. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Vivo Participações S.A. from March 2001
to September 2011, and of its Control and Audit Committee from July 2005 to September 2011, being its president for 5 years. Mr.
Oliveira was also a member of the Board of Directors of TELESP Celular S.A. and a member of the Board of Directors and of the Control
and Audit Committee of the following companies: Tele Sudeste Celular Participações S.A., Telemig Celular Participações
S.A., Telemig Celular S.A., Tele Leste Celular Participações S.A., Tele Centro Oeste Celular Participações
S.A. and Celular CRT Participações S.A., until these companies ceased to exist, due to their incorporation by Vivo
Participações S.A. Mr. Oliveira was the Chairman of the Fiscal Board
Companhia de Eletricidade da Bahia
(COELBA)
from April 2006 to April 2008, chairman of AAMAC from 2006 to 2010, member of the Fiscal Board of Iguatemi Shopping Centers, from
2007 to 2008, and of Melpaper, from 2009 to 2010, and a member of the Council of Representatives of the
Federação
das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo (FIESP)
. Mr. Gonçalves de Oliveira was a member of the Advisory
Board of the
Caixa de Previdência dos Funcionários do Banco do Brasil
(PREVI) for 4 years, and he was also
a member of the Council of Social and Economic Development of the Brazilian government and of the Working Group for Small and Medium
Enterprises in Mercosul, nominated by the Brazilian government. He was member of the Steering Committee and Management of the Banco
do Povo de Estado de São Paulo, member of the
Associação de Empresas Brasileiras para a Integração
de Mercados
(ADEBIM), and Chairman of the Deliberative Board of the Association of the
Associação Naconal
dos Funcionários do Banco do Brasil
(ANABB), for 8 years. In the role of sociologist, he was President of the
Association of Sociologists
of the State of São Paulo, for 6 years, and Director of the Latin American Association of Sociology for 4 years. Mr. Oliveira
was the executive coordinator of the
Movimento Nacional da Micro e Pequena Empresa
. Mr. Gonçalves holds a degree
in Social Sciences, a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and a post-graduate degree in Sociology of Organizations
from the
Universidade de São Paulo
in Brazil. He also holds a specialist title in Human Resources from Fundação
Getúlio Vargas in São Paulo and extension courses on business management topics. Mr. Oliveira is Certified Counselor
by the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance, IBGC, due to his experience in supervisory boards, management boards and fiscal
boards.
Francisco Javier
de Paz Mancho
is 58 years old and is a member of our Board of Directors and of Chairman our Nominations, Compensation and Corporate
Governance Committee. Mr. Mancho is also a member of the Board of Directors of Telefónica S.A., Telefónica de Argentina
S.A. and Telefónica Móviles México, and member of the Advisory Board of Telefónica América Latina.
He is also Chairman of Telefónica Engenharia da Segurança and Lead Director of Telefónica S.A. He was Chairman
of Telefónica Gestión de Serviços Compartidos Espanha S.A. from September 2014 to March 2016 and of
Atento
Inversiones y Teleservicios
from December 2008 to December 2012. From June 2004 until December 2007, he was the President of
Mercasa. He was Deputy Chairman and Manager of Corporate Strategy of Panrico Donuts Group (1996–2004), General Manager of
the Ministry of Tourism and Commerce (1993–1996), General Secretary of the Socialism Youth and Member of the Executive Council
of PSOE (1984-1993). He also served the following posts: Director of the Tunnel of Cadí (2004-2006), Chairman of the Patronal
Pan y Bollería Marca (COE) (2003-2004), Director of Mutua de Accidentes de Zaragoza (MAZ) (1998-2004), Director of the Panrico
Group (1998-2004), Chairman of the
Observatório de la Distribuicion Comercial del Ministerio de Comercio y Turismo (1994-1996)
,
Member of the Economic and Social Board and its permanent Commission (1991-1993 and 1996-2000), and Director of Tabacalera S.A.
(1993-1996). Mr. Mancho holds degrees in Information and Publicity and a degree in law studies from the Executive Management Program
of IESE (
Universidad de Navarra
).
Ramiro Sánchez
de Lerín Garcia-Ovies
is 62 years old and a member of our Board of Directors and the General Secretary of the Board
of Directors of Telefónica S.A. He is also member of the Executive Committee. He began his career at Arthur Andersen, working
for its auditing department and later on for its fiscal department. In 1982, he became a Legal Consultant for the State Government
(King Counsel –
Abogado del Estado
) and started to work for the local Fiscal Auditors in Madrid (
Delegación
de Hacienda de Madrid
). He was designated to the State Secretariat for European Communications and, later on, to the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. In the private sector, from 1988 on, Mr. Lerín was the General Secretary and the Secretary of the Board
of Directors of the listed Companies Elosúa, S.A.; Tabacalera, S.A.; Altadis, S.A. and Xfera Móviles, S.A. He also
worked as a professor in the Catholic Institute of Company Administration and Management (
Instituto Católico de Administración
y Dirección de Empresas –
ICADE) and in the Public Treasury Institute of Company and School (
Instituto de Empresa
and Escuela de Hacienta Pública
). He is a member of the
Fundación Centro Nacional del Vidrio
and Fundación
Padre Arrupe. After working as CEO of Tabacalera together with Mr. César Alierta, in 2003 he joined the Telefónica
Group as its General Counsel and Executive Member of the Executive Committee.
Sonia Julia Sulzbeck
Villalobos
is 53 years old and a member of the Board of Directors and of the Service Quality and Marketing Committee of Telefônica
Brasil S.A. She is also a standing member of the Board of Directors of Cia. Distribuidora de Gás do Rio de Janeiro –
CEG and alternate member of the Board of Directors of Usiminas. As volunteer work, she participates in the Board of Director of
CFA Society Brasil, a non-profit association that gathers around 800 professionals that have a CFA certification (Chartered Financial
Analyst) in the country. She is founding partner of Villalobos Consultoria Ltda. since 2009. From 2005 to 2009, she was Manager
of
Fundos de America Latina
, in Chile, managing mutual and institutional funds of Larrain Vial AGF
.
From 1996 to
2002, she was responsible for Private Equity investments in Brazil, Argentina and Chile for the company Bassini, Playfair &
Associates, LLC. As of 1989, Mrs. Villalobos was Head of Research of Banco Garantia. She holds a degree in Public Administration
from EAESP/FGV, from 1984, and became a master in Finance, from the same institution, in 2004. She was the first to receive the
CFA certification in Latin America, in 1994.
Luis Francisco
Javier Bastida Ibargüen
is 71 years old and is a member of our Board of Directors, President of our Control and Audit
Committee and member of our Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee. Since 2002, he has acted as an independent
consultant. During 2000 and 2001, he worked in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, where he was a member of the Steering Committee
and head of the Global Asset Management Division. Mr. Bastida began working at Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in 1988. From 1994
to 2000, he was Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reporting directly to the Chairman. From 1976 to 1987, he worked at Banco Bilbao,
where he had different responsibilities, mainly in areas related to finance. From 1970 to 1976, he worked for General Electric
in New York and Spain. At General Electric, he was a member of the Finance Management Program and the International Finance Program
and worked in various capacities in the Finance and Strategic Planning Functions. He holds degrees in Business Sciences at the
E.S.T.E. University in San Sebastián–Spain and holds an MBA from Columbia University in New York.
Luiz Fernando Furlan
is 70 years old and is a member of the Boards of Directors of Telefônica Brasil S.A. (Brasil), Telefónica S.A. (Spain),
BRF S.A. (Brasil), AGCO Corporation (USA). He is member of the
Conselho Superior de Gestão em Saúde Pública
of the State of São Paulo (Brazil) and Chairman of the Board of LIDE –
Grupo de Líderes Empresariais
(Brasil).
Previously, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sadia S.A., from 1993 to 2002 and from 2008 to 2009, company within which
he held numerous executive positions from 1976 to 1993. He was Co-Chairman of the board of BRF Brasil Foods S.A. from 2009 to 2010,
as well as a member of the board of Amil Participações S.A. from 2008 to 2013, as well as a member of the Advisory
Board of Panasonic (Japan). He served as Minister of State at the
Ministério de Desenvolvimento, Indústria e Comércio
Exterior
of Brazil from 2003 to 2007. He has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Fundação Amazonas
Sustentável
“FAS” (Brazil) from 2008 to 2015, institution within which he has become an honorary member.
He was also a commissioner member of Global Ocean Commission (USA) – 2013 to 2015. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering
from FEI (University of Industrial Engineering) and in Business Administration from University of Santana – São Paulo,
with extension and specialization courses in Brazil and abroad.
Narcís
Serra Serra
is 73 years old and is as a member of our Board of Directors and of our Control and Audit Committee. He is the
Vice President of Telefónica Chile S.A. From 1991 to 1995, he was Vice President of the Spanish Government, and from 1982
to 1991, served as Minister of Defense. From 1979 to 1982, he was the Mayor of Barcelona. Mr. Serra holds a doctorate in economics
from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona and is President of Barcelona Institute for International Studies (IBEI).
José María
Del Rey Osorio
is 65 years old and serves as a member of our Board of Directors and of our Strategy Committee. He holds a degree
in Economy and Business Administration from the
Universisad Autónoma de Madrid
. Since joining the Telefônica
Group in 1983, he has acquired significant experience with the group, occupying, among other roles, the positions of General Manager
of Strategic Planning of Telefónica Internacional S.A., from 2001 to 2004; Vice-President of Strategy and Regulation of
Telecomunicações de São Paulo S.A. – TELESP, from 1999 to 2001; and Manager of Economic Analysis of
Telefónica S.A., from 1988 to 1998. Mr. Osorio acted as member of the Board of Directors of COSESA, ST-HILO, from 1990 to
1996, of Telefónica Investigación y Desarrollo S.A., from 2003 to 2005, and from Telefônica del Perú,
from 2005 to 2012, among other companies. Before joining the Telefônica Group, he worked at
Servicios de Estudios Económicos
de EDES E INITEC
, in the National Institute of Industry’s (INI) companies and in the management and planning of the INI’s
corporation.
Roberto Oliveira de Lima
is 65 years
old and serves as a member of our Board of Directors and a member of the Service Quality and Marketing Committee. His career includes
positions in the areas of information technology, finance and general administration in companies such as Saint Gobain, Rhodia
and Accor. From 1999 to 2005, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Credicard Group and CEO of the Banco Credicard.
From 2005 to 2011, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Vivo Participações S.A. and Vivo S.A. Since then he has
served on the boards of companies such as Edenred, located in Paris - France, Naspers Holdings in South Africa and Grupo Pão
de Açúcar, Rodobens and Natura Brazil. From January to August 2014, he became Chairman of the Publicis Group Worldwide
in Brazil. From September 2014 to October 2016 he was the Chief Executive Officer of Natura Cosméticos S.A. He holds a degree
in Public Administration and a MBA from Fundação Getúlio Vargas, Brazil. He also holds a master’s degree
in Finance and Strategic Planning from the Institute Superieur des Affaires, Jouy en Josas, France.
There is no family relationship between
any of the directors named above. There is no arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others,
pursuant to which any director referred to above was selected as such.
Board of Executive Officers
The Board of Executive Officers consists
of at least three (3) and no more than 15 members, who may or may not be our shareholders, must be resident in the country, are
appointed by our Board of Directors for a period of three (3) years, may be reelected, and who may remain in office until reappointed
or replaced. Our Board of Executive Officers is responsible for our day-to-day management and for representing us in our business
with third parties. Any of our executive officers may be removed at any time by a decision of the Board of Directors.
The following are the current members of
the Board of Executive Officers, their respective positions and the date of their appointment.
Name
|
Position
|
Date
of Appointment
|
Eduardo Navarro de Carvalho
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
November 16, 2016
|
Breno Rodrigo Pacheco de Oliveira
|
General Secretary and Legal Officer
|
June 10, 2016
|
David Melcon Sanchez-Friera
|
Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer
|
June 10, 2016
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Set forth below are brief biographies of
our executive officers:
Breno Rodrigo Pacheco
de Oliveira
is 41 years old and serves as General Secretary and Legal Officer of Telefônica Brasil S.A., Innoweb Ltda.,
POP Internet Ltda. and Telefônica Data S.A. He is also Corporate Secretary of our Board of Directors, member and Chairman
of the Deliberative Council of Visão Prev Sociedade de Previdência Complementar and Officer of SP Telecomunicações
Participações Ltda. Mr. Oliveira is also Corporate Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of Telefônica
Factoring do Brasil Ltda., Corporate Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of Telefônica Corretora de Seguros Ltda.,
Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Companhia ACT de Participações and Companhia AIX de Participações
and member of the Board of Directors of Tectotal Tecnologia sem Complicações S.A. He was General Secretary and Legal
Officer of Global Village Telecom S.A. and GVT Participações S.A., until April 1, 2016, when these companies were
merged into Telefônica Brasil S.A. He was also Officer of the following merged companies: Vivo S.A., A.Telecom S.A., Telefônica
Sistema de Televisão S.A., Ajato Telecomunicação Ltda., Lemontree Participações S.A., TVA Sul
Paraná S.A., GTR-T Participações e Empreendimentos S.A. and Comercial Cabo TV São Paulo S.A. until
July 1, 2013, when these companies were merged into us. He was also General Secretary and Legal Officer from February 3, 2011 to
October 3, 2011 of Vivo Participações S.A. (when it was merged into the company) and of Vivo S.A. from April 2005
to February 2011. He holds a law degree from Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos – UNISINOS, Brazil.
David Melcon Sanchez
Friera
is 46 years old and Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer of Telefonica Brasil since April 8, 2016. He is also
Financial Officer of Innoweb Ltda., POP Internet Ltda. and Telefônica Data S.A., Officer of SP Telecomunicações
Participações Ltda. and Vice Chairman of Telefonica Corretora de Seguros Ltda. Mr. Melcon has more than 20
years of experience as Financial Officer in the Telecommunications industry in Latin America and European countries. He was the
Transformation Officer of the Telefonica Group from 2015 to 2016. From 2012 to 2014 he was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Financial Officer of Telefonica Czech Republic; from 2007 to 2012 he held the position of Financial and Control Officer
of the Telefonica Group in Europe and worked as Executive of the Financial Department of Telefonica Latinoamerica and of the Telefonica
Móviles Group from 2005 to 2007. Before that, he held senior roles at Telefonica S.A. from 2001 to 2005, and began his career
working at Arthur Andersen from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Melcon was also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Telefonica Slovakia
from 2013 to 2014 and, in the same period, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Tesco Mobile Czech Republic. From
2010 to 2011, he was a member of the Supervisory Board of Hansenet, in Germany and member of the Board of Directors of Telfin Ireland
from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Melcon holds a degree in Economic and Business Administration from the University of Zaragoza (Spain),
and a Master in Audit and Business Analysis from the University Complutense – Madrid (Spain).
For the biography
of Eduardo Navarro de Carvalho, see “—C. Board Practices—Board of Directors.”
There is no family relationship between
any of the executive officers named above. There is no arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers
or others, pursuant to which any executive officer referred to above was selected as such.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the
aggregate amount of compensation paid to all our directors and executive officers was approximately R$109.3 million, of which R$39.8
million corresponded to salaries and R$69.5 million corresponded to bonuses.
For the
year ended December 31, 2016, our directors and officers did not receive any pension, retirement or similar benefits. For a description
of our pension plan, see “—D. Employees—Pension Plans.”
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors typically meets
once every three months and the Chairman may call special meetings. Our Board takes action by majority vote, provided the majority
of its members in office are present, with the Chairman having, in addition to his or her regular vote, the deciding vote in the
event of a tie. The specific responsibilities of the Chairman include representing the Board in the General Shareholders Meetings,
chairing the General Shareholders Meetings, selecting the Secretary from among those present, and calling and chairing meetings
of the Board.
Our Board of Directors is responsible,
among other things, for:
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establishing our general business policies;
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electing and removing, at any time, the members of our Board of Executive Officers, and establishing their responsibilities
with due regard for legal and statutory provisions;
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supervising our management and examining, at any time, our corporate records, and requesting information regarding the execution
or the process of execution of any agreements and other acts;
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calling General Shareholders Meetings;
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approving the financial statements, management reports, proposals for allocation of the company’s results and the submission
of such documents to the General Shareholders Meeting;
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appointing and deposing external auditors, as well as the responsible for wholesale operations;
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determining the distribution of interim dividends;
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determining the payment of interest on equity “ad referendum” of the General Shareholders Meeting;
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authorizing the purchase of our shares to be cancelled or kept in treasury;
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appointing and removing the person responsible for internal auditing;
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approving the budget and annual business plan;
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deliberating on the issuance of new shares by increasing the corporate capital within the limits authorized by the bylaws;
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approving the issuance of commercial paper and depositary receipts;
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authorizing the disposal of assets directly related to public telecommunications services;
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approving agreements, investments and obligations in an amount greater than R$250 million that have not been contemplated in
the budget;
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approving employment and compensation plans, incentive policies and professional development, regulation and staffing of the
company, and the terms and conditions of collective bargaining agreements to be executed with unions representing various categories
of the company’s employees and adhesion or disassociation from pension plans, all with respect to employees of the company;
the Board of Directors can, at its own discretion, assign
to the company’s Board of Executive Officers limits to deliberate on these matters;
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authorizing the acquisition of interest in other companies on a definitive basis and the encumbrance and creation of lien on
or sale of an equity interest;
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authorizing the offering of ordinary nonconvertible unsecured debentures;
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approving the organizational structure of the company; the Board of Directors can assign to the officers of the Board of Executive
Officers limits to the exercise of such powers, subject to legal and bylaws provisions;
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approving and modifying the internal regulations of the Board of Directors;
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deliberating as to the issuance of warrants;
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deliberating, by delegation of the General Shareholders Meeting, about the following aspects related to the company’s
issuance of debentures: (i) opportunity to issue, (ii) time and conditions of expiration, amortization or redemption, (iii) time
and conditions of the payment of interest, of the participation in the profits and of the premium of repayment, if any, (iv) method
of subscription or placement, and (v) the type of debentures;
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approving the establishment of technical and advisory committees for advice on matters of interest to the company, to elect
members of such committees and approve the committees, internal regulations, which shall contain specific rules concerning their
organization, functions, powers, and compensation of members;
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authorizing the sale of property, the creation of in rem guarantees and the provision of guarantees on behalf of third parties,
and setting limits on the practice of such acts by the officers;
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establishing, as an internal regulation, the limits for the officers to authorize the disposition or encumbrance of permanent
assets, including those related to public telecommunications services which are disabled or inoperable;
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approving the company’s participation in consortia in general, and the terms of such participation; the Board of Directors
may delegate such powers to the officers and establish limits, as it seeks to develop activities in line with the company’s
purpose;
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setting the limits for the officers to authorize the practice of reasonable gratuitous acts for the benefit of employees or
the community of which the company is a part of, including the donation of unserviceable assets to the company; and
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approving the creation and dissolution of subsidiaries of the company, in Brazil or abroad.
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One of the members of our Board of Directors
was elected by the preferred shareholders in a separate voting process and the others were elected by the holders of common shares.
Fiscal Board
Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws
each require that we maintain a statutory Fiscal Board (
Conselho Fiscal
). Our permanent, statutory Fiscal Board, which is
a separate and distinct entity from our outside auditors, is primarily charged with certain advisory, reporting, oversight and
review functions with respect to the company’s financial statements. Our statutory Fiscal Board is also responsible for rendering
opinions on management’s annual report and management proposals, including financial statements, to be submitted at shareholders
meetings relating to a change in the company’s capital composition, investment plans, budget, debenture issuances or subscription
bonuses, payment of dividends and consolidations, mergers and spin-offs. However, the statutory Fiscal Board, as required by Brazilian
Corporate Law and our bylaws, has only an advisory role and does not participate in the management of the company. Indeed, decisions
of the statutory Fiscal Board are not binding on the company under Brazilian Corporate Law.
In accordance with
Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws, the Fiscal Board consists of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) active
members and an equal number of alternates. The members of the Fiscal Board are elected for a period of one (1) year and may be
reelected.
One member of the Fiscal Board and his
or her alternate must be elected by holders of preferred shares in a separate voting process. The following are the current members
of the Fiscal Board:
Members
|
Alternates
|
Date
Appointed
|
Flavio Stamm
|
Gilberto Lerio
|
April 28, 2016
|
Cremênio Medola Netto
|
Juarez Rosa da Silva
|
April 28, 2016
|
Charles Edwards Allen
|
Stael Prata Silva Filho
|
April 28, 2016
|
Committees
Brazilian Corporate Law does not require
a corporation to maintain committees responsible for ethics, corporate governance or compensation. Nevertheless, our Board of Directors
has created the following committees:
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Control and Audit Committee;
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·
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Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee; and
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Service Quality and Marketing Committee; and
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Control and Audit Committee
Our Control and Audit Committee was created
by our Board of Directors in December 2002 and comprises a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) directors, who are not
members of our Board of Executive Officers, and who are appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as members of the Control
and Audit Committee for the duration of their respective terms as members of the Board of Directors. The Committee has its own
charter, which was approved by the Board of Directors. The Committee provides support to the Board of Directors.
According to its charter, the Control and
Audit Committee shall meet four (4) times per year (once every three (3) months) and report its conclusions to the Board of Directors.
Our Control and Audit Committee and our statutory Fiscal Board may have some similar attributes.
The Control and Audit Committee, among
other responsibilities that may be required by the Board of Directors, is charged with informing and providing recommendations
to the Board of Directors regarding the following:
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the appointment of the independent auditors, the terms and conditions of their contracts and, if necessary, their termination
and renewal;
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the analysis of the company’s accounts, compliance with certain legal requirements and the adoption of generally accepted
accounting principles;
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the results of each internal and independent audit and management’s response to the auditor’s recommendations;
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the quality and integrity of the company’s internal control systems;
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the performance of the independent auditors, requesting that their opinions on the company’s annual reports and the contents
of the main audit reports be clear and precise; and
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any communications with the internal auditors about any significant deficiencies in our control systems and identified financial
conditions.
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The following are the current members of
the Control and Audit Committee:
Members
|
Date
Appointed
|
Luis Francisco Javier Bastida Ibargüen
|
June 10, 2016
|
Antonio Gonçalves de Oliveira
|
June 10, 2016
|
Narcís Serra Serra
|
June 10, 2016
|
Nominations, Compensation and Corporate
Governance Committee
Our Nominations, Compensation and Corporate
Governance Committee was established in November 1998, and was restructured in October 2004, and consists of three (3) to five
(5) directors appointed by the Board of Directors to serve for the duration of their respective terms as members of the Board of
Directors. The Committee meets from time to time, depending on the availability of its members and when called by its chair. The
Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, among other responsibilities that may be required by the Board of
Directors, is charged with informing and providing recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the following:
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the appointment of executive officers for our company and our subsidiaries;
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the parameters on compensation for our executive officers and administrators;
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the terms and conditions of executive officers’ employment agreements;
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the review of the Board’s compensation plan and any amendments;
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the incentive plans related to compensation;
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the compensation policy for directors and executive officers of the company; and
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the annual corporate governance report.
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The following individuals are the current
members of the Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee:
Members
|
Date
Appointed
|
Luis Francisco Javier Bastida Ibargüen
|
June 10, 2016
|
Eduardo Navarro de Carvalho
|
November 16, 2016
|
Francisco Javier de Paz Mancho
|
June 10, 2016
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Service Quality and Marketing Committee
The Service Quality and Marketing Committee
was created on December 16, 2004 and provides assistance to our Board of Directors. The Committee consists of at least three (3),
and at most five (5), members of our Board of Directors selected periodically to serve for the duration of their respective terms
as members of the Board of Directors. The Committee meets from time to time, depending on the availability of its members and when
called by its chair. The Committee is responsible for review and analysis of quality indices measuring our principal services and
to ensure that the requisite degree of commercial assistance is furnished to our clients.
Members
|
Date
Appointed
|
Antonio Carlos Valente da Silva
|
June 10, 2016
|
Sonia Julia Sulzbeck Villalobos
|
June 10, 2016
|
Roberto Oliveira de Lima
|
June 10, 2016
|
Strategy Committee
The Strategy Committee was created
on October 7, 2016 and provides assistance to our Board of Directors. The Strategy Committee consists of at least three (3),
and at most five (5), members of our Board of Directors selected periodically to serve for the duration of their respective
terms as members of the Board of Directors. The Strategy Committee meets from time to time, depending on the availability of
its members and when called by its chair. The Strategy Committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the Company and
the group’s strategy policy in Brazil.
Members
|
Date
Appointed
|
Ángel Vila Boix
|
October 7, 2016
|
José María Del Rey Osorio
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January 4, 2017
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Luiz Fernando Furlan
|
October 7, 2016
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As of December 31, 2016, we had 33,331
employees. We have full-time and part-time employees. Our part-time employees work primarily at our stores and call centers. Our
employees are divided into the following categories: 36.8% in production and operations; 35.9% in sales; 19.6%in customer care;
and 7.7% in support.
As of December 31, 2015, we had 33,847
employees. We have full-time and part-time employees. Our part-time employees work primarily at our stores and call centers. Our
employees are divided into the following categories: 38.0% in production and operations; 34.5% in sales; 19.7%in customer care;
and 7.8% in support.
As of December 31, 2014, we had 18,419
employees. We have full-time and part-time employees. Our part-time employees work primarily at our stores and call centers. Our
employees are divided into the following categories: 26.33% in production and operations; 60.0% in sales; 4.1%in customer care;
and 9.6% in support.
Approximately 9.2% of our employees are
union members. These unions have state representation, so we have employees represented by the unions of all 26 states plus the
Federal District. In turn, 19 of these unions are associated with the National Federation of Telecommunications Workers (Fenattel)
and other 8 unions are associated with the Interstate Federation of Workers and Researchers in Telecommunications (Fitratelp).
Besides these 27 unions, we have employees represented by São Paulo Engineers’ Union.
Our collective bargaining agreement for
these employees was renewed for 100% of our employees on September 1, 2016 and will expire on August 31, 2017 for economic clauses
and on August 31, 2018 for social clauses.
Our management considers relations with
our work force to be very good. We have never experienced a work stoppage for a significant period or that had a material effect
on our operations.
Pension Plans
Before December 1999, the SISTEL plan (managed
by the
Fundação Sistel de Seguridade Social
), was a defined benefit plan that supplemented government-provided
retirement benefits, was adopted for all the employees of the former Telebrás System and we were contingently liable for
all of the unfunded obligations of the plan.
In January 2000, we and the other companies
that formerly belonged to the Telebrás system agreed to divide the existing SISTEL plan into 15 separate plans, resulting
in the creation of private plans covering those employees already enrolled in the SISTEL plan. These new private pension plans,
called PBS plans, were still administered by the
Fundação Sistel
and have retained the same terms and conditions
of the initial plan. The division was carried out to allocate liability among the companies that formerly belonged to the Telebrás
system according to each company’s contributions with respect to its own employees. Joint liability among the SISTEL plan
sponsors continues with respect to retired employees, who will necessarily remain members of the PBS plans.
Under the PBS plans, we made monthly contributions
to each plan according to a percentage of the salary of each employee who was a participant of such plan. Each employee member
also made a monthly contribution to their plan on the basis of age and salary. Pension benefits of members of PBS plans vested
at the same time their retirement benefits vested under the government-provided retirement plan.
Fundação Sistel
operates independently from us, and its assets and liabilities are fully segregated.
Beginning in 2000, we decided to establish
defined contributions plans, and offered these to participants in our PBS plans, as well as to employees who do not already have
a pension plan. Unlike the PBS plans, which are defined benefits plans, the defined contribution plans are financed by contributions
from participating employees, as well as by our contributions as sponsor, which are credited to the individual accounts of the
participants. We are responsible for all management and maintenance expenses of these plans, including the risks of death and permanent
injury of the participants.
In 2005, we created a closed social security
entity called Visão Prev Sociedade de Previdência Complementar to manage the pension plans of the Telefónica
group in Brazil. From 2005 to 2010, management of all plans was transferred from
Fundação Sistel
to Visão
Prev, except for PBS-A Plan, which continues to be managed by
Fundação Sistel
.
In 2011, the Visão Telesp, Visão
Telefônica Empresas, Visão Assist and Visão ATelecom plans were consolidated into the Visão Telefônica
plan. Following the acquisition of the Tevecap S.A., or TVA, we became sponsors of Abrilprev Plan, a defined contribution plan
for employees of these companies.
On September 1, 2013, we began offering
the Visão Multi Pension Plan to our employees who do not have a pension plan. This plan was launched in order to standardize
private pension benefits following the corporate restructuring of our subsidiaries in Brazil. In this plan, participants can make
basic contributions of 1-2% and additional contributions of 0-5% of salary and we contribute a percentage between 50% to 125%,
depending on length of service.
In July 2014, a spin-off of the Abrilprev
plan covering employees of the TVA companies was approved and its management transferred to Visão Prev. This plan is now
called Visão TVA.
In September 2015, the merger of the plans
CelPrev Telemig, Visão Celular CRT, Visão Telebahia Celular, Visão Telergipe Celular, Visão Telerj
Celular, Visão Telest Celular, TCP Prev by the plan Visão Telefônica was approved. Also in September 2015 the
merger of the plan Visão TVA by the plan Visão Multi was approved.
In May 2015, the company also became a
sponsor of private pension plans of the open entity Brasilprev, that were offered to the employees of the GVT Group companies.
Between January and March 2016, the process
of migration of the 259 participants of the Brasilprev plan to the Visão Multi plan was carried out.
In 2016, we sought to improve efficiency
in the management of private pension plans, aligning the main market practices, and standardizing the benefit through actions of:
(i) implementing the collection in July of administrative fees from the participants for the maintenance of the Visão Multi
plan; (ii) reversion of 100% of the value of the leftover fund to the company (50% were reverted until 2015, the other part being
allocated to the participants); (iii) incorporation of plans managed by Visão Prev.
In March 2016, the process of incorporating
the PBS Telemig plan to the Telefónica BD plan was approved.
In November 2016, the incorporation of
the Visão Terra plan to the Visão Multi plan was approved.
In December 2016, the incorporations of
the Visão TGestiona and Vivo Prev plans to the Visão Telefônica Plan were approved, and will be completed in
the first quarter of 2017.
Considering the total workforce, 26.2%
of our employees are participants of our private retirement plans.
None of our directors or executive officers
beneficially owns, on an individual basis, 1% or more of our common or preferred shares (including ADSs representing preferred
shares) or of our total equity share capital. We currently have two share ownership plans in place:
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1)
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Performance & Investment Plan (“PIP”)
|
The general shareholders’ meeting
of Telefónica S.A. (our indirect controlling shareholder), held on May 18, 2011, approved a new long-term incentive plan
– Performance & Investment Plan, or the PIP, for executives of Telefónica S.A. and of other entities within the
Telefónica group, including us. The plan grants a certain number of shares of Telefónica S.A. to selected participants
who meet the necessary requirements of the program.
The new PIP program was divided in three
cycles (2011, 2012 and 2013), each of which has a three-year duration, with the start date of each cycle occurring in July 1 of
each year. The cycles are independent of each other.
The executives of Telefónica group
are eligible to participate in the program and they must remain in the Telefónica group for a minimum period of three years
starting from the date they were qualified. In order to deliver the shares to executives at the end of each three-year cycle, the
Telefónica group performs an analysis to determine if the evaluation indicators of the shares of Telefónica, which
are primarily measured in terms of the total return to shareholders, or TRS, have been achieved.
The distribution of shares related to the
first cycle (2011-2014) did not occur, given that the minimum TRS set forth in the program was not achieved.
The 2012-2015 cycle ended in June 2015
and, after reaching the TSR, 68 executives of the Company were entitled to receive 258,552 shares of Telefónica S.A..
The 2013-2016 cycle ended in June 2016
and the distribution of shares did not occur, given that the minimum TRS set forth in the program was not achieved.
In 2014, Telefônica approved the
extension of this program for three cycles, each lasting three years, beginning on October 1, 2014 and ending on September 30,
2017. The number of shares is communicated early in the cycle, and after the period of three years from the grant date, the shares
are transferred to the participant if the specified TRS is reached.
The next distributions of shares are scheduled
as follows:
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Cycle 2014-2017: scheduled to occur in September 2017, with 66 executives (including three executives appointed pursuant to
the bylaws) of Telefônica Brasil having the potential right to receive 365,215 shares of Telefónica S.A. (including
initial shares and co-investing), which, as of December 31, 2016, accrued R$6.3 million.
|
|
·
|
Cycle 2015-2018: scheduled to occur in September 2018, with 106 executives (including three executives appointed pursuant to
the bylaws) of Telefônica Brasil having the potential right to receive 581,899 shares of Telefónica S.A. (including
initial shares and co-investing), which, as of December 31, 2016, accrued R$5.3 million.
|
|
2)
|
Global Employee Share Plan (“GESP”)
|
The program is only available to certain
director-level executives, not including members of the Boards of Directors and Fiscal Board.
Telefónica's Annual Shareholders'
Meeting, held on May 30, 2014, approved an incentive plan for the acquisition of Telefónica’s shares by the Telefónica
Group employees at an international level, including employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Through this plan, the possibility
of acquiring shares of Telefónica is offered, with a certain number of shares being delivered to participants whenever certain
requirements are met.
The total planned duration of the plan
was 2 years. The employees enrolled in the plan were able to acquire shares of Telefónica through monthly contributions
of 25 to 150 euros (or equivalent in local currency), with a maximum value of 1,800 euros over a period of 12 months (period of
purchase).
The delivery of shares will occur after
the vesting of rights pursuant to the plan, as from July 31, 2017, and is conditioned on: (i) continued employment with the company
during the two-year duration of the program (the rights vesting period), subject to certain special conditions relating to casualties;
and (ii) the exact number of shares to be delivered at the end of the vesting period depends on the number of shares acquired and
held by employees. Thus, the employees enrolled in the plan who remained in the Telefónica Group and held the shares acquired
for an additional period of twelve months after the end of the purchase period are entitled to receive a free share for each share
they have acquired and held until the end of the vesting period.
|
3)
|
Talent for the Future Share Plan (“TFSP”)
|
The Annual General Shareholders’
Meeting of Telefónica held in 2014 approved a long-term program to reward the commitment, outstanding performance and high
potential of its executives globally with the allocation of shares of Telefónica.
Participants do not need to pay for their
initial shares. The initially expected total duration of the plan is three years. The beginning of the cycle was on October 1,
2014 and will last until September 30, 2017. The number of shares is stated in the beginning of the cycle and, after the period
of three years from the grant date, the shares will be transferred to the participant if the goal is reached.
The delivery of shares is conditional upon:
(i) maintain an active working relationship in the Telefónica Group at the date of the cycle’s consolidation; and
(ii) the achievement of results which represent the fulfillment of the objectives set for the plan. The level of success is based
on the comparison of the evolution of shareholder remuneration considering price and dividends (Total Shareholder Return - TSR)
of Telefónica share, vis-à-vis the evolution of TSRs corresponding to a number of companies quoted in the telecommunications
industry, which correspond to the Comparison Group. The maximum number of shares allocated in the first open cycle on December 31,
2016 is as follows:
|
·
|
Cycle 2014-2017: scheduled to occur in September 2017, with 61 executives of Telefônica Brasil having the potential right
to receive 58,000 initial shares of Telefónica S.A., which, as of December 31, 2016, accrued R$1.0 million.
|
|
·
|
Cycle 2015-2018: scheduled to occur in September 2018, with 123 executives of Telefônica Brasil having the potential
right to receive 90,000 initial shares of Telefónica S.A., which, as of December 31, 2016, accrued R$828 thousand.
|
|
ITEM 7.
|
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
In accordance with our bylaws, we have
two classes of capital stock authorized and outstanding: common shares (
ações ordinárias
) and preferred
shares (
ações preferenciais
). Our common shares have full voting rights. Our preferred shares have voting
rights only under limited circumstances.
On October 31, 2016, Telefônica Brasil
received a correspondence from the shareholder Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L. stating that Telefónica
Internacional, S.A. transferred to them their entire stake in the Company, or 24.09% of the Company's capital, represented by 46,746,635
common shares (8.18% of such class) and 360,532,578 preferred shares (32.22% of such class). The transfer of shareholding was held
due to a universal succession under an internal reorganization in the Telefónica Group, through which Telefónica
Internacional, S.A. was merged into Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L.
As a result, on December 31, 2016, Telefónica
S.A. owned 34.67% of our common shares, Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L. owned 8.18% of our common shares and
SP Telecomunicações owned 51.46% of our common shares. Since Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L.
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefónica and owns 60.60% of the equity share capital of SP Telecomunicações,
Telefónica has effective control over 94.47% of our outstanding common shares. Accordingly, Telefónica has the ability
to control the election of our Board of Directors and to determine the direction of our strategic and corporate policies. None
of Telefónica, Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L. or SP Telecomunicações has any special
voting rights beyond those ordinarily accompanying the ownership of our common and preferred shares.
Telefónica S.A.’s shares are
traded on various stock exchanges, including exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, London, New York, Lima and Buenos
Aires.
Telefónica is one of the largest
telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalization and number of customers. With its strong mobile, fixed
and broadband networks, and its innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a “Digital
Telco,” a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth.
The following tables set forth information
relating to the ownership of common and preferred shares by Telefónica, SP Telecomunicações, Telefónica
Latinoamérica Holding, S.L., any other shareholders known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common or preferred
shares and our officers and directors, based on 571,644,217 common shares and 1,119,340,706 preferred shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2016. We are not aware of any other shareholder that beneficially owns more than 5% of our common or preferred shares.
Shareholder’s Name
|
|
Number of common shares owned
|
|
Percentage of outstanding common shares
|
SP Telecomunicações
|
|
|
294,158,155
|
|
|
|
51.46
|
%
|
Telefónica S.A.
|
|
|
198,207,608
|
|
|
|
34.67
|
%
|
Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L.
|
|
|
46,746,635
|
|
|
|
8.18
|
%
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
1,508
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder’s Name
|
|
Number of preferred shares owned
|
|
Percentage of outstanding preferred shares
|
SP Telecomunicações
|
|
|
38,537,435
|
|
|
|
3.44
|
%
|
Telefónica S.A.
|
|
|
305,122,195
|
|
|
|
27.26
|
%
|
Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L.
|
|
|
360,532,578
|
|
|
|
32.22
|
%
|
Artisan Partners Limited Partnership (1)
|
|
|
72,321,188
|
|
|
|
6.46
|
%
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
21,848
|
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(1)
|
The number of preferred shares beneficially owned is as of December 31, 2016, as reported in a Schedule 13G filed by Artisan
Partners Limited Partnership, Artisan Investments GP LLC, Artisan Partners Holdings LP and Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.
on February 3, 2017. As set forth in the Schedule 13G, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership has shared power to vote 65,136,571
preferred shares and shared power to dispose of 72,321,188 preferred shares.
As set forth in the Schedule 13G, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership does not have shared power to vote the remaining 7,184,617
preferred shares which Artisan Partners Limited Partnership has reported in its Schedule 13G that it beneficially owns. Securities
reported on the Schedule 13G as being beneficially owned by Artisan Partners Limited Partnership are held by Artisan Partners Limited
Partnership and/or one or more of its investment adviser subsidiaries on behalf of investment advisory clients, which may include
investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act, employee benefit plans, pension funds or other institutional
clients. The business address of Artisan Partners Limited Partnership reported on the Schedule 13G is 875 East Wisconsin Avenue,
Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
|
As of December 31, 2016, there were a total
of 242 ADR holders of record and 186,139,798 ADRs outstanding, representing 186,139,798 preferred shares or 17% of outstanding
preferred shares. Since some of these ADRs are held by nominees, the number of record holders may not be representative of the
number of beneficial holders.
|
B.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
Transactions with related parties are submitted
to review by our related parties committee and, when necessary, approval by our board of directors and shareholders, in compliance
with our bylaws. We believe that all related party transactions are carried out according to guidelines, criteria and market rules
in order to provide sufficient transparency to contracts between related parties.
Note 29 to our consolidated financial statements
presents, in tabular format, more detailed financial information with respect to transactions and balances with related parties.
We provide below a summary description of our material transactions with related parties to which we are currently party or have
been party in the last three years.
Telefónica S.A.
On January 2, 2008, we entered into a copyright
licensing agreement, or Brand Fee agreement with Telefónica S.A., with respect to the brand “Telefonica.” The
amounts in connection with these agreements totaled R$337 million in 2016, R$337 million in 2015 and R$327 million in 2014.
Telxius Cable Brasil Ltda (former Telefônica
Internacional Wholesales Services Brasil Ltda.)
On June 3, 2002, we entered into a supply
agreement for the IP Band with Telefônica Internacional Wholesales Services Brasil Ltda., with respect to the internet transit
service, which is a connection dedicated to the transportation of internet traffic. The amounts in connection with these agreements
totaled R$176 million in 2016, R$174 million in 2015 and R$147 million in 2014.
Some international roaming services are
provided by companies in the Telefónica group.
Telefónica International Wholesale
Services, S.L
On April 7, 2016, we entered into a supply
agreement for the IP Band with Telefônica Internacional Wholesale Services S.L ., with respect to the internet transit service,
which is a connection dedicated to the transportation of internet traffic. The amounts in connection with these agreements
totaled R$49 million in 2016.
Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda.
On March 31, 2016, we entered into a supply
agreement for the use of infrastructure owned by Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda by the Company. The amounts in connection with said
agreement totaled R$71 million in 2016.
|
C.
|
Interests of Experts and Counsel
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 8.
|
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
|
A.
|
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
|
See Note 19 of our Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Legal Proceedings
We are party to legal proceedings incidental
to the normal course of our business. The main categories of such proceedings include:
|
·
|
administrative and judicial litigation with
Instituto Nacional da Seguridade Social
, the National Institute of Social
Security, or INSS;
|
|
·
|
administrative and judicial proceedings relating to tax payments;
|
|
·
|
lawsuits brought by employees, former employees and trade unions relating to non-compliance with the labor legislation;
|
|
·
|
civil judicial proceedings regarding consumer rights; and
|
|
·
|
other civil suits, including litigation arising out of the breakup of Telebrás and events preceding the breakup.
|
Our policy with respect to provisioning
for contingencies classifies the various legal proceedings to which we are party as “probable,” “possible”
and “remote.” We and our subsidiaries are parties to labor, tax, civil and regulatory claims and set up a provision
for contingencies for which the likelihood of loss was estimated as probable. Our senior management classifies each legal proceeding
into one of these three categories (probable, possible and remote) based upon the advice of internal and external counsel and specialized
technical advisors in charge of each matter. Due to the level of provisioning and based on its analysis of the individual cases,
our management believes that no additional liabilities related to any legal proceedings will have a material effect on our financial
condition or results of operations, other than as described below.
There are no material proceedings in which
any of our directors, any members of our senior management, or any of our affiliates is either a party adverse to us or to our
subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to us or to our subsidiaries.
Tax Matters — Probable Loss
Federal Taxes
On December 31, 2016, the company was party
to federal administrative and judicial proceedings relating to (i) claims resulting from the non-ratification of compensation and
refund requests, formulated by the company; (ii) social contributions relating to an alleged failure to pay 11% on the value of
invoices, billing and receipts from service providers hired for the transfer of labor; (iii) CIDE (Contribution for Intervention
in the Economic Domain) levied on the remittance of funds abroad relating to technical services, administrative assistance and
to services of similar nature, as well as royalties; (iv) fixed: non-inclusion of interconnection and EILD expenses in the FUST
and FUNTTEL base and wireless: non-inclusion of revenues from interconnection in the FUST and FUNTTEL tax base; (v) contribution
to
Empresa Brasileira de Comunicação
, created by Law No. 11,652/08; (vi) TFI/TFF on mobile stations; (vii)
IRRF on interest on shareholder’s equity; (viii) Public Price for Numbering Resources Management (PPNUM) by ANATEL instituted
by Resolution No. 451/06; (ix) Social Investment Fund (Finsocial) offset amounts; (x) failure to pay withholding social contribution
levied on services rendered, remuneration, salaries and other salary bases; (xi) COFINS – Requirement resulting from non-inclusion
of financial income into the tax base; and (xii) additional charges to the PIS and COFINS tax base, as well as additional charges
to COFINS required by Law No. 9718/98.
In the opinion of management, the chances
of loss in the foregoing federal administrative and judicial proceedings is probable. On December 31, 2016, total consolidated
provisions for these federal administrative and judicial proceedings amounted to R$2,872.6 million.
State and Municipal Taxes
State Taxes
On December 2016, the company was party
to administrative and judicial proceedings in progress referring to (i) ICMS not levied on telecommunication services; (ii) disallowance
of ICMS tax incentives for cultural projects; (iii) environmental administrative fine; (iv) disallowance of ICMS credits referring
to Covenant 39; (v) co-billing; (vi) fixed asset ICMS tax credit reversal; and (vii) ICMS tax on internet (data) infrastructure
lease payments. On December 31, 2016, total consolidated provisions for these state level administrative and judicial proceedings
amounted to R$226.6 million.
Municipal Taxes
On December 31, 2016, the company was party
to tax claims at a municipal level, both in the administrative and judicial sphere which, based on the opinion of our legal advisors,
are classified as a probable loss, related to (i) real estate property tax (
Imposto Predial Territorial e Urbano
- IPTU);
(ii) Service tax on leases of movable assets for supplementary or intermediate activities; (iii) Audit, control and surveillance
tariff (
taxa de vigilância, controle e fiscalização
- TVCF); and (iv) Service tax retention on fixed
duration service contracts. On December 31, 2016, total consolidated provisions for these municipal level proceedings amounted
to R$30.5 million.
Tax Matters — Possible Loss
The following tax proceedings were pending
as of December 31, 2016, and, in the opinion of our management and our legal advisors, the chance of loss in these cases is “possible.”
Federal Taxes
On December 31, 2016, the company was party
to various federal administrative and judicial proceedings, which are waiting to be tried at various court levels. On December
31, 2016, the total consolidated amount was R$6,169.8 million.
Key proceedings refer to:
(i)
Non-compliance
manifestations due to the ratification of compensation requests made by the company;
(ii)
Income Tax on foreign currency
remittances for the payment of technical and administrative services, as well as on royalties;
(iii)
social security contribution
(INSS) on compensation payment for salary devaluation arising from losses caused by “
Plano Verão
” (Summer
Plan) and “
Plano Bresser
” (Bresser Plan), SAT (Work Accident Insurance), Social Security and payables to third
parties (INCRA and SEBRAE), supply of meals to employees, 11% retention (labor assignment);
(iv)
PIS levied on roaming;
(v)
CPMF levied on operations resulting from the technical cooperation agreement with the National Treasury Department (STN)
(offsetting through the Integrated System of Federal Government Financial Administration - SIAFI) and on foreign-exchange
contracts required by the Central Bank;
(vi)
IRPJ and CSLL related to deductions on revenues from reversal of provisions;
(vii)
Income tax and social contribution – disallowance of costs and miscellaneous expenses not substantiated;
(viii)
deductions of COFINS from loss in swap transactions;
(ix)
PIS / COFINS accrual basis versus cash basis;
(x)
IRPJ
payable in connection with allocation of excess funds to Northeast Investment Fund (FINOR), Amazon Region Investment Fund (FINAM)
or Economic Recovery Fund of the State of Espírito Santo (FUNRES);
(xi)
IRPJ on derivative operations;
(xii)
IRPJ and CSLL – disallowance of expenses related to the goodwill paid in the acquisition of Celular CRT S.A.,
goodwill arising from the privatization process, Vivo’s corporate restructuring and goodwill from the mergers of Navytree
and TDBH;
(xiii)
goodwill on the acquisition of GVT Holding by Vivendi and Vivo by Telefônica; (xiv) ex-tariff, abrogation
of the benefit from the CAMEX Resolution No. 6, increase in the import tariff from 4% to 28%; (xv) industrialization tax (IPI)
on the dispatch from company premises of “Fixed access unit” equipment to clients on a lending agreement; (xvi) PIS
and COFINS on value added services; (xvii) INSS on stock options, payment requirement for social security contributions on amounts
paid by group companies to employees on behalf of the share purchasing plan; (xviii) financial operations tax (
Imposto sobre
operações financeiras
- IOF), payment requirements for intercompany and credit operations; and (xix) contribution
to
Empresa Brasileira de Comunicação
, created by Law No. 11,652/08.
In the opinion of management, the chances
of loss in these proceedings are possible, but not probable and, consequently, we have not made any provisions in connection with
these proceedings.
State Taxes
On December 31, 2016, the company was a
party to various state administrative and judicial proceedings, which are ongoing in various court levels. On December 31, 2016,
the total consolidated amount was R$15,389.8 million.
Key proceedings refer to: (i) provision
of facility, utility and convenience services and rental of the “Speedy” service modem; (ii) international calls (DDI);
(iii) undue credit related to the acquisition of items intended to property, plant and equipment (fixed assets); (iv) lack of proportionate
credit reversal referring to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment items (fixed assets); (v) service provided outside
São Paulo state with ICMS paid to São Paulo State; (vi) co-billing, (vii) tax substitution with a fictitious tax
base (tax guideline); (viii) use of credits related to acquisition of electric power; (ix) secondary activities, value added and
supplementary services; (x) tax credits related to opposition/challenges referring to telecommunications services not provided
or mistakenly charged (ICMS CONFAZ Covenant 39/01); (xi) shipment of goods with prices lower than acquisition prices (unconditional
discounts); (xii) deferred charge of ICMS - Interconnection (DETRAF – Traffic and Service Provision Document); (xiii) credits
derived from tax benefits granted by other states; (xiv) disallowance of tax incentives related to cultural projects; (xv) transfers
of assets among business units owned by the company; (xvi) communications service tax credits used in provision of services of
the same nature; (xvii) card donation for prepaid service activation; (xviii) reversal of credit from return and free lease in
connection with assignment of networks (used by the company itself and exemption from public bodies); (xix) DETRAF (CDR), (xx)
ICMS on own consumption; (xxi) ICMS on exemption of public bodies; (xxii) issue of invoices with negative ICMS amounts; (xxiii)
restructuring of ledger without prior authorization by the National Treasury Department (STN); (xxiv) ICMS on monthly subscription;
and (xxv) ICMS on unmeasured services.
In the opinion of our management, the chances
of loss in the foregoing state administrative and judicial proceedings are possible, but not probable and, consequently, we have
not made any provisions in connection with these proceedings.
Municipal Taxes
On December 31, 2016, the company was party
to various administrative and judicial proceedings at the municipal level, which are ongoing in various court levels. On December
31, 2016, the total consolidated amount was R$853.2 million.
Key proceedings refer to:
(i)
ISS
(
Imposto sobre serviços
) – secondary activities, value added and supplementary services;
(ii)
withholding
ISS;
(iii)
real estate property tax (
Imposto Predial Territorial
e Urbano - IPTU);
(iv)
Land Use Fee;
(v)
municipal fees;
(vi)
tariff for Use of Mobile Network (TUM), infrastructure lease;
(vii)
advertising services;
(viii)
services provided by third parties;
(ix)
business management consulting services provided by Telefonica Internacional (TISA);
(x)
ISS levied on caller ID services and on cell phone activation; and (xi) service tax on continuous services contracts,
provisions, reversals and cancelled invoices.
In the opinion of our management, the chance
of loss in the foregoing state administrative and judicial proceedings is possible but not probable and, consequently, we have
not made any provisions in connection with these proceedings.
ANATEL
FUST – Universalization of Telecommunications
Service
Writs of Mandamus filed separately by the
fixed and mobile operators to recognize the right to include interconnection and EILD expenses in the FUST base for fixed services
and interconnection revenue in the FUST base for mobile services. We have questioned such charges and the proceedings are waiting
to be tried in the court of appeals.
As a result, ANATEL registered various
infractions to constitute tax credits and other revenues that were not obtained from the provision of telecommunication services,
on which ANATEL believes FUST is due.
On December 31, 2016, the total aggregate
amount under dispute was R$4,089.1 million.
In the opinion of our management and its
legal advisors, the chances of loss in the foregoing proceedings are possible, but not probable and, consequently, we have not
made any provisions in connection with these proceedings.
FUNTTEL – Fund for the Technological
Development of Telecommunications
On December 31, 2016, the company was party
to administrative and judicial proceedings, which are waiting to be tried at the lower administrative court and the court of appeals.
Such proceedings concern the collection
of contributions to FUNTTEL on other revenues (not related to telecom services), as well as on income and expenses transferred
to other operators (interconnection).
On December 31, 2016, the total aggregate
amount under dispute was R$1,190.6 million. In the opinion of our management and its legal advisors, the chances of loss in the
foregoing proceeding are possible, but not probable and, consequently, we have not made any provisions in connection with this
proceeding.
FISTEL – Telecommunications Supervision
Fund
Due extension of the effective license
period to use telephone switches in connection with use of landline phone carriers and extension of the right to use radiofrequency
in connection with wireless service (wireless carriers), ANATEL charges the Installation Inspection Fee, TFI.
This collection is based on ANATEL’s
understanding that such extension would represent a taxable event for TFI. We understand that such collection is unjustified, and
separately challenged the aforesaid fee in court. On December 31, 2016, total consolidated amount was R$2,352.0 million, without
the respective deposit in full.
In the opinion of our management, the chance
of loss in the foregoing proceeding is possible but not probable and, consequently, we have not made any provisions in connection
with this proceeding.
PPNUM – Price Relative to the Public
Administration of Numbering Resources
Our former subsidiary Vivo, along with
other wireless carriers in Brazil, are challenging in court the tariff charged by ANATEL for use by such carriers of the numbering
resources managed by the agency. When charged by ANATEL, Vivo made a judicial deposit referring to the amounts payable. On April
23, 2009, the carriers received a favorable sentence and the lawsuit is currently waiting to be tried at the court of appeals.
On December 31, 2016, the total aggregate amount under dispute was R$6.0 million.
In the opinion of our management and our
legal advisors, the chance of loss in the foregoing proceeding is possible but not probable and, consequently, we have not made
any provisions in connection with this proceeding.
Labor Litigation
We are also a defendant in several legal
proceedings filed by former employees and outsourced employees (alleging joint or several liability), who claim, among other things,
deficient overtime payment, unequal compensation, retirement wage supplements, health and security hazard compensation, free extension
of health plan benefits to retirees of Company; and proceedings regarding our outsourcing practices.
In addition, we are also a defendant in
four public civil actions filed by the Federal Ministry of Labor, which concerns contracting third-party companies in order to
perform services related to our core business. Although the likelihood of loss of such actions is “possible,” no value
amount has been attributed because currently we are unable to calculate the total amount we will owe in the event we lose and,
as a result, we have not recorded any amounts.
Civil Claims
There are several civil claims against
us. We have recorded R$1.0 billion in provisions for these proceedings where the risks are deemed probable, including the civil
proceedings described below:
|
·
|
Expansion Plan–PEX
. We are defendants in proceedings related to the possible right of individuals who purchased
our shares in connection with our network expansion plan after 1996, to receive additional shares from us. These claims are in
various levels of the court system. The chance of loss in such proceedings is classified on a case-by-case
basis according to the facts presented in each proceeding. For the proceedings in which the chance of loss was classified as “probable,”
we recorded a provision of R$256.3 million.
|
|
·
|
The Company and/or its subsidiaries are parties to various civil proceedings related to consumers in administrative and judicial
spheres, referring to non-compliance with services and/products sold. On December 31, 2016, provisioned amounts totaled R$ 386.7
million (R$ 435.8 million on December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
The Company and/or its subsidiaries are parties to various civil proceedings of non-consumer nature in administrative and judicial
spheres, all related to the ordinary course of business. On December 31, 2016, provisioned amounts totaled R$ 396.4 million (R$
384.6 million on December 31, 2015).
|
There are several civil claims against
us for which the chance of loss is possible and for which we have not recorded provisions, including:
|
·
|
Pension Benefit Plan Spin-Off
. Sistel Participants Association in São Paulo (ASTEL) and National Federation of
Associations of Retirees and Pensioners and Participants in Pension Funds in Telecom (FENAPAS), they filed with two distinct -
same object though - public civil action against the company, Sistel Foundation and others, claiming the annulment of the spin-off
of the PBS pension benefit plan that occurred in 2000 which caused the creation of the specific TELESP–PBS pension benefit
plan, and corresponding allocation of resources resulted from the technical surplus and fiscal contingencies existing at that time.
The chance of loss in both of them is possible based on the opinion of our legal advisors. The amount involved in both cases cannot
yet be determined until an expert appraisal report is conducted since it includes the spun-off portion of Sistel related to the
telecommunication operators from the former “Telebrás System.”
|
|
·
|
Civil Class Action in which the Company is involved relating to the Community Telephone Plan (PCT), on possible rights to indemnify
acquirers of expansion plans who allegedly did not receive shares for their financial investments made in the city of Mogi das
Cruzes, with the total consolidated amount involved on December 31, 2015 of R$421.1 million. The São Paulo Court of Justice
(TJSP) changed its decision, and judged this matter groundless. The carriers association of Mogi das Cruzes (“claimant”
or “Association”) filed a special appeal to reverse that decision. On December 7, 2015, the appeal filed by the Association
was dismissed by the High Court of Justice. The Association filed Motions for Clarification, which were not accepted by the High
Court of Justice on March 17, 2016. On April 15, 2016, a final decision was handed down, and no further appeals can be filed. The
action was dismissed.
|
|
·
|
Collective Action filed by SISTEL Participants’ Association (ASTEL) in the state of São Paulo, in which SISTEL
associates in the state of São Paulo challenge the changes made in the Medical Care Plan for Retired Employees (PAMA) and
claim for the reestablishment of the prior status quo. This proceeding is still in the appeal phase, and awaits a decision as regards
the possible admission of the Special and Additional Appeals in connection with the Court of Appeals’ decision, which changed
the decision rendering the matter groundless. The amount cannot be estimated, and the claims cannot be settled due to their unenforceability,
in that it entails a return to the prior plan conditions.
|
|
·
|
Services Quality Class Action
. The Public Prosecutor Office of the state of São Paulo commenced a class action
suit claiming moral and property damages suffered by all consumers of telecommunication services from 2004 to 2009 due to the bad
quality of service and failures of the communications system. The Public Prosecutors Office suggested a total award against the
company of R$1 billion. A judgment was rendered on April 20, 2010 imposing the payment of damages to all consumers who proved to
be eligible for the award. Alternatively, if clients do not prove themselves eligible in a number compatible with the severity
of the damage after a period of one year, the judgment establishes that R$60 million should be deposited in a special fund for
protection of diffuse customer interests (
Fundo Especial de Defesa de Reparação de Interesses Difusos Lesados
).
It is not possible to estimate how many consumers may present themselves in this procedure nor the values to be claimed by them.
The parties filled an appeal and the effects of the sentence were suspended. The appellate court has ruled in our favor and changed
the lower court decision. The plaintiff filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, which is awaiting decision. Despite the possible
degree of risk, no value amount was attributed
to this action because currently we are unable to calculate the total amount to be paid by us in the event we lose and, as a result,
we have not recorded any provisions.
|
|
·
|
The Company is party to other civil claims, at several levels, related to service rendering. Such claims have been filed by
individual consumers, civil associations representing consumer rights or by the Bureau of Consumer Protection (PROCON), as well
as by the Federal and State Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Company is also party to other claims of several types related
to the normal course of business. On December 31, 2016, possible amounts totaled R$ 2,559.3 million (R$ 2,146.9 million on December
31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
TGLog is a party to a civil execution proceeding filed with the 3rd Civil Court of Barueri – SP owing to alleged non-payment
of transportation service bills. TGLog alleges that it made legitimate discounts owing to contract breaches and losses arising
from damages to goods of its customers transported by claimant, which are also subject matter of another proceeding. On December
31, 2016, the case amounted to R$1.2 million (R$1.0 million in December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
The Company has received fines regarding the noncompliance with SAC Decree. We currently have various actions (administrative
and judicial proceedings). On December 31, 2016, amounts totaled R$14.2 million (R$ 12.9 million on December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
Ownership of Caller ID
. Lune Projetos Especiais Telecomunicação Comércio e Ind. Ltda., a Brazilian
company, filed on November 20, 2001 lawsuits against 23 wireless telecommunications operators, including TELESP Celular Participações
and its subsidiaries. The lawsuits allege that those operators violated patent No. 9202624-9, related to
Equipamento Controlador
de Chamadas Entrantes e do Terminal do Usuário
, or Caller ID, granted to Lune by the Brazilian Institute of Intellectual
Property, or the INPI, on September 30, 1997. An unfavorable decision was handed down determining that the Company should refrain
from selling mobile phones with Caller ID service, subject to a daily fine of R$10,000 in case of noncompliance. Furthermore, according
to that decision, the Company must pay indemnification for royalties, to be calculated in settlement. Motions for Clarification
were opposed by all parties and Lune’s motions for clarification were accepted since an injunctive relief in this stage of
the proceedings was deemed applicable. A bill of review appeal was filed in view of the current decision which granted a stay of
execution suspending that unfavorable decision until final judgment of the review. A bill of review was filed in view of the sentence
handed down on June 30, 2016, by the 4th Chamber of the Court of Justice of the Federal District, in order to annul the lower court
sentence and remit the proceedings back to the lower court for a new examination. We believe, based on the opinion of outside counsel
that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome with respect to Lune’s claim against us is possible. We are unable to determine
at this time the extent of any potential liabilities with respect to this claim.
|
|
·
|
Validity of Prepaid Plan Minutes
. We and our subsidiaries, together with other Brazilian wireless telecommunications
operators, are defendants in various lawsuits brought by the public prosecutor’s office and consumer protection associations
challenging the imposition of a deadline for the use of purchased prepaid minutes. The plaintiffs allege that purchased prepaid
minutes should not expire after any specified deadline. Conflicting decisions have been issued by the courts reviewing this matter.
Although we believe that our criteria for imposing the deadline is in compliance with ANATEL’s rules, we believe, based on
the opinion of outside counsel, that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome with respect to this claim is possible.
|
Regulatory and Antitrust Litigation
We were involved in several administrative
proceedings relating to alleged breaches of obligations and other judicial proceedings relating to sanctions imposed by ANATEL
at the administrative level. As of December 31, 2016, amounts recorded for those proceedings were R$5.1 billion, of which R$828.9
million are provisioned.
Administrative and legal proceedings discussing
payment of 2% charge on revenue from interconnection services due to the extension of right of use of SMP-related radiofrequencies.
Under clause 1.7 of the Authorization Terms that grant right of use of SMP-related radio frequencies, the extension of right of
use of such frequencies entails payment every two years, during the extension period (15 years), of a 2% charge calculated on net
revenue from the basic and alternative service plans of the service company, determined in the year before that of payment. In
the 15th year, the Company will pay 1% of its prior-year net revenue from the basic and alternative service plans.
However, ANATEL determined that the 2%
charge should be calculated on revenue from service plans and also on revenue from interconnection services and other operating
income, which is not provided for by clause 1.7 of the referred to Authorization Terms.
Considering, based on the provisions of
the Authorization Terms, that revenue from interconnection services should not be included in the calculation of the 2% charge
for radiofrequency use right extension, the Company filed administrative and legal proceedings challenging these charges, based
on ANATEL’s position.
Dividends and Dividend Distribution Policy
Priority and Amount of Preferred Dividends
The Brazilian Corporate Law determines
that the shareholders of a company have the right to receive a minimum percentage of the distributable profits (mandatory dividends)
comprising dividends and/or interest on shareholders’ equity, or distributable amount, of the corporation for each fiscal
year. If such amount is not determined in the bylaws of the company, Brazilian Corporate Law specifies the criteria to determine
the minimum amount of the dividend. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
Moreover, each Brazilian company may issue new preferred shares for public distribution only if one of the following terms applies
to the preferred shares: (i) the right to receive dividends equivalent to at least 25% of the adjusted net profit for the fiscal
year, to be calculated in accordance with Article 202 of the Brazilian Corporate Law as follows: (a) priority in the receipt of
dividends corresponding to at least 3% of the book value per share and (b) the right to an equal share of the profits attributable
to the holders of common shares, after the holders of common shares have received a dividend equal to a minimum of 3% of the book
value per share; or (ii) the right to receive dividends, at least 10% higher than those paid for each common shares; or (iii) tag-along
rights of at least 80% of the price per share paid in the sale of control to be paid by the controlling shareholder and also including
the right to receive dividends at least equal to the dividend paid to common shares.
According to our bylaws, we are required
to distribute as dividends of each fiscal year ending on December 31, to the extent amounts are available, an aggregate amount
equal to at least 25% of adjusted net income as a mandatory dividend. The annual dividend distributed to holders of our preferred
shares is 10% higher than the dividend distributed to our common shareholders.
As per our bylaws,
our board of directors may declare interim dividends based on (i) the accrued profits recorded in our semiannual financial statements;
(ii) the accrued profits recorded in our quarterly financial statements or in our financial statements of shorter periods, provided
that the total amounts of dividends paid up every six months does not exceed the total amount within the capital reserve determined
per article 182 of Brazilian Corporate Law; and (iii) the amount recorded on the profit and loss account or profit reserve account
on our last annual or semiannual financial statements.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, a company
is allowed to withhold payment of the mandatory dividend in respect of common shares and preferred shares if:
|
·
|
management and the fiscal board report to the shareholders meeting that the distribution would be incompatible with the financial
circumstances of the company; and
|
|
·
|
the shareholders ratify this decision at the shareholder’s meeting.
|
If that is the case:
|
·
|
management must forward to the CVM within five days of the shareholders meeting an explanation justifying the decision at the
shareholders meeting; and
|
|
·
|
the profits that were not distributed are to be recorded as a special reserve and, if not absorbed by losses in subsequent
fiscal years, are to be paid as dividends as soon as the company’s financial situation allows.
|
For the purposes of the Brazilian Corporate
Law, net profits are defined as net income after income tax and social contribution for the fiscal year, net of any accumulated
losses from prior fiscal years and any amounts allocated to beneficiary parties’, employees’ and management’s
participation in a company’s profits and subscription bonuses.
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, adjusted
net income is an amount equal to our net income adjusted to reflect allocations to or from (i) legal reserves, and (ii) contingency
reserves for anticipated losses, if any.
At each annual shareholders meeting, the
Board of Directors is required to suggest the allocation of net profits obtained during the preceding fiscal year. Under Brazilian
Corporate Law, we are required to maintain a legal reserve, to which 5% of our net profits must be allocated for each fiscal year,
until the reserve amounts to 20% of our paid-in capital. Net losses, if any, shall be deducted from accumulated profits, profit
reserves and legal reserve, following this order.
Brazilian Corporate Law also provides for
an additional allocation of net profits to special accounts, also to be recommended by management and subject to approval by shareholders
at the annual shareholders meeting, including the amount of net profits that may be allocated to the contingency reserve for anticipated
losses that are deemed probable in future years. Any amount so allocated in a previous year must be either:
|
·
|
reversed in the fiscal year in which the loss was anticipated, if the loss does not in fact occur; or
|
|
·
|
written-off if the anticipated loss occurs.
|
Net profits may also be allocated to the
unrealized income reserve in case the total amount of mandatory dividends exceeds the amount of realized net income. Such allocation
should also be suggested by management and subject to approval by shareholders at the shareholders meeting. For such purpose, realized
income is the balance of net profits exceeding the sum of:
|
·
|
the positive net result of equity adjustment; and
|
|
·
|
earnings, revenues or net profits from transactions or the accounting of assets and liabilities at market value, whose financial
realization term occurs after the end of the next fiscal year.
|
The amounts available for distribution
are determined on the basis of financial statements prepared in accordance with the accounting practices adopted in Brazil.
If the minimum dividend to be paid to the
holders of preferred shares is not paid for the period set forth in our bylaws, which in no event shall be longer than three years,
the holders of preferred shares will be entitled to full voting rights until such dividend is paid in full.
Payment of Dividends
We are required by law and our bylaws to
hold an annual shareholders meeting until April 30 of each year to approve, among other issues, the allocation of net profits obtained
during the preceding fiscal year and the declaration of dividends by decision of common shareholders, acting on the recommendation
of the executive officers, as approved by the Board of Directors. The payment of annual dividends is based on the financial statements
prepared for each fiscal year ending on December 31. Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, dividends are required to be paid within
60 days following the date the dividend is declared to the shareholders of record on the declaration date, unless a resolution
by the shareholders sets forth another date of payment, which must occur before the end of the fiscal year.
A shareholder has a three-year period from
the dividend payment date to claim dividends in respect of its shares, after which any unclaimed dividend distributions legally
revert to us. Because our shares are issued in book-entry form, dividends with respect to any share are credited to the account
holding the share and no action is required on part of the shareholder. We are not required to adjust the amount of paid-in capital
for inflation.
If a shareholder is not a resident of Brazil,
he or she must register with the Central Bank to be eligible to receive dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect
to his or her shares outside of Brazil. Our preferred shares underlying ADSs are held in Brazil by a Brazilian custodian, Citibank
N.A., as the agent for the depositary, which is the registered owner of our shares.
Payments of cash dividends and distributions,
if any, will be made in Brazilian currency to the custodian on behalf of the depositary, which will then convert those proceeds
into U.S. dollars and will provide for U.S. dollars to be delivered to the depositary for distribution to holders of ADSs. If the
custodian is unable to immediately convert the Brazilian currency received as dividends into U.S. dollars, the amount of U.S. dollars
payable to holders of ADSs may be adversely affected by devaluations
of the Brazilian currency that occur before dividends are converted and remitted. Dividends in respect of the preferred shares
paid to resident and non resident shareholders, including holders of ADSs, are not currently subject to Brazilian withholding tax.
Additional Payments on Shareholders’
Equity
Law No. 9,249, dated December 26, 1995,
as amended, provides for distribution to shareholders of interest on shareholders’ equity, which may be computed against
the amount of dividends to be distributed to the shareholders. A company may treat these payments as financial expenses for income
tax and social contribution purposes. Currently, this interest is limited to the daily pro rata variation of the TJLP, a nominal
long-term interest rate determined by the federal government that includes an inflation factor and cannot exceed the greater of:
|
·
|
50% of net income (before deducting income taxes and the interest on shareholders’ equity) for the period in respect
of which the payment is made, or
|
|
·
|
50% of the sum of retained earnings and profit reserves.
|
Currently, any payment of interest in respect
to preferred shares to shareholders (including the holders of ADSs) is subject to Brazilian withholding tax at a rate of 15%, or
25% in the case of a shareholder domiciled in a tax haven, and these payments may be included, at their net value, as part of any
mandatory dividend. If payment of interest on shareholders equity is made for a beneficiary located outside of Brazil, the IOF
tax triggers at a rate of zero. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations—
Distributions of Interest on Capital.”
We declare and pay dividends and/or interest
on shareholders’ equity as required by Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws. The declaration of annual dividends, including
dividends in excess of the mandatory distribution, requires approval by the vote of a majority of the holders of common shares,
and depends on many factors. These factors include our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects
and other factors deemed relevant by shareholders. Our shareholders have historically acted on these matters based on recommendations
by the Board of Directors. Within the context of tax planning, we may determine in the future that it is to our benefit to distribute
interest on shareholders’ equity.
The following table sets forth the dividends
or interest on shareholders’ equity paid to holders of our common and preferred shares since 2012 in
reais
.
Year
|
Description
(Dividends or Interest on Shareholders’ Equity)(1)
|
Common
Shares
|
Preferred
Shares
|
|
(per share/in R$)
|
2016
|
Div/Int
|
1.742031
|
1.916234
|
2015
|
Div/Int
|
3.195401
|
3.514941
|
2014
|
Div/Int
|
2.122786
|
2.335065
|
2013
|
Div/Int
|
3.946735
|
4.341409
|
2012
|
Div/Int
|
3.005230
|
3.305752
|
|
(1)
|
Interest on shareholders’ equity is net of withholding taxes.
|
Dividends and Interest on Shareholders’
Equity
On February 25, 2014,
the Board of Directors of the Company approved the distribution of interim dividends of R$1,043 million, based on the existing
profits in the balance of the fourth quarter of 2013, which the Company paid on March 27, 2014.
On April 23, 2014,
at the General Shareholders Meeting, the shareholders approved the distribution of dividends to the common and preferred shares
in the total amount of R$133 million declared on the basis of the closing balance sheet on December 31, 2013, which the Company
paid on May 27, 2014.
On July 18, 2014,
the Board of Directors approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling
R$298 million, which the Company paid on December 19, 2014.
On August 18, 2014,
the Board of Directors approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling
R$299 million, which the Company paid on December 19, 2014.
On September 19, 2014,
the Board of Directors approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling
R$250 million, which the Company paid on December 19, 2014.
On October 20, 2014,
the Board of Directors approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling
R$306 million, which the Company paid on June 12, 2015.
On November 17, 2014, the Board of Directors
approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling R$463 million, which
the Company paid on June 12, 2015.
On December 18, 2014, the Board of Directors
approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares totaling R$475 million, which
the Company paid on June 12, 2015.
On January 30, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved a payment of dividends for the common and preferred shares totaling R$2,750 million based on the closing balance sheet
on December 31, 2014, paid in two installments. The first installment of R$ 855 million was paid on June 12, 2015 and the second
installment of R$ 1,895 million was paid on December 9, 2015.
On April 9, 2015,
at the General Shareholders Meeting, the shareholders approved the distribution of dividends to the common and preferred shares
in the total amount of R$19 million based on the closing balance sheet on December 31, 2014, which the Company paid on December
9, 2015.
On May 12, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity to common and preferred shares totaling and R$ 515 million. Additionally,
also approved a distribution of interim dividends to common and preferred shares totaling R$270 million, based on the existing
profit in the balance sheet of April 30, 2015, which the Company paid on August 23, 2016.
On July 20, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$221 million, which the Company paid on August 23, 2016.
On August 20, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$237 million, which the Company paid on August 23, 2016.
On September 18, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$147 million, which the Company paid on December 13, 2016.
On October 19, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$88 million, which the Company paid on December 13, 2016.
On November 19, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$235 million, which the Company paid December 13, 2016.
On December 17, 2015, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$303 million, which the Company paid on December 13, 2016.
On February 19, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$200 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on February 29, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s
Directors.
On March 18, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$337 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on March 31, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s
Directors.
On April 18, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$220 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on Abril 29, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s
Directors.
On April 28, 2016, at the General Shareholders
Meeting, the shareholders approved the distribution of dividends to the common and preferred shares in the total amount of R$1,287
million based on the closing balance sheet on December 31, 2015, which the Company paid on December 13, 2016.
On June 17, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$161 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on June 30, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s Directors
On September 19, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$650 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on September 30, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s
Directors.
On December 19, 2016, the Board of Directors
approved, subject to shareholder approval, a payment of interest on shareholders’ equity for the common and preferred shares
totaling R$604 million. The payment will be made to common and preferred shareholders who were registered in the Company’s
books on December 31, 2016, and it will be made by the end of fiscal year 2017, on a date to be determined by the Company’s
Directors.
Interest on shareholders' equity declared
based on Telefônica Brasil's 2016 net profit totaled R$2,172 million. The remaining R$1,914 million were classified as proposed
additional dividends and will be submitted to the approval of the 2017 General Shareholders Meeting of the Company.
None.
|
ITEM 9.
|
THE OFFER AND LISTING
|
|
A.
|
Offer and Listing Details
|
The trading market for our common and preferred
shares is BM&FBOVESPA.
Our preferred shares began trading on BM&FBOVESPA
on September 21, 1998 and are traded on BM&FBOVESPA under the symbol “VIVT4” (formerly TLPP4).” Our common
shares trade under the symbol “VIVT3” (formerly TLPP3). On December 31, 2016, we had approximately 1,691.0 million
common and preferred shares held by approximately 2.3 million common and/or preferred shareholders.
In the United States, the preferred shares
trade in the form of ADRs, each representing one preferred share, issued by Citibank N.A., as depositary, pursuant to a Deposit
Agreement, among us, the depositary and the registered holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs. The ADRs commenced
trading on the NYSE on November 16, 1998 and are traded on NYSE under the symbol “VIV” (formerly TSP). The following
table sets forth the reported high and low closing sales prices for ADRs on the NYSE for the periods indicated.
|
|
NYSE
|
|
BM&FBOVESPA
|
|
BM&FBOVESPA
|
|
|
HIGH
|
|
LOW
|
|
HIGH
|
|
LOW
|
|
HIGH
|
|
LOW
|
|
|
(in US$ per ADS)
|
|
(in
reais
per preferred share)
|
|
(in
reais
per common share)
|
Year ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2012
|
|
|
31.22
|
|
|
|
21.17
|
|
|
|
56.92
|
|
|
|
43.45
|
|
|
|
51.69
|
|
|
|
37.53
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
27.66
|
|
|
|
17.94
|
|
|
|
54.89
|
|
|
|
41.66
|
|
|
|
48.45
|
|
|
|
38.24
|
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
|
22.34
|
|
|
|
16.74
|
|
|
|
52.51
|
|
|
|
42.00
|
|
|
|
43.52
|
|
|
|
36.60
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
20.27
|
|
|
|
8.80
|
|
|
|
54.14
|
|
|
|
35.75
|
|
|
|
44.50
|
|
|
|
30.42
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
15.60
|
|
|
|
7.98
|
|
|
|
50.24
|
|
|
|
32.30
|
|
|
|
40.69
|
|
|
|
28.98
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2015:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
20.27
|
|
|
|
14.69
|
|
|
|
54.14
|
|
|
|
45.67
|
|
|
|
44.50
|
|
|
|
36.15
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
16.81
|
|
|
|
13.47
|
|
|
|
50.00
|
|
|
|
42.00
|
|
|
|
42.00
|
|
|
|
35.20
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
14.31
|
|
|
|
8.80
|
|
|
|
45.13
|
|
|
|
36.14
|
|
|
|
38.67
|
|
|
|
30.50
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
10.95
|
|
|
|
9.01
|
|
|
|
41.60
|
|
|
|
35.75
|
|
|
|
35.00
|
|
|
|
30.42
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2016:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
12.86
|
|
|
|
7.98
|
|
|
|
46.60
|
|
|
|
32.30
|
|
|
|
39.66
|
|
|
|
28.98
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
13.60
|
|
|
|
11.42
|
|
|
|
44.72
|
|
|
|
40.25
|
|
|
|
37.80
|
|
|
|
32.86
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
15.60
|
|
|
|
13.18
|
|
|
|
50.24
|
|
|
|
44.03
|
|
|
|
40.69
|
|
|
|
36.02
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
14.59
|
|
|
|
12.13
|
|
|
|
47.00
|
|
|
|
41.93
|
|
|
|
38.81
|
|
|
|
33.86
|
|
Month ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 30, 2016
|
|
|
15.02
|
|
|
|
14.39
|
|
|
|
49.40
|
|
|
|
45.70
|
|
|
|
40.39
|
|
|
|
38.00
|
|
September 30, 2016
|
|
|
15.60
|
|
|
|
13.81
|
|
|
|
50.24
|
|
|
|
46.15
|
|
|
|
40.69
|
|
|
|
37.01
|
|
October 31, 2016
|
|
|
14.59
|
|
|
|
13.56
|
|
|
|
47.00
|
|
|
|
43.27
|
|
|
|
38.81
|
|
|
|
36.00
|
|
November 30, 2016
|
|
|
14.53
|
|
|
|
12.63
|
|
|
|
46.22
|
|
|
|
42.50
|
|
|
|
38.25
|
|
|
|
33.90
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
|
13.52
|
|
|
|
12.13
|
|
|
|
44.18
|
|
|
|
41.93
|
|
|
|
36.40
|
|
|
|
33.86
|
|
January 31, 2017
|
|
|
14.78
|
|
|
|
13.51
|
|
|
|
46.67
|
|
|
|
43.60
|
|
|
|
38.19
|
|
|
|
34.59
|
|
February 2017 (through February 22)
|
|
|
15.51
|
|
|
|
14.95
|
|
|
|
48.00
|
|
|
|
46.25
|
|
|
|
39.30
|
|
|
|
37.55
|
|
Not applicable.
Regulation of Brazilian Securities Markets
The Brazilian securities market is regulated
and supervised by the CMN (which has general authority over the stock exchanges and securities markets), as provided for by the
Brazilian Securities Exchange Act and Brazilian Corporate Law. The CMN is responsible for supervising the CVM’s activities,
granting licenses to brokerage firms to govern their incorporation and operation, and regulating foreign investment and exchange
transactions, as provided for by the Brazilian Securities Exchange Act and Law No. 4,595 of December 31, 1964, as amended. These
laws and regulations provide for, among other things, disclosure requirements to issuers of securities listed on stock exchanges,
criminal sanctions for insider trading and price manipulation, protection of minority shareholders, the procedures for licensing
and supervising brokerage firms and the governance of Brazilian stock exchanges.
Under Brazilian Corporate Law, a company
is either publicly held and listed, a
companhia aberta
, or privately held and unlisted, a
companhia fechada
. All
listed companies are registered with the CVM and are subject to reporting requirements to periodically disclose information and
material facts. A company registered with the CVM is authorized to trade its securities either on the Brazilian exchange markets,
including the BM&FBOVESPA, or in the Brazilian over-the-counter market. Shares of companies listed on BM&FBOVESPA may not
simultaneously trade on the Brazilian over-the-counter markets. The over-the-counter market consists of direct trades between persons
in which a financial institution registered with the CVM serves as an intermediary. No special application, other than registration
with the CVM (and, in case of organized over-the-counter markets, with the relevant over-the-counter market), is necessary for
securities of a publicly held company to be traded in this market. To be listed on the BM&FBOVESPA, a company must apply for
registration with the BM&FBOVESPA and the CVM.
Trading in securities on the BM&FBOVESPA
may be suspended under a request from a company in anticipation of a material announcement. Trading in the securities of a particular
company may also be suspended under the initiative of BM&FBOVESPA or the CVM, among other reasons, due to the belief that the
company has provided inadequate information regarding a material event or has provided inadequate responses to inquiries by the
CVM or the BM&FBOVESPA.
Trading on the BM&FBOVESPA
BM&FBOVESPA is a Brazilian publicly
held company formed in 2008 through the integration between the São Paulo Stock Exchange (
Bolsa de Valores de São
Paulo
) and the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange (
Bolsa de Mercadorias & Futuros
). BM&FBOVESPA is one
of the largest exchanges in the world in market capitalization, the second in the Americas and the leader in Latin America.
Trading on the exchange is conducted by
authorized members. Trading sessions take place every business day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
during daylight savings time in Brazil, on an electronic trading system called Megabolsa. Trading is also conducted between 6:00
p.m. and 7:30 p.m., or between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. during daylight savings time in Brazil, in an after-market system connected
to both traditional brokerage firms and brokerage firms operating on the Internet. This after-market trading is subject to regulatory
limits on price volatility of securities traded by investors operating on the Internet.
To better control the excess of volatility
in market conditions, BM&FBOVESPA has adopted a “circuit breaker” system pursuant to which trading sessions may
be suspended for a period of 30 minutes or one hour whenever the indices of these stock exchanges fall below the limits of 10%
and 15%, respectively, compared to the index at the close of trading of the previous trading day. In the event the stock exchange
index falls below the limit of 20% in comparison to the previous trading day, BM&FBOVESPA may determine the suspension of trading
sessions for a certain period to be defined at its sole discretion.
On December 31, 2016, the aggregate market
capitalization of the 349 companies listed on BM&FBOVESPA was approximately US$757 billion. Although all the outstanding shares
of an exchange-listed company may trade on a Brazilian stock exchange, in most cases, less than half of the listed shares are actually
available for trading by the public, the remainder being held by small groups of controlling entities or persons that rarely trade
their shares. For this reason, data showing the total market capitalization of Brazilian stock exchanges tends to overstate the
liquidity of the Brazilian equity securities market.
Corporate Governance Practices
We are a
sociedade anônima
,
a corporation incorporated under the laws of Brazil, and are subject to the corporate governance provisions of the Brazilian Corporate
Law. We comply with the regulatory requirements of the Brazilian Corporate Law regarding the independence of our Board of Directors,
the establishment and composition of certain board committees and the adoption and disclosure of corporate governance guidelines.
We comply with several requirements of
Brazilian and international laws to promote strong corporate governance, reduce investor uncertainties and enhance disclosure of
material and other information.
With the approval of our Board of Directors
and/or Officers, we implemented several measures over the last few years designed to improve our transparency and disclosure practices.
We believe these measures will benefit our shareholders, and current and future investors as well as the marketplace in general.
Among the measures we have implemented, we have:
|
·
|
created a disclosure policy for material facts and corporate actions
(Política de Divulgação de Ato
e Fato Relevante)
;
|
|
·
|
created a policy for internal controls related to financial information (
Normativa sobre Registro, Comunicação
e Controle de Informação Financeiro-Contábil
);
|
|
·
|
created the Service Quality and Marketing Committee;
|
|
·
|
created the Control and Audit Committee;
|
|
·
|
created the Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee;
|
|
·
|
created the Strategy Committee;
|
|
·
|
created a procedure to receive and deal with reports of accounting and auditing fraud within the company (
Canal de Denúncias
);
|
|
·
|
created a policy for prior approval of contracting audit services (
Normativa sobre Aprovação Prévia
de Serviços a serem Prestados pelo Auditor Externo
);
|
|
·
|
created an internal rule of conduct relating to the securities market
(Regulamento Interno de Conduta em matérias
relativas ao Mercado de Valores Mobiliários)
;
|
|
·
|
created an Ethics Code in respect of handling financial information
(Normas de Conduta para Financeiros)
;
|
|
·
|
created a policy regarding communication of information to the securities market
(Normativa sobre Comunicação
de Informação aos Mercados)
; and
|
|
·
|
created a policy regarding the prevention and fight against corruption (
Diretrizes de Prevenção e Combate
à Corrupção
).
|
As determined by the Brazilian Corporate
Law, the annual cap for the aggregate compensation of the statutory Board of Directors and Board of Executive Officers is approved
by our shareholders at a shareholders meeting. The Nominations, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee provides information
and recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the criterion for compensation.
Our policy relating to insider trading
is determined pursuant to our internal rules in accordance with corporate law. Senior management and members of our Board of Directors
and any other employee exposed to sensitive information are subject to the restrictions imposed by such rules. In addition to the
prohibition on trading of our shares by such individuals when in possession of insider information, the rules establish blackout
trading periods for those periods when insider information is available. As an example, the rules determine that any shares acquired
shall be kept for a period of six months from the date of acquisition, and the first day of the month preceding the publication
of our annual or quarterly financial statements by our Board of Directors is a start date for the blackout period under the policy.
In addition, the charter sets forth instructions for dealing with conflicts of interest and mandates disclosure of any such situation.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Although adoption of a code of ethics is
not required by Brazilian Corporate Law, we implemented a code of ethics regulating the conduct of our managers in connection with
the registration and control of financial and accounting information and their access to privileged and nonpublic information and
data to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and NYSE rules. See “Item 16B. Code of Ethics.”
In addition to complying with the rules
of corporate governance applicable to us under Brazilian law, we intend to gradually comply with substantially all of the new rules
established by the NYSE and the SEC applicable to domestic U.S. companies that are qualified as controlled companies under NYSE
rules.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 10.
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
|
Not applicable.
|
B.
|
Memorandum and Articles of Association
|
The following information describes our
common shares and preferred shares and provisions of our bylaws and of the Brazilian Corporate Law. This description is only a
summary. You should read and refer to our bylaws (
estatuto social
) included as Exhibit 1.1 hereto.
Description of Our Bylaws
The following is a summary of the material
provisions of our bylaws and of the Brazilian Corporate Law. In Brazil, a company’s bylaws (
estatuto social
) are the
principal governing document of a corporation (
sociedade por ações
).
General
We are registered with the Board of Trade
of São Paulo (
Junta Comercial de São Paulo
), or JUCESP, under No. 35.3.001588-14. We have been duly registered
with the CVM under No. 17671 since August 19, 1998. Our headquarters are located in the city of São Paulo, state of São
Paulo, Brazil. Our company has an undetermined period of existence.
As of December 31, 2016, we had outstanding
share capital of R$63,571,415,865.09, comprised of 1,690,984,923 total shares, consisting of 571,644,217 issued common shares and
1,119,340,706 issued preferred shares. All of our outstanding share capital is fully paid. All of our shares are without par value.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, and in accordance with Law 10,303/01 considering that we were a publicly held company before
2001, the aggregate number of our non-voting and limited voting preferred shares may not exceed two thirds of our total outstanding
share capital. In addition, our board of directors may increase our share capital up to 1,850,000,000 common or preferred shares
without amendment to our bylaws. Any increase of our share capital above that limit must be approved by a general extraordinary
shareholders meeting.
As of December 31, 2016, 2,290,164 common
shares were held by us (treasury shares) at a book value per share of R$41.00. As of December 31, 2016, 339 preferred shares were
held by us (treasury shares) at a book value per share of R$41.00. As of the date of this annual report, there are no persons to
whom any capital of company or any of our subsidiaries is under option or agreed conditionally or unconditionally to be put under
option.
History of Share Capital
At a meeting held on March 25, 2015, the
Board of Directors approved unanimously the realization of a Public Offering for the Primary Distribution of Common and Preferred
Shares issued by the Company, all registered shares, without par value, free and clear of any liens or encumbrances, including
in the form of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), represented by American Depositary Receipts, held simultaneously
in Brazil and abroad, through a capital increase of the Company.
The capital increase was approved by the
Board of Directors’ meeting held on April 27, 2015, amounting to R$15.8 billion, increasing the Company’s share capital
from R$37.8 billion to R$53.6 billion through the issuance of 121,711,240 common shares, at an issue price of R$38.47 per unit,
and 236,803,588 preferred shares, at an issue price of R$47.00 per unit. Common shares, preferred shares and ADSs issued as a result
of this capital increase confer to their holders, as of April 28, 2015, date of disclosure of the Global Offering announcement
of commencement, the same rights assigned respectively to the holders of common shares, preferred shares and ADSs, currently outstanding,
under the Company’s Bylaws and the Brazilian Law of Corporations, fully participating in dividends and other distributions
declared from the date of publication of the Global Offering announcement of commencement.
The issue price of R$47.00 per preferred
share was determined after the completion of the bookbuilding process, in accordance with Article 23, paragraph 1, and Article
44 of CVM Instruction 400, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 170, paragraph 1, item III, of Law 6,404 of December
15, 1976, as amended. The issue price of R$38.47 per common share was determined based on the price per preferred share determined
after the completion of the bookbuilding process, applying a discount of 18.14%, which represents the average price discount trading
of the common shares issued by the Company in relation to the trading price of the preferred shares issued by the Company in the
three months prior to March 26, 2015.
In addition, at a meeting held on April
30, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a second capital increase in connection with the Public Offering for the Primary Distribution
of Shares, due to the exercise, by the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banco Múltiplo S.A., of the option of over
-
allotment
of shares that was granted by the Company through the Coordination, Placement and Firm Guarantee of Settlement of Common and Preferred
Shares Issued by Telefônica Brasil S.A., in accordance with Article 24 of CVM Instruction 400, of December 29, 2003, as amended,
to meet the excess demand verified during the Offering. The Company’s share capital was increased in the amount of R$295.3
million, through the issuance of 6,282,660 preferred shares at the issue price of R$ 47.00 per unit, increasing the share capital
of the Company to R$53.9 billion, represented by 503,046,911 common shares and 985,019,821 preferred shares.
Finally, on May 28, 2015, the General Shareholders’
Meeting approved the merger of shares issued by GVT Participações (“GVTPar”) by the Company and its implementation,
with the conversion of GVTPar in a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the consequent increase in the Company’s capital
in the amount of R$9.7 billion through the issue of 68,597,306 common shares and 134,320,885 preferred shares, all without par
value, increasing the share capital of the Company to R$63.6 billion, as it stands at the date of this report.
Corporate Purposes
Under Article 2 of our bylaws, our corporate
purposes are:
|
·
|
to offer telecommunications services and all activities required or useful for the operation of these services, in conformity
with our concessions, authorizations and permits;
|
|
·
|
to participate in the capital of other companies whose business purpose is also related to the telecommunication industry in
Brazil;
|
|
·
|
to organize wholly owned subsidiaries for the performance of activities that are consistent with our corporate purposes and
recommended to be decentralized;
|
|
·
|
to import, or promote the importation of, goods and services that are necessary to the performance of activities consistent
with our corporate purposes;
|
|
·
|
to provide technical assistance services to other telecommunications companies engaging in activities of common interest;
|
|
·
|
to perform study and research activities aimed at the development of the telecommunications sector;
|
|
·
|
to enter into contracts and agreements with other telecommunications companies or other persons or entities to assure the operations
of our services, with no loss of its attributions and responsibilities;
|
|
·
|
to perform other activities related to those assigned by the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (
Agência
Nacional de Telecomunicações
), or ANATEL; and
|
|
·
|
to commercialize equipment and materials necessary or useful to telecommunications services.
|
Board of Directors
Under our bylaws, any matters subject to
the approval of our board of directors (
conselho de administração
) can be approved only by an absolute majority
of votes of the present members of our board of directors with a majority of members currently in office. Under our bylaws, our
board of directors may only deliberate if a majority of its members are present at a duly convened meeting.
Election of Directors
The members of our board of directors are
elected at general meetings of shareholders for concurrent three-year (3) terms. The tenure of the members of the board of directors
and of the Board of Executive Officers will be conditioned on such members signing the respective instrument and complying with
applicable legal requirements.
Qualification of Directors
Brazilian Corporate Law no longer requires
ownership of shares in order for a person to qualify as a member of the board of directors of a corporation. The Brazilian Corporate
Law requires each of our executive officers to be residents of Brazil. Members of our board of directors are not required to be
residents of Brazil; however, their tenure is conditioned on the appointment of a representative who resides in Brazil with powers
to receive service of process in proceedings initiated against such member based on the corporate legislation, by means of a power-of-attorney
valid for at least three years after the termination of the term of such director.
Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest
All members of our board of directors owe
fiduciary duties to us and all of our shareholders.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, if one
of our directors or one of our executive officers has a conflict of interest with our company in connection with any proposed transaction,
such director or executive officer may not vote in any decision of our board of directors or of our board of executive officers,
as the case may be, regarding such transaction and must disclose the nature and extent of his conflicting interest for inclusion
in the minutes of the applicable meeting.
Any transaction in which one of our directors
or executive officers may have an interest can only be approved on reasonable and fair terms and conditions that are no more favorable
than the terms and conditions prevailing in the market or offered by third parties. If any such transaction does not meet this
requirement, then the Brazilian Corporate Law provides that the transaction may be nullified and the interested director or executive
officer must return to us any benefits or other advantages that he obtained from, or as result of, such transaction. Under the
Brazilian Corporate Law and upon the request of a shareholder who owns at least 5.0% of our total share capital, our directors
and executive officers must disclose to our shareholders at an ordinary meeting of our shareholders certain transactions and circumstances
that may give rise to a conflict of interest. In addition, our company (through the approval of the majority of our share capital)
or shareholders who own 5.0% or more of our share capital may bring an action for civil liability against directors and executive
officers for any losses caused to us as a result of a conflict of interest.
Compensation
Under our bylaws, our common shareholders
approve the annual cap for aggregate compensation payable to our directors, executive officers and members of our fiscal council.
Subject to this approval, our board of directors establishes the compensation of its members and of our executive officers.
Mandatory Retirement
Neither the Brazilian Corporate Law nor
our bylaws establish any mandatory retirement age for our directors or executive officers.
Share Capital
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, since
October 2001, as per Law 10,303, the number of issued and outstanding non-voting shares or shares with limited voting rights, such
as our preferred shares, may not exceed fifty percent of our total outstanding share capital,
and not two thirds. However, according to the same law, companies that were already incorporated before said law went into effect
were permitted to maintain the previous requirements. Therefore, in accordance with Law 10,303/01, considering that we were a publicly
held company incorporated before 2001, the number of our issued and outstanding non-voting shares or shares with limited voting
rights, such as our preferred shares, may not exceed two thirds of our total outstanding share capital.
Each of our common shares entitles its
holder to one vote at our annual and extraordinary shareholders’ meetings. Holders of our common shares are not entitled
to any preference in respect of our dividends or other distributions or otherwise in case of our liquidation.
Our preferred shares are non-voting, except
in limited circumstances. They are given priority in the reimbursement of capital, without premium, and are entitled to receive
a dividend 10% higher than that attributable to common shares. See “—Voting Rights” for information regarding
the voting rights of our preferred shares and “—Dividends—Dividend Preference of Preferred Shares” for
information regarding the distribution preferences of our preferred shares.
Shareholders’ Meetings
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, we must
hold an annual shareholders’ meeting until April 30 of each year in order to:
|
·
|
approve or reject the financial statements approved by our board of directors, including any recommendation by our board of
directors for the allocation of net profit and distribution of dividends;
|
|
·
|
elect members of our board of directors (upon expiration of their three-year terms) and members of our fiscal council, subject
to the right of preferred shareholders and minority common shareholders to elect members of our board of directors and our fiscal
council; and
|
|
·
|
approve the monetary adjustment of our share capital.
|
In addition to the annual shareholders’
meetings, holders of our common shares have the power to determine any matters related to changes in our corporate purposes and
to pass any resolutions they deem necessary to protect and enhance our development whenever our interests so require, by means
of extraordinary shareholders’ meetings.
We convene our shareholders’ meetings,
including our annual shareholders’ meeting, by publishing a notice in two Brazilian newspapers (the State official gazette
and a major newspaper). On the first call of any meeting, the notice must be published no fewer than three times, beginning at
least 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting date. On the second call of any meeting, the notice must be published no
fewer than three times, beginning at least 8 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting date. For meetings involving deliberations
described under article 136 of the Brazilian Corporate Law, the notice must be published at least 30 calendar days prior to the
scheduled meeting date and on the second call at least 10 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting date. The notice must contain
the meeting’s place, date, time, agenda and, in the case of a proposed amendment to our bylaws, a description of the subject
matter of the proposed amendment.
Our board of directors may convene a shareholders’
meeting. Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders’ meetings also may be convened by our shareholders as follows:
|
·
|
by any of our shareholders if, under certain circumstances set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law, our directors do not convene
a shareholders’ meeting required by law within 60 days;
|
|
·
|
by shareholders holding at least 5% of our total share capital if, after a period of 8 days, our directors fail to call a shareholders’
meeting that has been requested by such shareholders by means of a duly reasoned request that indicates the subject matter; and
|
|
·
|
by shareholders holding at least 5% of either our total voting share capital or our total non-voting share capital, if after
a period of 8 days, our directors fail to call a shareholders’ meeting for the purpose of appointing a fiscal council that
has been requested by such shareholders.
|
In addition, our fiscal council may convene
an ordinary shareholders’ meeting if our board of directors does not convene an annual shareholders’ meeting within
30 days or an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting at any other time to consider any urgent and serious matters.
Each shareholders’ meeting is presided
over by the president of the board of directors, who is responsible for choosing a secretary of the meeting. In case of absence
of the president of the board of directors at the shareholders’ meeting, the shareholders may choose, among those present,
the president and the secretary of the meeting. A shareholder may be represented at a shareholders’ meeting by an attorney-in-fact
appointed by the shareholder less than one year before the meeting. The attorney-in-fact must be a shareholder, a member of our
board of directors, a member of our board of executive officers, a lawyer or a financial institution, and the power of attorney
appointing the attorney-in-fact must comply with certain formalities set forth under Brazilian law. To be admitted to a shareholders’
meeting, a person must produce proof of his or her shareholder status or a valid power of attorney.
In order to convene a shareholders’
meeting, shareholders representing at least 25% of our issued voting share capital must be present on first call. However, shareholders
representing at least two thirds of our issued voting share capital must be present at a shareholders’ meeting called to
amend our bylaws. If a quorum is not met, our board of directors may issue a second call by publishing a notice as described above
at least 8 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the quorum requirements do not apply
to a meeting held on the second call, and the shareholders’ meetings may be convened with the presence of shareholders representing
any number of shares (subject to the voting requirements for certain matters described below). A shareholder without a right to
vote may attend a shareholders’ meeting and take part in the discussion of matters submitted for consideration.
Voting Rights
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law and our
bylaws, each of our common shares entitles its holder to one vote at our shareholders’ meetings. Our preferred shares generally
do not confer voting rights, except in limited circumstances described below. Holders of preferred shares are only entitled to
attend and to discuss, but not to vote on, the issues discussed at our general shareholders’ meetings. Whenever the shares
of any class are entitled to vote, each share is entitled to one vote.
Voting Rights of Common Shares
Except as otherwise provided by law, resolutions
of a shareholders’ meeting are passed by a simple majority vote of the holders of our common shares present or represented
at the meeting, without taking abstentions into account. Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the approval of shareholders representing
at least half of our voting shares is required for the types of action described below:
|
·
|
creating preferred shares or disproportionately increasing an existing class of our preferred shares relative to the other
classes of our preferred shares, other than to the extent permitted by our bylaws;
|
|
·
|
changing a priority, preference, right, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization of any class of our preferred
shares or creating a new class of preferred shares that has a priority, preference, right, condition or redemption or amortization
superior to an existing class of our preferred shares;
|
|
·
|
reducing the mandatory dividend set forth in our bylaws;
|
|
·
|
changing our corporate purpose;
|
|
·
|
merging our company with another company, or consolidating our company, subject to the conditions set forth in the Brazilian
Corporate Law;
|
|
·
|
transferring all of our shares to another company, known as an “
incorporação de ações
”
under the Brazilian Corporate Law;
|
|
·
|
participating in a centralized group of companies (
grupo de sociedades
) as defined under the Brazilian Corporate Law
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law;
|
|
·
|
dissolving or liquidating our company or canceling any ongoing liquidation of our company; and
|
|
·
|
spinning-off of all or any part of our company.
|
Decisions on the transformation of our
company into another form of company require the unanimous approval of our shareholders, including the holders of our preferred
shares.
Our company is required to give effect
to shareholders agreements that contain provisions regarding the purchase or sale of our shares, preemptive rights to acquire our
shares, the exercise of the right to vote or the power to control our company, if these agreements are filed with our headquarters.
Brazilian Corporate Law requires the president of any shareholder or board of directors meeting to disregard any vote taken by
any of the parties to any shareholders agreement that has been duly filed with our company that violates the provisions of any
such agreement. In the event that a shareholder that is party to a shareholders agreement (or a director appointed by such shareholder)
is absent from any shareholders’ or board of directors’ meeting or abstains from voting, the other party or parties
to that shareholders agreement have the right to vote the shares of the absent or abstaining shareholder (or on behalf of the absent
director) in compliance with that shareholders agreement.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, neither
our bylaws nor actions taken at a shareholders’ meeting may deprive any of our shareholders of certain specific rights, including:
|
·
|
the right to participate in the distribution of our profits;
|
|
·
|
the right to participate in any remaining residual assets in the event of our liquidation;
|
|
·
|
the right to supervise the management of our corporate business as specified in the Brazilian Corporate Law;
|
|
·
|
the right to preemptive rights in the event of an issuance of our shares, debentures convertible into our shares or subscription
bonuses, except with respect to a public offering of our securities; and
|
|
·
|
the right to withdraw from our company under the circumstances specified in the Brazilian Corporate Law.
|
Voting Rights of Minority Shareholders
Shareholders holding shares representing
not less than 5% of our voting shares at our shareholders’ meeting have the right to request that we adopt a cumulative voting
procedure to elect the members of the board of directors. This procedure must be requested by the required number of shareholders
at least 48 hours prior to a shareholders’ meeting.
Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, shareholders
that are not controlling shareholders, but that together hold either:
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non-voting preferred shares representing at least 10% of our total share capital; or
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common shares representing at least 15% of our voting capital have the right to appoint one member to our board of directors
at our shareholders’ meeting. If no group of our common or preferred shareholders meets the thresholds described above, shareholders
holding preferred shares or common shares representing at least 10% of our total share capital are entitled to combine their holdings
to appoint one member to our board of directors.
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In the event that minority holders of common
shares and/or holders of non-voting preferred shares elect a director and the cumulative voting procedures described above are
also used, our controlling shareholders always retain the right to elect at least one member more than the number of members elected
by the other shareholders, regardless of the total number of members of our board of directors.
The shareholders seeking to exercise these
minority rights must prove that they have held their shares for not less than three (3) months preceding the shareholders’
meeting at which the director will be appointed. Brazilian Corporate Law provides that any directors appointed by the non−controlling
shareholders have the right to veto for cause the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.
In accordance with the Brazilian Corporate
Law, the holders of preferred shares without voting rights or with restricted voting rights are entitled to elect one member and
an alternate to our fiscal council in a separate election. Minority shareholders have the same right as long as they jointly represent
10% or more of the voting shares. The other shareholders with the right to vote may elect the remaining members and alternates,
who, in any event, must outnumber the directors and alternates elected
by the holders of the non-voting preferred shares and the minority shareholders.
Voting Rights of Preferred Shares
The appointment of one member of our statutory
fiscal council takes places at the annual ordinary general shareholders’ meeting, upon separate vote of the holders of preferred
shares, for the position available at the fiscal council. The election of a member of the board of directors by preferred shareholders
also occurs on a separate vote, with no participation of the controlling shareholder.
Brazilian Corporate Law provides that certain
non-voting shares, such as our preferred shares, shall be entitled to voting rights in the event a corporation fails for three
consecutive fiscal years to pay any fixed or minimum dividends to which non-voting shares are entitled. In this case, the voting
rights shall extend to these shares until the date on which the accrued and unpaid dividend is finally paid.
Preferred shares are entitled to full voting
rights with respect to:
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the election of one member to the board of directors and fiscal council in a separate voting;
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amendments to our bylaw to suppress preferred shareholders’ voting right to select new Board members in a separate voting;
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any agreements for the rendering of management services (including technical assistance services) between us and any foreign
entity related to our controlling shareholder;
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any agreements with related parties, in which the terms and conditions established are more onerous to our company than those
normally adopted by the market in agreements of the same type;
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resolutions amending or revoking article 9, sole paragraph of Article 11, and article 30 of our bylaws; and
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any resolution submitted to the general shareholders meeting during our liquidation process.
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Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, the
following actions require ratification by the majority of issued and outstanding shares of the affected class within one year from
the shareholders’ meeting at which the common shareholders approve the action:
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the creation of preferred shares or a disproportionate increase of an existing class of our preferred shares relative to the
other classes of our preferred shares, other than to the extent permitted by our bylaws;
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a change of a priority, preference, right, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization of any class of our preferred
shares; or
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the creation of a new class of preferred shares that has a priority, preference, right, condition or redemption or amortization
superior to an existing class of our preferred shares.
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This meeting would be called by publication
of a notice in two Brazilian newspapers during three days, at least 30 days before the meeting. However, it would not generally
require any other form of notice.
Liquidation
We may be liquidated in accordance with
the provisions of Brazilian law. In the event of our extrajudicial liquidation, a shareholders’ meeting will determine the
manner of our liquidation, appoint our liquidator and our fiscal council that will function during the liquidation period.
Upon our liquidation, our preferred shares
will be given preference in the reimbursement of capital, without premium.
Preemptive Rights
Each shareholder has a general preemptive
right to subscribe for shares of the same class in any capital increase, in an amount sufficient to keep the same proportional
participation of such shareholder in the total capital of the corporation. A minimum period of 30 days following
the publication of the capital increase notice shall be observed by the corporation for the exercise of the preemptive right by
the shareholder. The right of participation in capital increases is assignable under Brazilian Corporate Law. In the event of a
capital increase that would maintain or increase the proportion of capital represented by preferred shares, holders of ADSs, or
of preferred shares, would have the preemptive right to subscribe only to our newly issued preferred shares. In the event of a
capital increase that would reduce the proportion of capital represented by preferred shares, holders of ADSs, or of preferred
shares, would have the preemptive right to subscribe to our newly issued preferred shares in proportion to their shareholdings
and to our newly issued common shares only to the extent necessary to prevent dilution of their interest.
However, holders of our ADSs may not be
able to exercise the preemptive rights relating to our shares underlying their ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities
Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.
We are not obligated to file a registration statement with respect to the shares relating to these preemptive rights or to take
any other action to make preemptive rights available to holders of our ADSs, and we may not file any such registration statement.
In addition, a publicly held company whose
bylaws allow for capital increases may provide for the issuance of stock, debentures convertible into stock or subscription bonuses
without granting any preemptive rights to prior shareholders or by decreasing the term for the shareholders to exercise their preemptive
rights, as long as the placement of such securities is made:
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upon sale on a stock exchange or public subscription;
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through an exchange of shares in a public offering, with the purpose of acquiring control of another company; or
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for the use of certain tax incentives but only when such placement is made without granting preemptive rights.
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Redemption, Amortization, Tender Offers
and Rights of Withdrawal
Our bylaws or our shareholders at a shareholders’
meeting may authorize us to use our profits or reserves to redeem or amortize our shares in accordance with conditions and procedures
established for such redemption or amortization. The Brazilian Corporate Law defines “redemption” (
resgate de ações
)
as the payment of the value of the shares in order to permanently remove such shares from circulation, with or without a corresponding
reduction of our share capital. The Brazilian Corporate Law defines “amortization” (
amortização
)
as the distribution to the shareholders, without a corresponding capital reduction, of amounts that they would otherwise receive
if we were liquidated. If an amortization distribution has been paid prior to our liquidation, then upon our liquidation, the shareholders
who did not receive an amortization distribution will have a preference equal to the amount of the amortization distribution in
the distribution of our capital.
The Brazilian Corporate Law authorizes
us to redeem shares not held by our controlling shareholders, if, after a tender offer effected as a consequence of delisting or
a substantial reduction in the liquidity of our shares, our controlling shareholders increase their participation in our total
share capital to more than 95%. The redemption price in such case would be the same price paid for our shares in any such tender
offer.
The Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws
also require the acquirer of control (in case of a change of control) or the controller (in case of delisting or a substantial
reduction in liquidity of our shares) to make a tender offer for the acquisition of the shares held by minority shareholders under
certain circumstances described below under “—Mandatory Tender Offers.” The shareholder can also withdraw its
capital from our company under certain circumstances described below under “—Rights of Withdrawal.”
Mandatory Tender Offers
The Brazilian Corporate Law requires the
launching of a tender offer at a purchase price equal to fair value for all outstanding shares in order to cancel the registration
of our company as a publicly held company or in case of a substantial reduction in the liquidity of our shares as a result of purchases
by our controlling shareholders.
If our controlling shareholders enter into
a transaction which results in a change of control of our company, the controlling shareholders must include in the documentation
of the transaction an obligation of the acquirer to launch a tender offer for the purchase of all our common shares for, at least,
80% of the price per share paid to the controlling shareholders. The tender offer must be submitted to the CVM within 30 days from
the date of execution of the definitive documents of sale of the shares.
Rights of Withdrawal
The Brazilian Corporate Law provides that,
in certain limited circumstances, a dissenting shareholder may withdraw its equity interest from our company and be reimbursed
by us for the value of our common or preferred shares that it then holds.
This right of withdrawal may be exercised
by dissenting shareholders in the event that the holders of shares with voting rights authorize:
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(i)
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creating preferred shares or disproportionately increasing an existing class of our preferred shares relative to the other
classes of our preferred shares, other than to the extent permitted by our bylaws;
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(ii)
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changing a priority, preference, right, privilege or condition of redemption or amortization of any class of our preferred
shares or creating a new class of preferred shares that has a priority, preference, right, condition or redemption or amortization
superior to an existing class of our preferred shares;
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(iii)
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reducing the mandatory dividend set forth in our bylaws;
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(iv)
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a change in our corporate purpose;
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(v)
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merging our company with another company, or consolidating our company, subject to the conditions set forth in the Brazilian
Corporate Law;
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(vi)
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transferring all of our shares to another company,
known as an “
incorporação de ações
” under the Brazilian Corporate Law;
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(vii)
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participating in a centralized group of companies (
grupo de sociedades
) as defined under the Brazilian Corporate Law
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Brazilian Corporate Law;
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(viii)
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dissolving or liquidating our company or canceling
any ongoing liquidation of our company; and
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(ix)
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spinning-off of all or any part of our company
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In addition, we note that:
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in items (i) and (ii), only the holders of shares of the affected type or class will be entitled to redemption;
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in items (v) and (vii), the holders of shares of a type or class with liquidity and dispersion in the market will not have
the right to redemption; and
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in item (ix), the dissenting shareholders shall only have a right of redemption if the spinning off implies in: (1) a change
in the corporate purpose (except if the spun-off assets revert to a company whose main purpose is the same as ours), (2) a reduction
of the mandatory dividend, or (3) participation in a group of companies.
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Dissenting shareholders are also entitled
to withdraw in the event that the entity resulting from a merger or spin-off does not have its shares listed in an exchange or
traded in the secondary market within 120 days from the shareholders’ meeting that approved the relevant merger or spin-off.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event
that we are consolidated or merged with another company, become part of a centralized group of companies, or acquire the control
of another company for a price in excess of certain limits imposed by the Brazilian Corporate Law, holders of any type or class
of our shares or the shares of the resulting entity that have minimal market liquidity and are dispersed among a sufficient number
of shareholders will not have the right to withdraw. For this purpose, shares that are part of general indices representative of
portfolios of securities traded in Brazil or abroad are
considered liquid, and sufficient dispersion will exist if the controlling shareholder, the parent company or other companies under
its control hold less than half of the total number of outstanding shares of that type or class.
Only shareholders who own shares on the
date of publication of the first notice convening the relevant shareholders’ meeting or the press release concerning the
relevant transaction is published, whichever is earlier, will be entitled to withdrawal rights.
The redemption of shares arising out of
the exercise of any withdrawal rights would be made at the book value per share, determined on the basis of our most recent audited
balance sheet approved by our shareholders. If the shareholders’ meeting approving the action that gave rise to withdrawal
rights occurred more than 60 days after the date of the most recent approved audited balance sheet, a shareholder may demand that
its shares be valued on the basis of a balance sheet prepared specifically for this purpose.
The right of withdrawal lapses 30 days
after the date of publication of the minutes of the shareholders’ meeting that approved the action that gave rise to withdrawal
rights. Within ten days following the expiration of the term to exercise the withdrawal rights mentioned above, the company may
call a Shareholders’ Meeting to confirm or reconsider any resolution giving rise to withdrawal if we believe that the withdrawal
of shares of dissenting shareholders would jeopardize its financial stability.
Liability of Our Shareholders for Further
Capital Calls
Neither Brazilian law nor our bylaws require
any capital calls. Our shareholders’ liability for capital calls is limited to the payment of the issue price of any shares
subscribed or acquired.
Inspection of Corporate Records
Shareholders that own 5% or more of our
outstanding share capital have the right to inspect our corporate records, including shareholders’ lists, corporate minutes,
financial records and other documents of our company, if (1) we or any of our officers or directors have committed any act contrary
to Brazilian law or our bylaws, or (2) there are grounds to suspect that there are material irregularities in our company. However,
in either case, the shareholder that desires to inspect our corporate records must obtain a court order authorizing the inspection.
Disclosures of Share Ownership
Brazilian regulations require that (1)
each of our controlling shareholders, directly or indirectly, (2) shareholders who have elected members of our board of directors
or fiscal council, and (3) any person or group of persons representing a person that has directly or indirectly acquired or sold
a material interest in our shares of any type and class disclose its or their share ownership or divestment to us, and we are responsible
for transmitting such information to the CVM and the market. In addition, if a share acquisition results in, or is made with the
intention of, change of control or company’s management structure, as well as acquisitions that cause the obligation of performing
a tender offer, the persons acquiring such number of shares are required to publish a statement containing certain required information
about such acquisition.
CVM defines a “material interest”
deal as any increase or decrease in share ownership of any class resulting in a change in the
ownership levels
of our shareholders.
The ownership levels are set in 5% increments (for example, an acquisition where the total ownership of a shareholder jumps from
9% to 11% should be reported since it made the ownership surpass the 10% level). Ownership levels are calculated adding direct
and indirect ownership and derivatives based upon our shares.
Our controlling shareholders, shareholders
that appoint members of our board of directors or fiscal council and members of our board of directors, board of executive officers
or fiscal council must file a statement of any change in their holdings of our shares with the CVM and the Brazilian stock exchanges
on which our securities are traded.
Form and Transfer
Our preferred shares and common
shares are in book-entry form, registered in the name of each shareholder or its nominee. The transfer of our shares is
governed by Article 35 of the Brazilian Corporate Law, which provides that a transfer of shares is effected by our transfer
agent by an entry made by the transfer agent in its books, upon presentation of valid written share transfer instructions to
us by a transferor or its representative. When preferred shares or common shares are acquired or sold on a Brazilian stock
exchange, the transfer is effected on the records of our transfer agent by a representative of a brokerage firm or the stock
exchange’s clearing system. The transfer agent also performs all the services of safe-keeping of our shares. Transfers
of our shares by a non-Brazilian investor are made in the same manner and are executed on the investor’s behalf by the
investor’s local agent. If the original investment was registered with the Central Bank pursuant to foreign investment
regulations, the non-Brazilian investor is also required to amend, if necessary, through its local agent, the electronic
certificate of registration to reflect the new ownership.
The BM&FBOVESPA operates a central
clearing system. A holder of our shares may choose, at its discretion, to participate in this system, and all shares that such
shareholder elects to be put into the clearing system are deposited in custody with the clearing and settlement chamber of the
BM&FBOVESPA (through a Brazilian institution that is duly authorized to operate by the Central Bank and maintains a clearing
account with the clearing and settlement chamber of the BM&FBOVESPA). Shares subject to the custody of the clearing and settlement
chamber of the BM&FBOVESPA are noted as such in our registry of shareholders. Each participating shareholder will, in turn,
be registered in the register of the clearing and settlement chamber of the BM&FBOVESPA and will be treated in the same manner
as shareholders registered in our books.
Dividends
Our dividend distribution practice has
historically included the distribution of periodic dividends, based on quarterly balance sheets or shorter periods approved by
our board of directors. When we pay dividends on an annual basis, they are declared at our annual shareholders’ meeting,
which we are required by the Brazilian Corporate Law and our bylaws to hold up to April 30 of each year. When we declare dividends,
we are generally required to pay them within 60 days of declaring them unless the shareholders’ resolution establishes another
payment date. In any event, if we declare dividends, we must pay them until the end of the fiscal year. Under Article 9 of Law
9,249/95 and our bylaws, we also may pay interest attributable to shareholders’ equity as an alternative form of dividends
upon approval of our board of directors.
Dividend Preference of Preferred Shares
Our preferred shares are entitled to receive
a dividend 10% higher than that attributable to our common shares.
Payment of Dividends and Interest Attributable
to Shareholders’ Equity
We may pay the mandatory distributable
amount as dividends or as interest attributable to shareholders’ equity, which is similar to a dividend but is deductible
in calculating our income tax obligations.
Because our shares are issued in book-entry
form, dividends with respect to any share are automatically credited to the account holding such share. Shareholders who are not
residents of Brazil must register with the Central Bank in order for dividends, sales proceeds or other amounts with respect to
their shares to be eligible to be remitted outside of Brazil.
The preferred shares underlying our ADSs
are held in Brazil by the depositary, which has registered with the Central Bank as the registered owner of our preferred shares.
Payments of cash dividends and distributions, if any, will be made in Brazilian currency to the depositary. The depositary will
then convert such proceeds into dollars and will cause such dollars to be distributed to holders of our ADSs. As with other types
of remittances from Brazil, the Brazilian government may impose temporary restrictions on remittances to foreign investors of the
proceeds of their investments in Brazil, as it did for approximately six months in 1989 and early 1999, and on the conversion of
Brazilian currency into foreign currencies, which could hinder or prevent the depositary from converting dividends into U.S. dollars
and remitting these U.S. dollars abroad.
In addition, remittances are subject to
a Brazilian financial transactions tax, which as of the date of this form 20-F is 0%, but may be subject to change.
For information about taxation on profits,
dividends and interest on shareholders’ equity, see “—E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations—Taxation
of Dividends.”
Dividends
We are required by the Brazilian Corporate
Law and by our bylaws to hold an annual shareholders’ meeting until April 30 of each year. At our annual shareholders’
meeting, our common shareholders may vote to declare an annual dividend. Our payment of annual dividends is based on our audited
financial statements prepared for our preceding fiscal year.
Any holder of record of shares at the time
that a dividend is declared is entitled to receive dividends. Under the Brazilian Corporate Law, we are generally required to pay
dividends within 60 days after declaring them, unless the shareholders’ resolution establishes another payment date, which,
in any case, must occur prior to the end of the fiscal year.
Our board of directors may declare interim
dividends based on (i) the accrued profits recorded in our semiannual financial statements; (ii) the accrued profits recorded in
our quarterly financial statements or in our financial statements for shorter periods, provided that the total amount of dividends
paid up every six months does not exceed the total amount within the capital reserve determined pursuant to article 182 of the
Brazilian Corporate Law; and (iii) the amount recorded in the profit and loss account or profit reserve account in our last annual
or semiannual financial statements.
All the interim dividends that are distributed
shall be considered as part of the mandatory dividends that shall be paid by us.
Interest Attributable to Shareholders’
Equity
Brazilian corporations may make payments
to shareholders characterized as interest on shareholders’ equity as an alternative form of making dividend distributions.
Amounts paid as interest on shareholders’ equity (net of applicable withholding tax, as described below) may be deducted
from the minimum dividends we are obligated to distribute to our shareholders in accordance with our bylaws and Brazilian Corporate
Law. The rate of interest may not be higher than the federal government’s TJLP, as determined by the Central Bank from time
to time (5% per annum for 2014, 5.5% per annum for the first quarter of 2015, 6.0% per annum for the second quarter of 2015, 6.5%
per annum for the third quarter of 2015, 7.0% per annum for the fourth quarter of 2015 and 7.5% per annum for 2016), applied over
specific net equity accounts. The total amount distributed as interest on shareholders’ equity may not exceed the greater
of (i) 50% of net income (before taking the distribution and any deductions for income taxes into account) for the year with respect
to which the payment is made and (ii) 50% of retained earnings for the year before the year with respect to which the payment is
made. Payments of interest on shareholders’ equity are decided by the shareholders on the basis of recommendations of our
board of directors.
Distributions of interest on shareholders’
equity paid to Brazilian and non-Brazilian holders of preferred shares, including payments to the depositary in respect of preferred
shares underlying ADSs, are deductible by us for Brazilian corporate income tax purposes. These payments to U.S. holders or other
non-Brazilian holders are subject to Brazilian withholding tax at the rate of 15%. If the recipient of the payment is domiciled
in a Tax Haven Jurisdiction, as defined by Brazilian law, the rate will be 25%.
Time Limits for Payments
Our shareholders have three (3) years to
claim dividend distributions made with respect to their shares, as from the date that we distribute the dividends to our shareholders,
after which any unclaimed dividend distributions legally revert to us. We are not required to adjust the amount of any distributions
for inflation that occurs during the period from the date of declaration to the payment date.
On June 30, 2011,
ANATEL renewed our Fixed Switched Telephony Service (STFC) concession contract and consolidated them into two new contracts (each
filed as an Exhibit to this Annual Report). One of these contracts authorizes the company to provide local telephone service (to
the cities in Sector 31) and the other contract authorizes the company to provide long-distance telephone service (to and from
Sector 31). These concession contracts will expire on December 31, 2025.
On December 6, 2016, the Brazilian Senate
approved a law amending the General Telecommunications Law. When enacted, the new law will reformulate the entire telecommunications
sector by converting public concession contracts into private authorization agreements. The private system has a less stringent
set of commitments (e.g., there will be no expiration date). Once the President signs the bill into law, ANATEL will issue specific
regulations on how the licenses will be adapted.
We also have authorization
to provide local and long-distance telephone services under the private system (all sectors, except Sector 31), granted in 2002,
for an unlimited term. Telefônica Brasil has Multimedia Communication Service Authorization Terms, which are also material
contracts. Based on these Authorization Terms, the companies may provide broadband services in the state of São Paulo (Telefônica)
and all over Brazilian territory. The Terms were signed on April 17, 2003 and March 19, 2004 for an unlimited term and are still
in effect. Telefônica has also Conditioned Access Service Authorization Terms for the provision of pay TV services. The Authorization
Terms were transferred back to Telefônica Brasil in 2013, as a result of a corporate restructuring.
The General Plan of
Authorization divided the country into three regions: Region I: States of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais,
Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá, Pará, Maranhão, Bahia, Sergipe, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte,
Paraíba, Pernambuco and Alagoas, Region II: States of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, Tocantins,
Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Acre and Federal District and Region III: only the State of São Paulo.
Telefônica signed
Authorization Terms for the provision of Personal Mobile Services, SMP, with national coverage, in all three regions.
For Region I, the
Terms of Service Authorization n.º 078/2012 of 07/02/2012; for Region II, the Terms of Service Authorization n.° 005/2010
of 29/01/2010; and for Region III, the Terms of Service Authorization n.° 006/2010 of 29/01/2010.
Licenses for personal
mobile services (SMP) grant the right to provide mobile services for an unlimited term. However, the use of radiofrequency spectrum
is restricted in accordance with specific license conditions:
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Rio Grande do Sul excluding the cities of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Morro Redondo and
Turuçu (“A” band) until 2022 (renewed in 2007);
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Rio de Janeiro (“A” band) until 2020 (renewed in 2005);
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Espírito Santo (“A” band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
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Bahia (“A” band) and Sergipe (“A” band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
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São Paulo (“A” band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008); and until 2024, for the cities
of Ribeirão Preto and Guatapará (renewed in 2009);
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Paraná/Santa Catarina (“B” band) until 2028 (renewed in 2013);
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Distrito Federal (“A” band) until 2021 (renewed in 2006);
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Acre (“A” band), Vivo-Rondônia (“A” band), Mato Grosso (“A”
band) and Mato Grosso do Sul (“A” band) until 2024 (renewed in 2009);
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Goiás/Tocantins (“A” band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
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Amazonas/Roraima/Amapá/Pará/Maranhão (“B” band) until 2028 (renewed
in 2014);
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Minas Gerais (“A” band) until 2023 (renewed in 2008);
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For the cities in which CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Minas Gerais (“E” band)
until 2020 (to be renewed between the period of April 28, 2016 and April 28, 2017);
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License renewals for
“A” and “B” bands must be requested within 30 months from the expiry date. Spectrum rights may be renewed
only once, for a 15-year term. After this period, the license is renegotiated.
License renewals for
the “E” band must be requested between 36 and 48 months in advance of the expiry date. Spectrum rights may be renewed
only once, for a 15-year period. After this period, the license is renegotiated.
In December 2007,
ANATEL auctioned off nationally 15 blocks in the 1900 MHz band (“L” band). Vivo (merged into Telefônica) won
13 of them throughout Brasil, except in the northern region and the towns of Londrina and Tamarana in the state of Paraná.
Nevertheless, the Bidding Terms set forth the possibility of realigning the “L” band with the “J” band,
maintaining the same conditions (including costs and expiry date) of the “J” band. In 2012, Telefônica requested
and on August 27, 2013 ANATEL granted the “L” band realignment for the States of:
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Rio Grande do Sul, excluding the cities of Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão
e Turuçu;
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Bahia and Vivo-Sergipe;
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Telefônica-São Paulo, excluding the cities of Altinópolis, Aramina, Batatais,
Brodosqui, Buritizal, Cajuru, Cássia dos Coqueiros, Colômbia, Franca, Guaíra, Guará, Ipuã, Ituverava,
Jardinópolis, Miguelópolis, Morro Agudo, Nuporanga, Orlândia, Ribeirão Corrente, Sales de Oliveira,
Santa Cruz da Esperança, Santo Antônio da Alegria e São Joaquim da Barra;
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Paraná (excluding the cities of Londrina and Tamarana)/Santa Catarina;
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Telefônica-Acre, Vivo-Rondônia, Vivo-Mato Grosso and Vivo-Mato Grosso do Sul excluding
the city of Paranaíba; and
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Telefônica-Goiás/Tocantins.
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The complete realignment (including the
cities excluded above and the States of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte)
may occur in the course of the year.
In April 2008, ANATEL
auctioned off 36 blocks in the 2100 MHz band (3G licenses). Vivo (merged into Telefônica) obtained nine in the “J”
band throughout Brasil, enabling it to provide nationwide coverage in 3G. The spectrum licenses, along with the related renewal
dates, are:
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Rio Grande do Sul (including the cities of Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão
e Turuçu) (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Rio de Janeiro (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30,
2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Espírito Santo (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April
30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Bahia (“J” band) and Vivo-Sergipe (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed
between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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São Paulo (including the cities of Ribeirão Preto, Guatapará and Bonfim Paulista
and the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of São Paulo) (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between
the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Paraná (including the cities of Londrina and Tamarana)/Santa Catarina (“J” band)
until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Federal District (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30,
2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Acre (“J” band), Rondônia (“J” band), Mato Grosso (“J”
band) and Mato Grosso do Sul (including the city of Paranaíba) (“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between
the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Goiás (including the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Goiás)/Tocantins
(“J” band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Alagoas/Ceará/Paraíba/Piauí/Pernambuco/Rio Grande do Norte (“J”
band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020);
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Amazonas/Roraima/Amapá/Pará/Maranhão (“J” band) until 2023 (to
be renewed between the period of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2020); and
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Minas Gerais (including the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of Minas Gerais) (“J”
band) until 2023 (to be renewed between the period of April, 2019 and April, 2020);
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License renewals for
the “J” band must be requested between 36 and 48 months in advance of the expiry date. Spectrum rights may be renewed
only once, for a 15-year term. After this period, the license is renegotiated.
In December 2010,
ANATEL auctioned off 169 licenses in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies. Vivo (merged into Telefônica) acquired
23 blocks, 14 in 1800 MHz frequency bands “D,” “E,” “M” and extension bands, and 9 in the 900
MHz extension bands. As a result, Telefônica has nationwide coverage in the 1800 MHz frequency band. The 23 blocks are:
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“M” Band (1800 MHz) in the Federal District and the States of Paraná, Santa
Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Acre;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band throughout the State of São Paulo;
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“D” Band (1800 MHz) in the cities of Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão
and Turuçu in the state of Rio Grande do Sul;
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“E” Band (1800 MHz) in the States of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí,
Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the State of Rio de Janeiro;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the State of Espírito Santo;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the States of Goiás, Tocantins, Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato
Grosso, Rondônia and Acre and the Federal District, with the exception of the city of Paranaíba in the state of Mato
Grosso do Sul and the cities of Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia, Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão,
in the State of Goiás;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with the exception of the cities
of Pelotas, Morro Redondo, Capão do Leão and Turuçu;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band for the cities with are code 43 in the state of Paraná with
the exception of the cities of Londrina and Tamarana;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the States of Paraná and Santa Catarina with the exception
of the cities of registry area number 43 in the State of Paraná and the cities of Londrina and Tamarana;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the State of Bahía;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the State of Sergipe;
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Extension of the 900 MHz band in the States of Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão Pará
and Roraima;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the State of São Paulo, with the exception of the cities
in the metropolitan area of São Paulo and the cities where CTBC Telecom operates in the state of São Paulo;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the States of Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão Pará
and Roraima;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the city of Paranaíba in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the cities of Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia,
Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão, in the State of Goiás;
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Another extension of the 1800 MHz band in the cities of Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia,
Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão, in the State of Goiás;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the States of Rio do Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahía
and Sergipe;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the States of Amazonas, Amapá, Maranhão Pará
and Roraima;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the States of Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba, Piauí,
Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the city of Paranaíba in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul,
and the cities of Buriti Alegre, Cachoeira Dourada, Inaciolândia, Itumbiara, Paranaiguara and São Simão, in
the State of Goiás;
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Extension of the 1800 MHz band in the cities of Londrina and Tamarana in the state of Paraná.
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License for the 900MHz
and 1800MHz band will expire in 2023. Renewal must be requested between 36 and 48 months in advance of the expiry date. Spectrum
rights may be renewed only once, for a 15-year period.
In April 2012, ANATEL
auctioned off 273 licenses in the 450 MHz, and 2500 MHz frequencies. Vivo (merged into Telefônica) secured 1 block in 2500
MHz frequency band “X” (20 + 20 MHz) nationwide, together with the right and obligation to use the 450 MHz frequency
band in the States of Alagoas (AL), Ceará (CE), Minas Gerais (MG), Paraíba (PB), Pernambuco (PE), Piauí (PI),
Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and Sergipe (SE), as well as the areas identified by the National Codes 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19,
in the State of São Paulo (SP). Nonetheless, the commitment to use the 450 MHz band may also be fulfilled by the use of
any other frequency range Telefônica already holds. See below the relevant expiration and renewal dates:
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Brasil (“X” Band – 2500 MHz) until 2027 (associated to SMP service) to be renewed
in October 18, 2024;
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Alagoas, Ceará, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte,
Sergipe (450 MHz) until 2027 (associated to STFC and SCM services) to be renewed in October 18, 2024;
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Telefônica in the areas identified by the National Codes 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19, in
the state of São Paulo (SP), until 2027 (associated to SMP and SCM services) to be renewed in October 18, 2024.
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In September 2014,
ANATEL auctioned off 6 blocks in the 700 MHz frequency. We acquired 3 blocks resulting in nationwide coverage in the 700 MHz frequency
band. The spectrum licenses may be renewed in 2029.
In December 2015,
ANATEL auctioned off the remaining spectrum lots in the 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2500 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, Telefônica acquired
seven lots of the 2500 MHz frequency band. These lots are associated to six different States, five of them the capital cities of
the States of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Tocantins and one city in the State of Mato
Grosso do Sul. Such frequencies will be used for provision of 4G mobile services. The spectrum license may be for renewed in 2030.
The licenses above
may be renewed; (i) only once; (ii) for an additional term of 15 (fifteen) years; and (iii) upon payment of 2% of our net revenues
from usage charges in the applicable region in the previous year. The payment is also due every two years during the extension
period.
The GVT Stock Purchase
Agreement
On September 18, 2014, we entered into
a stock purchase agreement with Vivendi and certain of its controlled companies, or collectively, Vivendi, and with GVT Participações
S.A. (“GVTPar”), Telefónica, S.A. and Global Village Telecom S.A. (“Operating GVT”), pursuant to
which we agreed to purchase all of the shares of GVTPar, the controlling shareholder of Operating GVT. This acquisition was approved
by our board of directors on September 18, 2014.
According to Brazilian Laws, the transaction
should be approved by both ANATEL and CADE. On December 22, 2014, ANATEL approved the transaction and imposed certain obligations,
which include (1) the maintenance of current GVT services and plans within the same geographic scope in which GVT operated hitherto,
requiring, in addition, that the successor company expand its operations to at least ten new municipalities within three years
beginning on January 26, 2015; and (2) the waiver of the STFC license held by GVT within 18 months of ANATEL’s decisions,
since the same economic group cannot hold more than one STFC license in the same geographic area. Telefônica has met
both obligations.
On February 13, 2015, CADE’s superintendent
board recommended the approval of the transaction subject to certain confidential commitments submitted by us and Vivendi. The
commitments include the execution of two merger control agreements: the first between CADE and us and the second between CADE and
Vivendi S.A. The GVT acquisition was reviewed by CADE’s administrative tribunal, which issued a favorable final decision.
On May 28, 2015, the
Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting of the company approved the acquisition of GVTPar, as well as the capital increase of
the company in favor of Vivendi as partial funding of the purchase price of the shares of GVTPar and the merger of GVTPar into
the company. Thus, the purchase price was paid in cash and kind and the acquisition was completed.
Moreover, the exchange of Telecom Italia,
S.p.A. shares held by Telefónica for the Telefônica Brasil shares held by Vivendi was also completed.
On April 1, 2016, GVTPar and Operating
GVT were merged into Telefônica Brasil S.A., as approved by the Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting of the relevant companies.
This restructuring simplifies the corporate structure of the Telefónica Group in Brazil. As a result, the telecommunications
services will be rendered by Telefônica Brasil S.A., and the other services by its subsidiaries.
There are no restrictions on ownership
of preferred shares or common shares by individuals or legal entities domiciled outside of Brazil, provided that they comply with
the registration requirements set forth in the applicable regulation enacted by CMN and the CVM.
The right to convert dividend or interest
payments and proceeds from the sale of shares into foreign currency and to remit such amounts outside Brazil is subject to restrictions
under foreign investment legislation which generally requires, among other things, the documentary evidence that provides the validity
and properly backs the economic grounds of the foreign exchange transaction and that the relevant investment be registered with
the Central Bank and the CVM, as applicable. The restrictions on the remittance of foreign capital abroad may hinder or prevent
the custodian for the preferred shares represented by ADSs or holders of preferred shares from converting dividends, distributions
or the proceeds from any sale of these preferred shares into U.S. dollars and remitting the U.S. dollars abroad. Holders of ADSs
could be adversely affected by delays in, or refusal to grant any, required government approval to convert Brazilian currency payments
on the preferred shares underlying the ADSs and to remit the proceeds abroad.
As from March 30, 2015, the different forms
of foreign portfolio investments in Brazil, including investments via Depositary Receipts, are regulated by CMN Resolution 4,373,
of September 29, 2014 (“
Resolution No. 4,373
”), which revoked the former rule (CMN Resolution 2,689, of January
26, 2000) that had been in force for about 15 years.
Resolution No. 4,373 of the CMN provides
for the issuance of Depositary Receipts in foreign markets in respect of shares of Brazilian issuers. The Depositary Receipts program
shall be approved by Central Bank and CVM before the issuance of the Depositary Receipts. Accordingly, the proceeds from the sale
of the Depositary Receipts by holders outside Brazil are free of Brazilian
foreign investment controls, and holders of the Depositary Receipts may be entitled to favorable tax treatment. See “—E.
Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations.”
Under Resolution No. 4,373 of the CMN,
foreign investors registered with the CVM may buy and sell Brazilian securities, including the preferred shares, on Brazilian stock
exchanges without obtaining separate certificates of registration for each transaction. The registered foreign investors may also
be entitled to favorable tax treatment. See “—E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations.”
Pursuant to Resolution No. 4,373, an investor
residing outside Brazil that is willing to invest pursuant to the mechanism described in the previous paragraph must: (i) appoint
at least one financial institution or an institution authorized to operate by the Brazilian Central Bank as representative in Brazil
that will be responsible for complying with the registration and reporting requirements and reporting procedures of the Brazilian
Central Bank and the CVM; (ii) register as a foreign investor with the CVM; (iii) appoint one or more custodians authorized by
CVM; (iv) register the foreign investment with the Brazilian Central Bank; (v) appoint a tax representative in Brazil; and (vi)
obtain a taxpayer identification number from the Brazilian federal tax authorities
The securities and other financial assets
held by a foreign investor pursuant to Resolution No. 4,373 must be registered or maintained in deposit accounts or under the custody
of an entity duly licensed by the Central Bank or by the CVM. In addition, the trading of securities is in general restricted to
transactions carried out on the Brazilian stock exchanges or over-the-counter markets licensed by the CVM.
Instruction CVM 560 of March 27, 2015,
as amended, introduced in the Brazilian securities regulation the obligation of the representatives of investors residing outside
Brazil to inform CVM the movements and application of funds of the investors participating in collective accounts and holders of
own accounts represented by them.
Registered Capital
Amounts invested in preferred shares by
a non-Brazilian holder who qualifies under Resolution No. 4,373 and obtains registration with the CVM, or by the depositary representing
an ADS holder, are eligible for registration with the Central Bank. Such registration (the amount so registered is referred to
as registered capital) allows remittances of funds outside Brazil converted into foreign currency at the commercial market rate,
acquired with the proceeds of distributions on, and amounts realized through, dispositions of such preferred shares. The registered
capital per preferred share purchased in the form of ADS, or purchased in Brazil and deposited with the depositary in exchange
for ADS, will be equal to its purchase price (stated in U.S. dollars). The registered capital per preferred share withdrawn upon
cancellation of an ADS will be the U.S. dollar equivalent of (i) the average price of a preferred share on the Brazilian stock
exchange on which the most preferred shares were traded on the day of withdrawal or (ii) if no preferred shares were traded on
that day, the average price on the Brazilian stock exchange on which the most preferred shares were traded in the 15 trading sessions
immediately preceding such withdrawal. The U.S. dollar equivalent will be determined on the basis of the average commercial market
rates (buy/sell) quoted by the Central Bank on such date or dates.
An electronic registration has been issued
in the name of the depositary with respect to the ADSs and is maintained by the custodian on behalf of the depositary. Pursuant
to the registration, the custodian and the depositary are able to convert dividends and other distributions with respect to the
preferred shares represented by ADSs into foreign currency and remit the proceeds outside Brazil. If a holder of ADSs exchanges
such ADSs for preferred shares, such holder will be entitled to continue to rely on the depositary’s registration for five
business days after such exchange, following which such holder must seek to obtain its own electronic registration with the Central
Bank. Thereafter, any holder of preferred shares may not be able to convert into foreign currency and remit outside Brazil the
proceeds from the disposition of, or distributions with respect to, such preferred shares, unless such holder is a duly qualified
investor under Resolution No. 4,373 and obtains its own electronic registration.
If the holder does not qualify under Resolution
No. 4,373 by registering with the CVM and the Central Bank and appoints a representative in Brazil to act directly in the Brazilian
market to acquire preferred shares, the holder will be subject to a less favorable Brazilian tax treatment than a holder of ADSs.
Regardless of registration under Resolution No. 4,373, residents of tax havens are subject to less favorable tax treatment than
other foreign investors. See “—E. Taxation—Brazilian Tax Considerations.”
Under current Brazilian legislation, the
federal government may impose temporary restrictions on remittances of foreign capital abroad in the event of a serious imbalance
or an anticipated serious imbalance of Brazil’s balance of payments. For approximately six months
in 1989 and early 1990, the federal government froze all dividend and capital repatriations held by the Central Bank that were
owed to foreign equity investors, to conserve Brazil’s foreign currency reserves. These amounts were subsequently released
in accordance with federal government directives. There can be no assurance that the federal government will not impose similar
restrictions on foreign repatriations in the future.
The following discussion contains a description
of the material Brazilian and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred shares
or ADSs by certain holders or beneficial owners, as described below. This summary is based upon the tax laws and regulations of
Brazil and the United States as of the date of this annual report, which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect,
and to differing interpretations. You should consult your own tax advisers as to the Brazilian, U.S. federal or other tax consequences
of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of preferred shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any state, local
or non-U.S., non-Brazilian tax laws.
Although there is presently no income tax
treaty entered into between Brazil and the United States, the tax authorities of the two countries have had discussions that may
culminate in such a treaty. No assurance can be given, however, as to whether or when a treaty will enter into force or how it
will affect the U.S. holders of preferred shares or ADSs. Brazil and the United States have, however, entered into a Tax Treaty
Information Exchange Agreement, in order to establish an effective exchange of tax-related information between the two countries.
Brazilian Tax Considerations
The following discussion summarizes the
principal Brazilian tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of preferred shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder. This
discussion does not address all of the Brazilian tax considerations that may be applicable to any particular non-Brazilian holder,
and each non-Brazilian holder should consult its own tax adviser about the Brazilian tax consequences of investing in preferred
shares or ADSs.
Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid by us, including stock dividends
and other dividends paid in property to the depositary in respect of the preferred shares underlying ADSs, or to a non-Brazilian
holder in respect of the preferred shares, are currently exempted from withholding tax in Brazil to the extent that the dividends
are paid out of profits generated on or after January 1, 1996. Dividends relating to profits generated prior to January 1, 1996
may be subject to Brazilian withholding tax at varying rates, depending on the year the profits were generated.
On May 13, 2014, Law No. 12,973 was enacted
aiming at aligning the taxable basis of federal taxes with the accounting basis assessed based on IFRS, which were adopted as the
Brazilian accounting standards in 2008. According to such law, which is generally in effect as of 2015, dividends distributed out
of accounting profits generated in 2014 and exceeding taxable profits (ascertained in accordance with the prior rules) will be
subject to withholding tax at rates of 15% or 25%, depending on the location of the foreign shareholder, unless the distributing
corporation elected to be subject to Law No. 12,973 in 2014, in which case, the accounting profits and taxable profits would be
the same and there would be no excess dividends. As we chose to apply the new taxation rules for periods beginning on or after
January 1, 2014, dividends paid by us that relate to profits generated on or after January 1, 2014 will not be subject to withholding
tax.
Distributions of Interest on Capital
Brazilian corporations may make payments
to shareholders characterized as interest on shareholders’ equity as an alternative form of making dividend distributions.
Amounts paid as interest on shareholders’ equity (net of applicable withholding tax, as described below) may be treated as
payments with respect to the dividends we are obligated to distribute to our shareholders in accordance with our bylaws and Brazilian
Corporate Law. The rate of interest may not be higher than the federal government’s TJLP, as determined by the Central Bank
from time to time, applied to the balances of specific net equity accounts maintained by us. The total amount distributed as interest
on shareholders’ equity may not exceed the greater of (i) 50% of our net income (before taking into account the distribution
itself or any deductions for income taxes) for the year with respect to which the payment is made and (ii) 50% of our retained
earnings for the year before the year with respect to which the payment is made. Payments of interest on shareholders’ equity
are decided by the shareholders on the basis of recommendations of our board of directors.
Distributions of interest on shareholders’
equity paid to Brazilian and non-Brazilian holders of preferred shares, including payments to the depositary in respect of preferred
shares underlying ADSs, are deductible by us for Brazilian corporate income tax purposes. These payments to U.S. holders or other
non-Brazilian holders are currently subject to Brazilian withholding tax at the rate of 15%. If the recipient of the payment is
domiciled in a Tax Haven Jurisdiction, as defined by Brazilian law, the rate will be 25%.
Taxation of Gains
Except as discussed below, gains recognized
on a disposition of assets located in Brazil, such as our preferred shares, by a non-Brazilian holder, are subject to withholding
income tax in Brazil. This rule is applicable regardless of whether the disposition is conducted in Brazil or abroad and regardless
of whether the disposition is made to an individual or entity resident or domiciled in Brazil.
As a general rule, capital gains realized
as a result of a disposition transaction are the positive difference between the amount realized on the disposition of the asset
and the respective acquisition cost.
Capital gains realized by non-Brazilian
holders on the disposition of shares sold on the Brazilian stock exchange (which includes the transactions carried out on the organized
over-the-counter market):
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are subject to the withholding income tax at a zero percent rate, when realized by a non-Brazilian holder that (i) has registered
its investment in Brazil before the Central Bank under the rules of the Brazilian Monetary Counsel (a “Registered Holder”),
and (ii) is not a “Tax Haven Holder” (an investor domiciled in a Tax Haven jurisdiction, as defined by Ordinance No.
1,037); and
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are subject to income tax at progressive rates ranging from 15% to 22.5% (for transactions executed after January 1, 2017)
or at a flat rate of 15% (for transactions executed before January 1, 2017) when realized by (i) a non-Brazilian holder that is
not a Registered Holder and is not a Tax Haven Holder; and
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are subject to income tax at a rate of 25% when realized by a Tax Haven Holder, even if the Holder is a Registered Holder.
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In the cases above in which tax is due,
if the gains are related to transactions conducted on the Brazilian non-organized over-the-counter market with intermediation,
the withholding income tax of 0.005% (pre-payment) is also applicable and can be offset against any income tax due on the capital
gain.
There can be no assurance that the current
favorable tax treatment of Registered Holders that are not Tax Haven Holders will continue in the future.
Sale of ADSs by Non-Resident Holders to Other
Non-Residents in Brazil
As mentioned above, gains derived from
disposition of assets located in Brazil involving non-resident investors are subject to Brazilian income tax. Our understanding
is that ADSs should not qualify as assets located in Brazil and, thus, should not be subject to the Brazilian withholding tax,
considering that the ADSs are issued and registered abroad.
However, considering the general and unclear
scope of this legislation and the absence of judicial guidance in respect thereof, we cannot assure prospective investors that
such interpretation of this law will prevail in the courts of Brazil.
Gains on the Exchange of ADSs for Preferred
Shares
Although there is no clear regulatory guidance,
the exchange of ADSs for shares should not be subject to Brazilian tax if the shares are registered under CMN Resolution No. 4,373
and the respective holder is not a Tax Haven Holder. If the preferred shares are not so registered or the holder is a Tax Haven
Holder, the deposit of preferred shares in exchange for ADSs may be subject to Brazilian capital gains tax at progressive rates
ranging from 15% to 22.5% (if the exchange is executed after January 1, 2017) or at a flat rate of 15% (if the exchange is executed
before January 1, 2017). Non-Brazilian holders may exchange ADSs for the underlying preferred shares, sell the preferred shares
on a Brazilian stock exchange and remit abroad the proceeds of the sale within five business days from the date of exchange (in
reliance on the depositary’s electronic registration), with no tax consequences.
Upon receipt of the underlying preferred
shares in exchange for ADSs, non-Brazilian holders may elect to register with the Central Bank the U.S. dollar value of such preferred
shares as a foreign portfolio investment under the rules of the Brazilian Monetary Counsel, which will entitle them to the special
tax treatment for Registered Holders described above.
Alternatively, the non-Brazilian holder
is also entitled to register with the Central Bank the U.S. dollar value of such preferred shares as a foreign direct investment
under the rules of Law No. 4,131/62, in which case the respective sale would be subject to the tax treatment referred to under
“—Taxation of Gains.”
Discussion on Tax Haven Jurisdictions
Until December 2008, under Brazilian tax
laws, a “Tax Haven Jurisdiction” was defined as a country or location that does not impose taxation on income or imposes
the income tax at a rate lower than 20%. Some amendments were implemented in connection with the concept of Tax Haven Jurisdiction
via the enactment of Law No. 11,727/08, in force as of January 2009, in order to include in the definition of Tax Haven Jurisdiction
any country or location which imposes restrictions on the disclosure of shareholding composition or the ownership of an investment.
Law No. 11,727/08 also introduced the concept
of “privileged tax regime”, which is applicable in connection with transactions subject to Brazilian transfer pricing
rules and also is applicable to thin capitalization/cross border interest deductibility rule. The definition of “privileged
tax regime” is broader than the definition of Tax Haven Jurisdiction. Pursuant to Law No. 11,727/08, a privileged tax regime
is a tax regime that (1) does not tax income or taxes it at a maximum rate lower than 20%; or (2) grants tax benefits to non-resident
entities or individuals (a) without the requirement to carry out a substantial economic activity in the country or location or
(b) contingent to the non-exercise of a substantial economic activity in the country or location; or (3) does not tax income earned
outside of such country or location or taxes such income at a maximum rate lower than 20%; or (4) does not allow access to information
related to shareholding composition, ownership of assets and rights, or economic transactions that are carried out in such country
or location.
In addition, on June 7, 2010, Brazilian
Tax Authorities enacted Ordinance No. 1,037, as amended, listing (i) the countries and jurisdictions considered Tax Haven Jurisdictions,
and (ii) the privileged tax regimes.
According to Section 24-B of Law No. 9,430,
as included by Section 23 of Law No. 11.727/08, the Executive branch is empowered to reduce or reinstate the income tax rate of
20% as the element to define a Tax Haven Jurisdiction or a “privileged tax regime”. In December 2014, Ruling No.°
488/2014 was published and established that the rate of 20% is reduced to 17% in connection with countries, locations and jurisdictions
aligned with international tax transparency standards, as per a definition to be provided by Brazilian Federal Revenue Service.
In any scenario (transactions executed
before or after 2017), if the nonresidents located in tax haven jurisdictions (a country which does not impose any income tax,
which imposes it at a maximum rate lower than 20.0%, or in which the laws impose restrictions on the disclosure of ownership composition
or securities ownership or the identification of the effective beneficiary of income attributed to nonresident holders, as listed
in Normative Instruction 1,037/10) capital gain tax will be levied at the flat rate of 25%.
Although we believe that the best interpretation
of the current tax legislation should lead to the conclusion that the above-mentioned “privileged tax regime” concept
should apply solely for purposes of Brazilian transfer pricing and thin capitalization rules, we cannot be sure whether subsequent
legislation or interpretation by the Brazilian tax authorities of the definition of a “privileged tax regime,” provided
by Law No. 11,727, will also apply to a non-resident holder in respect of gains realized upon a disposition of ADSs.
Other Brazilian Taxes
There are no Brazilian inheritance, gift
or succession taxes applicable to the ownership or disposition of the preferred shares or ADSs by a non-Brazilian holder except
for gift and inheritance taxes levied by some States in Brazil on gifts made or inheritances bestowed by individuals or entities
not resident or domiciled in Brazil or in the relevant state to individuals or entities that are resident or domiciled within such
state in Brazil. There is no Brazilian stamp, issue, registration, or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of preferred shares
or ADSs.
Tax on Foreign Exchange and Financial
Transactions
Tax on Foreign Exchange Transactions (the
“IOF/Exchange Tax”)
Brazilian law imposes the IOF/Exchange
Tax on the conversion of
reais
into foreign currency and on the conversion of foreign currency into
reais
. Currently,
for most exchange transactions, the rate of IOF/Exchange is 0.38%. Effective as of December 1, 2011, currency exchange transactions
carried out for the inflow of funds in Brazil for investment made by a foreign investor are subject to IOF/Exchange at (i) a 0%
rate in the case of variable income transactions carried out on the Brazilian stock, futures and commodities exchanges, as well
as in the acquisitions of shares of Brazilian publicly held companies in public offerings or subscription of shares related to
capital contributions, provided that the issuer company has registered its shares for trading in the stock exchange, and (ii) 0%
for the outflow of resources from Brazil related to these type of investments, including payments of dividends and interest on
shareholders’ equity and the repatriation of funds invested in the Brazilian market. Furthermore, the IOF/Exchange is currently
levied at a 0% rate on the exchange of ADSs into shares. Nonetheless, the Brazilian government is permitted to increase the rate
at any time to a maximum of 25%, but only in relation to future transactions.
Tax on Transactions Involving Bonds and Securities
(“IOF/Bonds Tax”)
Brazilian law imposes the IOF/Bonds Tax
on transactions involving bonds and securities, including those carried out on a Brazilian stock exchange. The rate of IOF/Bonds
Tax applicable to transactions involving the deposit of preferred shares in exchange for ADSs is currently zero. The Brazilian
government may increase this rate up to 1.5% per day, but only with respect to future transactions.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following are the material U.S. federal
income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of owning and disposing of preferred shares or ADSs, but this is not
a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to hold
such securities. The discussion applies only to U.S. Holders that hold preferred shares or ADSs as capital assets for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a U.S. Holder’s
particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) known as the Medicare contribution tax, the effects of any state, local or non-U.S.
tax laws and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:
|
·
|
certain financial institutions;
|
|
·
|
dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;
|
|
·
|
persons holding preferred shares or ADSs as part of a hedge, “straddle,” integrated transaction or similar transaction;
|
|
·
|
persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
|
|
·
|
entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
|
|
·
|
tax-exempt organizations;
|
|
·
|
regulated investment companies;
|
|
·
|
real estate investment trusts;
|
|
·
|
persons that own or are deemed to own 10% or more of our voting stock;
|
|
·
|
persons who acquired our preferred shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;
or
|
|
·
|
persons holding preferred shares or ADSs in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States.
|
If an entity that is classified as a partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds preferred shares or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally
depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding preferred shares or ADSs and partners
in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and
disposing of the preferred shares or ADSs.
This discussion is based on the Code, administrative
pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof. These
laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This discussion is also based in part on representations by the depositary
and assumes that each obligation under the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its
terms.
You are a “U.S. Holder” if,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a beneficial owner of preferred shares or ADSs and you are:
|
·
|
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
|
|
·
|
a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any
state therein or the District of Columbia; or
|
|
·
|
an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
|
THE SUMMARY OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES SET OUT BELOW IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. U.S. HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SHARES OR ADSs ARE URGED
TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF OWNING OR DISPOSING OF PREFERRED
SHARES OR ADSs, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAX
LAWS.
In general, if you own ADSs, you will be
treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, no gain
or loss will be recognized if you exchange ADSs for the underlying shares represented by those ADSs.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns
that parties to whom American depositary shares are released before shares are delivered to the depositary (such practice, “pre-release”),
or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of American depositary shares and the issuer of the security underlying
the American depositary shares, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders
of American depositary shares. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described
below, applicable to dividends received by certain noncorporate holders. Accordingly, the creditability of Brazilian taxes, and
the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain noncorporate holders, each described below, could be
affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
This discussion assumes that we are not,
and will not become, a passive foreign investment company, as described below.
Taxation of Distributions
Distributions paid on preferred shares
or ADSs (including distributions to shareholders that are treated as interest on shareholders’ equity for Brazilian tax purposes)
will generally be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under
U.S. federal income tax principles). Because we do not maintain calculations of our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income
tax principles, it is expected that distributions generally will be reported to U.S. Holders as dividends. Subject to applicable
limitations that may vary depending upon your circumstances and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury,
dividends paid by “qualified foreign corporations” to certain noncorporate U.S. Holders are taxable at the rates applicable
to long-term capital gains. A foreign corporation is treated as a “qualified foreign corporation” with respect to dividends
paid on stock that is readily tradable on a securities market in the United States, such as the NYSE, where our ADSs are traded.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in your particular circumstances.
The amount of a dividend will include any
amounts withheld in respect of Brazilian taxes. The amount of the dividend will be treated as foreign-source dividend income to
you and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends
will be included in your income on the date of your, or in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s, receipt of the dividend. The
amount of any dividend income paid in
reais
will be a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in
effect on the date of such receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. If the dividend is
converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, you should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect
of the dividend income. If the dividend is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, you will have a basis in the
reais
equal to the U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. You may have foreign currency gain or loss if the dividend
is converted into U.S. dollars after the date of receipt.
Subject to applicable limitations that
may vary depending upon your circumstances and subject to the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury,
Brazilian income taxes withheld from dividends on preferred shares or ADSs will be creditable against your U.S. federal income
tax liability. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and, therefore, you should consult your tax adviser regarding
the availability of foreign tax credits in your particular circumstances. In particular, a U.S. Holder may use foreign tax credits
to offset only the portion of its U.S. tax liability that is attributable to foreign-source income. Instead of claiming a credit,
you may, at your election, deduct such Brazilian taxes in computing your taxable income, subject to generally applicable limitations
under U.S. law. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all taxes paid or accrued
in the taxable year to foreign countries and possessions of the United States.
Sale, Redemption or Other Disposition of Preferred Shares
or ADSs
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain
or loss you realize on the sale, redemption or other disposition of preferred shares or ADSs will generally be capital gain or
loss, and will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the preferred shares or ADSs for more than one year, provided,
in the case of a redemption of preferred shares, that you do not own, and are not deemed to own, any of our voting stock. The amount
of your gain or loss will equal the difference between your tax basis in the preferred shares or ADSs disposed of and the amount
realized on the disposition, in each case, as determined in U.S. dollars. If a Brazilian tax on gains is withheld on the sale or
disposition of preferred shares or ADSs, a U.S. Holder’s amount realized will include the gross amount of the proceeds of
such sale or disposition before deduction of the Brazilian tax. See “—Brazilian Tax Considerations—Taxation of
Gains” for a description of when a disposition may be subject to taxation by Brazil. Such gain or loss will generally be
U.S.-source gain or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers as to whether the Brazilian
tax on gains may be creditable against their U.S. federal income tax on foreign-source income from other sources.
Other Brazilian Taxes
You should note that any Brazilian IOF/Exchange
Tax (as discussed above under “—Brazilian Tax Considerations”) will not be a creditable foreign tax for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, although you may be entitled to deduct such tax, subject to applicable limitations under U.S. law.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the payment of Brazilian IOF/Exchange
Tax, including whether you may claim a deduction for such tax or should instead include the amount of tax paid in your initial
basis in the preferred shares or ADSs.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
We believe that we were not a “passive
foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our 2015 taxable year. However,
because PFIC status depends on the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets from time
to time, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during
which a U.S. Holder held preferred shares or ADSs, gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including
certain pledges) of the preferred shares or ADSs would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the
preferred shares or ADSs. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we
became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the
highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for such taxable year, and an interest charge would be
imposed on the resulting tax liability. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its preferred
shares or ADSs exceeded 125% of the average of the annual distributions on preferred shares or ADSs received by the U.S. Holder
during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject
to taxation in the same manner. Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as mark-to-market
treatment) of the preferred shares or ADSs. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether any of these elections
would be available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder owns our preferred shares or ADSs, the U.S. Holder will generally
be required to file Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 8621 with its annual U.S. federal income tax return, subject
to certain exceptions.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of dividends and sales proceeds
that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries generally are subject to information
reporting and may be subject to backup withholding, unless (i) you are a U.S. corporation or other exempt recipient or (ii) in
the case of backup withholding, you provide a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup
withholding. 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 timely furnished to the IRS.
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals
may be required to report information on IRS Form 8938 relating to their ownership of securities of a non-U.S. person, subject
to certain exceptions (including an exception for securities held in certain accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions).
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of these rules on their ownership and disposition
of preferred shares or ADSs.
U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR PREFERRED SHARES OR
ADSs SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS AS TO THE BRAZILIAN, U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP
AND DISPOSITION OF OUR PREFERRED SHARES OR ADSs BASED UPON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
|
F.
|
Dividends and Paying Agents
|
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
We are subject to the information requirements
of the Exchange Act, except that as a foreign issuer, we are not subject to the proxy rules or the short-swing profit disclosure
rules of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these statutory requirements, we file or furnish reports and other information with
the SEC. Reports and other information filed or furnished by us with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from
the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may also inspect these
reports and other information at the offices of the NYSE, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our ADSs are listed.
In addition, the SEC maintains a website
that contains information filed electronically, which can be accessed over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
We also file financial statements and other
periodic reports with the CVM. Copies of our annual report on Form 20-F and documents referred to in this annual report and our
bylaws will be available for inspection upon request at our offices at Avenida Engenheiro Luis Carlos Berrini, 1376 – 28
th
floor, 04571-936, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
|
I.
|
Subsidiary Information
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 11.
|
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
We are exposed to several market risks
as a result of our commercial operations, debts obtained to finance our activities and financial derivative instruments, including
exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, debt acceleration risk and credit risk. To help us manage our risks, we conduct a valuation
of our financial assets and liabilities in relation to market values based on available information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
However, the interpretation of market information, as well as the selection of methodologies, requires considerable judgment and
reasonable estimates to produce adequate realization values. As a result, our valuation estimates do not necessarily indicate the
amounts, which will be realized in the current market. The use of different market approaches and/or methodologies for the estimates
may have a significant effect on the estimated realization values.
We also enter into derivative instruments
to manage the risks to which we are exposed in accordance with our risk management policy. We do not hold derivative instruments
for speculative purposes.
To further assist our risk management,
we conduct fair value analyses of our derivative financials instruments, as well as sensitivity analyses of our risk variables
and our net exposure risk. For more details of the results of our valuation analysis, risk management strategies, and sensitivity
analysis of our derivative financial instruments, please see Note 33 to our consolidated financial statements.
|
ITEM 12.
|
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
|
D.
|
American Depositary Shares
|
The depositary, Citibank N.A., collects
its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs or from intermediaries
acting for them. The depositary also collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts
distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary
services by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary
may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares, receiving distributions or holding ADSs on the applicable record date, as applicable, must pay:
|
|
For:
|
Up to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) issued
|
·
|
Issuance
of ADSs upon deposit of Shares, excluding issuances as a result of distributions
|
|
|
|
Up to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered
|
·
|
Delivery of deposited securities against
surrender of ADSs
|
|
|
|
Up to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held
|
·
|
Distribution
of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements)
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Distribution
of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Distribution
of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs (i.e., spin-off shares)
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Depositary
services
|
|
|
|
Registration or transfer fees
|
·
|
Registration
of shares or other deposited securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of shares or other deposited securities
to or from the name of the custodian, the depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively
|
|
|
|
Expenses and charges of the depositary
|
·
|
Cable, telex and facsimile
transmissions and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
Conversion
of foreign currency
|
|
|
|
Taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges
|
·
|
As necessary
|
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares, receiving distributions or holding ADSs on the applicable record date, as applicable, must pay:
|
|
For:
|
Fees and expenses incurred by the depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs
|
·
|
As
necessary
|
|
|
|
Fees and expenses incurred by the depositary, the custodian, or any nominee in connection with the servicing or delivery of deposited property
|
·
|
As necessary
|
On January 28, 2013, we entered into a
deposit agreement with Citibank N.A., pursuant to which Citibank N.A. became our depositary.
Citibank N.A. has agreed to reimburse
us for expenses related to establishment and maintenance expenses of the ADS program. The depositary has agreed to reimburse us
for our continuing annual stock exchange listing fees. The depositary has also agreed to pay the standard out-of-pocket maintenance
costs for the ADRs, which consist of the expenses of postage and envelopes for mailing annual and interim financial reports, printing
and distributing dividend checks, electronic filing of U.S. Federal tax information, mailing required tax forms, stationery, postage,
facsimile, and telephone calls. It has also agreed to reimburse us annually for certain investor relations programs or special
investor relations promotional activities. In certain instances, the depositary has agreed to provide additional payments to us
based on any applicable performance indicators relating to the ADR facility. There are limits on the amount of expenses for which
the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is not necessarily tied to the amount of fees
the depositary collects from investors. During 2016, we received from Citibank N.A., our depositary, US$3.8 million, for the services
described above.
The following explanations are not intended
as technical definitions, but to assist the reader in understanding certain terms as used in this Annual Report.
Analog: A mode of transmission or switching
that is not digital, e.g., the representation of voice, video or other modulated electrical audio signals, which are not in digital
form.
Cellular service: A cellular telecommunications
service provided by means of a network of interconnected low-powered base stations, each of which covers one small geographic cell
within the total cellular telecommunications system service area.
Digital: A mode of representing a physical
variable such as speech using digits 0 and 1 only. The digits are transmitted in binary form as a series of pulses. Digital networks
allow for higher capacity and higher flexibility through the use of computer-related technology for the transmission and manipulation
of telephone calls. Digital systems offer lower noise interference and can incorporate encryption as a protection from external
interference.
DTH: A special type of service that uses
satellites for the direct distribution of television and audio signs for subscribers.
FWT: Fixed-phones using the wireless network
(“Fixed Wireless Telephone”).
GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications,
a service rendered by concession from ANATEL for a specific frequency range.
Interconnection fee: Amount paid per minute
charged by network operators for the use of their network by other network operators.
Internet: A collection of interconnected
networks spanning the entire world, including university, corporate, government and research networks from around the globe. These
networks all use the IP (Internet Protocol) communications protocol.
IP (Internet protocol): An interconnection
protocol for sub-networks, in particular for those with different physical characteristics used by the Internet.
IPTV: Pay TV with video broadcast offered
through the use of the IP protocol.
Measured services: all calls that originate
and terminate within the same area code within our concession region.
MMDS: (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution
Service): Wireless telecommunications technology, used for general-purpose broadband networking or, more commonly, as an alternative
method of cable television programming reception.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator):
Wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which the MVNO provides services
to its customers.
Net additions: total number of new customers
acquired in any period minus the reduction in the number of customers.
Network: An interconnected collection of
elements. In a telephone network, these consist of switches connected to each other and to customer equipment. The transmission
equipment may be based on fiber optic or metallic cable or point-to-point radio connections.
NGN: next-generation network is body
of key architectural changes in telecommunication core and access networks. The general idea behind the NGN
is that one network transports all information and services (voice, data, and all sorts of media such as video) by encapsulating
these into packets, similar to those used on the Internet.
SMS: Text messaging services for wireless
devices, which allow customers to send and receive alphanumerical messages.
Switch: Devices used to set up and route
telephone calls either to the number called or to the next switch along the path. They may also record information for billing
and control purposes.
Universal service: The obligation to supply
basic service to all users throughout a national territory at reasonable prices.
VOIP: Voice over Internet Protocol, is
a technology for transmitting voice using the Internet.
VOD: Video on demand systems allow users
to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand.
WAP: Wireless Application Protocol, an
open and standardized protocol started in 1997, which allows access to Internet servers through specific equipment, a WAP Gateway
at the carrier, and WAP browsers in customers’ wireless devices.
WCDMA: Wide-Band Code-Division Multiple
Access, a technology for wideband digital radio communications of Internet, multimedia, video and other bandwidth-demanding applications.
Wireless devices: wireless appliances that
we sell, including cellular handsets, wireless handheld devices and wireless broadband cards.
xDSL: A technology that allows high-speed
transmission of text, audio and video, generally over standard telephone lines (“Digital Subscriber Line”).
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
Years ended December 31, 2016,
2015 and 2014
(In thousands of reais, unless
otherwise stated)
a)
Background information
Telefônica Brasil S.A.
(“Company” or “Telefônica Brasil”) is a publicly held corporation operating in telecommunication
services and in the performance of activities that are necessary or useful in the rendering of such services, in conformity with
the concessions and authorizations it has been granted. The Company, headquartered at Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Carlos Berrini, No.
1376, in the city and State of São Paulo, Brazil, is a member of Telefónica Group (“Group”), the telecommunications
industry leader in Spain, also present in various European and Latin American countries.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015,
Telefónica S.A. (“Telefónica”), the Group holding company based in Spain, held total direct and indirect
interest in the Company, including treasury shares of 73.58% (Note 23).
The Company is listed with the
Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (“CVM”) as a publicly held company under Category A (issuers authorized
to trade any marketable securities) and has shares traded on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (“BM&FBovespa”).
The Company is also listed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), of the United States of America, and
its American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) are classified under level II, backed only by preferred shares and traded on
the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).
b)
Operations
The Company operates in the
provision of services: (i) Fixed Switched Telephone Service Concession Arrangement ("STFC"), except for the municipalities
identified on sector 33 of such agreement; (ii) Multimedia Communication Service ("SCM", data communication, including
broadband internet); (iii) Personal Mobile Service ("SMP"); and (iv) Pay TV (conditioned access service - SEAC), throughout
Brazil, through concessions and authorizations, as established in the General Plan of Concessions ("PGO").
In accordance with the service
concession agreement, every two years, during the agreement’s 20-year term, the Company shall pay a fee equivalent to 2%
of its prior-year STFC revenues, net of applicable taxes and social contribution taxes (Note 22). The Company’s current STFC
concession agreement is valid through December 31, 2025.
In accordance with the SMP authorization
terms for the usage of frequencies associated with SMP, every two years, after the first renewal of these agreements, the Company
shall pay a fee equivalent to 2% of its prior-year SMP revenues, net of applicable taxes and social contribution taxes, and in
the 15th year the Company will pay 1% of its prior-year revenue. The calculation will consider the net revenue from the application
of Basic and Alternative Services Plans (Note 22). These agreements can be extended only once for a term of 15 years.
Service concessions and authorizations
are granted by the Brazil's Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (“ANATEL”), the agency responsible for the regulation
of the Brazilian telecommunications sector under the terms of Law No. 9472 of July 16, 1997 - General Telecommunications Law (“Lei
Geral das Telecomunicações” - LGT), amended by Laws No. 9986, of July 18, 2000, and No. 12485, of September
12, 2011. The operation of such concessions is subject to supplementary regulations and plans.
In
the auction for sale of the remaining radio frequency bands of 1,800 MHz, 1,900 MHz and 2,500 MHz, held by ANATEL on December 17,
2015, the Company was the out bidder of seven 2,500MHz frequency lots, having offered the amount of R$185,450. On July 21, 2016,
under Ruling
No. 2.483, No. 2.485 and No. 2.486,
ANATEL’s Steering Board decided to
endorse the use of these radio frequencies. The terms of authorization for these frequency bands were entered into on July 26,
2016 and published in the Brazilian Official Gazette (“DOU”) on August 26, 2016. In 2016, the total amount was recorded
as licenses under intangible assets (note 14).
We set out below a summary of
the authorizations for rendering SMP services granted to the Company, according to the specific announcements for each auction
held by ANATEL.
|
License
Expiration (Year)
|
Frequency
|
450
MHz
|
|
700
MHz
|
|
800
MHz
(4)
|
|
900
MHz
|
|
1800
MHz
|
|
2100
MHz
(5)
|
|
2,5
GHz
|
|
2,5
GHz
|
Band
|
14
MHz
|
|
20
MHz
|
|
25
MHz
|
|
5
MHz
|
|
20
MHz
|
|
30
MHz
|
|
40
MHz
|
|
10
MHz
|
Operation area
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Region 1
(1)
|
2027
|
|
2029
|
|
2020 / 2023 / 2028
|
|
2020 / 2023
|
|
2020 / 2023
|
|
2022 / 2023
|
|
2027
|
|
2031
|
Region 2
(2)
|
-
|
|
2029
|
|
2021 / 2022 / 2023 / 2024 / 2028
|
|
2023
|
|
2023
|
|
2022 / 2023
|
|
2027
|
|
2031
|
Region 3
(3)
|
2027
|
|
2029
|
|
2023 / 2024
|
|
-
|
|
2023
|
|
2022 / 2023
|
|
2027
|
|
2031
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Amazonas, Roraima, Amapá,
Pará, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Ceará, Paraíba,
Pernambuco, Piauí and Rio Grande do Norte.
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(2)
|
Includes
the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, Distrito Federal, Goiás,
Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia and Acre.
|
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(3)
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Includes
the State of São Paulo.
|
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(4)
|
All
authorization terms for bands A and B have already been renewed for further 15 years.
Therefore, there is no other renewal (after 30 years of authorization).
|
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(5)
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The
authorization terms for band L, linked to bands A or B, were renewed during the same
period of those bands. The L bands that were realigned to the J band start to have the
same date for renewal of the latter. In Region 10 and Sectors 22, 25, 30 and 33 of the
PGO, however, the realignment is expected to be completed by March 2017, subject to ANATEL’s
approval.
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The authorizations for each
region / state presented in the table above are defined in each authorization term.
c)
Corporate restructuring
The Shareholders’ Meeting
held on April 1, 2016, approved corporate restructuring in accordance with the terms and conditions proposed on March 14, 2016,
as described below.
GVT Participações
S.A. (“GVTPart.”) was the parent company of Global Village Telecom S.A. ("GVT"), companies controlled by
the Company from May 28, 2015 to April 1, 2016 (Note 4). GVT was the direct controlling holder of POP Internet Ltda. (“POP”),
and indirect controlling holder of Innoweb Ltda. (“Innoweb”), both with head offices in Brazil.
POP is a provider of free Internet
access and content. Innoweb (subsidiary of POP) provides services using VoIP technology (voice over IP), which allows calls using
the Internet, with the facilities inherent in this environment.
The corporate restructuring
was approved by ANATEL through Ruling No. 50,169, dated January 22, 2016, which was published in the DOU on January 28, 2016, with
the conditions provided therein.
The corporate restructuring
occurred on the same date as the Shareholders’ Meeting mentioned above, as follows: (i) GVT was spun-off and its net assets,
including assets, rights and obligations related to telecommunications activities, were absorbed by GVTPart., whereas the remaining
portion relating to assets, rights and obligations related to activities other than telecommunications was absorbed by POP; and
(ii) the net assets of GVTPart. (after the merger of GVT’s net assets, item (i) was merged into the Company.
The corporate restructuring
intends to standardize the services provided by the companies involved in this process by (i) concentrating the rendering of telecommunication
services in a single company, i.e., the Company; and (ii) migrating activities that were provided by GVT, other than telecommunication
services to POP.
As such, the simplification
of the corporate structure and the centralization of the provision of telecommunication services at the Company will lead to a
converging environment, facilitating consolidation and centralization in the offering of telecommunication services and simplification
of service package offerings; optimizing administrative and operating costs; and standardization of the operations at the companies
involved in the corporate restructuring.
Shareholding structures at March
31, 2016 (before the corporate restructuring) and as from April 1, 2016 (after the Corporate Restructuring), considering only the
companies involved in the corporate restructuring were the following:
Given that the merger of GVTPart.
into the Company did not require a capital increase or a change in shareholders’ interest in the Company, since GVTPart.
was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the replacement of shares held by the shareholders in GVTPart. with shares in the
Company is not applicable. Consequently, there are no minority interests to be considered and, therefore, in accordance with the
CVM’s position in similar prior cases, and under the terms of CVM Resolution No. 559/08, the provisions of article 264 of
Law No. 6404/76 and its further amendments similarly do not apply.
In addition, in relation to
the transaction preceding the merger of GVTPart into the Company, the replacement of shares is not applicable, given that GVT is
a subsidiary of GVTPart. and of the Company itself, thus there are no minority shareholders.
Pursuant to the provisions of
article 137 of Law No. 6404/76 and its further amendments, the corporate restructuring does not entitle the Company’s shareholders
to the right of withdrawal. Furthermore, considering that there are no minority shareholders of GVTPart., since it is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, there is no question of right to withdrawal or exercise of the right to withdraw by GVTPart. non-controlling
shareholders, as provided for in article 136, item iv, and article 137 of Law No. 6404/76 and its further amendments.
|
2)
|
BASIS OF PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION
OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
a)
Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements
were prepared and are presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IASB), which are not different from the accounting standards adopted in Brazil.
b)
Basis of preparation
and presentation
The Company’s consolidated
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented in thousands of reais (unless otherwise
stated), which is the Company’s functional currency.
Management has assessed the
Company's ability to continue operating normally and is convinced that it has the resources to continue its business in the future.
In addition, Management is not aware of any material uncertainties that could generate significant doubts about its ability to
continue operating. Therefore, these financial statements were prepared based on the assumption of continuity.
The Board of Directors authorized
the issue of these consolidated financial statements at the meeting held on February 17, 2017.
The financial statements were
prepared on a historical cost basis (except where different criteria are required) and adjusted to reflect the valuation of assets
and liabilities measured at fair value or considering the mark-to-market valuation when such valuations are required by IFRS.
These financial statements were
prepared under various measurement bases used in accounting estimates. The accounting estimates involved in the preparation of
these financial statements were based on objective and subjective factors, considering management’s judgment for determining
the adequate amounts to be recorded in the financial statements. Significant items subject to these estimates and assumptions include:
selection of useful lives and recoverability of property, plant and equipment in operations, measurement of the recoverability
of assets with indefinite useful lives, measurement of financial assets at fair value and under present value adjustment method,
as well as non-financial assets acquired in a business combination, credit risk analysis in determining estimated impairment losses
of trade accounts receivable, as well as the analysis of other risks in determining other provisions, including the provision for
contingencies. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recognized, which represent hedged items at fair value, which, alternatively,
would have been recorded at amortized cost, are adjusted to state the variations in fair values attributable to the hedged risks.
Settlement of transactions involving
these estimates may result in amounts significantly different from those recorded in the financial statements due to the uncertainties
inherent in their estimate process. The Company reviews its estimates at least on an annual basis.
Certain account headings in
the tables of these notes to financial statements were reclassified to allow comparison with information for the years ended December
31, 2015 and 2014, as applicable.
For comparability of the consolidated
financial statements for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the effects of consolidating GVTPart. on May 1, 2015 (Note
1c) shall be considered.
The Company reports, in Note
35, the pro forma income statements (not audited or reviewed) for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The Company declares that the
financial statements are in compliance with the IFRS as issued by IASB as of December 31, 2016, which are the same as those followed
by the financial statements at December 31, 2015, except for the new pronouncements, interpretations and amendments, of the following
standards, amendments and interpretations published by IASB and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC), described below, which
came into effect on January 1, 2016, but did not cause significant impacts on the financial statements.
|
·
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IFRS 5 Non-current
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations, as amended;
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|
·
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IFRS 7 Financial
Instruments: Disclosures, as amended;
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·
|
IFRS 11 Accounting
for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IFRS 14 Regulatory
Deferral Accounts, as issued;
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·
|
IAS 1 Disclosure
Initiative, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IAS 16 and IAS
38 Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortization, as amended;
|
|
·
|
IAS 19 Employee
Benefits, as amended; and
|
|
·
|
IAS 27 Equity Method
in Separate Financial Statements, as amended.
|
On the date of preparation of
these financial statements, the following IFRS amendments had been published; however, their application was not mandatory. The
Company does not adopt early any pronouncement, interpretation or amendment that has been issued, before application is mandatory.
Standards and Amendments to the Standards
|
|
Effective as of:
|
IAS 7 Cash Flow, as amended
|
|
January 1, 2017
|
IAS 12 Income Taxes, as amended
|
|
January 1, 2017
|
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, issued
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as issued
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 2 Classification and Valuation of Share Based Transactions, as amended
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts, as amended
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
IAS 40 Investment Property Transfers, as amended
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
IFRIC 22 Transactions in Foreign Currency and Advance Payments, as issued
|
|
January 1, 2018
|
Annual Improvements to IFRS, 2014-2016 Cycle, as issued
|
|
January 1, 2017 / 2018
|
IFRS 16 Leases, as issued
|
|
January 1, 2019
|
IFRS 10, 12 and IAS 28 Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception, as amended
|
|
TBD
|
Based on preliminary
analysis, the Company expects the implementation of many of these standards, changes and interpretations will not have a significant
impact on the financial statements in the initial period of application. However, the Company expects the following standards issued,
but not yet mandatory, may have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements at the time of its application
and prospectively.
IFRS 9 - Financial Instruments,
Issue:
In July 2014, the IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9, which replaces IAS 39 and
all previous versions of IFRS 9.
IFRS 9 applies
to financial assets and liabilities and establishes the classification, valuation, losses and write-off criteria for recognition
of such items, as well as a new hedge accounting model. The Company estimates that major changes will occur in the documentation
of hedge policies and strategies, as well as in the estimation of expected losses on financial assets. The changes introduced by
IFRS 9 will affect the recognition of financial assets and derivative financial instruments as of January 1, 2018. The Company
is carrying out the process of implementing the new criteria, but due to the relevance of the potentially affected items and the
complexity of the estimates, understands that it is not reasonably possible to quantify the impacts of the application of this
standard on the closing date of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts
with Customers, Issuance:
IFRS 15 establishes criteria’s for the accounting of revenues
from customer contracts. The Company is currently in the process of estimating the impacts of this new standard on its contracts.
This analysis identified a number of expected impacts related to the following aspects, among others:
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•
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Under
the current accounting policy, the Company offers commercial packages that combine equipment’s and services of telephony
fixed and mobile, data, internet and television, total revenue of services is distributed among its elements identified based
on their respective fair values.
|
Under
IFRS 15, amounts will be allocated to each element based on the basis of the independent selling prices of each individual component
in relation to the total price of the package and will be recognized when (and the measure) the obligation is satisfied. Consequently,
the application of the new criteria will mean an acceleration in the recognition of equipment sales revenues, which are generally
recognized at the time of delivery to the final consumer. To the extent that the packages are marketed at a discount, the difference
between the profit on sales of equipment and the amount received from the customer at the inception of the contract will be recognized
as a contractual asset.
|
•
|
According
to the criteria currently in force, all costs directly related to obtaining commercial contracts (sales commissions and other
expenses with third parties) are accounted as expenses when incurred.
|
On
the other hand, IFRS 15 requires the recognition of an asset for the amounts incurred by these concepts and its subsequent accounting
to the income statement according to the period of the respective agreement. Likewise, certain costs related to the performance
of the contract, currently recognized as expenses, when incurred, will be deferred when associated with compliance obligations
over the period of contract.
|
•
|
Compared
to the current standard, IFRS 15 establishes much more detailed requirements on the accounting treatment of contract changes.
Thus, certain changes will be recorded retrospectively and others prospectively as a separate or contract resulting from the redistribution
of revenues among the various performance obligations identified.
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The
Company is advancing in the process of implementing the new criteria, but due to the high number of transactions affected, the
high volume and dispersion of the necessary information and the complexity of the estimates, the Company understands that at the
closing date of the year ended December 31, 2016 cannot reliably measure the impact of the application of this standard. However,
considering the current commercial offers as well as the volume of affected contracts, the Company estimates that the changes introduced
by IFRS 15 will have a significant impact on its financial statements at the date of its initial application. In addition, the
Company's financial statements will include more quantitative disclosures of revenue-related accounts.
IFRS 16 - Leases, Issuance:
IFRS 16 establishes that companies acting as lessees must recognize in the balance sheet the assets
and liabilities arising from all lease agreements (except for short-term lease agreements and those for low value assets).
The Company
has a very large number of leases as a lessee of various assets, such as third-party towers, circuits, real estate and land (where
the towers are primarily located). Under the current standard, significant portions of such contracts are classified as operating
leases, where payments are generally recorded on a straight-line basis over the contract term.
The Company
is currently in the process of estimating the impact of this new standard on such contracts. In this analysis, the estimate of
the term of the lease is included, considering the non-cancellable period and the periods covered if exercised the option to extend
the lease for those cases in which exist reasonable certainty, which will depend, of the expected use of the Company's assets installed
in the leased assets.
In addition
to the term of the lease, assumptions will be used to calculate the discount rate, which will depend mainly on the incremental
financing rate for the estimated periods. In addition to the previous estimates, the standard allows two transition methods, being:
(i) full retrospective for each comparative period presented; and (ii) modified retrospective with the cumulative effect of the
initial application of the recognized standard at the date of initial application. In addition, it is possible to choose specific
practical relieves at the time of applying the standard on measurement of liability, discount rate, losses, leases ending within
twelve months after the first application, initial direct costs, and lease duration. Thus, depending on the transition method to
be chosen, the impacts will be different.
Due to the different
alternatives, as well as the complexity of the estimates and the high number of contracts, the Company has not yet completed the
implementation process, so that at the closing date of the year ended December 31, 2016 it is not possible to estimate the impact
of the application of this standard. However, considering the volume of contracts affected, the Company estimates that the changes
introduced by IFRS 16 will have a significant impact on its financial statements from the date of adoption, including the recognition
of the right to use and the corresponding obligations in respect to the contracts which, under the current standard, are classified
as operating leases. In addition, depreciation of the right to use the assets and recognition of interest on the lease obligation
will replace a significant portion of the amount recognized as expenses in the income statement of the operating lease. The classification
of payments in the statement of cash flows will also be affected by the adoption of IFRS 16.
c)
Basis of consolidation
The financial statements include
the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014.
Control is obtained when the
Company is exposed or has the right to variable returns based on its involvement with the investee and has the capacity of affecting
those returns through the power exercised over an investee.
Specifically, the Company controls
an investee if, and only if, it has: (i) power over an investee (i.e., existing rights that ensure it the current capacity of directing
investee’s activities); (ii) exposure or right to variable returns based on its involvement with an investee; and (iii) the
capacity to use its power over an investee to affect results.
Generally, there is an assumption
that the majority of voting rights result in control. In order to support this assumption and when the Company has less than the
majority of voting rights or similar rights of an investee, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating
whether it has power over an investee, including: (i) the contractual agreement with other parties holding voting rights of the
investee; (ii) rights originating from contractual agreements; and (iii) voting rights or potential voting rights of the Company.
The Company evaluates whether
or not it exercises control over an investee if facts or circumstances indicate that there are changes in one or more of the three
control elements. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control in relation to a subsidiary and ends when
the Company ceases exercising that control. Assets, liabilities and P&L of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of in the year
are included in the financial statements as from the date on which the Company obtains control up to the date the Company no longer
exercises control over a subsidiary.
The Company held the following
equity interests on the respective dates:
Investees
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Investees
|
|
Type of investment
|
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
Country (Headquarters)
|
|
Core activity
|
Telefônica Data S.A. ("TData")
|
|
Wholly-owned subsidiary
|
|
100.00%
|
|
100.00%
|
|
Brazil
|
|
Telecommunications
|
GVT Participações S.A. ("GVTPart.") (note 4)
|
|
Wholly-owned subsidiary
|
|
-
|
|
100.00%
|
|
Brazil
|
|
Telecommunications
|
POP Internet Ltda ("POP") (note 1c)
|
|
Wholly-owned subsidiary
|
|
100.00%
|
|
100.00%
|
|
Brazil
|
|
Internet
|
Aliança Atlântica Holding B.V. ("Aliança")
|
|
Jointly-controlled subsidiary
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
Holland
|
|
Holding of the telecommunications sector
|
Companhia AIX de Participações ("AIX")
|
|
Jointly-controlled subsidiary
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
Brazil
|
|
Operation of underground telecommunications networks
|
Companhia ACT de Participações ("ACT")
|
|
Jointly-controlled subsidiary
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
Brazil
|
|
Technical assistance in telecommunication networks
|
Interest held in subsidiaries
or jointly-controlled entities is measured under the equity method in the individual financial statements. In the financial statements,
investments and all asset and liability balances, revenues and expenses arising from transactions and interest held in subsidiaries
are fully eliminated.
|
3)
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES
|
a)
Cash and cash equivalents
These
are maintained in order to meet short-term cash commitments and not for investment or other purposes
.
The Company and subsidiaries consider cash equivalents a short-term investment readily convertible
into a known amount of cash and subject to insignificant risk of change in value. Short-term investments are classified as cash-equivalent
when redeemable within 90 days (Note 5).
b)
Trade accounts receivable,
net
These are evaluated by the value
of the services provided in accordance with the contracted conditions, net of estimated impairment losses. These include the services
provided to customers, which were still not billed until balance sheet date, as well as other trade accounts receivable related
to the sale of cellphones, SIM cards, accessories and rent of IT equipment (TData’s “Soluciona TI” product).
The estimated impairment losses are set up at amounts sufficient to cover any losses and mainly consider the expected default (Note
6).
c)
Inventories, net
These are evaluated and presented
at lower of average acquisition cost and net realizable value. These include cellphones, SIM cards, prepaid cards, accessories,
consumption materials and maintenance. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business,
less estimated costs to sell (Note 7).
Estimated impairment losses
are set up for materials and devices considered obsolete or whose carrying amounts are in excess of those usually sold by the Company
within a reasonable period of time.
d)
Prepaid expenses
These are stated at amounts
effectively disbursed referring to services contracted but not yet incurred. Prepaid expenses are allocated to the income statement
to the extent that related services are rendered and economic benefits are obtained (Note 10).
e)
Investments
In the financial statements,
investments in subsidiaries are fully eliminated and investments in jointly-controlled entities are stated by the equity method.
Joint control is the contractually
agreed sharing of a control, only existing when decisions about relevant activities call for unanimous agreement by the parties
sharing control.
Based on the equity method,
investments are recorded in balance sheets at cost plus changes after the acquisition of the equity interest.
The income statement reflects
the portion of profit and losses from operations in investees.
When changes are directly recognized
in the investees' equity, the Company will recognize its portion in variations occurred, and record these variations in the statements
of changes in equity and in the statements of comprehensive income, where applicable.
The financial statements of
investees are prepared for the same reporting period of the Company. Whenever necessary, adjustments are made so that the accounting
policies are in accordance with those adopted by the Company.
After the equity method is applied,
the Company determines whether there is any need to recognize additional impairment of its investment in investees. At each closing
date, the Company determines whether there is objective evidence of impairment of investment in the affiliate. If so, the Company
calculates the recoverable amount as the difference between the recoverable value of the investees and their carrying amounts,
and recognizes the amount in the income statement.
When
there is loss of significant influence over the investees, the Company evaluates and recognizes the investment, at that moment,
at fair value
.
Any difference between the investees’
carrying amounts by the time it loses significant influence and the fair value of the remaining investment and revenue from sale
is recognized in the income statement.
Foreign exchange variations
in Aliança’s equity (jointly-controlled entity) are recognized in the Company’s equity in other comprehensive
income (“Effects on conversion of investments abroad”, Note 23).
f)
Property, plant and
equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment
are stated at acquisition and/or construction cost, net of accumulated depreciation and/or accumulated impairment losses, if any.
Such cost includes the borrowing costs for long-term construction projects if the recognition criteria are met, and is stated net
of ICMS (State VAT) credits, which were recorded as recoverable taxes.
Asset costs are capitalized
until the asset becomes operational. Costs incurred after the asset becomes operational and that do not improve the functionality
or extend the useful life of the asset are immediately recognized on the accrual basis. When significant parts of fixed assets
are required to be replaced at intervals, the Company recognizes such parts as individual assets with specific useful lives and
depreciation. Likewise, expenses that represent asset improvement (expanded installed capacity or useful life) are capitalized.
All the other repair and maintenance costs are recognized in the income statement as incurred.
The present value of the expected
cost for the decommissioning of property, plant and equipment items (towers and equipment on leased property) is capitalized at
the cost of the respective asset matched against the provision for dismantling obligations (Note 19) and depreciated over the useful
lives of the related assets, which do not exceed the lease term.
Depreciation is calculated by
the straight-line method over the useful lives of assets, at rates that take into account the estimated useful lives of assets
based on technical analyses. The assets’ residual values, useful lives and methods of depreciation are reviewed on a yearly
basis, adjusted prospectively, if appropriate. Useful life in terms of depreciation rates, which is reviewed annually by the Company,
is stated in Note 13.
Property, plant and equipment
items are written off when sold or when no future economic benefit is expected from their use or sale. Any gains or losses arising
from write-off of assets (measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the net carrying amount of the asset)
are recognized in the income statement in the year in which the asset is written off.
A brief description of the main
property, plant and equipment items, Note 13 is as follows:
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·
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Switching equipment:
This includes switching and control centers, gateway, platforms and other switching equipment.
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|
·
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Equipment and
transmission media:
These include base radio station, microcells, minicells, repeaters, antennas, radios, access networks,
concentrators, cables, TV equipment and other equipment and means of transmission.
|
|
·
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Terminal/modem
equipment:
Includes cellphones and modems (rent and free lease), CPCT, public telephones and other terminal equipment.
|
|
·
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Infrastructure:
This includes buildings, elevators, central air conditioning equipment, towers, posts, containers, energy equipment, land piping,
support and protectors, leasehold improvements, etc.
|
|
·
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Other fixed
asset items:
These include vehicles, repair and construction tools and instruments, telesupervision equipment, IT equipment,
testing and measurement equipment, fixtures and other goods for general use.
|
g)
Intangible assets,
net
Intangible assets acquired separately
are measured at cost upon their initial recognition. The cost of an intangible asset acquired in a business combination is its
fair value at the acquisition date.
After initial recognition, intangible
assets are stated at acquisition and/or buildup cost, net of amortization and accumulated provision for impairment, where applicable.
Intangible assets generated internally, excluding capitalized development costs, are not capitalized, and the expense is reflected
in the income statement for the year in which it is incurred.
The useful lives of intangible
assets are considered finite or indefinite.
|
·
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Intangible assets
with finite useful lives
are amortized over their economic useful lives under the straight-line method and are tested for impairment
whenever there is any indication of impairment loss. The amortization period and the amortization method for an intangible asset
with a finite useful life are reviewed on an annual basis.
|
Changes in the estimated
useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in an asset are accounted for by changing
the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization expense on
intangible assets with finite lives is recognized in the income statement in the cost/expense category consistent with the function
of the intangible assets.
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·
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Intangible assets
with indefinite useful lives
are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually, either individually or at the cash-generating
unit level. The assessment of indefinite life is reviewed annually to determine whether the indefinite life continues to be justifiable.
Otherwise, changes in useful life – from indefinite to finite - are carried out prospectively. Goodwill generated upon investment
acquisition is treated as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
|
Gains and losses arising from
derecognition of an intangible asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of
the asset, and recognized in the income statement on disposal.
A brief description of the key
intangible asset items with finite useful lives, Note 14, is as follows:
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·
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Software:
This includes licenses for software used in the Company’s operating, commercial and administrative activities.
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·
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Customer portfolio:
This includes intangible assets acquired through business combination, recorded at fair value on the acquisition date.
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·
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Trademarks
:
These include intangible assets acquired through business combination, recorded at fair value on the acquisition date.
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|
·
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Licenses:
These include concession and authorization licenses, acquired from ANATEL for provision of telecommunication services. These also
include licenses from business combinations, recorded at fair value on the acquisition date.
|
h)
Lease
The classification of an agreement
as a commercial lease is based on substantive issues related to the use of an asset or specific assets, or even the right to use
a given asset, on the initial date of its execution.
Finance lease agreements:
By means of these agreements, the Company assumes substantially all risks and rewards relating to ownership of a leased item. These
are capitalized at the lease inception at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum
lease payments. Initial direct costs incurred in the transaction are added to cost, where applicable. Payments of finance lease
agreements are allocated to financial charges and reduction of finance lease liabilities in order to obtain the constant interest
rate on the outstanding liability balance. Implicit interest recognized in liabilities is allocated to the income statement over
the lease term using the effective interest rate method.
Leased assets are depreciated
according to their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter.
The Company and TData are parties
to the following finance lease agreements:
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·
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As lessee:
lease agreements for transmission equipment and media arising from a joint construction agreement with another telecomm operator,
based on an optical network linked to the power transmission line, interconnecting the northern Brazilian cities to the Company’s
national backbone and lease of towers and rooftops (arising from sale and finance leaseback, for which the net carrying amount
of the assets upon disposal remained unchanged, a liability was recognized at the present value of minimum lease payments and deferred
income was recorded at the difference between the selling price and the mentioned present value. (Note 13f).
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As lessor:
Lease agreements for IT equipment (TData’s “Soluciona TI” product) for which the Company recognizes revenue,
upon inception, at the present value of lease payments matched against accounts receivable (Note 6).
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The difference between the nominal
amount of lease payments and recorded accounts receivable/payable are recognized as finance income/expenses using the effective
interest method over the lease term.
Operating lease:
These
are lease agreements where lessor holds a significant portion of risks and rewards, where effects are recognized in the income
statement for the year over the contractual term.
i) Impairment of nonfinancial
assets
The Company annually reviews
the net carrying amount of assets in order to evaluate events or changes in economic, operating or technological circumstances
that may indicate impairment losses. When such evidence is found, and net carrying amount exceeds recoverable amount, a provision
for impairment is recorded so as to adjust the net carrying amount to the recoverable amount.
The recoverable amount of an
asset or a Cash Generating Unit (“CGU”)is defined as the higher of value in use and net sales value.
Upon estimation of the value
in use of an asset or cash-generating unit, estimated future cash flows are discounted at present value using a discount rate based
on the cost of capital rate the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) before taxes, which reflects the weighted average cost of capital
and specific risks of the asset or CGU.
Whenever possible, the net sale
value is determined based on a firm sale agreement executed on an arm’s length basis between knowledgeable and willing parties,
adjusted by expenses attributable to the sale of assets or, when there is no firm sale agreement, based on the market price of
an active market, or on the latest transaction price involving similar assets.
For assets excluding goodwill,
an assessment is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses
may no longer exist or may have decreased.
A previously recognized impairment
loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the assumptions used to determine an asset’s or CGU’s recoverable
amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. Any reversal is limited so that the carrying amount of the asset does not
exceed its recoverable amount, or exceeds the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment
loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in the income statement.
The following assets have specific
characteristics for impairment testing:
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Goodwill:
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the reporting date or before when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
may be impaired. Where the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. Impairment losses
relating to goodwill cannot be reversed in future periods.
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Intangible assets:
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually at the reporting date, either individually or
at the CGU level, as appropriate, and when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired.
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Determination
of value in use:
The key assumptions used to estimate value in use are: (i) revenues (projected considering the growth in customer
base, growth in market revenue against GDP and the Company’s share of this market); (ii) variable costs and expenses (projected
in accordance with the dynamics of the customer base, and fixed costs are projected in line with the historical performance of
the Company, as well as with revenue growth); and (iii) capital investments (estimated considering the technological infrastructure
necessary to enable the provision of services).
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Key assumptions were based on
the Company’s historical performance and reasonable macroeconomic assumptions grounded on financial market projections, documented
and approved by the Company’s management.
The impairment test of the Company
and subsidiaries’ fixed and intangible assets, including goodwill, did not result in recognition of impairment losses for
the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, since their estimated recoverable amount is greater than the net carrying amount
as of the estimation date.
j)
Business combinations
and goodwill
Business combinations are accounted
for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, recorded
at fair value on the acquisition date, and the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree.
For each business combination,
the Company measures noncontrolling interests in the acquiree either at its fair value or on the basis of its proportional share
in the identifiable net assets of the acquiree. Costs directly attributable to an acquisition are recorded as expenses, as incurred.
Upon acquiring a business, the
Company assesses financial assets acquired and liabilities assumed so as to classify and allocate them in accordance with contractual
terms, economic circumstances and relevant conditions on the acquisition date, including the segregation, by the acquiree, of embedded
derivatives existing in host contracts in the acquiree.
In the event a business combination
is conducted in stages, the ownership interest previously held in the acquiree’s capital is reassessed at fair value on the
date control is acquired, and any impacts are recognized in the income statement.
Any contingent portion to be
transferred by the acquirer shall be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Subsequent changes in the fair value of
the contingent portion to be considered as an asset or liability is recognized in the income statement or in other comprehensive
income. Contingent consideration on acquisition
of a business that is not classified as equity is subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss, whether or not included
in the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.
Goodwill is initially measured
as excess transferred payment amount in relation to acquired net assets (identifiable net assets acquired and liabilities assumed).
If consideration is lower than fair value of acquired net assets, the difference must be recognized as gain in the income statement.
After initial recognition, goodwill
is measured at cost, less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business
combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the combination,
irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.
Where goodwill has been allocated
to a CGU and part of the operation within that CGU is disposed of, the goodwill associated with that operation is included in the
carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed in these circumstances is allocated
based on the relative fair values of the disposed operation and the portion of the CGU retained.
k)
Financial Instruments
– Initial recognition and subsequent measurement
k.1)
Financial assets
Initial recognition and
measurement
Financial assets are initially
classified as financial assets at: (i) fair value through profit or loss; (ii) loans and receivables; (iii) investments held to
maturity; (iv) financial assets available for sale or (v) derivatives classified as effective hedge instruments, as applicable.
The Company determines the classification of its financial assets upon initial recognition, as they become part of the instrument’s
contractual provisions.
All financial assets are initially
recognized at fair value, plus, in the case of investment that is not determined at fair value through profit or loss, the transaction
costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset.
The Company’s financial
assets include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, short-term investments pledged as collateral and derivative
financial instruments.
Subsequent measurement
Subsequent measurement of financial
assets depends on their classification, as follows:
Financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss:
These include financial assets held for trading and financial assets designated upon initial
recognition at fair value through profit or loss: (i) financial assets are classified as held for trading if acquired to be sold
within short term. This category includes derivative financial instruments contracted by the Company which do not meet the hedge
accounting criteria set out by the corresponding standard; and (ii) financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are stated
in balance sheets at fair value with their corresponding gains or losses recognized in the income statement.
Loans and receivables:
these refer to non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments, however not traded in an active market. After
initial measurement, these financial assets are stated at amortized cost, using the effective interest method, less impairment,
where applicable. Amortized cost is calculated taking into account any discount or “premium” on acquisition and fees
or costs incurred. Amortization by the effective interest method and impairment losses are included in the financial income line
in the income statement, if applicable.
Investments held to maturity:
Non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payment and fixed maturity date are classified as held to maturity when
the Company shows intention and financial capacity to hold them up to maturity. After their initial recognition, investments held
to maturity are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less impairment losses, where applicable. The amortized
cost is calculated taking into consideration any discount or “premium” upon acquisition as well as the fees and costs
incurred. Amortization of effective interest method is included in the financial income line in P&L, as applicable. The Company
did not record investments held to maturity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Financial assets available
for sale:
These are non-derivative financial assets not classified as: (i) loans and receivables; (ii) investments held to
maturity; or (iii) financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. These financial assets include equity and debt instruments.
Debt instruments in this category are those which are intended to be held for an indefinite period and can be sold to meet liquidity
needs or in response to changes in market conditions.
After initial measurement, financial
assets available for sale are measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses being recognized directly in other comprehensive
income until such time as the investment is written off, except for impairment losses, interest calculated using the effective
interest method and gains or losses due to exchange variations on monetary assets, which are recognized directly in the income
statement for the year.
When the investment is written-off
or when a loss is determined due to impairment, the cumulative gains or losses which were previously recognized in other comprehensive
income should be recognized in the statement of income.
The fair value of financial
assets available for sale denominated in foreign currency is measured in the foreign currency and translated at the spot exchange
rate at financial statements date. Changes in fair value attributable to translation differences that result from a change in amortized
cost of the asset are recognized in the income statement, and other variations are recognized directly in equity.
Derecognition
A financial asset (or, whenever
the case, a part of a financial asset, or a part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized when:
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The rights to receive
the cash flows from the asset have expired;
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The Company has
transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full
without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (i) the Company has transferred
substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (ii) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all
the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.
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When the Company has transferred
its rights to receive the cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, and has neither transferred
nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards related to the asset, the Company continues to recognize a financial asset
to the extent of its continuing involvement in that financial asset.
Impairment of financial
assets
The Company and its subsidiaries
evaluate, at the balance sheet date, if there is any objective evidence indicating that the financial asset or group of financial
assets is not recoverable. A loss only exists if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or
more events that have occurred after initial recognition of the asset (a “loss event” occurred) and such event has
an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or group of financial assets that can be reasonably estimated.
Evidence of impairment loss
may include indications that the borrowing parties are going through significant financial difficulty. The likelihood that they
will go bankrupt or enter into some other form of financial reorganization, that they will be in default or provide late payment
of interest or principal may be indicated by a measurable drop in the estimated future cash flows, such as changes in maturity
or economic conditions related to defaults.
The carrying amount of an asset
is reduced by a provision and the loss amount is recognized in the income statement. If, in a subsequent year, estimated impairment
increases or decreases due to an event after impairment recognition, impairment loss previously recognized will be adjusted accordingly.
Should a written-off asset be recovered in the future, such recovery is recognized in the income statement.
Financial assets at amortized
cost
The Company and its subsidiaries
initially assess individually if there is clear evidence of impairment loss of each financial asset that is individually relevant,
or in group for financial assets that are not individually significant. If the Company concludes that there is no evidence of impairment
loss for an individually assessed financial asset, whether significant or not, the asset is included in a group of financial assets
with similar credit risk characteristics which is then assessed collectively for impairment. Assets that are individually assessed
for impairment and for which an impairment loss is, or continues to be, recognized are not included in any joint assessment of
impairment.
When there is clear evidence
of impairment, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between book value of asset and the present value of estimated
future cash flows (less expected future credit losses not yet incurred). The present value of estimated future cash flows is discounted
at the original effective interest rate for the financial asset.
The carrying amount of an asset
is reduced by a provision and the loss amount is recognized in the income statement. Loans together with the provision are written-off
when there is no realistic prospect of their future recovery and all guarantees have been realized or transferred to the Company
or its subsidiaries. If, in a subsequent year, estimated impairment increases or decreases due to an event after impairment recognition,
impairment loss previously recognized will be adjusted accordingly. Should a written-off asset be recovered in the future, such
recovery is recognized in the income statement.
k.2)
Financial liabilities
Initial recognition and
measurement
Upon initial recognition, the
Company’s financial liabilities are classified in the following categories: financial liabilities measured at fair value
through profit or loss, loans and financing, accounts payable or derivatives classified as hedging instruments, as the case may
be.
Financial liabilities are initially
recognized at fair value plus, in the case of loans and financing, transaction cost directly attributable thereto.
The Company’s financial
liabilities include trade accounts payable, loans and financing, debentures, finance lease agreements, contingent payments and
derivative financial instruments.
Subsequent measurement
Measurement of financial liabilities
depends on their classification, as follows:
Financial liabilities at
fair value through profit or loss:
These include financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through
profit or loss. This category also includes derivative financial instruments contracted which do not meet the hedge accounting
criteria set out by the corresponding standard.
For the years ended December
31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company and its subsidiaries did not record any financial liability at fair value through profit or
loss upon initial recognition.
Loans and financing:
After initial recognition, loans and financing subject to interest are subsequently measured at amortized cost, using the effective
interest method. Gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the liabilities are derecognized as well as through
the effective interest rate amortization process.
Derecognition
A financial liability is derecognized
when the obligation has been revoked, cancelled or has expired.
When an existing financial liability
is replaced by another of the same lender, and the terms of the instruments are substantially different, or when the terms of an
existing debt instrument are substantially modified, this replacement or modification is treated as derecognition of the original
liability and recognition of a new liability, and the difference in the corresponding carrying amounts is recognized in the income
statement.
k.3)
Fair value measurement
Fair value is the price that
would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the
measurement date. Fair value measurement is based on the assumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability
will take place (i) in the principal market for the asset or liability; or (ii) in the absence of a principal market, in the most
advantageous market for that asset or liability.
The Company and or its subsidiaries
must have access to the principal (or most advantageous) market.
The fair value of an asset or
a liability is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, assuming that
market participants act in their best economic interests.
Fair value measurement of a
non-financial asset takes into consideration the capacity of a market participant to generate economic benefits through the best
use of the asset, or selling it to another market participant that would also make the best use of the asset.
The Company and its subsidiaries
use valuation techniques appropriate for the circumstances and for which there is sufficient data for fair value measurement, maximizing
the use of relevant available information and minimizing the use of unavailable information.
For assets and liabilities recurrently
recognized in the financial statements, the Company determines whether there were transfers between the hierarchy levels, revaluating
the classification (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement) at the end of each
reporting period.
For the purposes of fair value
disclosures, the Company and its subsidiaries determined classes of assets or liabilities based on the nature, characteristics
and risks of those assets or liabilities and the fair value hierarchy level, as mentioned above.
k.4)
Financial instruments
- net
Financial assets and liabilities
are presented net in the balance sheet if, and only if, there is a current enforceable legal right to offset the amounts recognized
and if there is an intention to offset or realize the asset or settle the liability simultaneously.
l)
Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Company uses derivative
financial instruments, such as currency and interest rate swaps or currency non-deliverable forward contracts to hedge against
currency risks.
Derivative financial instruments
designated in hedge transactions are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which the derivative contract is entered
into, and subsequently revalued also at fair value. Derivatives are presented as financial assets when the fair value of the instrument
is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value of the instrument is negative.
Any gains or losses resulting
from changes in fair value of derivatives during the year are posted directly to the income statement, except for the effective
portion of cash flow hedges, which is recognized directly in equity as other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified
to P&L when the hedged item affects P&L.
At the inception initial recognition
of a hedge relationship, the Company formally designate and documents the hedge relationship to which it wishes to apply hedge
accounting, the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge.
The documentation includes identification
of the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the hedged risk, the nature of unhedged risks, the prospective
statement of hedge effectiveness and how the Company shall assess the effectiveness of changes in the hedging instrument’s
fair value in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged
risk.
For the purpose of hedge accounting,
hedges are classified as cash flow hedges and fair value hedges.
l.1)
Cash flow hedges
Cash flow hedges meeting the
recording criteria are accounted for as follows: (i) the portion of gain or loss from the hedge instrument determined as effective
hedge shall be recognized directly in equity (in other comprehensive income), and (ii) the ineffective portion of gain or loss
from the hedge instrument shall be recognized in the income statement.
When the Company’s documented
risk management strategy for any given hedge relationship excludes from the hedge effectiveness evaluation any particular component
of gain or loss or the corresponding cash flows from the hedge instrument, that gain or loss component is recognized in financial
income (expenses).
Amounts recorded in other comprehensive
income are immediately transferred to the income statement when the hedged transaction affects P&L, for example, when the hedged
financial income or expenses are recognized or when a sale occurs. When a hedged item is the cost of a non-financial asset or liability,
amounts recorded in equity are transferred at the initial carrying amount of the non-financial assets and liabilities.
If the hedging instrument expires
or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover (as part of the hedging strategy), or if its designation as
a hedge is revoked, or when the hedge fails to meet the hedge accounting criteria, any cumulative gain or loss previously recognized
in other comprehensive income remains separately in equity until the forecast transaction occurs or the firm commitment is fulfilled.
The Company's contracts are
classified as cash flow hedges when they provide protection against changes in cash flows that are attributable to a particular
risk associated with a recognized liability that may affect the profit or loss and fair value when they provide protection against
exposure to changes in the fair value of the identified part of certain liabilities that is attributable to a particular risk (exchange
variation) and may affect the profit or loss.
l.2)
Fair value hedges
Fair value hedges meeting the
accounting criteria are accounted for as follows: (i) gain or loss from changes in fair value of a hedge instrument shall be recognized
in the income statement as finance costs; and (ii) gain or loss from a hedged item attributable to the hedged risk shall adjust
the recorded amount of the hedged item to be recognized in the income statement, as finance costs.
For fair value hedges relating
to items carried at amortized cost, any adjustment to carrying amount is amortized through profit or loss over the remaining term
of the hedge using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate amortization may begin as soon as any adjustment
exists and no later than the point that the hedged item ceases to be adjusted for changes in its fair value attributable to the
risk being hedged.
If the hedged item is derecognized,
the unamortized fair value is recognized immediately in the income statement.
When an unrecognized firm commitment
is designated as a hedged item, the subsequent cumulative change in the fair value of the firm commitment attributable to the hedged
risk is recognized as an asset or liability with a corresponding gain or loss recognized in profit and loss.
l.3)
Classification between
current and noncurrent
Derivative financial instruments
are classified as current and noncurrent or segregated into short and long term portions based on an evaluation of the contractual
cash flows.
When the Company maintains a
derivative as economic hedge (and does not apply hedge accounting), for a period exceeding 12 months after balance sheet date,
the derivative is classified as noncurrent (or segregated into current and noncurrent portions), in line with the classification
of the corresponding item.
Derivative instruments that
are designated as effective hedging instruments are classified consistently with the classification of the underlying hedged item.
The derivative instrument is
segregated into current and noncurrent portions only when amounts can be reliably allocated.
m)
Loans and financing
Loans and financing obtained
are initially recognized at fair value, net of costs incurred to obtain them and subsequently measured at amortized cost (plus
charges and pro rata interest), considering the effective interest rate of each operation.
These are classified as current,
unless the Company has an unconditional right to settle the liability for at least 12 months after year end.
n)
Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs that are directly
attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of an asset that necessarily takes a period of time exceeding 18 months
to prepare for its intended use or sale form part of the cost of that asset.
All other borrowing costs are
recorded in the period they are incurred. Borrowing costs include interest and other costs incurred by an entity in connection
with the borrowing of funds.
In 2016, 2015 and 2014, the
Company did not capitalize amounts related to borrowing costs.
o)
Interest on equity
and dividends
o.1)
Interest on equity
Brazilian legislation allows
companies to pay interest on equity, which is similar to payment of dividends; however, this is deductible for income tax calculation
purposes. In order to comply with Brazilian tax legislation the Company and its subsidiaries provision, in its accounting records
the amount due to match against the financial expenses account in the income statement for the year. For the presentation of these
financial statements, that expense is reversed against a direct charge to equity, resulting in the same accounting treatment adopted
for dividends. The distribution of interest on equity to shareholders is subject to withholding income tax at a 15% rate.
o.2)
Dividends
Minimum mandatory dividends
are stated in the balance sheet as legal obligations (provisions in current liabilities). Dividends in excess of such minimum amount,
not yet approved in the Shareholders’ Meeting, are recorded in equity as proposed additional dividends. After approval at
the Shareholders’ meeting, the dividends in excess of minimum mandatory are transferred to current liabilities, and classified
as legal obligations.
p)
Provisions
p.1)
General
Provisions are recognized when
the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, when it is probable that economic benefits
are required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the value of the obligation can be made. Provisions are restated
at the balance sheet date considering the likely amount of loss and the nature of each contingency.
Provisions for contingencies
are presented at their gross amount, less the corresponding judicial deposits, and are classified as provisions for civil, labor,
tax and regulatory contingencies.
Judicial deposits are classified
as assets given that the conditions required for their net presentation with the provision do not exist.
p.2)
Provisions for civil,
labor, tax and regulatory legal claims
The Company is party to labor,
tax, civil and regulatory administrative and legal proceedings and set up a provision for contingencies whose likelihood of loss
was estimated as probable. The assessment of the likelihood of loss includes an analysis of available evidence, the hierarchy of
laws, available case law, the latest court decisions law and their relevance in the legal system, as well as the opinion of outside
legal counsel. Provisions are reviewed and adjusted considering changes in existing circumstances, such as the applicable statute
of limitations, tax audit conclusions, or additional exposures identified based on new matters or court decisions.
p.3)
Provision for decommissioning
of assets
This refers to costs to be incurred
due to returning sites to owners (locations intended for tower and equipment installation on leased property) in the same condition
as these were found at the time of execution of the initial lease agreement.
These costs are provisioned
at the present value of amounts expected to settle the obligation using estimated cash flows and are recognized as part of the
cost of the corresponding asset. The cash flows are discounted at a current pre-tax rate that reflects the risks specific to decommissioning
of assets. The financial effect of the discount is recorded as incurred and recognized in the income statement as a finance cost.
The estimated future costs of decommissioning are reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate. Changes in the estimated future
costs or in the discount rate applied are added to, or deducted from, the cost of the asset.
p.4)
Contingent liabilities
recognized in a business combination
A contingent liability recognized
in business combination is initially measured at fair value (Note 4).
q)
Taxes
q.1)
Current taxes
Current tax assets and liabilities
for the current and prior years are measured at the estimated amount recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authorities. The
tax rates and laws used in calculating the amounts referred to above are those in effect, or substantially in effect, at year end.
In the balance sheet, current taxes are presented net of prepayments over the year.
Current income and social contribution
taxes related to items directly recognized in equity are also recognized in equity. Management regularly assesses the tax position
in circumstances in which tax regulation requires interpretation, and sets up provisions therefor when appropriate.
q.2)
Deferred taxes
Deferred taxes arise from temporary
differences at the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts.
Deferred tax assets are recognized
for all deductible temporary differences, unused tax credits and losses, to the extent that taxable profit is likely to be available
for realization of deductible temporary differences, and unused tax credits and losses are likely to be used, except: (i) when
the deferred tax asset related to the deductible temporary difference arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability
in a transaction other than a business combination and does not impact, at the transaction date, the book profit, income or loss
for tax purposes; and (ii) on deductible temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries, where deferred tax assets
are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that temporary differences will be reversed in the near future and taxable
profit is likely be available so that temporary differences can be used.
The carrying amount of deferred
tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit
shall be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be used. Derecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at
each reporting date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred
tax asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax liabilities are
recognized on all temporary tax differences, except: (i) when the deferred tax liability arises from initial recognition of goodwill,
or an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination, and does not affect book profit or taxable profit
or tax losses on the transaction date; and (ii) on temporary tax differences related to investments in subsidiaries, in which the
temporary difference reversal period can be controlled and temporary differences are not likely to be reversed in the near future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured at the tax rate expected to be applicable for the year the asset will be realized or the liability will be settled,
based on the rates provided in tax legislation and that were published as of year-end.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are not discounted to present value and are classified in the balance sheet as noncurrent, irrespective of the expected for their
realization.
The tax effects of items recorded
directly in equity are also recognized in equity. Deferred tax items are recognized based on the transaction which gave rise to
that deferred tax, in comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are presented net when there is a legal or constructive right to offset a tax asset against a tax liability and deferred taxes
relate to the same taxpaying entity and are subject to the same tax authority.
q.3)
Sales taxes
Revenues are recognized net
of value added taxes, which from services rendered is subject to State Value-Added Tax (ICMS) or Service Tax (ISS) at the rates
in force in each region as well as and to Social Contribution Tax on Gross Revenue for Social Integration Program (PIS) and Social
Contribution Tax on Gross Revenue for Social Security Financing (COFINS) taxation on a cumulative basis for revenue from telecommunication
services, at 0.65% and 3%, respectively. Other revenue earned by the Company, including revenue from resale of goods, on a noncumulative
basis, is taxed at 1.65% and 7.6% for PIS and COFINS, respectively, and by ICMS at the rates in force in each State.
Prepayments or recoverable amounts
are stated in current or noncurrent assets, based on their estimated realization.
r)
Other assets and liabilities
Assets are recognized in the
balance sheet when it is likely that their future economic benefits will flow to the Company, and their cost or value can be reliably
measured.
A liability is recognized in
the balance sheet when the Company or its subsidiaries have a legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, the
settlement of which is likely to generate an outflow of economic benefits.
Assets and liabilities are presented
in the balance sheet classified as current or noncurrent.
An asset is classified as current
when: (i) it is expected to be realized or is intended to be sold or used in the ordinary operational cycle; (ii) it is mainly
held for trading purposes; (iii) it is expected to be realized within 12 months from the reporting period; or (iv) cash and cash
equivalents, unless there are restrictions upon exchange thereof, i.e., when used to settle a liability within 12 months from the
reporting period. All other assets are classified as noncurrent.
A liability is classified as
current when: (i) it is expected to be settled in the ordinary operational cycle; (ii) it is mainly held for trading purposes;
(iii) It is expected to be settled within 12 months from the reporting period; or (iv) there is no unconditional right to defer
settlement of the liability within 12 months from the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as noncurrent.
s)
Present value adjustment
of assets and liabilities
Current and noncurrent monetary
assets and liabilities are adjusted to their present value when the effect on the overall financial statements is considered significant.
The present value adjustment is calculated using contractual cash flows and the explicit, and sometimes implicit, interest rates
of the respective assets and liabilities.
Accordingly, the interest rate
embedded in revenues, expenses and related costs is discounted, so that these assets and liabilities are recognized on an accrual
basis. This interest is subsequently reallocated to financial income and expenses in P&L through use of the effective interest
method in relation to contractual cash flows. Implicit interest rates were determined based on assumptions, and accounting estimates
are considered.
t)
Government grants and
assistance
Government grants are recognized
when there is reasonable certainty that the benefit will be received and that all the related conditions will be met. When the
benefit refers to an expense item, it is recognized as revenue along the benefit period, on a systematic basis in relation to the
costs the benefit it intends to offset.
When the Company receives non-monetary
grants, the asset and the benefit are recorded at nominal amounts and reflected in the income statements over the expected useful
life of the asset by equal annual installments. A loan or assistance is initially recognized or measured at fair value. A government
grant is measured as the difference between the initial carrying amount of the loan and proceeds therefrom. A loan is subsequently
measured in accordance with the applicable accounting policy.
When loans or similar assistance
are provided by governments or related institutions, with an interest rate below the current applicable market rate, the effect
of this favorable interest is regarded as an additional government grant.
The financing lines with the
Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), with interest rates not exceeding those prevailing in the market, are classified under the
scope of IAS 20, and are recorded at fair value based on market rates. Adjustment arising from the comparison of the amount measured
based on the rate agreed upon is accounted for as deferred revenue (Note 20).
u)
Revenue recognition
Revenues substantially correspond
to value of considerations received or receivable arising from the provision of telecommunications or communications services,
the sale of goods and other revenue, and are stated net of taxes, discounts or returns (in case of sale of goods) thereon. Revenues
and expenses are stated on the accrual basis of accounting.
Revenue is recognized when it
is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Company or its subsidiaries, when it can be reliably measured, costs
incurred in the transaction can be measured, the risks and rewards have been substantially transferred to the buyer and when specific
criteria have been met for each of the Company’s activities.
Revenues of the Company comprise
basically telecommunication services regarding voice, data and digital services, broadband, TV and additional telecommunication
services that are offered to customers through fixed-price traffic packs (paid on a monthly basis) or based on customers’
consumption, remuneration for network usage and sale of goods.
u.1)
Recognition of revenues
from telecommunication services
Revenues from telecommunication,
data and digital services, broadband services provided are recorded on an accrual basis based on the amounts agreed upon. Local
and long-distance calls are billed by the measurement process under legislation in force. The services billed on fixed monthly
amounts are calculated and accounted for on a straight-line basis. Unbilled revenues from the last billing up to the balance sheet
date are recognized in the month in which the service is provided.
Revenues related to sale of
public phone cards and pay-as-you-go credit for cellphones as well as the respective taxes are deferred and recognized in the income
statement to the extent that the services are effectively rendered.
Revenues from equipment lease
contracts classified as finance lease agreement (TData’s Soluciona TI product) are recognized on installation of equipment
whereupon effective transfer of risk takes place. Revenue is recognized at present value of future minimum payments provided for
in the agreement.
Revenues from services are basically
subject to the following indirect taxes: ICMS or ISS (as applicable), PIS and COFINS.
u.2)
Recognition of revenue
and cost from sales of goods
Revenues and cost of sales (mobile
phones, simcards and accessories) are recorded when risks and rewards inherent in such goods are transferred to buyers.
Sales made in own stores are
recognized upon sale to end consumer. Revenues and costs of sales made by accredited dealers are deferred and recognized in P&L
when the device is activated, limited to 90 days from the sale date.
u.3)
Customer loyalty program
The Company has a loyalty points
program that enables customers to accumulate points when they pay bills regarding the usage of the services offered. The accumulated
points may be exchanged for telephone sets or services, conditional upon obtaining a minimum balance of points by customer. The
consideration received is allocated to the cost of sets or services at fair value. The fair value of points is determined by dividing
the amount of discount granted by the number of points necessary for the redemption based on the points program. The portion of
revenue related to the fair value of the accumulated balance of points generated is deferred and recognized as revenue upon redemption
of points.
The number of points to be accounted
for is determined through statistical techniques that consider assumptions and historical data on expected redemption rates, expiration
percentages and cancellation of points, among other factors. These estimates are subject to variations and uncertainties due to
changes in the behavior of customer redemptions.
u.4)
Membership fee and promotional
campaigns
Participation fees paid for
promotional campaigns by customers of the Company are deferred and recorded in P&L throughout the duration of such campaign.
u.5)
Agreements combining
more than one element
Commercial packages offered
by the Company that combine different elements are analyzed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the different elements
identified, adopting the recognition criterion that is most adequate to each situation. Total revenue generated by the package
sale is distributed among its elements, based upon their respective fair values.
The fair value determination
of each element then identified implies the need for complex estimates given the nature of the business. A possible change in fair
values estimates could affect the distribution of revenues between components and consequently the deferred revenue.
v)
Financial income (expenses)
These include interest, and
monetary and exchange variations arising from short-term investments, derivative financial instruments, loans, financing, debentures,
present value adjustments of transactions that generate monetary assets and liabilities and other financial transactions. These
are recognized on an accrual basis when earned or incurred by the Company.
For all financial instruments
measured at amortized cost and interest-yielding financial assets classified as available for sale, interest income or expense
is recognized using the effective interest method, which exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts over the
expected life of the financial instrument or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount of the financial
asset or liability.
w)
Post-retirement benefit
plans
The Company and its subsidiaries
individually sponsor pension funds of post-retirement benefits for active and retired employees, in addition to a multisponsor
supplementary retirement plan and health care plan for former employees. Contributions are determined on an actuarial basis and
recorded on an accrual basis. Liabilities relating to defined benefit plans are determined based on actuarial evaluations at each
year end, in order to ensure that sufficient reserves have been set up for both current and future commitments.
Actuarial liabilities related
to defined benefit plans were calculated using the projected unit credit method. Actuarial gains and losses are recognized immediately
in equity (in other comprehensive income).
For plans with defined contribution
characteristics, the obligation is limited to the contributions payable, which are recognized in the P&L in the respective
accrual periods.
The asset or liability related
to defined benefit plan to be recognized in financial statements corresponds to the present value of the obligation for the defined
benefit (using a discount rate based on long-term National Treasury Notes “NTNs”), less fair value of plan assets that
will be used to settle the obligations. Plan assets are assets held by a privately-held supplementary pension plan entity. Plan
assets are not available to the Company’s creditors or those of its subsidiaries and cannot be paid directly to the Company
or its subsidiaries. The fair value is based on information on market prices and, in case of securities quoted, on purchase price
disclosed. The value of any defined benefit asset then recognized is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available
as a reduction in future plan contribution from the Company.
Actuarial costs recognized in
the income statement are limited to the service cost and cost of interest on the defined benefit plan obligation. Any changes in
the measurement of plan assets and obligations are initially recognized in other comprehensive income, and immediately reclassified
to P&L.
The Company manages and individually
sponsors a health care plan for retired employees and former employees with fixed contributions to the plan, in accordance with
Law No. 9656/98 (which provides for private health care and health insurance plans). As provided for in articles 30 and 31 of said
law, participants shall have the right to the health care plan in which they participated while they were active employees.
x)
Significant accounting
judgments, estimates and assumptions
The preparation of the financial
statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and adopt assumptions supported by valuation bases used in accounting
estimates. The accounting estimates involved in the preparation of these financial statements were based on objective and subjective
factors, considering management’s judgment for determining the adequate amounts to be recorded in the financial statements.
Settlement of transactions involving
these estimates may result in amounts significantly different from those recorded in the financial statements due to the uncertainties
inherent their estimate process.
Significant assumptions concerning
sources of uncertainty in future estimates and other significant sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance sheet date, involving
a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, are as follows:
x.1)
Impairment of non-financial
assets
An impairment loss exists when
the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less
cost to sell and value in use. The calculation of fair value less cost to sell is based on information available on transactions
for sale of similar assets or market prices less additional costs to dispose of the asset. The calculation of value in use is based
on the discounted cash flow model. The recoverable amount is sensitive to the discount rate used in the discounted cash flow method,
as well as expected future cash receipts and growth rate used for extrapolation purposes.
The Company regularly analyzes
the performance of the defined cash generating unit in order to identify any impairment of goodwill and its other assets. Determination
of the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which goodwill is attributed includes use of assumptions and estimates
and requires use of significant accounting judgment and criterion.
x.2)
Post-retirement benefit
plans
The cost of pension plans with
defined benefits and other post-employment health care benefits and the present value of the pension obligation are determined
using actuarial valuation methods. Actuarial valuation involves use of assumptions about discount rates, future salary increases,
mortality rates and future increases in pension and annuity benefits. The obligation for defined benefits is highly sensitive to
changes in these assumptions. All assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis.
The mortality rate is based
on publicly available mortality tables in the country. Future salary increases and pension increases are based on expected future
inflation rates for the country.
x.3)
Fair value of financial
instruments
When the fair value of financial
assets and liabilities stated in the balance sheet cannot be obtained in active markets, it will be determined using valuation
techniques, including the discounted cash flow method. Data for these methods is based on those adopted in the market, whenever
possible. However, when this is not feasible, a certain level of judgment is required for fair value determination. Judgment includes
consideration of the inputs used, such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in the assumptions about these factors
could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments.
x.4)
Property, plant and
equipment and finite-lived intangible assets
The accounting treatment of
investment in fixed and intangible assets includes estimating useful life period for depreciation purposes and the fair value at
the date of acquisition, particularly for assets acquired in business combinations.
Useful life determination requires
estimates regarding the expected technological developments and alternative uses of assets. The hypotheses related to the technological
aspect and its future development imply a significant level of analysis, considering the difficulties in forecasting time and nature
of future technological changes.
x.5)
Revenue recognition
– Customer Loyalty Program
The Company estimates the fair
value of points attributed under the customer loyalty program by applying statistic techniques. Inputs for the model include assumptions
about expected redemption rates, the mix of products that will be available for future redemption and customers’ preference
in relation to points use. Since issued points do not expire, these estimates are subject to significant uncertainties.
x.6)
Agreements combining
more than one element
The fair value determination
of each element in a multiple element agreement requires complex estimates given the nature of the business. A possible change
in fair value estimates could affect the distribution of revenues between components and consequently the deferred revenues.
x.7)
Taxes
There are uncertainties regarding
the interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of future taxable profits. The Company and its subsidiaries
set up provisions, based on reasonable estimates, for the possible consequences of audits by tax authorities in respective jurisdictions
in which they operate. The amount of these provisions is based on various factors, such as previous tax audit experience and different
interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and by the relevant tax authority. Such differences in interpretation
may arise on a wide variety of issues depending on the conditions prevailing in the respective domicile of the Company or those
of its subsidiaries.
The Company and its subsidiaries
evaluate the recoverability of deferred tax assets based on estimates of future profits. This recoverability ultimately depends
on the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries to generate taxable profits over the period in which the deferred tax asset is
deductible. The analysis considers the reversal period of deferred tax liabilities, as well as estimates of taxable profits, based
on updated internal projections reflecting the latest trends.
Determining the proper classification
of the tax items depends on several factors, including an estimate of the period and the realization of the deferred tax asset
and the expected date of payments of these taxes. The actual flow of receipt and payment of income tax could differ from estimates
made by the Company and its subsidiaries, as a result of changes in tax laws or of unexpected future transactions that may impact
tax balances.
x.8)
Provisions for tax,
labor, civil and regulatory proceedings
Provisions are recognized when
the Company has a present obligation arising from a past event, settlement of which requires an outflow of resources rated as probable
and when it can be reliably estimated. This obligation can be legal or constructive, derived from, among other factors, regulations,
contracts, customary practices or public commitments that expose third parties to a valid expectation that the Company or its subsidiaries
will assume certain responsibilities. The determination of the provision is based on the best estimate of the disbursement required
to settle the corresponding obligation, considering the information available as of the closing date, including the opinion of
independent experts, such as legal advisors.
y)
Functional and reporting
currency
The Company’s functional
and reporting currency is the Brazilian real. Transactions in foreign currency were translated at the exchange rate in force as
of the date the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate at
the balance sheet date. The exchange rate variations arising from transactions in foreign currencies are recognized in P&L
as financial income or expenses. Gains and losses on the translation of foreign investments are recognized in the statement of
comprehensive income.
z)
Translation of transactions
denominated in foreign currency
Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency (real) at the exchange rate (fx rate) in force as
of the transaction date and subsequently re-measured based on the fx rates effective that, at December 31, 2016, were US$1.00 =
R$3.2591, €1.00 = R$3.4351, and at December 31, 2015, were US$1.00 = R$3.9048, €1.00 = R$4.2512. Gains and losses resulting
from the translation of these assets and liabilities due to exchange rate variation between transaction date and period end are
recognized in the income statement.
aa)
Employee profit sharing
The Company and its subsidiaries
have obligations arising from employment contracts, recognizing these provisions during the year. Provisions are recorded to recognize
the expense regarding employee profit sharing. These provisions are calculated based on qualitative and quantitative goals set
by management and accounted for in specific accounts according to their function in groups of: Cost of services, Selling expenses
and General and administrative expenses.
ab)
Share-based payments
The Company and its subsidiaries
measure the cost of transactions settled with employees and officers based on shares issued by parent company (Telefónica),
by reference to the fair value of the shares at the date at which they are granted, using the binomial valuation model. This fair
value is charged to the income statement over the period until the vesting date.
ac)
Treasury shares
Own equity instruments that
are repurchased (treasury stock) are recognized at cost and deducted from equity. No gains or losses are recognized in P&L
on purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Company's own equity instruments.
ad)
Segment reporting
Business segments are defined
as components of a company for which separate financial information is available and regularly assessed by the operational decision-making
professional in decisions on how to allocate funds to an individual segment and in the assessment of segment performance. Considering
that: (i) all officers and managers' decisions are based on reports; (ii) the Company and subsidiaries’ mission is to provide
their customers with quality telecommunications services; and (iii) all decisions related to strategic planning, finance, purchases,
short- and long-term investments are made consolidated on a basis, the Company and subsidiaries operate in a single operating segment,
namely the provision of telecommunications services.
ae)
Statement of cash
flows
The statement of cash flows
was prepared in accordance with IAS 7 using the indirect method, and reflects the changes in cash for the years reported.
|
4)
|
ACQUISITION OF GVT PARTICIPAÇÕES S.A. (“GVTPart.”)
|
Pursuant to, and for the purposes
of, CVM Rule No. 358/02, the Company informed the market that its Special Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 28, 2015 approved
the ratification of the Stock Purchase Agreement and Other Covenants executed by the Company, in the capacity of “
Buyer
”,
and Vivendi and its subsidiaries (Société d’Investissements et de Gestion 108 SAS - “FrHolding108”
and Société d’Investissements et de Gestion 72 S.A.), in the capacity of “
Sellers
”, whereby
all the shares issued by GVTPart were acquired by the Company.
Payment for acquisition of GVTPart
shares was made as follows:
|
·
|
€4.663
billion paid in cash after contractual adjustments for net debt assumed on the execution date; and
|
|
·
|
Company-issued
shares delivered to FRHolding108 as a result of the merger of GVTPart shares by the Company, representing 12% of the Company’s
capital stock after the merger of shares.
|
As a result of the merger of
GVTPart shares, the Company’s capital increased by R$9,666,021, with the issuance of 68,597,306 common shares and 134,320,885
preferred shares, all registered, no-par value shares, based on the economic value of merged shares calculated using the discounted
cash flow method and on the appraisal report on GVTPart’s economic value prepared by an expert firm, in accordance with article
252, paragraph 1, together with article 8, of Law No. 6404/76. The difference between the economic value of merged shares and the
market value of shares issued on the transaction closing date was recognized in “Other Capital Reserves”, in the amount
of R$1,188,707.
This transaction was subject
to obtaining of applicable corporate and regulatory approvals, including from CADE and ANATEL, further to other conditions usually
applicable to this type of transaction. The transaction was approved by ANATEL under Act No. 448 of January 22, 2015, published
in the Official Federal Gazette (“DOU”) on January 26, 2015, and by CADE at the 61st ordinary session of its Trial
Court, held on March 25, 2015, and published in the DOU on March 31, 2015.
Once the acquisition transaction
was completed on May 28, 2015, the Company held direct interest in GVTPart and indirect interest in GVT. GVTPart. is headquartered
in Brazil as its business purpose includes participation in other companies, whether national or foreign, as partner, shareholder
or member. Its direct subsidiary (GVT) provides land-line telephone, data, multimedia communication and pay-tv services throughout
Brazilian territory.
Under IFRS 3 (R) – Business
Combinations, business acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business
combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the fair value of assets transferred, the liabilities
assumed at the acquisition date from the former acquiree’ s shareholders and equity interests issued in exchange for control
over the acquiree.
The acquisition price was as
follows:
Gross consideration in cash (4.663 billion euros)
|
|
15,964,853
|
(-) Contractual Adjustments (Net Debt)
|
|
(7,060,899)
|
Total consideration in cash, net
|
|
8,903,954
|
(+) Contingent Consideration
|
|
344,217
|
(+) Consideration in Shares at Fair Value
|
|
8,477,314
|
(-) Cash Flow Hedge Gain on Transaction, net of taxes (1)
|
|
(377,373)
|
(-) Refund according to sections 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 of SPA
|
|
(84,598)
|
Total consideration, net of Cash Flow Hedge
|
|
17,263,514
|
|
(1)
|
Derivative
financial instruments refer to cash flow hedges to protect the amount due in Euros to
Vivendi, for the acquisition of GVTPart., against exchange rate variation of the amount.
|
A breakdown of the fair value
of identifiable net assets acquired for R$4,426,373, as well as goodwill recorded on the acquisition date are presented below.
At the date of preparation of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had already completed
the revisions and adjustments of the fair value determination of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed by GVTPart.
Current assets
|
1,557,651
|
|
Current liabilities
|
5,299,662
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
390,255
|
|
Personnel, social charges and benefits
|
170,989
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
947,378
|
|
Trade accounts payable
|
611,425
|
Inventories
|
4,641
|
|
Taxes, charges and contributions
|
346,569
|
Taxes recoverable
|
147,057
|
|
Loans and financing
|
3,968,615
|
Other assets
|
68,320
|
|
Provisions
|
17,866
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities
|
184,198
|
Noncurrent assets
|
12,026,239
|
|
|
|
Short-term investment pledged as collateral
|
17,871
|
|
Noncurrent liabilities
|
3,857,855
|
Taxes recoverable
|
65,798
|
|
Trade accounts payable
|
67,742
|
Deferred taxes (4)
|
610,873
|
|
Taxes, charges and contributions
|
1,342
|
Judicial deposits and garnishments
|
551,275
|
|
Loans and financing
|
3,088,414
|
Other assets
|
7,052
|
|
General Provisions (3)
|
679,294
|
Property and equipment, net (1)
|
7,970,117
|
|
Other liabilities
|
21,063
|
Intangible assets, net (2)
|
2,803,253
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of assumed liabilities
|
9,157,517
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
|
4,426,373
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill (5)
|
12,837,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of assets acquired
|
13,583,890
|
|
Total consideration, net of Cash Flow Hedge
|
17,263,514
|
|
(1)
|
This
includes the allocation of appreciation of property, plant and equipment items (R$409,601).
|
|
(2)
|
This
includes the allocation of fair value assigned to the brand (R$59,000), customer portfolio
(R$2,523,000), appreciation and other intangible assets (R$20,394).
|
|
(3)
|
This
includes the allocation of fair value assigned to contingent liabilities (R$512,648).
|
|
(4)
|
This
includes the allocation of deferred taxes on contingent liabilities (R$174,300).
|
|
(5)
|
This
refers to goodwill recorded on the acquisition of GVTPart. based on expected synergies
resulting from the business combination. This amount has already been used for tax purposes.
|
The main purpose of the Company’s
acquiring of control over GVTPart was to enable the integration of land-line, mobile, data and TV telecommunication services in
Brazil, with a view to operating more efficiently. The acquisition of GVTPart. allows the Company to obtain significant synergies
in revenues and costs, thus generating opportunities of cross sales in the individual and corporate markets, also allowing optimization
of investments, improvement of service quality, reduction of cost of content, acquisition and platform in the pay-TV business,
due to economies of scale, as well as reduction of general and administrative expenses, not affecting the Company’s growth
potential.
The methods and assumptions
used to determine the fair values were:
Customer portfolio
The customer portfolio was valued
using the MEEM method (“Multi-period Excess Earnings Method”), which is based on a discounted cash flow calculation
of future economic benefits attributable to the customer base, net of eliminated liabilities for contributions involving its generation.
In order to estimate the remaining useful life of the customer portfolio, an analysis of the average length of customer relationships
was conducted using a churn method.
The purpose of the useful life
analysis is to estimate a survival curve that anticipates future churn rates in relation to the existing customer base. The so-called
Iowa curves were used as an approximation to the customer survival curve. The fair value allocated to the customer portfolio on
the acquisition date was R$2,523,000, which will be amortized over 7.77 years on average.
Brand
The fair value of “GVT”
brand was determined through the "relief-from-royalty” method. This method measures the value of the asset by capitalizing
the royalties saved by owning intellectual property. In other words, the owner of the brand profits from owning the intangible
asset, rather than having to pay royalties for its use. The royalties saved were determined by applying a market royalty rate (expressed
as a percentage of revenue) to the future expected revenues from the sale of the product or service associated with the intangible
asset. The market royalty rate, normally expressed as a percentage of net revenue, is the rate a knowledgeable willing owner would
charge a knowledgeable willing user for use of an asset it owns in an arm’s length transaction. The fair value allocated
to the brand on the acquisition date was R$59,000, which will be amortized over 1.5 years.
Contingent Consideration
As part of the Stock Purchase
Agreement and Other Covenants executed by the Company and Vivendi for the acquisition of all GVTPart-issued shares, a contingent
consideration was defined for the court deposits made by GVT for the monthly installments of deferred income and social contribution
taxes on the amortization of goodwill arising from the corporate restructuring process completed by GVT in 2013. In September 2014,
GVT filed for a cancellation of the judicial review and the return of amounts deposited with the courts.
If GVT succeeds in receiving
(being reimbursed, refunded or netting) these funds, they will be returned to Vivendi, as long as they are obtained in a final
unappeasable decision. The period for returning such amount is of up to 15 years. The fair value of the contingent consideration
on the acquisition date is R$344,217, recorded in the Company’s noncurrent liabilities as “Loans, Financing and Debentures”
(Note 21), which is subject to monthly monetary adjustments based on the Selic rate.
Fair value of contingent
liabilities
According to IFRS 3 (R) - Business
Combinations, the acquirer must recognize, on the acquisition date, contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination, even
if it is not probable that cash outflows will be required to settle the obligation, as long as it is a present obligation arising
from past events and its fair value can be measured reliably.
In compliance with these requirements,
contingent liabilities were recognized in this acquisition at a fair value, which were determined considering the expected cash
outflow required to settle the obligation on the acquisition date (Note 19).
Nature
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
Acquisition Date
|
Tax
|
|
536,059
|
|
501,800
|
|
461,548
|
Labor
|
|
33,626
|
|
39,188
|
|
35,955
|
Civil
|
|
8,774
|
|
7,759
|
|
7,799
|
Regulatory
|
|
-
|
|
8,152
|
|
7,346
|
Total
|
|
578,459
|
|
556,899
|
|
512,648
|
Other information
The balance of cash and cash
equivalents on the acquisition date was R$390,255 (R$376,479, net of transaction costs).
|
5)
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Cash and banks
|
|
198,369
|
|
233,742
|
Short-term investments
|
|
4,906,741
|
|
5,103,103
|
Total
|
|
5,105,110
|
|
5,336,845
|
Highly liquid short-term investments
basically comprise Bank Deposit Certificates (CDB) and Repurchase Agreements kept at first-tier financial institutions, pegged
to the Interbank Deposit Certificate (CDI) rate variation. Revenues generated by these investments are recorded as financial income
(expenses).
|
6)
|
TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Billed amounts
|
|
6,939,909
|
|
6,959,513
|
Unbilled amounts
|
|
1,930,708
|
|
2,111,746
|
Interconnection amounts
|
|
1,345,471
|
|
1,555,480
|
Amounts from related parties (Note 29)
|
|
190,906
|
|
206,957
|
Gross accounts receivable
|
|
10,406,994
|
|
10,833,696
|
Estimated impairment losses
|
|
(1,399,895)
|
|
(2,217,926)
|
Total
|
|
9,007,099
|
|
8,615,770
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
8,701,688
|
|
8,285,319
|
Noncurrent
|
|
305,411
|
|
330,451
|
Balances of non-current trade
accounts receivable include:
|
·
|
R$143,265 at December
31, 2016 (R$217,621 at December 31, 2015), relating to the business model of resale of goods to legal entities, receivable within
24 months. At December 31, 2016, the impact of the present-value adjustment was R$32,920 (R$59,378 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
R$104,874, at December
31, 2016, (R$112,830 at December 31, 2015), relating to “Soluciona TI”, traded by TData, which consists of lease of
IT equipment to small and medium companies and receipt of fixed installments over the contractual term. Considering the contractual
terms, this product was classified as finance lease. At December 31, 2016, the impact of the present-value adjustment was R$3,005
(R$3,671 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
R$57,272, at December
31, 2016, net of the present value adjustment of R$10,268, relating to the portion of accounts receivable arising from negotiations
on the bankruptcy process of companies from the OI group.
|
The balances of current and
noncurrent trade accounts receivable, relating to finance lease of “Soluciona TI” product, comprise the following effects:
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Present value of accounts receivable
|
|
608,379
|
|
574,534
|
Deferred financial income
|
|
3,005
|
|
3,671
|
Nominal amount receivable
|
|
611,384
|
|
578,205
|
Estimated impairment losses
|
|
(344,738)
|
|
(306,443)
|
Net amount receivable
|
|
266,646
|
|
271,762
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
161,772
|
|
158,932
|
Noncurrent
|
|
104,874
|
|
112,830
|
At December 31, 2016, the aging
list of gross trade accounts receivable relating to “Soluciona TI” product is as follows:
|
|
Nominal amount receivable
|
|
Present value of accounts receivable
|
Falling due within one year
|
|
338,327
|
|
338,327
|
Falling due between one year and five years
|
|
273,057
|
|
270,052
|
Total
|
|
611,384
|
|
608,379
|
There are no unsecured residual
values resulting in benefits to the lessor nor contingent payments recognized as revenue for the year.
The aging list of trade accounts
receivable, net of estimated impairment losses, is as follows:
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Falling due
|
|
6,841,752
|
|
6,158,130
|
Overdue – 1 to 30 days
|
|
1,073,568
|
|
1,082,139
|
Overdue – 31 to 60 days
|
|
322,485
|
|
375,908
|
Overdue – 61 to 90 days
|
|
227,010
|
|
324,985
|
Overdue – 91 to 120 days
|
|
105,048
|
|
103,876
|
Overdue – over 120 days
|
|
437,236
|
|
570,732
|
Total
|
|
9,007,099
|
|
8,615,770
|
At December 31, 2016 and 2015,
no customer represented more than 10% of trade accounts receivable, net.
Changes in the estimated impairment
losses for accounts receivable are as follows:
Balance at 12/31/14
|
|
(1,619,316)
|
Supplement to estimated losses (Note 25)
|
|
(1,819,712)
|
Reversal of estimated losses (Note 25)
|
|
589,037
|
Write-off due to use
|
|
956,001
|
Business combination (Note 4)
|
|
(323,936)
|
Balance at 12/31/15
|
|
(2,217,926)
|
Supplement to estimated losses (Note 25)
|
|
(1,843,775)
|
Reversal of estimated losses (Note 25)
|
|
495,554
|
Write-off due to use
|
|
2,166,252
|
Balance at 12/31/16
|
|
(1,399,895)
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Materials for resale (1)
|
|
377,465
|
|
594,888
|
Materials for consumption
|
|
77,732
|
|
53,275
|
Other inventories
|
|
7,892
|
|
7,809
|
Gross total
|
|
463,089
|
|
655,972
|
Estimated losses from impairment or obsolescence
|
|
(52,676)
|
|
(52,341)
|
Total
|
|
410,413
|
|
603,631
|
(1) This includes, among others,
mobile phones, simcards (chip) and IT equipment in stock.
Changes in estimated impairment
losses and inventory obsolescence are as follows:
Balance at 12/31/14
|
|
(48,486)
|
Supplement to estimated losses
|
|
(32,639)
|
Reversal of estimated losses
|
|
28,784
|
Balance at 12/31/15
|
|
(52,341)
|
Supplement to estimated losses
|
|
(29,755)
|
Reversal of estimated losses
|
|
29,420
|
Balance at 12/31/16
|
|
(52,676)
|
Additions and reversals of estimated
impairment losses and inventory obsolescence are included in cost of goods sold (Note 25).
|
8)
|
TAXES RECOVERABLE AND DEFERRED TAXES
|
a)
Taxes recoverable
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
State VAT (ICMS) (1)
|
|
2,329,159
|
|
2,063,159
|
Income and social contribution taxes recoverable (2)
|
|
830,549
|
|
301,714
|
Withholding taxes and contributions (3)
|
|
157,371
|
|
293,065
|
PIS and COFINS
|
|
148,759
|
|
133,925
|
Fistel, INSS, ISS and other taxes
|
|
38,236
|
|
139,082
|
Total
|
|
3,504,074
|
|
2,930,945
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
3,027,230
|
|
2,521,292
|
Noncurrent
|
|
476,844
|
|
409,653
|
|
(1)
|
This includes
credits arising from the acquisition of property and equipment (subject to offsetting
in 48 months); requests for refund of ICMS, which was paid under invoices that were cancelled
subsequently; for the rendering of services; tax substitution; and tax rate difference;
among others. Noncurrent consolidated amounts include credits arising from the acquisition
of property and equipment of R$370,770 and R$319,925 on December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
|
|
(2)
|
This refers
to prepayments of income and social contribution taxes, which will be offset against
federal taxes to be determined in the future.
|
|
(3)
|
This refers
to credits on withholding income tax (IRRF) on short-term investments, interest on equity
and others, which are used as deduction in operations for the period and social contribution
tax withheld at source on services provided to public agencies.
|
b)
Deferred taxes
Deferred income and social contribution
tax assets are computed considering expected generation of taxable profit, which were based on a technical feasibility study, approved
by the Board of Directors.
Significant components of deferred
income and social contribution taxes are as follows:
|
|
|
Balances
at 12/31/15
|
|
Income
statement
|
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
Other
|
|
Balances
at 12/31/16
|
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and social contribution taxes on tax losses
(1)
|
|
|
26,519
|
|
(12,448)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
14,071
|
Merged tax credit (2)
|
|
|
(337,535)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(337,535)
|
Income and social contribution taxes on temporary differences (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provisions for legal, labor, tax civil and regulatory contingencies
|
|
|
1,954,236
|
|
276,100
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,230,336
|
Trade accounts payable and other provisions
|
|
|
687,124
|
|
(10,001)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
677,123
|
Estimated losses on impairment of accounts receivable
|
|
|
447,018
|
|
(88,213)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
358,805
|
Customer portfolio and trademarks
|
|
|
343,107
|
|
(30,015)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
313,092
|
Estimated losses from modems and other P&E items
|
|
|
294,945
|
|
(10,268)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
284,677
|
Pension plans and other post-employment benefits
|
|
|
26,285
|
|
1,633
|
|
80,501
|
|
-
|
|
108,419
|
Profit sharing
|
|
|
106,198
|
|
19,058
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
125,256
|
Provision for loyalty program
|
|
|
32,604
|
|
(13,492)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
19,112
|
Accelerated accounting depreciation
|
|
|
10,865
|
|
13,168
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
24,033
|
Estimated impairment losses on inventories
|
|
|
10,707
|
|
1,392
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
12,099
|
Derivative financial instruments
|
|
|
59,408
|
|
2,358
|
|
(1,633)
|
|
-
|
|
60,133
|
Licenses
|
|
|
(1,204,226)
|
|
(216,330)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,420,556)
|
Effects of goodwill generated in the acquisition of Vivo Part.
|
|
|
(809,600)
|
|
(54,720)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(864,320)
|
Goodwill from Vivo Part.
|
|
|
(837,918)
|
|
(167,202)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,005,120)
|
Goodwill from GVTPart.
|
|
|
-
|
|
(522,228)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(522,228)
|
Technological Innovation Law
|
|
|
(193,146)
|
|
52,206
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(140,940)
|
Income and social contribution taxes on other temporary differences
(5)
|
|
|
94,999
|
|
(2,415)
|
|
(28)
|
|
(1,516)
|
|
91,040
|
Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), noncurrent
|
|
|
711,590
|
|
(761,417)
|
|
78,840
|
|
(1,516)
|
|
27,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
4,153,054
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,541,952
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(3,441,464)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,514,455)
|
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net
|
|
|
711,590
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,497
|
|
Balances
at 12/31/14
|
|
Income
statement
|
|
Business
combination
(4)
|
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
Other
|
|
Balances
at 12/31/15
|
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and social contribution taxes on tax losses (1)
|
93,546
|
|
(67,027)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
26,519
|
Merged tax credit (2)
|
(337,535)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(337,535)
|
Income and social contribution taxes on temporary differences (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provisions for legal, labor, tax civil and regulatory contingencies
|
1,459,838
|
|
244,659
|
|
249,739
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,954,236
|
Trade accounts payable and other provisions
|
501,957
|
|
134,726
|
|
50,441
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
687,124
|
Estimated losses on impairment of accounts receivable
|
315,072
|
|
21,114
|
|
110,832
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
447,018
|
Customer portfolio and trademarks
|
292,780
|
|
50,327
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
343,107
|
Estimated losses from modems and other P&E items
|
172,744
|
|
1,855
|
|
120,346
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
294,945
|
Pension plans and other post-employment benefits
|
150,148
|
|
12,647
|
|
-
|
|
(136,510)
|
|
-
|
|
26,285
|
Profit sharing
|
145,829
|
|
(62,501)
|
|
22,870
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
106,198
|
Provision for loyalty program
|
31,508
|
|
1,096
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
32,604
|
Accelerated accounting depreciation
|
15,375
|
|
229,705
|
|
(234,215)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
10,865
|
Estimated impairment losses on inventories
|
10,893
|
|
(186)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
10,707
|
Derivative financial instruments
|
(75,240)
|
|
(201,219)
|
|
218,699
|
|
117,168
|
|
-
|
|
59,408
|
Licenses
|
(987,896)
|
|
(216,330)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,204,226)
|
Effects of goodwill generated in the acquisition of Vivo Part.
|
(715,538)
|
|
(94,062)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(809,600)
|
Goodwill from Vivo Part.
|
(670,716)
|
|
(167,202)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(837,918)
|
Goodwill from GVTPart.
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Technological Innovation Law
|
(256,454)
|
|
63,308
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(193,146)
|
Income and social contribution taxes on other temporary differences
(5)
|
(1,494)
|
|
15,383
|
|
78,950
|
|
636
|
|
1,524
|
|
94,999
|
Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), noncurrent
|
144,817
|
|
(33,707)
|
|
617,662
|
|
(18,706)
|
|
1,524
|
|
711,590
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
3,366,604
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,153,054
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
(3,221,787)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,441,464)
|
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net
|
144,817
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
711,590
|
|
(1)
|
This
refers to the amounts recorded which, in accordance with Brazilian tax legislation, may
be offset to the limit of 30% of the tax bases computed for the following years, with
no expiry date.
|
|
(2)
|
This
refers to tax benefits arising from corporate restructuring of goodwill for expected
future profitability, where tax use complies with the limit set forth in tax legislation.
|
|
(3)
|
This
refers to amounts that will be realized upon payment of provisions, effective impairment
losses for trade accounts receivable, or realization of inventories, as well as upon
reversal of other provisions.
|
|
(4)
|
These
refer to deferred taxes arising from business combinations, R$610,873 being of GVTPart.
(Note 4) and R$6,789 of TGLog.
|
|
(5)
|
These
refer to deferred taxes arising from other temporary differences, such as deferred income,
renewal of licenses burden, subsidy on the sale of mobile phones, among others.
|
At December
31, 2016, deferred tax credits (income and social contribution tax losses) were not recognized in direct and indirect subsidiaries'
accounting records, in the amount of R$2,993 (R$481,203 at December 31, 2015), as it is not probable that future taxable profits
shall be available for these subsidiaries to benefit from such tax credits.
Expected realization of deferred
taxes, net, is as follows.
The amounts are based on projections
subject to change in the future.
Year
|
|
|
2017
|
|
1,756,960
|
2018
|
|
535,240
|
2019
|
|
259,468
|
2020
|
|
320,714
|
2021
|
|
326,265
|
2022 onwards
|
|
(3,171,150)
|
Total
|
|
27,497
|
|
9)
|
JUDICIAL DEPOSITS AND GARNISHMENTS
|
In some situations, in connection
with a legal requirement or presentation of guarantees, judicial deposits are made to secure the continuance of the claims under
discussion. These judicial deposits may be required for claims where the likelihood of loss was analyzed by the Company and its
subsidiaries, grounded on the opinion of its legal advisors as a probable, possible or remote loss.
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Judicial deposits
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
|
|
3,758,787
|
|
3,374,764
|
Labor
|
|
1,051,430
|
|
1,128,935
|
Civil and regulatory
|
|
1,385,605
|
|
1,114,770
|
Total
|
|
6,195,822
|
|
5,618,469
|
Garnishments
|
|
155,744
|
|
134,994
|
Total
|
|
6,351,566
|
|
5,753,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
302,424
|
|
235,343
|
Noncurrent
|
|
6,049,142
|
|
5,518,120
|
On December 31, 2016, the Company
and its subsidiaries had a number of tax-related judicial deposits in the amount of R$3,758,787 (R$3,374,764 at December 31, 2015).
In Note 19, we provide further details on issues arising from the most significant judicial deposits.
A brief description of the main
tax-related judicial deposits is as follows:
|
·
|
Contribution
tax on gross revenue for Social Contribution Tax on Gross Revenue for Social Integration Program (PIS) and for Social Contribution
Tax on Gross Revenue for Social Security Financing (COFINS)
|
The Company and TData are
parties to legal proceedings related to: (i) claim filed for credits arising from overpayment of tax, not recognized by tax authorities;
(ii) tax debt arising from underpayment due to differences in ancillary statements (Federal Tax Debt and Credit Return –
DCTF); and (iii) disputes relating to changes in rates and increase in tax bases introduced by Law No. 9718/98.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$35,570 (R$35,272 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Social Contribution
Tax for Intervention in the Economic Order (CIDE)
|
The Company is party to
legal proceedings for the exemption of CIDE levied on offshore remittances of funds arising from agreements for the transfer of
technology, brand and software licensing etc.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$176,557 (R$164,482 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Telecommunications
Inspection Fund (FISTEL)
|
The Company and TData are
parties to legal proceedings involving the collection of the Installation Inspection Fee ("TFI") on the renewal of licenses
granted and the radio base stations, mobile stations and radio links held by ANATEL. Considering that the extension would be the
taxable event of the TFI and the mobile stations, although third-party ownership, are also subject to TFI.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$1,095,789 (R$1,008,771 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Withholding
Income Tax (IRRF)
|
The Company is involved
in disputes related to: (i) exemption of IRRF payment on offshore remittances for out-coming traffic; (ii) exemption of IRRF payment
on interest on equity; and (iii) IRRF levied on earnings from rent and royalties, wage labor and fixed-income investments.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$73,848 (R$67,996 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Corporate Income
Tax (IRPJ) and Social Contribution Tax (CSLL)
|
The Company is involved
in disputes related to: (i) debts stemming from offsetting of IRPJ overpayments not recognized by the Brazilian IRS; (ii) requirement
of IRPJ estimates and lack of payment of debts in the Integrated System of Economic and Tax Information (SIEF); (iii) underpaid
IRPJ amounts; and (iv) right to write off the monthly amortization of goodwill arising from the acquisition of GVTPart. by Vivendi
on deducted IRPJ and CSLL amounts (Note 4).
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$449,988 (R$410,412 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Contribution
to
Empresa Brasil de Comunicação
(EBC)
|
On behalf of its members,
Sinditelebrasil (Union of Telephony, and Mobile and Personal Services) is challenging in court payment of the Contribution to Foster
Public Radio Broadcasting to EBC, introduced by Law No. 11.652/2008. The Company and TData, as union members, made court deposits
relating to that contribution.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$1,053,867 (R$858,630 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Social Security,
work accident insurance (SAT) and funds to third parties (INSS)
|
The Company is involved
in disputes related to: (i) SAT and funds to third parties (National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform - INCRA and
Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service - SEBRAE); (ii) joint responsibility for contract labor; (iii) difference in
SAT rate (from 1% to 3%); (iv) premiums; and (v) social security contribution collection (employers’ contributions), SAT
and funds to third parties on the following events: maternity leave, legally ensured 1/3 vacation pay bonus, and first 15 days’
leave due to illness or accident.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$128,458 (R$118,425 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Tax on net income
(ILL)
|
The Company was party to
legal proceedings in order to uphold its right to offset amounts unduly paid for ILL purposes against future IRPJ payments.
On December 19, 2013, the
Company settled the debt under discussion by including it in the Federal Tax Recovery Program (REFIS), using the judicial deposit
connected thereto.
At December 31, 2015, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$58,446.
On June 30, 2016, the amount
of R$45,843 of the judicial deposit was converted into income by the Federal Government and the amount of R$14,244 was withdrawn
by the Company.
|
·
|
Universal Telecommunication
Services Fund (FUST)
|
The Company and TData filed
an injunction in order to represent its right not to include expenses with interconnection and industrial use of dedicated line
in the FUST tax base, according to Abridgment No. 7, of December 15, 2005, as it does not comply with the provisions contained
in the sole paragraph of article 6 of Law No. 9998/00.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$456,977 (R$425,737 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
State Value-Added
Tax (ICMS)
|
The Company is party to
legal proceedings related to: (i) ICMS stated but not paid; (ii) ICMS not levied on communication in default; (iii) fine for late
voluntary payment of ICMS; (iv) ICMS supposedly levied on access, adhesion, activation, availability and use of services, as well
as supplementary services and additional facilities; (v) right to tax credit from the acquisition of goods for fixed assets and
electric energy; (vi) ICMS on activation cards for pre-paid services; (vii) disallowance of ICMS tax credit relating to agreement
39; and (viii) assignment of payment of ICMS relating to a portion of pay TV operations and telephony operations in prepaid mode.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$212,652 (R$161,815 at December 31, 2015).
|
·
|
Other taxes,
charges and contributions
|
The Company is involved
in disputes related to: (i) Service Tax (ISS) on non-core services; (ii) Municipal Real Estate Tax (IPTU) not subject to exemption;
(iii) municipal inspection, operation and publicity charges; (iv) land use fee; (v) social security contributions related to supposed
failure to withhold 11% on several invoices, bills and receipts of service providers engaged for workforce assignment; and (vi)
Public Price for Numbering Resource Management (PPNUM) by ANATEL.
At December 31, 2016, the
balance of judicial deposits amounted to R$75,081 (R$64,778 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Advertising and publicity
|
|
258,212
|
|
228,672
|
Insurance
|
|
39,558
|
|
28,367
|
Rental
|
|
19,276
|
|
43,022
|
Financial charges
|
|
1,875
|
|
11,120
|
Software and networks maintenance
|
|
12,283
|
|
26,478
|
Taxes and other
|
|
48,318
|
|
49,396
|
Total
|
|
379,522
|
|
387,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
343,092
|
|
356,446
|
Noncurrent
|
|
36,430
|
|
30,609
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Advances to employees and suppliers
|
|
83,634
|
|
81,615
|
Related-party receivables (Note 29)
|
|
250,679
|
|
162,308
|
Receivables from suppliers
|
|
99,166
|
|
120,091
|
Subsidy on handset sales
|
|
30,491
|
|
42,896
|
Surplus from post-employment benefit plans (Note 32)
|
|
9,041
|
|
8,724
|
Vivendi repayment clauses 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 of SPA (Note 4)
|
|
9,739
|
|
84,598
|
Other amounts receivable
|
|
12,910
|
|
51,199
|
Total
|
|
495,660
|
|
551,431
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
440,095
|
|
488,632
|
Noncurrent
|
|
55,565
|
|
62,799
|
12)
INVESTMENTS
a)
Information on investees
The Company holds interest in
wholly-owned subsidiaries and jointly-controlled entities, as follows:
TData:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company and headquartered in Brazil, this entity is engaged in the rendering, operation of value added services (SVAs) in
telecommunications and related activities; managing the provision of technical assistance and maintenance services related to telecommunications
equipment and networks, consulting services regarding telecommunications solutions and related activities, and designing, implementing
and installing telecommunication-related projects; selling and leasing telecommunications equipment, products and services, among
others.
On October 28, 2015, TData acquired
controlling interest in Telefônica Transportes e Logística Ltda (“TGLog”), for R$15,811.
GVTPart:
A wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company up to March 31, 2016. GVTPart. was controlling shareholder of GVT and headquartered in Brazil, the business
purpose of GVTPart is to hold interest in other domestic or foreign companies as a partner, shareholder or member. GVT provides
land-line telephone, data, multimedia communication and pay-tv services in the entire Brazilian territory. GVTPart. was merged
into the Company on April 1, 2016 (Note 1c).
POP:
The Company's direct
subsidiary on April 1, 2016, is engaged in the performance of activities related to information technology, internet and any other
networks, including access, production, distribution and display of own or third-party content; hosting services and the commercial
operation of websites and portals; handling, provision and storage of information and data; sale of software, hardware, telecommunication
equipment and electronics; development, licensing and maintenance of information systems and routines; development of electronic
commerce; creation and administration of own and/or third-party databases; sale of publicity and advertising and, banner vehicles;
and holding interest in other companies as member or shareholder, and may also form consortia and/or other forms of association.
Until March 31, 2016, POP was controlled by GVT (Note 1c).
POP is the controlling shareholder
of Innoweb Ltda ("Innoweb"), whose business purpose is to operate as an internet provider; performing information activities;
all forms of telecommunications activities, including the transmission of voice, data and information; sale of telecommunications
and electronic equipment and/or accessories; and holding interest in other companies as member or shareholder, and may also form
consortia and/or other forms of association.
Aliança:
Jointly-controlled
subsidiary headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with 50% interest held by the Company, this entity is engaged in the acquisition
and management of subsidiaries, and holding interest in companies of the telecommunications industry.
AIX:
Jointly-controlled
subsidiary headquartered in Brazil, with 50% interest held by the Company, this entity is engaged in holding interest in Consórcio
Refibra, and in performing activities related to the direct and indirect operation of activities associated with the construction,
completion and operation of underground networks for optical fiber ducts.
ACT:
Jointly-controlled
subsidiary headquartered in Brazil, with 50% interest held by the Company, this entity is engaged in holding interest in Consórcio
Refibra, and in performing activities related to the rendering of technical support services for the preparation of projects and
completion of networks, by means of studies required to make them economically feasible, and monitor the progress of Consortium-related
activities.
Below is a summary of significant
financial data on the Company’s investees:
|
|
At 12/31/16
|
|
At 12/31/15
|
|
|
Cia ACT
|
|
Cia AIX
|
|
Aliança
|
|
Cia ACT
|
|
Cia AIX
|
|
Aliança
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity interest
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
50.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of balance sheets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
15
|
|
20,337
|
|
145,121
|
|
9
|
|
17,851
|
|
179,698
|
Noncurrent assets
|
|
-
|
|
12,879
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
11,824
|
|
-
|
Total assets
|
|
15
|
|
33,216
|
|
145,121
|
|
9
|
|
29,675
|
|
179,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
1
|
|
4,029
|
|
101
|
|
1
|
|
4,394
|
|
100
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
-
|
|
5,415
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
5,083
|
|
-
|
Equity
|
|
14
|
|
23,772
|
|
145,020
|
|
8
|
|
20,198
|
|
179,598
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
|
15
|
|
33,216
|
|
145,121
|
|
9
|
|
29,675
|
|
179,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Book value
|
|
7
|
|
11,886
|
|
72,510
|
|
4
|
|
10,099
|
|
89,799
|
|
|
At 12/31/16
|
|
At 12/31/15
|
Summary of Income Statements:
|
|
Cia ACT
|
|
Cia AIX
|
|
Aliança
|
|
Cia ACT
|
|
Cia AIX
|
|
Aliança
|
Net operating income
|
|
79
|
|
42,840
|
|
-
|
|
64
|
|
39,199
|
|
-
|
Operating costs and expenses
|
|
(72)
|
|
(41,760)
|
|
(155)
|
|
(66)
|
|
(36,806)
|
|
(124)
|
Financial income (expenses), net
|
|
-
|
|
1,980
|
|
41
|
|
-
|
|
2,503
|
|
106
|
Income and social contribution taxes
|
|
(1)
|
|
(464)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(804)
|
|
-
|
Net income (loss) for the year
|
|
6
|
|
2,596
|
|
(114)
|
|
(2)
|
|
4,092
|
|
(18)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity pickup, according to interest held
|
|
3
|
|
1,298
|
|
(57)
|
|
(1)
|
|
2,046
|
|
(9)
|
b)
Changes in investments
|
|
Aliança
(1)
|
|
AIX
(1)
|
|
ACT
(1)
|
|
Other investments
(2)
|
|
Total investments
|
Balances at 12/31/14
|
|
68,129
|
|
8,542
|
|
5
|
|
3,129
|
|
79,805
|
Equity pick-up
|
|
(9)
|
|
2,046
|
|
(1)
|
|
-
|
|
2,036
|
Dividends and interest on equity
|
|
-
|
|
(489)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(489)
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
21,679
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,870)
|
|
19,809
|
Balances at 12/31/15
|
|
89,799
|
|
10,099
|
|
4
|
|
1,259
|
|
101,161
|
Equity pick-up
|
|
(57)
|
|
1,298
|
|
3
|
|
-
|
|
1,244
|
Dividends and interest on equity
|
|
-
|
|
489
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
489
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
(17,232)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
83
|
|
(17,149)
|
Balances at 12/31/16
|
|
72,510
|
|
11,886
|
|
7
|
|
1,342
|
|
85,745
|
|
(1)
|
Jointly-controlled
entities.
|
|
(2)
|
Other
investments (tax incentives and interest held in companies) are measured at fair value.
|
|
13)
|
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
a)
Breakdown and changes
|
Switching
equipment
|
|
Transmission
equipment and media
|
|
Terminal
equipment / modems
|
|
Infrastructure
|
|
Land
|
|
Other
P&E
|
|
Estimated losses (1)
|
|
Assets
and facilities under construction
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances and changes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 12/31/14
|
2,541,917
|
|
10,208,762
|
|
1,628,337
|
|
3,486,935
|
|
314,350
|
|
715,553
|
|
(156,728)
|
|
1,714,738
|
|
20,453,864
|
Additions
|
188,037
|
|
885,865
|
|
409,250
|
|
64,128
|
|
215
|
|
250,149
|
|
(12,111)
|
|
4,848,118
|
|
6,633,651
|
Write-offs, net
|
(4,462)
|
|
(17,546)
|
|
(13,832)
|
|
(4,512)
|
|
(74)
|
|
(12,550)
|
|
1,356
|
|
(23,145)
|
|
(74,765)
|
Net transfers
|
891,848
|
|
2,742,465
|
|
753,585
|
|
238,921
|
|
(1,386)
|
|
184,369
|
|
-
|
|
(4,808,253)
|
|
1,549
|
Depreciation (Note 25)
|
(630,939)
|
|
(1,820,859)
|
|
(1,184,372)
|
|
(551,268)
|
|
-
|
|
(323,430)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(4,510,868)
|
Business combination (2)
|
972,558
|
|
4,978,317
|
|
1,553,141
|
|
421,747
|
|
2,600
|
|
252,361
|
|
(326,666)
|
|
119,276
|
|
7,973,334
|
Balance at 12/31/15
|
3,958,959
|
|
16,977,004
|
|
3,146,109
|
|
3,655,951
|
|
315,705
|
|
1,066,452
|
|
(494,149)
|
|
1,850,734
|
|
30,476,765
|
Additions
|
16,173
|
|
618,462
|
|
203,775
|
|
159,081
|
|
215
|
|
288,666
|
|
(19,962)
|
|
5,543,398
|
|
6,809,808
|
Write-offs, net (3)
|
(2,793)
|
|
(21,443)
|
|
(816)
|
|
(99,437)
|
|
(201)
|
|
3,059
|
|
28,539
|
|
(38,959)
|
|
(132,051)
|
Net transfers
|
562,078
|
|
2,911,254
|
|
677,572
|
|
523,995
|
|
-
|
|
(159,702)
|
|
(3)
|
|
(4,625,143)
|
|
(109,949)
|
Depreciation (Note 25)
|
(581,777)
|
|
(2,206,043)
|
|
(1,438,333)
|
|
(514,383)
|
|
-
|
|
(379,119)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(5,119,655)
|
Balance at 12/31/16
|
3,952,640
|
|
18,279,234
|
|
2,588,307
|
|
3,725,207
|
|
315,719
|
|
819,356
|
|
(485,575)
|
|
2,730,030
|
|
31,924,918
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
20,058,838
|
|
50,730,696
|
|
15,294,619
|
|
15,023,890
|
|
315,719
|
|
4,308,718
|
|
(485,575)
|
|
2,730,030
|
|
107,976,935
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
(16,106,198)
|
|
(32,451,462)
|
|
(12,706,312)
|
|
(11,298,683)
|
|
-
|
|
(3,489,362)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(76,052,017)
|
Total
|
3,952,640
|
|
18,279,234
|
|
2,588,307
|
|
3,725,207
|
|
315,719
|
|
819,356
|
|
(485,575)
|
|
2,730,030
|
|
31,924,918
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
19,724,438
|
|
47,459,383
|
|
14,522,080
|
|
14,278,557
|
|
315,705
|
|
4,487,749
|
|
(494,149)
|
|
1,850,734
|
|
102,144,497
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
(15,765,479)
|
|
(30,482,379)
|
|
(11,375,971)
|
|
(10,622,606)
|
|
-
|
|
(3,421,297)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(71,667,732)
|
Total
|
3,958,959
|
|
16,977,004
|
|
3,146,109
|
|
3,655,951
|
|
315,705
|
|
1,066,452
|
|
(494,149)
|
|
1,850,734
|
|
30,476,765
|
|
(1)
|
The Company and its subsidiaries recognized
estimated losses for potential obsolescence of materials used in property and equipment maintenance, based on levels of historical
use and expected future use.
|
|
(2)
|
These refer to amounts arising from business
combinations, of which R$7,970,117 is of GVTPart. (Note 4) and R$3,217 of TGLog.
|
|
(3)
|
Net write-offs regarding “Infrastructure
and Assets and Facilities under Construction” for the year ended December 31, 2016, include the amount of R$99,210 regarding
the disposal of 1,655 towers owned by the Company to Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda (former Towerco Latam do Brasil Ltda), a directly
controlled Telefónica subsidiary.
|
b)
Depreciation rates
In accordance with IAS 16, the
Company performed, in conjunction with a specialized company, valuations of useful lives applied to its property, plant and equipment
using the direct comparative method of market data. The studies indicated the need for changes in useful life and annual depreciation
rates for some items of asset classes.
This change in the accounting
estimate, which was applied reduced the depreciation expense for the annual period ended December 31, 2016 by R$157,053. As at
December 31, 2016, it is impracticable for the Company to determine the impact of this change in accounting estimate on future
periods.
The following table sets forth
the depreciation rates of property, plant and equipment of the Company and its subsidiaries, which are depreciated on a straight-line
basis at the annual rate, as follows:
|
|
Annual depreciation rate (%)
|
Description
|
|
Previous
|
|
Revised / Current
|
Switching equipment
|
|
8.33 to 20.00
|
|
5.00 to 20.00
|
Transmission equipment and media
|
|
2.50 to 25.00
|
|
2.50 to 25.00
|
Terminal equipment / modems
|
|
10.00 to 66.67
|
|
6.67 to 66.67
|
Infrastructure
|
|
2.50 to 66.67
|
|
2.50 to 66.67
|
Other P&E assets
|
|
10.00 to 66.67
|
|
10.00 to 25.00
|
c)
Property and equipment items pledged in
guarantee
At December 31, 2016, the Company
had amounts of property and equipment items pledged in guarantee for lawsuits, amounting to R$203,600 (R$163,802 at December 31,
2015).
d)
Capitalization of borrowing costs
At December 31, 2016 and 2015,
the Company and its subsidiaries did not capitalize borrowing costs, as there were no qualifying assets.
e)
Reversible assets
The STFC service concession
arrangement establishes that all assets owned by the Company and that are indispensable to the provision of the services described
in the referred to arrangement are considered reversible. At December 31, 2016, estimated residual value of reversible assets was
R$8,813,916 (R$7,855,868 at December 31, 2015), which comprised switching and transmission equipment and public use terminals,
external network equipment, energy, system and operational support equipment.
f)
Finance lease
Below are the amounts related
to finance lease arrangements, in which the Company is a lessee, segregated by type of property and equipment item.
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
Annual depreciation rates (%)
|
|
P&E Cost
|
|
Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
Net balance
|
|
P&E Cost
|
|
Accumulated
depreciation
|
|
Net balance
|
Transmission equipment and media
|
5.00 % to 8.33%
|
|
223,360
|
|
(34,203)
|
|
189,157
|
|
219,520
|
|
(22,613)
|
|
196,907
|
Infrastructure
|
4.00%
|
|
67,386
|
|
(8,822)
|
|
58,564
|
|
6,674
|
|
(2,291)
|
|
4,383
|
Other assets
|
20.00%
|
|
145,818
|
|
(94,935)
|
|
50,883
|
|
149,657
|
|
(85,224)
|
|
64,433
|
Total
|
|
|
436,564
|
|
(137,960)
|
|
298,604
|
|
375,851
|
|
(110,128)
|
|
265,723
|
14) INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
a)
Breakdown, changes
and amortization rates
|
Indefinite useful life
|
|
Finite useful life
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
Software
|
|
Customer portfolio
|
|
Trademarks
|
|
Licenses
|
|
Other
intangible assets
|
|
Estimated
losses for software
|
|
Software under development
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual amortization
rate (%)
|
-
|
|
6.67 a 50.00
|
|
11.76 a 12.85
|
|
5.13 a 66.67
|
|
3.60 a 6.67
|
|
20.00
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances and changes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 12/31/14
|
10,225,280
|
|
2,012,636
|
|
1,109,876
|
|
1,324,710
|
|
16,546,598
|
|
1,649
|
|
-
|
|
66,675
|
|
31,287,424
|
Additions
|
-
|
|
651,530
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
116
|
|
18,976
|
|
-
|
|
351,095
|
|
1,021,717
|
Write-offs, net
|
-
|
|
(52)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(52)
|
Net transfers
|
-
|
|
346,146
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(6,396)
|
|
-
|
|
(341,299)
|
|
(1,549)
|
Amortization (Note 25)
|
-
|
|
(834,553)
|
|
(478,375)
|
|
(108,907)
|
|
(911,632)
|
|
(8,242)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,341,709)
|
Business combination (1)
|
12,837,141
|
|
210,016
|
|
2,523,000
|
|
59,000
|
|
-
|
|
12,203
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
15,641,360
|
Balance at 12/31/15
|
23,062,421
|
|
2,385,723
|
|
3,154,501
|
|
1,274,803
|
|
15,635,082
|
|
18,190
|
|
-
|
|
76,471
|
|
45,607,191
|
Additions
|
-
|
|
634,528
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
185,450
|
|
19,796
|
|
(4,550)
|
|
519,563
|
|
1,354,787
|
Write-offs, net
|
-
|
|
24
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(11)
|
|
(31)
|
|
-
|
|
(18)
|
Net transfers
|
-
|
|
616,336
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
19,207
|
|
-
|
|
(532,609)
|
|
102,934
|
Amortization (Note 25)
|
-
|
|
(942,090)
|
|
(593,281)
|
|
(116,983)
|
|
(922,564)
|
|
(6,480)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,581,398)
|
Balance at 12/31/16
|
23,062,421
|
|
2,694,521
|
|
2,561,220
|
|
1,157,820
|
|
14,897,968
|
|
50,702
|
|
(4,581)
|
|
63,425
|
|
44,483,496
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12/31/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
23,062,421
|
|
14,062,127
|
|
4,513,278
|
|
1,658,897
|
|
20,237,572
|
|
267,074
|
|
(4,581)
|
|
63,425
|
|
63,860,213
|
Accumulated amortization
|
-
|
|
(11,367,606)
|
|
(1,952,058)
|
|
(501,077)
|
|
(5,339,604)
|
|
(216,372)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(19,376,717)
|
Total
|
23,062,421
|
|
2,694,521
|
|
2,561,220
|
|
1,157,820
|
|
14,897,968
|
|
50,702
|
|
(4,581)
|
|
63,425
|
|
44,483,496
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12/31/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
23,062,421
|
|
12,824,884
|
|
4,513,278
|
|
1,658,897
|
|
20,052,123
|
|
182,713
|
|
-
|
|
76,471
|
|
62,370,787
|
Accumulated amortization
|
-
|
|
(10,439,161)
|
|
(1,358,777)
|
|
(384,094)
|
|
(4,417,041)
|
|
(164,523)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(16,763,596)
|
Total
|
23,062,421
|
|
2,385,723
|
|
3,154,501
|
|
1,274,803
|
|
15,635,082
|
|
18,190
|
|
-
|
|
76,471
|
|
45,607,191
|
|
(1)
|
These refer to amounts arising from business
combinations, of which R$15,640,394 is from GVTPart., including goodwill (Note 4) and R$966 from TGLog.
|
b)
Goodwill breakdown
Ajato Telecomunicação Ltda.
|
|
149
|
Spanish e Figueira (merged with TDBH) (1)
|
|
212,058
|
Santo Genovese Participações Ltda. (2)
|
|
71,892
|
Telefônica Televisão Participações S.A. (3)
|
|
780,693
|
Vivo Participações S. A. (4)
|
|
9,160,488
|
GVT Participações S. A. (5)
|
|
12,837,141
|
Total
|
|
23,062,421
|
(1)
Goodwill from partial spin-off of “Spanish and Figueira”, which was reversed to the Company upon merger of Telefônica
Data Brasil Holding S.A. (TDBH) in 2006.
(2)
Goodwill generated upon acquisition of equity control of Santo Genovese Participações (parent company of Atrium
Telecomunicações Ltda.), in 2004.
(3)
Goodwill generated upon acquisition of Telefônica Televisão Participações (formerly Navytree) merged
in 2008.
(4)
Goodwill generated upon acquisition/merger of Vivo Participações in 2011.
(5)
Goodwill generated upon acquisition of GVT Participações in 2015 (Note 4).
c)
Goodwill impairment
testing
The Company assessed recoverability
of goodwill carrying amount based on the value in use and discounted cash flow method.
The process for determination
of the value in use involves the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates on cash flows, such as revenue, cost and expense growth
rates, estimated future investments and working capital and discount rates. The assumptions about cash flow increase projections
were based on management’s estimates, market studies and macroeconomic projections. Future cash flows were discounted at
the WACC (Weighted Average Cost of Capital) rate.
Consistent with the economic
analysis techniques, the assessment of value in use is made for a period of five (5) years, and thereafter, considering the perpetuity
of the assumptions based on the capacity of business continuity for an indefinite time. Management considered that the period of
5 years is adequate, based on its past experience in preparing cash flow projections. Such understanding is in line with paragraph
35 of IAS 36 – Impairment of Assets.
The growth rate used to extrapolate
the projections beyond the 5 years period was 5.0% in 2016 and 2015. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at the pre tax
rate of 14.75% in 2016 (15.05% in 2015), also at nominal amounts.
The inflation rate for the period
analyzed in the projected cash flows was 4.5% in 2016 and 2015.
Key assumptions were based on
the Company’s historical performance and reasonable macroeconomic assumptions grounded on financial market projections, documented
and approved by the Company’s management.
Based on annual impairment testing
of the Company’s intangible assets, prepared using projections considering the financial statements at December 31, 2016
and 2015, growth projections and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, no impairment losses or evidence
of losses were identified, since value in use is higher than net carrying amount as of the assessment date.
c.1)
Key assumptions used in the calculation of value in use:
The value in use is mainly impacted
by the following assumptions:
|
·
|
Revenue Growth:
is based on the observation of the historical behavior of each revenue line, as well as trends based on market analysis. The projected
revenue differs between product lines and services with a tendency of growth in broadband services and pay TV compared to voice
services (fixed), data and IT.
|
|
·
|
Growth in operating
margin:
takes into account the historical margin estimate of price correction, as well as ongoing projects with the aim of
greater cost efficiency. Another factor that can impact the operating margin is the level of aggressive competition.
|
|
·
|
Capex volume:
we considered the projects in progress and the need to increase capacity and coverage in line with the growth in revenue provided
under the long-term plan. The Capex volume may also be impacted by inflation and currency fluctuations.
|
|
·
|
Discount rate:
represents the assessment of risks in the current market. The calculation of the discount rate is based on the Company’s
specific circumstances and derived from the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The WACC takes into account both debt and
equity. The cost of equity is derived from the expected return on investment by Company investors. The cost of debt is based on
loans with interest income that the Company is obliged to honor. The specific risk segment is incorporated by applying individual
beta factors.
|
c.2)
Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
The Company carries out a sensitivity
analysis of the impairment test by considering reasonable changes in the main assumptions used in such test.
The following maximum increases
or decreases, expressed in percentage points (p.p.) were assumed for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Changes in key assumptions
|
|
In percentage points (p.p)
|
Financial variables
|
|
|
Discount rate
|
|
+/-1.0
|
Perpetuity growth rates
|
|
+/-0.5
|
|
|
|
Operating variables
|
|
|
OIBDA Margin
|
|
+/-2.0
|
Capex/Revenues Margin
|
|
+/-1.0
|
The sensitivity analysis performed
at year-end 2016 and 2015 indicates that there are no significant risks arising from possible changes in the financial and operating
variables, considered individually. In other words, the Company considers that within the above (reasonably wide) limits, no losses
would be recognized.
|
15)
|
PERSONNEL, SOCIAL CHARGES AND BENEFITS
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Salaries and wages
|
|
55,476
|
|
58,201
|
Social charges and benefits
|
|
384,073
|
|
383,834
|
Profit sharing
|
|
285,887
|
|
232,404
|
Share-based payment plans (Note 31)
|
|
46,223
|
|
39,987
|
Other compensation
|
|
-
|
|
4,228
|
Total
|
|
771,659
|
|
718,654
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
760,643
|
|
698,846
|
Noncurrent
|
|
11,016
|
|
19,808
|
|
16)
|
TRADE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Sundry suppliers (Opex, Capex, Services e Material)
|
|
6,617,240
|
|
7,438,202
|
Amounts payable (operators, co-billing)
|
|
314,958
|
|
165,648
|
Interconnection / interlink
(1)
|
|
369,715
|
|
520,816
|
Related parties (Note 29)
|
|
381,240
|
|
316,311
|
Total
|
|
7,683,153
|
|
8,440,977
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
7,611,246
|
|
8,373,235
|
Noncurrent
|
|
71,907
|
|
67,742
|
|
(1)
|
The amount recorded as non-current refers to the judicial proceeding filed
against SMP operators claims the reduction of VU-M amount. On October 15, 2007, obtained an injunction to provide a judicial deposit
of the difference between VC1 calls (R$0.2899) and the amount effectively charged by SMP operators (R$0.3899). The amounts for
those deposits are recognized in assets as “Judicial deposits and garnishments”.
|
17) TAXES, CHARGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Income taxes
|
|
11,520
|
|
58,666
|
Income and social contribution taxes payable
|
|
11,520
|
|
58,666
|
Indirect taxes
|
|
1,808,342
|
|
1,744,354
|
ICMS
|
|
1,226,172
|
|
1,186,818
|
PIS and COFINS
|
|
412,149
|
|
382,123
|
Fust and Funttel
|
|
92,828
|
|
86,317
|
ISS, CIDE and other taxes
|
|
77,193
|
|
89,096
|
Total
|
|
1,819,862
|
|
1,803,020
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
1,770,731
|
|
1,716,002
|
Noncurrent
|
|
49,131
|
|
87,018
|
|
18)
|
DIVIDENDS AND INTEREST ON EQUITY (IOE)
|
|
a)
|
Dividends and interest on equity payable
|
a.1)
Breakdown:
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding S.L. (former Telefónica Internacional S.A.)
|
|
454,583
|
|
455,371
|
Telefónica S.A.
|
|
547,390
|
|
471,238
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações Ltda
|
|
345,090
|
|
345,689
|
Telefónica Chile S.A.
|
|
962
|
|
964
|
Non-controlling interest
|
|
847,006
|
|
936,100
|
Total
|
|
2,195,031
|
|
2,209,362
|
a.2)
Changes:
Balance at 12/31/14
|
|
1,495,321
|
Supplementary dividends for 2014
|
|
2,768,592
|
Interim dividends and interest on equity (net of IRRF)
|
|
1,754,036
|
Unclaimed dividends and interest on equity
|
|
(137,273)
|
Payment of dividends and interest on equity
|
|
(3,678,665)
|
IRRF on shareholders exempt/immune from interest on equity
|
|
7,351
|
Balance at 12/31/15
|
|
2,209,362
|
Supplementary dividends for 2015
|
|
1,287,223
|
Interim dividends and interest on equity (net of IRRF)
|
|
1,846,323
|
Unclaimed dividends and interest on equity
|
|
(189,471)
|
Payment of dividends and interest on equity
|
|
(2,966,384)
|
IRRF on shareholders exempt/immune from interest on equity
|
|
7,978
|
Balance at 12/31/16
|
|
2,195,031
|
For the cash flow statement,
interest on equity and dividends paid to shareholders are recognized in “Financing Activities”.
Interest on equity and dividends
not claimed by shareholders expire within three years from the initial payment date. Should dividends and interest on equity expire,
these amounts are recorded in retained earnings for later distribution.
19) PROVISIONS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company and its subsidiaries
are parties to administrative and judicial proceedings and labor, tax and civil claims filed in different courts. The management
of the Company and its subsidiaries, based on the opinion of its legal counsel, recognized provisions for proceedings for which
an unfavorable outcome is considered probable.
Breakdown of changes in provisions
for cases in which an unfavorable outcome is probable, in addition to contingent liabilities and provisions for dismantling, are
as follows:
|
|
Provisions for contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Labor
|
|
Tax
|
|
Civil and regulatory
|
|
Contingent liabilities
(PPA) (1)
|
|
Provision for decommissioning
(2)
|
|
Total
|
|
Balances at 12/31/14
|
1,013,126
|
|
2,396,041
|
|
1,197,471
|
|
277,608
|
|
251,684
|
|
5,135,930
|
|
Inflows (income)
|
456,119
|
|
66,205
|
|
779,326
|
|
23,311
|
|
-
|
|
1,324,961
|
|
Inflows (except income)
|
-
|
|
138,058
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
74,697
|
|
212,755
|
|
Write-offs due to payment
|
(359,163)
|
|
(78,251)
|
|
(382,916)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(820,330)
|
|
Write-offs due to reversal (income)
|
(77,921)
|
|
(55)
|
|
(218,172)
|
|
(14,733)
|
|
(8,448)
|
|
(319,329)
|
|
Monetary restatement
|
116,212
|
|
211,359
|
|
196,965
|
|
45,048
|
|
1,926
|
|
571,510
|
|
Business combination
(3)
|
17,778
|
|
2,834
|
|
80,377
|
|
512,648
|
|
85,562
|
|
699,199
|
|
Balances at 12/31/15
|
1,166,151
|
|
2,736,191
|
|
1,653,051
|
|
843,882
|
|
405,421
|
|
6,804,696
|
|
Inflows (income)
|
611,776
|
|
126,446
|
|
816,984
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,555,206
|
|
Inflows (except income)
|
958
|
|
100,314
|
|
7,897
|
|
-
|
|
162,628
|
|
271,797
|
|
Write-offs due to payment
|
(396,894)
|
|
(159,039)
|
|
(540,889)
|
|
(11,240)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,108,062)
|
|
Write-offs due to reversal (income)
|
(153,758)
|
|
(53,616)
|
|
(353,568)
|
|
(9,088)
|
|
(32,924)
|
|
(602,954)
|
|
Monetary restatement
|
154,724
|
|
379,385
|
|
284,816
|
|
58,191
|
|
11,462
|
|
888,578
|
|
Balances at 12/31/16
|
1,382,957
|
|
3,129,681
|
|
1,868,291
|
|
881,745
|
|
546,587
|
|
7,809,261
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12/31/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
202,113
|
|
-
|
|
981,510
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,183,623
|
|
Noncurrent
|
1,180,844
|
|
3,129,681
|
|
886,781
|
|
881,745
|
|
546,587
|
|
6,625,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At 12/31/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
128,652
|
|
-
|
|
785,725
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
914,377
|
|
Noncurrent
|
1,037,499
|
|
2,736,191
|
|
867,326
|
|
843,882
|
|
405,421
|
|
5,890,319
|
(1)
This refers to contingent liabilities arising from Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) generated on acquisition of the controlling
interest of Vivo Participações in 2011 and GVTPart. in 2015 (Note 4).
(2)
These refer to costs to be incurred to return the sites (locations for installation of base radio, equipment and real estate) to
their respective owners in the same conditions as at the time of execution of the initial lease agreement.
(3) These refer to amounts arising
from business combinations, of which R$697,160 of GVTPart. (Note 4) and R$2,039 of TGLog.
a)
Provisions and labor
contingencies
|
|
Amounts involved
|
Nature/Degree of Risk
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Provisions - probable losses
|
|
1,382,957
|
|
1,166,151
|
Provisions - possible losses
|
|
293,146
|
|
340,643
|
Labor provisions and contingencies
involve labor claims filed by former employees and outsourced employees (the latter alleging subsidiary or joint liability) claiming
for, among other issues, overtime, salary equalization, post-retirement benefits, allowance for health hazard and risk premium,
and matters relating to outsourcing.
The Company is also a defendant
in labor claims filed by retired former employees who are covered by the Retired Employees Medical Assistance Plan (“PAMA”),
who, among other issues, are demanding the cancellation of amendments to this plan. Most of these claims await a decision by the
Regional Labor Court of São Paulo and the Superior Labor Court. Based on the opinion of its legal counsel and recent decisions
of the courts, management considers the risk of loss in these cases as possible. No amount has been allocated for these claims,
since is not possible to estimate the cost to the Company in the event of loss.
In addition, the Company is
party to Public Civil Actions filed by the Labor Public Prosecutor’s Office, mainly in relation to the determination that
the Company must cease the engagement of intermediaries to carry out its core activities. No amounts were allocated to the possible
degree of risk in these Public Civil Actions in the above table, since at this stage of the proceedings it is not possible to estimate
the cost to the Company in the event of loss.
b)
Provisions and tax
contingencies
|
|
Amounts involved
|
Nature/Degree of Risk
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Provisions - probable losses
|
|
3,129,681
|
|
2,736,191
|
Federal
|
|
2,872,591
|
|
2,559,770
|
State
|
|
226,571
|
|
156,444
|
Municipal
|
|
30,519
|
|
19,977
|
Provisions - possible losses
|
|
30,050,578
|
|
26,620,066
|
Federal
|
|
6,169,787
|
|
5,908,994
|
State
|
|
15,389,802
|
|
12,921,976
|
Municipal
|
|
853,244
|
|
769,113
|
ANATEL
|
|
7,637,745
|
|
7,019,983
|
b.1)
Probable tax contingencies
Federal Taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to administrative and legal proceedings relating to: (i) claims resulting from the non-ratification of compensation
and refund requests formulated; (ii) social contribution taxes relating to supposed failure to pay 11% on invoices and bills received
from service providers hired through transfer of labor; (iii) CIDE levied on the remittance of amounts abroad related to technical
and administrative assistance and similar services, as well as royalties; (iv) non-inclusion of interconnection and EILD expenses
in the FUST and FUNTTEL base; (v) contribution to Empresa Brasileira de Comunicação, created by Law No. 11652/08;
(vi) TFI/TFF on mobile stations; (vii) IRRF on interest on equity; (viii) Price for Numbering Resources Management (PPNUM) by ANATEL
instituted by Resolution No. 451/06; (ix) Social Investment Fund (Finsocial) offset amounts; (x) failure to pay withholding social
contribution tax levied on services rendered, remuneration, salaries and other salary bases; (xi) COFINS - requirement resulting
from non-inclusion of financial income in the tax base; and (xii) additional charges to the PIS and COFINS tax base, as well as
additional charges to COFINS required by Law No. 9718/98.
At December 31, 2016, provisions
totaled R$2,872,591 (R$2,559,770 at December 31, 2015).
State taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to administrative and judicial proceedings relating to: (i) disallowance of ICMS credits; (ii) telecommunications services
not subject to ICMS; (iii) disallowance of ICMS on tax incentives; (iv) disallowance of ICMS credit relating to Agreement 39; (v)
ICMS on co-billing; (vi) rate difference of ICMS; and (vii) ICMS on rent of infrastructure necessary for internet (data) services.
At December 31, 2016, provisions
totaled R$226,571 (R$156,444 at December 31, 2015).
Municipal taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to various municipal tax proceedings, at the judicial level, relating to: (i) Property tax (IPTU); (ii) Services tax
(ISS) on equipment leasing services, non-core activities and supplementary activities; (iii) surveillance, control and monitoring
fee (“TVCF”); and (iv) withholding of ISS on contractors’ services.
At December 31, 2016, provisions
totaled R$30,519 (R$19,977 at December 31, 2015).
b.2)
Possible tax contingencies
Management and its legal counsel
understand that losses are possible in the following federal, state, municipal and ANATEL proceedings:
Federal taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to various administrative and judicial proceedings, at the federal level, which are awaiting decisions in different
court levels.
The most important of these
proceedings are: (i) statements of dissatisfaction resulting from failure to approve requests for compensation submitted by the
Company; (ii) INSS (social security contribution) on compensation payment for salary losses arising from the “
Plano Verão
”
and the “
Plano Bresser
”, SAT, social security amounts owed to third parties (INCRA and SEBRAE), supply of meals
to employees, withholding of 11% (assignment of labor); (iii) IRRF on the funds remitted abroad related to technical services and
to administrative support and similar services, etc., and royalties; (iv) PIS levied on roaming; (v) CPMF levied on operations
resulting from technical cooperation agreement with the National Treasury Department (“STN”) (offsetting through the
Integrated System of Federal Government Financial Administration - SIAFI) and on foreign exchange contracts required by the Central
Bank of Brazil; (vi) IRPJ and CSLL related to deductions of revenues from provision reversals; (vii) IRPJ and CSLL – disallowance
of costs and sundry expenses not evidenced; (viii) deduction of COFINS on swap operation losses; (ix) PIS and COFINS accrual basis
versus cash basis; (x) IRPJ FINOR, FINAN and FUNRES; (xi) IRPJ on derivatives transactions; (xii) IRPJ and CSLL, disallowance of
expenses on goodwill paid for the acquisition of Celular CRT and the privatization process and corporate restructuring of Vivo
S.A., and for the takeovers of Navytree, TDBH, VivoPart. and GVTPart.; (xiii) ex-tariff, cancellation of the benefits under CAMEX
Resolution No. 6, increase in the import duty from 4% to 28%; (xiv) IPI levied on shipment of fixed access units from the Company's
establishment; (xv) PIS and COFINS levied on value-added services and monthly subscription services; (xvi) INSS on Stock Options
– requirement of social security contributions on amounts paid to employees under the stock option plan; (xvii) IOF –
required on loan transactions, inter-company loans and credit transactions; and (xviii) Contribution in support of broadcasting
(EBC).
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$6,169,787 (R$5,908,994 at December 31, 2015).
State taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to various administrative and judicial proceedings, at the state level, which are awaiting decisions in different court
levels.
Among these lawsuits, the following
are highlighted: (i) provision of facility, utility and convenience services and rental of the “Speedy” service modem;
(ii) international calls (DDI); (iii) reversal of ICMS credit related to the acquisition of items intended to property, plant and
equipment and payment of ICMS in interstate transfers of property, plant and equipment between branches; (iv) Reversal of previously
unused ICMS credits; (v) service provided outside São Paulo state with ICMS paid to São Paulo State; (vi) co-billing; (vii) tax substitution
with a fictitious tax base (tax guideline); (viii) use of credits related to acquisition of electric power; (ix) secondary activities,
value added and supplementary services; (x) tax credits related to opposition/challenges regarding telecommunications services
not provided or mistakenly charged (Agreement 39/01); (xi) shipment of goods with prices lower than acquisition prices (unconditional
discounts); (xii) deferred collection of ICMS - interconnection (DETRAF - Traffic and Service Provision Document); (xiii) credits
derived from tax benefits granted by other states; (xiv) disallowance of tax incentives related to cultural projects; (xv) transfers
of assets among business units owned by the Company; (xvi) communications service tax credits used in provision of services of
the same nature; (xvii) card donation for prepaid service activation; (xviii) reversal of credit from return and free lease in
connection with assignment of networks (used by the Company itself and exemption of public bodies); (xix) DETRAF fine; (xx) ICMS
on own consumption; (xxi) ICMS on exemption of public bodies; (xxii) ICMS on amounts given by way of discounts; (xxiii) new tax
register bookkeeping without prior authorization by tax authorities; (xxiv) ICMS on monthly subscription; and(xxv) tax on unmeasured
services.
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$15,389,802 (R$12,921,976 at December 31, 2015).
Municipal taxes
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to various administrative and judicial proceedings, at the municipal level, which are awaiting decisions in different
court levels.
The most important of these
proceedings are: (i) ISS on non-core activity, value-added and supplementary services; (ii) ISS withholding at source; (iii) IPTU;
(iv) land use tax; (v) various municipal charges; (vi) charge for use of mobile network and lease of infrastructure; (vii) advertising
services; (viii) services provided by third parties; (ix) advisory services in corporate management provided by Telefónica
International; (x) ISS on call identification and mobile phone licensing services; and (xi) ISS on full-time services, provisions,
returns and cancelled tax receipts.
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$853,244 (R$769,113 at December 31, 2015).
ANATEL
Universal Telecommunications
Services Fund (“FUST”)
Writs of mandamus were filed
seeking the right to not include expenses with interconnection and Industrial Use of Dedicated Line (EILD) in FUST tax base, according
to Abridgment No. 7 of December 15, 2005, as it does not comply with the provisions contained in sole paragraph of article 6 of
Law No. 9998/00, which are awaiting a decision from Higher Courts.
Various delinquency notices
were issued by ANATEL in the administrative level to collect charges on interconnections, EILD and other revenues not earned from
the provision of telecommunication services.
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$4,089,065 (R$3,647,291 at December 31, 2015).
Fund for Technological
Development of Telecommunications (“FUNTTEL”)
The Company and/or its subsidiaries
are parties to administrative and legal proceedings that are waiting to be tried by Higher Courts. Such proceedings concern the
collection of contributions to FUNTTEL on other revenues (not related to telecom services), as well as on income and expenses transferred
to other operators (interconnection).).
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$1,190,637 (R$911,836 at December 31, 2015).
Telecommunications Inspection
Fund (“FISTEL”)
Upon extension of the effective
license period to use telephone switches in connection with the use of STFC (Fixed Switched Telephone Service) and extension of
the right to use radiofrequency in connection with the use of Personal Communication Service (“SMP”), ANATEL charges
the Installation Inspection Fee (TFI).
This collection is based on
ANATEL’s understanding that such extension would represent a taxable event for TFI. The Company understands that such collection
is unjustified, and separately challenged the aforesaid fee in court.
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$2,352,000 (R$2,455,229 at December 31, 2015), excluding the corresponding court deposits.
Public Price for Numbering
Resource Management (PPNUM)
The Company, along with other
wireless carriers in Brazil, is challenging in court the PPNUM charged by ANATEL for use by such carriers of the numbering resources
managed by the agency. In view of the collections, the Company made a judicial deposit relating to the amounts due. On April 23,
2009, the carriers were handed down a favorable decision and the lawsuit is currently awaiting judgment in the court of appeals.
At December 31, 2016, amounts
involved totaled R$6,043 (R$5,627 at December 31, 2015).
c)
Provisions, civil and regulatory contingencies
|
|
Amounts involved
|
Nature/Degree of Risk
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Provisions - probable losses
|
|
1,868,291
|
|
1,653,051
|
Civil
|
|
1,039,357
|
|
1,010,356
|
Regulatory
|
|
828,934
|
|
642,695
|
Provisions - possible losses
|
|
7,593,041
|
|
6,297,944
|
Civil
|
|
2,574,836
|
|
2,581,838
|
Regulatory
|
|
5,018,205
|
|
3,716,106
|
c.1)
Provisions for probable
civil and regulatory contingencies
Provisions for civil contingencies
assessed as probable loss
|
·
|
The Company and/or
its subsidiaries are parties to proceedings involving rights to the supplementary amounts from shares calculated on network expansion
plans since 1996 (supplement of share proceedings). These proceedings are at different stages: lower courts, court of justice and
high court of justice. At December 31, 2016, provisions totaled R$256,276 (R$190,004 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
The Company and/or
its subsidiaries are parties to various civil proceedings related to consumers at the administrative and judicial level, relating
to failure to supply services and/or products sold. At December 31, 2016, provisions totaled R$386,699 (R$435,782 at December 31,
2015).
|
|
·
|
The Company and/or
its subsidiaries are parties to various civil proceedings of a non-consumer nature at administrative and judicial levels, all arising
in the ordinary course of business. At December 31, 2016, provisions totaled R$396,382 (R$384,570 at December 31, 2015).
|
Provisions for regulatory
contingencies assessed as probable losses
The Company is party to administrative
proceedings against ANATEL, filed based on an alleged failure to meet sector regulations, and to judicial proceedings to contest
sanctions applied by ANATEL at the administrative level. At December 31, 2016, provisions totaled R$828,934 (R$642,695 at December
31, 2015).
c.2)
Provisions for civil
and regulatory contingencies assessed as possible losses
Civil contingencies assessed
as possible losses
Management and its legal counsel
understand that losses are possible in the following civil proceedings:
|
·
|
Civil Class Action
in which the Company is involved relating to the Community Telephone Plan (PCT), on possible rights to indemnify acquirers of expansion
plans who allegedly did not receive shares for their financial investments made in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, with the total
consolidated amount involved on December 31, 2015 of R$421,085. The São Paulo Court of Justice (TJSP) changed its decision,
and judged this matter groundless. The carriers association of Mogi das Cruzes (“claimant” or “Association”)
filed a special appeal to reverse that decision. On December 7, 2015, the appeal filed by the Association was dismissed by the
High Court of Justice. The Association filed Motions for Clarification, which were not accepted by the High Court of Justice on
March 17, 2016. On April 15, 2016,
a final decision was handed down, and no further appeals can be filed. The process was dismissed.
|
|
·
|
Collective Action
filed by SISTEL Participants' Association (ASTEL) in the state of São Paulo, in which SISTEL associates in the state of
São Paulo challenge the changes made in the health insurance plan for retired employees (“PAMA”) and claim for
the reestablishment of the prior “status quo”. This proceeding is still in the appeal phase, and awaits a decision
on the Interlocutory Appeal filed by the Company against the decision on possible admission of the appeal to higher and supreme
courts filed in connection with the Court of Appeals' decision, which changed the decision rendering the matter groundless. The
amount cannot be estimated, and the claims cannot be settled due to their unenforceability because it entails the return to the
prior plan conditions.
|
|
·
|
Civil Class Actions
filed by ASTEL, in the state of São Paulo, and by the Brazilian National Federation of Associations of Retirees, Pensioners
and Pension Fund Members of the Telecommunications Industry (FENAPAS), both against SISTEL, the Company and other carriers, in
order to annul the spin-off of the PBS private pension plan, alleging, in short, the “windup of the supplementary private
pension plan of the SISTEL Foundation”, which led to various specific mirror PBS plans, and corresponding allocation of funds
from technical surplus and tax contingencies existing at the time of the spin-off. The amount cannot be estimated, and the claims
cannot be settled due to their unenforceability because this involves the return of the spun-off assets of SISTEL relating to telecommunication
carries of the former Telebrás System.
|
|
·
|
The Public Prosecutor’s
Office of São Paulo State began a civil class action claiming pain, suffering and damages suffered by all consumers of telecommunications
services from 2004 to 2009 due to the bad quality of services and failures of the communications system. The Public Prosecutor’s
Office suggested that the indemnification to be paid should be R$ 1 billion. The decision handed down on April 20, 2010 imposes
the payment of indemnification for damages caused to all consumers who have filed a suit for such damages. The Company filed an
appeal tried on April 13, 2015, and it was unanimously decided that the lower court decision should be amended and the claim should
be dismissed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office of São Paulo State appealed against this decision and filed an appeal
to higher and supreme courts. The Company submitted counterarguments to this appeal to higher and supreme courts. The appeals to
higher and supreme courts were not accepted and the Company is awaiting a citation in connection with an appeal that may be filed
by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of São Paulo State.
|
Conversely, in the event
that the number of claiming consumers is not in line with the extent of damages, after the lapsing of one year, the judge determined
that the amount of R$60 million should be deposited in the Special Expenses Fund to Recover Natural Rights Damages (Fundo Especial
de Despesa de Reparação de Interesses Difusos Lesados). It is not possible to estimate the number of consumers who
will individually file suits, or the amounts claimed thereby. The parties filed an appeal on the merits of the case. The judgment
effects are in abeyance. No amount has been assigned to the possible likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in connection with the
civil class action described above, since, in the case of loss, estimating the corresponding amount payable by the Company is not
practicable at this time. Likewise, establishing a provision for contingency equivalent to the amount sought is not possible.
|
·
|
The Company is
party to other civil claims, at several levels, related to service rendering rights. Such claims have been filed by individual
consumers, civil associations representing consumer rights or by the Bureau of Consumer Protection (PROCON), as well as by the
Federal and State Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Company is also party to other claims of several types related to the ordinary
course of business. At December 31, 2016, the amount totaled to R$2,559,252 (R$2,146,850 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
TGLog is party
to a civil execution proceeding filed with the 3rd Civil Court of Barueri, São Paulo State, owing to alleged non-payment
of transportation service bills. TGLog alleges that it made legitimate discounts owing to contract breaches and losses arising
from damages to goods of its customers transported by the claimant, which are also subject matter of another proceeding. At December
31, 2016, the amount was R$1,377 (R$1,022 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
The Company has
received notices regarding noncompliance with the Customer Service (SAC) Decree. The Company is currently party to various lawsuits
(administrative and legal proceedings). At December 31, 2016 the amount was R$14,207 (R$12,881 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
Intellectual Property:
Lune Projetos Especiais Telecomunicação Comércio e Ind. Ltda. (Lune), a Brazilian company, filed an action
on November 20, 2001 against 23 wireless carriers claiming to own the patent for caller ID and the trademark “Bina".
The purpose of that lawsuit was to interrupt provision of such service by carriers and to seek indemnification equivalent to the
amount paid by consumers for using the service.
|
An unfavorable decision
was handed down determining that the Company should refrain from selling mobile phones with Caller ID service (“Bina”),
subject to a daily fine of R$10,000 in case of noncompliance. Furthermore, according to that decision, the Company must pay indemnification
for royalties, to be calculated in settlement. Motions for Clarification were opposed by all parties and Lune’s motions for
clarification were accepted since an injunctive relief in this stage of the proceedings was deemed applicable. A bill of review
appeal was filed in view of the current decision which granted a stay of execution suspending that unfavorable decision until final
judgment of the review. A bill of review was filed in view of the sentence handed down on June 30, 2016, by the 4th Chamber of
the Court of Justice of the Federal District, in order to annul the lower court sentence and remit the proceedings back to the
lower court for a new examination. There is no way to determine the extent of potential liabilities with respect to this claim.
|
·
|
The Company and
other wireless carriers figure as defendants in several lawsuits filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and consumer associations
to challenge imposition of a period to use prepaid minutes. The plaintiffs allege that the prepaid minutes should not expire after
a specific period. Conflicting decisions were handed down by courts on the matter, even though the Company understands that its
criteria for the period determination comply with ANATEL standards. Based on the legal counsel’s opinion, class actions have
a remote likelihood of loss.
|
Regulatory contingencies
assessed as possible losses
According
to the Company’s management and legal counsel, the likelihood of loss of the following regulatory civil proceedings is possible:
|
·
|
The Company is
party to administrative proceedings filed by ANATEL alleging noncompliance with the obligations set forth in industry regulations,
as well as legal claims which discuss the sanctions applied by ANATEL at the administrative level. At December 31, 2016, the amount
was R$5,018,205 (R$3,716,106 for the Company at December 31, 2015).
|
|
·
|
Administrative
and judicial proceedings discussing payment of 2% charge on interconnection services revenue arising from the extension of right
of use of SMP related radio frequencies. Under clause 1.7 of the authorization term that grants right of use of SMP related radio
frequencies, the extension of right of use of such frequencies entails payment every two years, during the extension period (15
years) of a 2% charge calculated on net revenues from the service provider’s Basic and Alternative Plans of the service company,
determined in the year before that of payment.
|
However, ANATEL determined
that in addition to revenues from Service Plans, the charge corresponding to 2% should also be levied on interconnection revenues
and other operating revenues, which is not stipulated in clause 1.7 of referred Authorization Term.
Considering, based on the
provisions of the Authorization Terms, that revenue from interconnection services should not be included in the calculation of
the 2% charge for radiofrequency use right extension, the Company filed administrative and legal proceedings challenging these
charges, based on ANATEL’s position.
d)
Guarantees
The Company and its subsidiaries
granted guarantees for tax, civil and labor proceedings, as follows:
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
Property and equipment
|
|
Judicial deposits
and garnishments
|
|
Letters of guarantee
|
|
Property and equipment
|
|
Judicial deposits
and garnishments
|
|
Letters of guarantee
|
Civil, labor and tax
|
203,600
|
|
6,351,566
|
|
1,948,088
|
|
163,802
|
|
5,753,463
|
|
2,750,864
|
Total
|
203,600
|
|
6,351,566
|
|
1,948,088
|
|
163,802
|
|
5,753,463
|
|
2,750,864
|
At December 31, 2016, in addition
to the guarantees presented above, the Company and its subsidiaries had amounts under short-term investment frozen by courts (except
for loan-related investments) in the amount of R$67,393 (R$71,059 at December 31, 2015).
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Services and goods (1)
|
|
389,706
|
|
466,943
|
Disposal of PP&E (2)
|
|
227,397
|
|
87,906
|
Activation revenue (3)
|
|
44,914
|
|
72,737
|
Customer loyalty program (4)
|
|
56,210
|
|
95,893
|
Government grants (5)
|
|
133,300
|
|
133,099
|
Donations of equipment (6)
|
|
8,044
|
|
8,281
|
Other revenues (7)
|
|
82,068
|
|
58,935
|
Total
|
|
941,639
|
|
923,794
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
429,853
|
|
564,557
|
Noncurrent
|
|
511,786
|
|
359,237
|
|
(1)
|
This refers mainly to the balances of revenues from recharging prepaid
services, which are recognized in income as services are provided to customers. It includes the amount of the agreement the Company
entered into for industrial use of its mobile network by a different SMP operator in Regions I, II and III of the general authorizations
plan (“ PGA” ), which is intended solely for the rendering of SMP services by the operator for its customers.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes the net balances of the residual values from sale of non- strategic
towers and rooftops, which are transferred to income as the conditions for recognition are fulfilled.
|
|
(3)
|
This refers to the deferred activation revenue (fixed) recognized in income
over the estimated period in which a customer remains in the base.
|
|
(4)
|
This refers to points earned under the Company's loyalty program, which
enables customers to accumulate points by paying bills relating to use of services offered. The balance represents the Company's
estimate of customers’ exchanging points for goods and / or services in the future.
|
|
(5)
|
This refers to: (i) government subsidy arising from funds obtained from
BNDES credit lines to be used in the acquisition of domestic equipment, which have been amortized over the useful life cycle of
the equipment; and (ii) subsidies arising from projects related to state taxes, which are being amortized over the contractual
period.
|
|
(6)
|
This refers to the balances of network equipment donated by suppliers,
which are amortized over their useful life cycles.
|
(7)
Includes amounts of the reimbursement for costs for leaving radio frequency sub-bands 2,500MHz to 2,690MHz due to cancellation
of the Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS).
21)
LOANS, FINANCING AND DEBENTURES
a)
Breakdown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information as of
December 31, 2016
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
Currency
|
|
Annual interest rate
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Total
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local currency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,480,382
|
|
2,901,521
|
|
4,381,903
|
|
2,030,372
|
|
2,964,236
|
|
4,994,608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans and financing - Financial Institutions
(20.a.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
711,848
|
|
2,158,303
|
|
2,870,151
|
|
765,601
|
|
2,325,920
|
|
3,091,521
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 11.2.0814.1
|
URTJLP
(1)
|
|
TJLP+ 0 to 4.08%
|
|
7/15/2019
|
|
363,734
|
|
567,110
|
|
930,844
|
|
328,768
|
|
898,735
|
|
1,227,503
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 08.2.1073.1
|
R$
|
|
IPCA + 2.95% + TR
|
|
7/15/2016
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
30,722
|
|
-
|
|
30,722
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 08.2.1073.1
|
URTJLP
(1)
|
|
TJLP+ 2.05% to 2.95%
|
|
7/15/2017
|
|
29,319
|
|
-
|
|
29,319
|
|
57,916
|
|
28,796
|
|
86,712
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 11.2.0963.1
|
URTJLP
(1)
|
|
TJLP+ 0 to 3.38%
|
|
8/15/2020
|
|
182,737
|
|
480,510
|
|
663,247
|
|
180,206
|
|
648,361
|
|
828,567
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 11.2.0963.1
|
R$
|
|
5.00%
|
|
11/15/2019
|
|
14,686
|
|
27,971
|
|
42,657
|
|
14,718
|
|
42,564
|
|
57,282
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 14.2.1192.1
|
URTJLP
(1)
|
|
TJLP+ 0 to 3.12%
|
|
1/15/2023
|
|
7,596
|
|
499,442
|
|
507,038
|
|
4,112
|
|
262,383
|
|
266,495
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 14.2.1192.1
|
R$
|
|
4.00% to 6.00%
|
|
1/15/2023
|
|
12,320
|
|
163,222
|
|
175,542
|
|
511
|
|
120,051
|
|
120,562
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 14.2.1192.1
|
R$
|
|
Selic Acum. D-2 + 2.32%
|
|
1/15/2023
|
|
1,408
|
|
340,600
|
|
342,008
|
|
710
|
|
146,815
|
|
147,525
|
Financing – BNDES PSI
|
R$
|
|
2.5% to 5.5%
|
|
1/15/2023
|
|
92,508
|
|
44,698
|
|
137,206
|
|
90,779
|
|
136,019
|
|
226,798
|
Financing – BNDES PSI
|
R$
|
|
TJLP+ 5.7% to 9.00%
|
|
4/15/2016
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
221
|
|
-
|
|
221
|
Financing – BNB
|
R$
|
|
7.06% to 10%
|
|
8/18/2022
|
|
7,540
|
|
34,750
|
|
42,290
|
|
56,938
|
|
42,196
|
|
99,134
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing – Suppliers (20.a.2)
|
R$
|
|
108.4% of CDI
|
|
12/31/2017
|
|
722,591
|
|
-
|
|
722,591
|
|
1,228,682
|
|
-
|
|
1,228,682
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance lease (20.a.3)
|
R$
|
|
IPCA and IGP-M
|
|
8/31/2033
|
|
45,943
|
|
328,485
|
|
374,428
|
|
36,089
|
|
260,595
|
|
296,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingent Consideration (20.a.4)
|
R$
|
|
Selic
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
414,733
|
|
414,733
|
|
-
|
|
377,721
|
|
377,721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,062,593
|
|
225,271
|
|
1,287,864
|
|
191,695
|
|
1,490,273
|
|
1,681,968
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans and financing - Financial Institutions
(20.a.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,062,593
|
|
225,271
|
|
1,287,864
|
|
191,695
|
|
1,490,273
|
|
1,681,968
|
Financing – BNDES FINEM - Contract 11.2.0814.1
|
UMBND
(2)
|
|
ECM
(3)
+ 2.38%
|
|
7/15/2019
|
|
136,850
|
|
225,271
|
|
362,121
|
|
159,897
|
|
434,221
|
|
594,118
|
Resolution 4131 - Scotiabank and Bank of America
|
US$
|
|
2.05% and Libor + 2.00%
|
|
12/18/2017
|
|
925,743
|
|
-
|
|
925,743
|
|
31,798
|
|
1,056,052
|
|
1,087,850
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,542,975
|
|
3,126,792
|
|
5,669,767
|
|
2,222,067
|
|
4,454,509
|
|
6,676,576
|
(1) URTJLP - Long-Term Interest
Rate Reference Unit used by BNDES as contractual currency for loans.
(2)
UMBND - Monetary unit based on a basket of currencies used by BNDES as contractual currency for loans based on funding obtained
in a foreign currency.
(3)
ECM - rate announced by BNDES each quarter for currency-basket charges.
a.1)
Loans and financing
Brazilian Development Bank
(BNDES)
BNDES - FINEM
|
·
|
Contract 11.2.0814.1:
On October 14, 2011, credit facilities were approved amounting to R$3,031,110, adjusted to R$2,152,098 in 2013, at rates of: (i)
TJLP + 4.08% p.a.; and (ii) UMBND + 2.38% p.a., maturating in 8 years, with a grace period expiring on July 15, 2014. After the
grace period, interest and amortization of principal will be paid in 60 consecutive monthly installments.
|
The total amount of these
funds have been withdrawn by the Company and used in investments in expansion and improvement of the current network, implementation
of the infrastructure required for new technologies from 2011 and 2013, and construction of a data center in the city of Tamboré
(SP) and social projects.
|
·
|
Contract 08.2.1073.1:
On December 12, 2008, credit facilities were approved amounting to R$615,909, at rates of: (i) IPCA + 2.95% p.a. + TR, maturating
in 8 years, with a grace period expiring on June 15, 2011. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal were
paid in 6 consecutive monthly installments, having been settled on July 15, 2016; e (ii) TJLP + 2.05% to 2.95% p.a., maturating
in 9 years, with a grace period expiring on June 15, 2011. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal will
be paid in 72 consecutive monthly installments.
|
Total amount of this credit
facility was already withdrawn and the funds allocated to investments in domestically produced goods and services. After BNDES
authorization, on June 21, 2010, this contract was partially settled in advance. Amounts presented in this note consider the partial
settlement made on July 15, 2010 plus contractual and regular amortizations starting on July 15, 2011.
|
·
|
Contract 11.2.0963.1:
On November 9, 2011, credit facilities were approved in the amount of R$1,184,107, at rates of: (i) TJLP + 0 to 3.38% p.a., maturating
in 9 years, with a grace period expiring on August 15, 2014. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal will
be paid in 72 consecutive monthly installments; and (ii) 5% p.a., maturating in 8 years, with a grace period expiring on August
15, 2014. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal will be paid in 63 consecutive monthly installments.
|
The Company made withdrawals
relating to this agreement and the remaining R$45,490, was canceled on April 9, 2014. These funds were intended to complement the
investment plan for the triennium 2011-2013, intended to expand operations, modernize telecommunications and internet services,
and launch new services.
|
·
|
Contract 14.2.1192.1:
On December 30, 2014, credit facilities were approved in the amount of R$1,000,293, at rates of: (i) TJLP + 0 to 3.12% p.a., (ii)
4% p.a., (iii) Selic + 2.32% p.a., maturating in 8 years, with a grace period will expire on January 15, 2018. After the grace
period, interest and amortization of principal will be paid in 60 consecutive and (iv) 6% p.a., a total term of 7 years, with grace
period expiring on January 15, 2017. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal will be paid in 60 consecutive
monthly installments
|
Until September 30, 2016,
withdrawals related to this agreement were made in the amount of R$800,234. On December 12, 2016, a new withdrawal was made in
the amount of R$176,843. These resources are destined to the investment plan for the 2014-2016 triennium, aiming at expansion in
the areas of operation.
BNDES - PSI
|
·
|
Between December
3, 2009 and August 17, 2010, credit facilities of up to R$319,927 were approved (with R$184,489 drawn down and a remaining balance
of R$135,438 cancelled), with rates from 4.5% and 5.5% p.a., a total term of 10 years, with grace period expired on February 15,
2012. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal are paid in 96 consecutive monthly installments
|
|
·
|
Between November
24, 2010 and March 31, 2011, credit facilities amounting to R$29,066 were approved, at rates of (i) 5.5% p.a.; (ii) TJLP + 5.7%
p.a.; and TJLP + 9.0% p.a., a total term of 5 years, with grace period expired on January 15, 2012. After the grace period, interest
and amortization of principal are paid in 48 consecutive monthly installments. On December 31, 2016, all lines were settled, and
the last payment was made on April 15, 2016.
|
|
·
|
On December 28,
2010, a credit facility amounting to R$5,417 was approved, subsequently restated to R$2,262, at the rate of 5.5% p.a., a total
term of 10 years, with grace period expired on January 15, 2013. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal
are paid in 96 consecutive monthly installments. This credit facility was fully withdrawn by the Company.
|
|
·
|
On December 28,
2012, credit facilities amounting to R$353,483 were approved, subsequently restated to R$225,467, at the rate of 2.5% p.a., a total
term of 5 years, with grace period expired on January 15, 2015. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal
are paid in 36 consecutive monthly installments. This credit facility was fully withdrawn by the Company.
|
|
·
|
On August 1, 2013,
credit facilities amounting to R$4,030 were approved, at the rate of 3.5% p.a., a total term of 5 years, with grace period expired
on August 15, 2015. After the grace period, interest and amortization of principal are paid in 36 consecutive monthly installments.
This credit facility was fully withdrawn by the Company.
|
Some financing agreements with
the BNDES described above, have lower interest rates than those prevailing on the market. These operations fall within the scope
of IAS 20 and thus the subsidies granted by BNDES were adjusted to present value deferred in accordance with the useful lives of
the financed assets, resulting in a balance until December 31, 2016 as of R$44,415 (R$47,346 at December 31, 2015), note 19.
Banco do Nordeste ("BNB")
|
·
|
On January 29,
2007 and October 30, 2008, credit facilities amounting to R$247,240 and R$389,000 respectively, were obtained, at the rate of 10%
p.a., a total term of 8 years, with grace period expired on July 29, 2008 and October 30, 2010, respectively. After the grace periods,
interest and amortization of principal are paid in 78 and 72 consecutive monthly installments, respectively.
|
These credit facilities
were fully withdrawn and the funds were used for investment projects to implement and expand cellular mobile network capacity in
the Northeast. On January 29, 2015, the first credit facility was settled.
The lines were fully settled
on January 29, 2015 and October 30, 2016, respectively. The balance on this agreement at December 31, 2015 was R$54,039.
|
·
|
On August 18, 2014,
credit facilities amounting to R$31,619 and R$115,014 were obtained at annual interest rates of 7.06% and 8.24%, respectively,
for a total term of 8 years, with payment of interest charges and payment of principal in 72 installments. On April 17, 2015, the
amount of R$5,719 was drawn down on the first facility and R$38,959 on the second.
|
These funds were used for
investment projects and expansion in Brazil’s Northeast region.
The balance of this agreement
at December 31, 2016 was R$42,290 (R$45,095 at December 31, 2015).
Brazilian Central Bank (“BACEN”)
- Resolution 4131
In the period from November
10 to December 23, 2015, loans were taken out in foreign currency (US dollar) under BACEN Resolution No. 4131. The amount of US$285
million was taken out from Scotiabank and Bank of America, at the rate of 2.05% p.a. from Scotiabank, and Libor + 2% p.a. from
Bank of America, both maturing within 2 years. For each of these transactions derivatives were taken out by the Company for hedge
against currency risk related to this debt and, for being effective hedge, fair value hedge accounting methodology was adopted.
Therefore, at December 31, 2016, the hedged risk of these instruments was recognized in the balance sheet for its fair value at
this date.
Retrospective tests are applied
every quarter to check the hedge effectiveness. At December 31, 2016, effectiveness was of 100%.
a.2)
Financing - Suppliers
Under bilateral agreements with
suppliers, the Company obtained extension of the terms for payment of trade accounts payable by up to 365 days at a cost based
on fixed CDI rate for the corresponding periods. On December 31, 2016, the total amounted was R$722,591 (R$1,228,682 at December
31, 2015) and its average net cost of 108.4% of the CDI rate.
a.3)
Finance lease
Finance lease agreements, through
which the Company and its subsidiaries obtained the risks and benefits associated with ownership of the leased items, are capitalized
on the lease inception date at the fair value of the asset leased or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum payments of
lease agreement. If applicable, the initial direct costs incurred in the transaction are added to costs.
Agreements classified as finance
lease agreements in the condition of lessee relate to: (i) lease of towers and rooftops arising from sale and finance leaseback
transactions; (ii) lease of Built to Suit ("BTS") sites to install antennas and other equipment and transmission facilities;
(iii) lease of information technology equipment and; (iv) lease of infrastructure and transmission facilities associated with the
power transmission network connecting cities in the North and Midwest regions of Brazil. The net carrying amount of the assets
has remained unchanged until sale thereof, and a liability is recognized corresponding to the present value of mandatory minimum
installments of the agreement.
The amounts recorded in property,
plant and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter.
The balance of amounts payable
relating to aforementioned transactions comprises the following effects:
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Nominal value payable
|
|
831,479
|
|
761,073
|
Unrealized financial expenses
|
|
(457,051)
|
|
(464,389)
|
Present value payable
|
|
374,428
|
|
296,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
45,943
|
|
36,089
|
Noncurrent
|
|
328,485
|
|
260,595
|
Aging list of finance lease
payable at December 31, 2016 is as follows:
|
|
Nominal value payable
|
|
Present value payable
|
Up to 1 year
|
|
51,379
|
|
45,943
|
From 1 to 5 years
|
|
200,764
|
|
143,679
|
Over five years
|
|
579,336
|
|
184,806
|
Total
|
|
831,479
|
|
374,428
|
There are no unsecured residual
values resulting in benefits to the lessor or contingent payments recognized as revenue at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
a.4)
Contingent consideration
As part of the Purchase and
Sale Agreement and Other Covenants executed by and between the Company and Vivendi to acquire all shares in GVTPart, a contingent
consideration relating to the judicial deposit made by GVT for the monthly installments of deferred income and social contribution
taxes on goodwill amortization was agreed, arising from the corporate restructuring process completed by GVT in 2013. In September
2014, GVT applied for cancellation of the court appeal and the return of the deposited amount.
If GVT succeeds in receiving
(being reimbursed, refunded for, or netting) these funds, they will be returned to Vivendi, as long as they are obtained in a final
unappeasable decision. Reimbursement will be made within 15 years.
The amount calculated on the
effective date of acquisition of control of GVTPart (Note 4) is R$344,217 (R$414,733 at December 31, 2016), recorded as "Judicial
deposits, noncurrent" in GVT. This amount is subject to monthly restatement at the SELIC rate.
b)
Debentures
Information on the debentures
at December 31, 2016 and 2015:
|
|
|
|
|
Information as of
December 31, 2016
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
|
Issue date
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue
|
|
|
Maturity
|
Issued
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
Issue value
|
Remuneration p.a.
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Total
|
|
Current
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4th issue – Series 3
(1)
|
|
10/15/2009
|
|
10/15/2019
|
810,000
|
|
23,557
|
|
810,000
|
IPCA+4.00%
|
|
307
|
|
36,990
|
|
37,297
|
|
292
|
|
33,172
|
|
33,464
|
1st issue – Minas Comunica
(2)
|
|
12/17/2007
|
|
7/5/2021
|
5,550
|
|
5,550
|
|
55,500
|
IPCA+0.50%
|
|
-
|
|
97,308
|
|
97,308
|
|
-
|
|
91,608
|
|
91,608
|
3rd issue
(3)
|
|
9/10/2012
|
|
9/10/2017
|
200,000
|
|
200,000
|
|
2,000,000
|
100% of CDI + 0.75%
|
|
2,086,763
|
|
-
|
|
2,086,763
|
|
87,217
|
|
1,999,645
|
|
2,086,862
|
4th issue
(4)
|
|
4/25/2013
|
|
4/25/2018
|
130,000
|
|
130,000
|
|
1,300,000
|
100% of CDI + 0.68%
|
|
33,434
|
|
1,299,505
|
|
1,332,939
|
|
33,415
|
|
1,299,365
|
|
1,332,780
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,120,504
|
|
1,433,803
|
|
3,554,307
|
|
120,924
|
|
3,423,790
|
|
3,544,714
|
(1)
Issue of non-privileged 3-series public unsecured nonconvertible debentures, all registered- and book entry-type. The 1st (98,000
debentures) and 2nd series (640,000 debentures) were redeemed and cancelled on November 14, 2014 and November 13, 2015, respectively.
During the renegotiation of 3rd series, the Company partially repurchased 48,443 debentures, and kept held them in treasury for
subsequent cancelation. Funds obtained were allocated to full payment of principal debt amount, represented by 6th issue of promissory
notes and to bolster working capital.
(2)
Issue of non-privileged 3-series public unsecured nonconvertible debentures, all registered- and book entry-type. Debentures subscribed
by the Minas Gerais State Economic Development Department under Minas Comunica Program, in order to meet SMP for 134 locations
in the state.
(3)
Non-privileged single series public unsecured nonconvertible debentures, all registered- and book entry-type. Funds obtained were
allocated for investment in 4G mobile network (especially for settlement of licenses acquired in 4G auction) and for maintenance
of liquidity and extension of debts.
(4)
Non-privileged single series public unsecured nonconvertible debentures, all registered- and book entry-type. Funds obtained were
allocated for amortization of debt, capital expenditures of projects developed and reinforcement of liquidity.
Transaction costs associated
with items (3) and (4) described above, totaling R$495 at December 31, 2016 (R$990 at December 31, 2015), was allocated as a reduction
of liabilities and are recognized as financial expenses, according to the contractual terms of this issue.
c)
Repayment schedule
At December 31, 2016, breakdown
of noncurrent loans, financing, finance lease, debentures and contingent consideration by year of maturity is as follows:
Year
|
Loans and financing
|
|
Debentures
|
|
Finance lease
|
|
Contingent Consideration
|
|
Total
|
2018
|
911,801
|
|
1,355,683
|
|
42,129
|
|
-
|
|
2,309,613
|
2019
|
717,881
|
|
50,865
|
|
39,899
|
|
-
|
|
808,645
|
2020
|
334,042
|
|
13,875
|
|
33,013
|
|
-
|
|
380,930
|
2021
|
207,995
|
|
13,380
|
|
28,638
|
|
-
|
|
250,013
|
2022 onwards
|
211,855
|
|
-
|
|
184,806
|
|
414,733
|
|
811,394
|
Total
|
2,383,574
|
|
1,433,803
|
|
328,485
|
|
414,733
|
|
4,560,595
|
d)
Covenants
There are loans and financing
with BNDES (Note 21.a) and debentures (all described in Note 21.b) with specific covenants for penalty in the event of breach of
contract. A breach of contract provided for in the agreements with the institutions listed above is characterized as noncompliance
with covenants (analyzed on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis), breach of a contractual clause, resulting in the early settlement
of the contract.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015 all economic and financial indexes established in existing contracts have been achieved.
e)
Guarantees
At December 31, 2016, guarantees
were given for part of loans and financing as follows:
Creditor
|
Debit Balances
|
Guarantee
|
BNDES
|
R$930,844 (URTJLP)
R$362,121 (UMBND)
R$137,206 (PSI)
--------------------------
R$1,199,604 (URTJLP)
R$342,008 (UMSELIC)
R$218,199 (Pré)
|
·
Loan
(2011): guarantee in receivables relating to 15% of the outstanding debt balance or four times the largest installment, whichever
is higher.
·
PSI
Agreement (Fixed) Loan: disposal of financed assets.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
·
Loans
(2008, 2011 and 2014): assignment of receivables corresponding to 20% of outstanding debt balance or 1 time the last installment
of sub-credit facility "A" (UMIPCA) plus 5 times the last installment of each of the other sub-credit facilities, whichever
is greater
|
|
|
·
|
Bank guarantee provided by Banco Safra in an amount equivalent to 100% of the outstanding financing debt balance.
|
|
|
|
|
BNB
|
R$42,290
|
·
|
Setting up a liquidity fund represented by financial investments in the amount equivalent to three installments of repayment referenced to the average post-grace period performance. Balances were R$10,773 and R$9,795 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
At December 31, 2015, there was also a liquidity fund represented by financial investments in the amount of three amortization installments, referenced to the average post-grace period in the amount of R$29,010, as collateral for the BNB contract with the balance of R$54,039, settled on October 30, 2016 (note 21 a.1).
|
f)
Changes
Changes in loans and financing,
debentures, finance lease agreements and contingent considerations are as follows:
|
|
Loans and financing
|
|
Debentures
|
|
Finance lease
|
|
Financing - Suppliers
|
|
Contingent Consideration
|
|
Total
|
Balance at 12.31.14
|
|
3,402,253
|
|
4,166,663
|
|
230,344
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
7,799,260
|
Inflows
|
|
1,285,210
|
|
-
|
|
74,784
|
|
1,132,357
|
|
-
|
|
2,492,351
|
Government grants (Note 20)
|
|
(1,606)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,606)
|
Financial charges
|
|
308,250
|
|
529,012
|
|
21,010
|
|
29,243
|
|
33,504
|
|
921,019
|
Issue costs
|
|
-
|
|
495
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
495
|
Foreign exchange variation
|
|
1,161,379
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,161,379
|
Write-offs (payments)
|
|
(8,269,445)
|
|
(1,151,456)
|
|
(29,454)
|
|
(102,499)
|
|
-
|
|
(9,552,854)
|
Business combination (Note 4)
|
|
6,887,448
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
169,581
|
|
344,217
|
|
7,401,246
|
Balance at 12.31.15
|
|
4,773,489
|
|
3,544,714
|
|
296,684
|
|
1,228,682
|
|
377,721
|
|
10,221,290
|
Inflows
|
|
466,629
|
|
-
|
|
61,866
|
|
666,085
|
|
-
|
|
1,194,580
|
Government grants (Note 20)
|
|
(12,040)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(12,040)
|
Financial charges
|
|
424,867
|
|
486,178
|
|
63,003
|
|
50,038
|
|
37,012
|
|
1,061,098
|
Issue costs
|
|
-
|
|
495
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
495
|
Foreign exchange variation
|
|
(272,795)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(272,795)
|
Write-offs (payments)
|
|
(1,222,135)
|
|
(477,080)
|
|
(47,125)
|
|
(1,222,214)
|
|
-
|
|
(2,968,554)
|
Balance at 12.31.16
|
|
4,158,015
|
|
3,554,307
|
|
374,428
|
|
722,591
|
|
414,733
|
|
9,224,074
|
22) OTHER LIABILITIES
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Authorization licenses
(1)
|
|
1,048,523
|
|
952,651
|
Split and reverse split of stock
(2)
|
|
-
|
|
32,252
|
Liabilities with related parties (Note 29)
|
|
112,358
|
|
121,986
|
Payment for license renewal
(3)
|
|
215,154
|
|
151,496
|
Third-party withholdings
(4)
|
|
227,685
|
|
196,626
|
Pension Plans and Other Post-Employment Benefits (Note 32)
|
|
327,670
|
|
85,343
|
Amounts to be refunded to subscribers
|
|
168,708
|
|
113,354
|
Other liabilities
|
|
92,447
|
|
108,214
|
Total
|
|
2,192,545
|
|
1,761,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
1,640,757
|
|
1,010,657
|
Noncurrent
|
|
551,788
|
|
751,265
|
|
(1)
|
Includes to a portion of the Company’s liability arising from an
agreement entered into with ANATEL, whereby the operators that won this auction organized Entidade Administradora do Processo de
Redistribuição e Digitalização de Canais de TV e RTV (“EAD”), which will be responsible
for equally performing all TV and RTV channel redistribution procedures and solutions to harmful interference in radio communication
systems, in addition to other operations in which the winning operators have obligations, as defined in the agreement.
|
|
(2)
|
This refers to the loan made to holders of the remaining stock (common
and preferred) resulting from reverse split and fractioning of the shares of the Company and the merged companies.
|
|
(3)
|
This refers to the cost of renewing STFC and SMP licenses. See Note 1.b).
|
|
(4)
|
This refers to payroll withholdings and taxes withheld from pay-outs of
interest on equity and on provision of services.
|
a)
Capital
According to its Articles of
Incorporation, the Company is authorized to increase its share capital up to 1,850,000,000 shares. The Board of Directors is the
competent body to decide on any increase and consequent issue of new shares within the authorized capital limit.
Nevertheless, Brazil’s
Corporation Law (Law nº 6404/76, Article 166, item IV) - establishes that capital may be increased by means of a Special Shareholders’
Meeting resolution to decide about amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, if authorized capital increase limit has been reached.
Capital increases do not necessarily
observe the proportion between the numbers of shares of each class to be maintained, however the number of non-voting or restricted-voting
preferred shares must not exceed 2/3 of total shares issued.
Preferred shares are non-voting,
except for cases set forth in Articles 9 and 10 of the Articles of Incorporation, but have priority in the event of reimbursement
of capital, without premium, and are entitled to dividends 10% higher than those paid on common shares, as per article 7 of the
Company's Articles of Incorporation and item II, paragraph 1, article 17 of Law No. 6404/76.
Preferred shares are also entitled
to full voting rights if the Company fails to pay the minimum dividend to which they are entitled for three consecutive financial
years and this right will be kept until payment of said dividend.
a.1)
Changes
The changes in the Company's
capital for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
In thousands of reais
|
Outstanding shares
|
|
Common shares
|
|
Preferred shares
|
|
Total
|
|
At 12.31.14
|
|
381,335,671
|
|
741,933,573
|
|
1,123,269,244
|
|
37,798,110
|
Capital increase – Special Shareholders’ Meeting of 04/28/15
(1)
|
|
121,711,240
|
|
236,803,588
|
|
358,514,828
|
|
15,812,000
|
Capital increase – Special Shareholders’ Meeting of 04/30/15
(2)
|
|
-
|
|
6,282,660
|
|
6,282,660
|
|
295,285
|
Capital increase – Merger of GVTPart shares – Special Shareholders’ Meeting
of 05/28/15
(3)
|
|
68,597,306
|
|
134,320,885
|
|
202,918,191
|
|
9,666,021
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
571,644,217
|
|
1,119,340,706
|
|
1,690,984,923
|
|
63,571,416
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
571,644,217
|
|
1,119,340,706
|
|
1,690,984,923
|
|
63,571,416
|
|
(1)
|
At a meeting held on April 28, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors
unanimously approved a capital increase of R$15,812,000, through the issue of registered book-entry common and preferred shares
with no par value for the unit issue price of R$38.47 and R$47.00, respectively.
|
|
(2)
|
At a meeting held on April 30, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors
unanimously approved a capital increase of R$295,285, through the issue of preferred registered, book-entry common shares with
no par value at the unit issue price of R$47.00.
|
|
(3)
|
The Special Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 28, 2015, approved
a capital increase of R$9,666,021, through the issue of preferred book-entry, no-par-value Company shares due to the incorporation
of GVTPart. shares.
|
a.2)
Company share swap transactions
between Telefónica and FrHolding108
On June 24, 2015, the share
swap transaction ("swap") between Telefónica and FrHolding108 was concluded, whereby FrHolding108 transferred
to Telefónica 76,656,559 shares representing 4.5% of the Company's capital, of which 68,597,306 are common shares representing
12% of that type of shares and 8,059,253 are preferred shares representing 0.72% of the shares of that type issued by the Company,
in exchange for 1,110,000,000 shares representing 8.2% of the common shares of Telecom Italia, previously held by TELCO, a subsidiary
of Telefónica.
On July 29, 2015, after close
of the New York Stock Exchange, Vivendi disposed of 67,861,632 preferred Company shares representing 4% of its share capital. On
the same date, the share swap transaction was concluded between Telefónica and FrHolding108, thus resulting in the transfer
of 46,000,000 shares issued by Telefónica held in treasury to FrHolding108, in exchange for 58,400,000 preferred shares
issued by the Company and held by FrHolding108, transferred to Telefónica. As such, Telefónica’s equity interest
in the Company increased by 5.2% in relation to total preferred shares and 3.5% in relation to the Company's total share capital.
Alternatively, equity interest of FrHolding108 in the Company was reduced in the same proportion and therefore, as from such date,
FrHolding108 no longer holds any equity interest in the Company.
a.3)
Internal reorganization
of the Telefónica Group
As a result of Telefónica
Group's internal reorganization process in the fourth quarter of 2016, Telefónica Internacional S.A. ("TISA")
was merged into Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, SL ("TLH"), a Spanish company whose entire capital and
control is held by Telefónica S.A. ("TESA"). Consequently, the entire ownership interest in the Company, previously
held by TISA, was fully transferred to TLH.
Accordingly, TLH now holds 24.09%
of the Company's capital stock, represented by 46,746,635 common shares and 360,532,578 preferred shares.
This transaction did not cause
any change in the composition of the Company's control, its administrative structure or its regular operation.
a.4)
Distribution of capital
Paid-in capital at December
31, 2016 and 2015 amounted to R$63,571,416. After all the events described above, subscribed and paid-in capital is divided into
shares without par value, held as follows:
At December 31, 2016
|
Common
Shares
|
|
Preferred
Shares
|
|
Grand Total
|
Shareholders
|
Number
|
|
%
|
|
Number
|
|
%
|
|
Number
|
|
%,
including treasury shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling Group
|
540,033,264
|
|
94.47%
|
|
704,207,855
|
|
62.91%
|
|
1,244,241,119
|
|
73.58%
|
Telefónica Latinoamérica Holding, S.L.
|
46,746,635
|
|
8.18%
|
|
360,532,578
|
|
32.21%
|
|
407,279,213
|
|
24.09%
|
Telefónica S.A.
|
198,207,608
|
|
34.67%
|
|
305,122,195
|
|
27.26%
|
|
503,329,803
|
|
29.76%
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações Ltda
|
294,158,155
|
|
51.46%
|
|
38,537,435
|
|
3.44%
|
|
332,695,590
|
|
19.67%
|
Telefónica Chile S.A.
|
920,866
|
|
0.16%
|
|
15,647
|
|
0.00%
|
|
936,513
|
|
0.06%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling shareholders
|
29,320,789
|
|
5.13%
|
|
415,132,512
|
|
37.09%
|
|
444,453,301
|
|
26.28%
|
Other shareholders
|
29,320,789
|
|
5.13%
|
|
415,132,512
|
|
37.09%
|
|
444,453,301
|
|
26.28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares (not including outstanding shares)
|
569,354,053
|
|
99.60%
|
|
1,119,340,367
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,688,694,420
|
|
99.86%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Shares
|
2,290,164
|
|
0.40%
|
|
339
|
|
0.00%
|
|
2,290,503
|
|
0.14%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares
|
571,644,217
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,119,340,706
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,690,984,923
|
|
100.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book value per share (not including
outstanding shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R$ 41.00
|
At December 31, 2015
|
Common
Shares
|
|
Preferred
Shares
|
|
Grand Total
|
Shareholders
|
Number
|
|
%
|
|
Number
|
|
%
|
|
Number
|
|
%,
including treasury shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Controlling Group
|
540,033,264
|
|
94.47%
|
|
704,207,855
|
|
62.91%
|
|
1,244,241,119
|
|
73.58%
|
Telefónica Internacional S.A.
|
46,746,635
|
|
8.18%
|
|
360,532,578
|
|
32.21%
|
|
407,279,213
|
|
24.09%
|
Telefónica S.A.
|
198,207,608
|
|
34.67%
|
|
305,122,195
|
|
27.26%
|
|
503,329,803
|
|
29.76%
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações Ltda
|
294,158,155
|
|
51.46%
|
|
38,537,435
|
|
3.44%
|
|
332,695,590
|
|
19.67%
|
Telefónica Chile S.A.
|
920,866
|
|
0.16%
|
|
15,647
|
|
0.00%
|
|
936,513
|
|
0.06%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
29,320,789
|
|
5.13%
|
|
415,132,117
|
|
37.09%
|
|
444,452,906
|
|
26.28%
|
Other shareholders
|
29,320,789
|
|
5.13%
|
|
415,132,117
|
|
37.09%
|
|
444,452,906
|
|
26.28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares (not including outstanding shares)
|
569,354,053
|
|
99.60%
|
|
1,119,339,972
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,688,694,025
|
|
99.86%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury Shares
|
2,290,164
|
|
0.40%
|
|
734
|
|
0.00%
|
|
2,290,898
|
|
0.14%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares
|
571,644,217
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,119,340,706
|
|
100.00%
|
|
1,690,984,923
|
|
100.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book value per share (not including
outstanding shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R$ 40.60
|
b)
Premium on acquisition
of interests
In accordance with accounting
practices adopted in Brazil prior to the adoption of IFRS, goodwill was recorded when shares were acquired at a higher value than
their carrying amount, generated by the difference between the carrying amount of shares acquired and the transaction’s fair
value. With the adoption of IFRS 10, the effects of all acquisition of shares from non-controlling shareholders are recorded under
equity when there is no change in the controlling shareholding. Consequently, these transactions no longer generate goodwill or
income, and the goodwill previously generated from acquisition from non-controlling shareholders was adjusted matched against the
Company’s equity.
The balance of this account
at December 31, 2015 totaled R$75,388, which was reclassified to Other Capital Reserves during 2016.
c)
Capital reserves
c.1)
Treasury shares
These represent the Company's
shares held in treasury, arising from corporate merger processes and the share repurchase program, as follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
In thousands of reais
|
Treasury stock
|
|
Common shares
|
|
Preferred shares
|
|
Total
|
|
At 12.31.14
(1)
|
|
251,440
|
|
2,081,246
|
|
2,332,686
|
|
(112,107)
|
Cancelation of treasury shares according to the Special Shareholders' Meeting (SGM)
of 3/12/15
(2)
|
|
(251,440)
|
|
(2,081,246)
|
|
(2,332,686)
|
|
112,107
|
Dissenters' right – Acquisition of GVTPart.
(3)
|
|
2,290,164
|
|
734
|
|
2,290,898
|
|
(87,805)
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
2,290,164
|
|
734
|
|
2,290,898
|
|
(87,805)
|
Transfer of lawsuits concerning judicial proceedings
(4)
|
|
-
|
|
(395)
|
|
(395)
|
|
15
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
2,290,164
|
|
339
|
|
2,290,503
|
|
(87,790)
|
|
(1)
|
Company shares held in treasury from the following processes: (i) merger
of TDBH (in 2006); (ii) merger of Vivo Participações shares (in 2011), and (iii) repurchase of common and preferred
shares.
|
|
(2)
|
On March 12, 2015, the Special Shareholders’ Meeting approved the
cancellation of 2,332,686 shares held in treasury.
|
|
(3)
|
The acquisition and merger of shares of GVTPart., on June 30, 2015, ended
the term for shareholders to express their dissent in relation to the acquisition of GVTPart. (Note 4), as well as the incorporation
of GVTPart. shares by the Company, with the consequent conversion of GVTPart. into wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Company
shareholders who dissented from the decision taken at the Special Shareholders’ Meeting had the right to withdraw from the
Company through reimbursement of the value of shares from proven holders on September 19, 2014 (inclusive).
|
|
(4)
|
In December 2016, the Company transferred 395 preferred shares in treasury
to outstanding shares, equivalent to the amount of R$15, related to the compliance with judicial process decisions in which the
Company is involved, regarding rights to the complementary receipt of calculated in relation to network expansion plans after 1996
(note 19).
|
c.2)
Other capital reserves
At December 31, 2014, other
capital reserves included: (i) R$63,074 related to the tax benefit generated by the merger of Telefônica Data do Brasil Ltda.
which will be capitalized in favor of the controlling shareholder (SP Telecomunicações Participações
Ltda.) after realization of the tax credit, pursuant to CVM Instruction No. 319/99; and (ii) R$2,735,930, related to the excess
of the value in the issue or capitalization, in relation to the basic value of the share on the issue date.
Changes in this account for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are shown below.
At 12.31.14
|
|
2,799,004
|
Cancelation of treasury
shares according to the Special Shareholders' Meeting (SGM) of 3/12/15
(1)
|
|
(112,107)
|
Direct costs of capital
increases
(2)
|
|
(62,433)
|
Incorporation of shares
of GVTPart.
(3)
|
|
(1,188,707)
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
1,435,757
|
Reclassification premium
in the acquisition of equity interest in TData
(4)
|
|
(75,388)
|
Transfer
of lawsuits concerning judicial proceedings
(5)
|
|
2
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
1,360,371
|
|
(1)
|
At the Special Shareholders’ Meeting held in March 12, 2015, the
cancellation of 2,332,686 shares issued by the Company, held in treasury, was approved.
|
|
(2)
|
Refers to direct costs (net of taxes) of Company capital increases on April
28, 2015 and April 30, 2015, arising from the Primary Offering of Shares.
|
|
(3)
|
Refers the difference between the economic value of the merger of shares
of GVTPart. and market value of shares, issued on the transaction closing date (note 4).
|
|
(4)
|
Regarding the effects of the acquisition of shares of non-controlling shareholders
that, with the adoption of IFRS 10, would be recorded in equity when there is no change in the shareholding control.
|
|
(5)
|
In December 2016, the Company transferred 395 preferred shares in treasury
to outstanding shares, equivalent to the amount of R$15, related to compliance with judicial process decisions in which the Company
is involved, regarding rights to the complementary receipt of shares calculated in relation to network expansion plans after 1996
(note 19).
|
d)
Income reserves
The amounts of the income reserves
are distributed as follows:
|
|
Legal reserve
(1)
|
|
Expansion and Modernization
Reserve
(2)
|
|
Tax incentives
(3)
|
|
Total
|
At 12.31.14
|
|
1,532,630
|
|
-
|
|
1,849
|
|
1,534,479
|
Recording of reserves
|
|
171,013
|
|
700,000
|
|
5,079
|
|
876,092
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
1,703,643
|
|
700,000
|
|
6,928
|
|
2,410,571
|
Reversal of reserves
|
|
-
|
|
(700,000)
|
|
-
|
|
(700,000)
|
Recording of reserves
|
|
204,262
|
|
550,000
|
|
10,141
|
|
764,403
|
At 12.31.16
|
|
1,907,905
|
|
550,000
|
|
17,069
|
|
2,474,974
|
(1)
|
This reserve is set up by allocation of 5% of the net income for the year,
up to the limit of 20% of the paid-up capital. Legal reserve will only be used to increase capital and offset accumulated losses.
|
(2)
|
In accordance with Article 196 of Law No. 6404/76 and, based on capital
budget to be submitted for consideration and approval at the General Shareholders’ Meeting.
|
(3)
|
The Company has State VAT (ICMS) tax benefits in the states of Minas Gerais
and Espírito Santo, relating to tax credits approved by the relevant bodies of said states, in connection with investments
in the installation of SMP support equipment, fully operational, in accordance with the rules in force, ensuring that the localities
listed in the call for bid be included in the SMP coverage area. The portion of profit subject to the incentive was excluded from
dividend calculation, and may be used only in the event of capital increase or loss absorption.
|
e)
Dividend and interest
on equity
e.1)
Additional dividends
for 2015
On April 28, 2016, the Company’s
General Shareholders’ Meeting approved the allocation of proposed additional dividends for 2015, not yet distributed, amounting
to R$1,287,223, equivalent to R$0.71487468232 and R$0.78636215055 for common and preferred shares, respectively, to common and
preferred shareholders in the Company’s records at the end of the day of that meeting. The amount was paid in December 2016.
e.2)
Remuneration to shareholders
The dividends are calculated
in accordance with the Company Articles of Incorporation and the Corporation Law. The table below shows the calculation of dividends
and interest on equity for 2016 and 2015:
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Net income for the year
|
|
4,085,242
|
|
3,420,249
|
Allocation to legal reserve
|
|
(204,262)
|
|
(171,013)
|
Total
|
|
3,880,980
|
|
3,249,236
|
(-) Tax incentives - not distributable
|
|
(10,141)
|
|
(5,079)
|
Adjusted net income
|
|
3,870,839
|
|
3,244,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend and IOE distributed for the year:
|
|
2,172,145
|
|
2,015,925
|
Interest on equity (gross)
|
|
2,172,145
|
|
1,745,925
|
Interim dividends
|
|
-
|
|
270,000
|
Balance of unallocated net income
|
|
1,698,694
|
|
1,228,232
|
(+) Reversal special reserve for modernization and expansion
|
|
700,000
|
|
-
|
(+) Expired equity instruments
|
|
221,559
|
|
494,001
|
(+-) Actuarial gains (losses) recognized and effect of limitation of surplus plan assets, net of taxes and other changes
|
|
(156,266)
|
|
264,990
|
Income available to be distributed
|
|
2,463,987
|
|
1,987,223
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal for Distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
Special reserve for modernization and expansion
|
|
550,000
|
|
700,000
|
Additional proposed dividends
|
|
1,913,987
|
|
1,287,223
|
Total
|
|
2,463,987
|
|
1,987,223
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mandatory minimum dividend - 25% of adjusted net income
|
|
967,710
|
|
811,039
|
The manner proposed by management
for payment of dividends was:
For 2016:
The remaining
unallocated balance of net income for the year ended December 31, 2016, amounting to R$1,698,694, plus equity instruments lapsed
in 2016 amounting to R$221,559 and reversal special reserve for expansion and modernization of 2016 amounting to R$700,000 and
less other comprehensive income amounting to R$156,266, totaling R$2,463,987. The amount of R$550,000 was classified as "Special
Reserve for Expansion and Modernization" and R$1,913,987 was classified as additional proposed dividends in accordance with
the management proposal for allocation of income for the year, submitted and approved at the General Shareholders’ Meeting.
For 2015:
The remaining
unallocated balance of net income for the year ended December 31, 2015, amounting to R$1,228,232, plus equity instruments lapsed
in 2015 amounting to R$494,001 and other comprehensive income amounting to R$264,990, totaling R$1,987,223. The amount of R$700,000
was classified as "Special Reserve for Expansion and Modernization" and R$1,287,223 was classified as additional proposed
dividends in accordance with the management proposal for allocation of income for the year, submitted and approved at the General
Shareholders’ Meeting on April 28, 2016.
Total proposed for deliberation - per share
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Common shares
|
|
1.062955
|
|
0.714874
|
Preferred shares (1)
|
|
1.169250
|
|
0.786362
|
|
(1)
|
10% higher than the amount allocated to each common share, under article
7 of the Company Articles of Incorporation.
|
In 2016 and 2015, the Company
allocated interim dividends and interest on equity, which were allocated to mandatory minimum dividends, as follows:
2016
|
|
Dates
|
|
Gross Amount
|
|
Net Value
|
|
Amount per Share
(1)
|
Nature
|
|
Approval
|
|
Credit
|
|
Beginning
of Payment
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
Total
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
Total
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IOE
|
|
02/19/16
|
|
02/29/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
63,239
|
|
136,761
|
|
200,000
|
|
53,753
|
|
116,247
|
|
170,000
|
|
0.094411
|
|
0.103853
|
IOE
|
|
03/18/16
|
|
03/31/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
106,559
|
|
230,441
|
|
337,000
|
|
90,575
|
|
195,875
|
|
286,450
|
|
0.159083
|
|
0.174992
|
IOE
|
|
04/18/16
|
|
04/29/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
69,563
|
|
150,437
|
|
220,000
|
|
59,129
|
|
127,871
|
|
187,000
|
|
0.103853
|
|
0.114238
|
IOE
|
|
06/17/16
|
|
06/30/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
50,908
|
|
110,092
|
|
161,000
|
|
43,272
|
|
93,578
|
|
136,850
|
|
0.076001
|
|
0.083601
|
IOE
|
|
09/19/16
|
|
09/30/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
205,528
|
|
444,472
|
|
650,000
|
|
174,699
|
|
377,801
|
|
552,500
|
|
0.306837
|
|
0.337521
|
IOE
|
|
12/19/16
|
|
11/30/16
|
|
Until 12/31/17
|
|
191,029
|
|
413,116
|
|
604,145
|
|
162,375
|
|
351,149
|
|
513,523
|
|
0.285191
|
|
0.313710
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
686,826
|
|
1,485,319
|
|
2,172,145
|
|
583,802
|
|
1,262,521
|
|
1,846,323
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
Dates
|
|
Gross Amount
|
|
Net Value
|
|
Amount per Share
(1)
|
Nature
|
|
Approval
|
|
Credit
|
|
Beginning
of Payment
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
Total
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
Total
|
|
Common
|
|
Preferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
05/12/15
|
|
05/25/15
|
|
08/23/16
|
|
85,608
|
|
184,392
|
|
270,000
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
0.170179
|
|
0.187196
|
IOE
|
|
05/12/15
|
|
05/25/15
|
|
08/23/16
|
|
163,289
|
|
351,711
|
|
515,000
|
|
138,796
|
|
298,954
|
|
437,750
|
|
0.275910
|
|
0.303501
|
IOE
|
|
07/20/15
|
|
07/31/15
|
|
08/23/16
|
|
69,880
|
|
151,120
|
|
221,000
|
|
59,398
|
|
128,452
|
|
187,850
|
|
0.104325
|
|
0.114757
|
IOE
|
|
08/20/15
|
|
08/31/15
|
|
08/23/16
|
|
74,939
|
|
162,061
|
|
237,000
|
|
63,698
|
|
137,752
|
|
201,450
|
|
0.111878
|
|
0.123065
|
IOE
|
|
09/18/15
|
|
09/30/15
|
|
12/13/16
|
|
46,481
|
|
100,519
|
|
147,000
|
|
39,509
|
|
85,441
|
|
124,950
|
|
0.069392
|
|
0.076332
|
IOE
|
|
10/19/15
|
|
10/30/15
|
|
12/13/16
|
|
27,902
|
|
60,098
|
|
88,000
|
|
23,717
|
|
51,083
|
|
74,800
|
|
0.041541
|
|
0.045695
|
IOE
|
|
11/19/15
|
|
11/30/15
|
|
12/13/16
|
|
74,510
|
|
160,490
|
|
235,000
|
|
63,334
|
|
136,417
|
|
199,750
|
|
0.110934
|
|
0.122027
|
IOE
|
|
12/17/15
|
|
12/30/15
|
|
12/13/16
|
|
96,047
|
|
206,878
|
|
302,925
|
|
81,640
|
|
175,846
|
|
257,486
|
|
0.142998
|
|
0.157298
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
638,656
|
|
1,377,269
|
|
2,015,925
|
|
470,091
|
|
1,013,945
|
|
1,484,036
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The amounts of IOE are calculated and stated net of Withholding Income
Tax (IRRF). The immune shareholders received the full IOE amount, without withholding income tax at source.
|
e.3)
Unclaimed dividends and interest on equity
Pursuant to article 287, paragraph
II, item “a” of Law No. 6404, of December 15, 1976, the dividends and interest on equity unclaimed by shareholders
expire in 3 (three) years, as from the initial payment date. The Company reverses the amount of unclaimed dividends and IOE to
equity upon expiry.
For the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, the Company reversed unclaimed dividends and interest on equity amounting to R$189,471 and R$137,273, respectively,
which were included in calculations for decisions on Company dividends.
f)
Other comprehensive
income
Financial instruments available
for sale:
These refer to changes in fair value of financial assets available for sale.
Derivative financial instruments:
These refer to the effective part of cash flow hedges up to the balance sheet date. The variation is mainly due to realization
of derivatives related to the acquisition and payment of GVTPart. in May 2015 (Note 4).
Currency translation effects
for foreign investments:
This refers to currency translation differences arising from the translation of financial statements
of Aliança (jointly-controlled entity).
Changes in other comprehensive
income are as follows:
|
Classification
|
|
Financial instruments
available for sale
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
|
Currency translation
effects - foreign investments
|
|
Total
|
Balances at 12/31/14
|
|
|
(7,702)
|
|
227,821
|
|
12,346
|
|
232,465
|
Exchange variation
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
21,679
|
|
21,679
|
Losses from future contracts
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
(5,600)
|
|
-
|
|
(5,600)
|
Gains from future contracts
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
155,531
|
|
-
|
|
155,531
|
Reclassification of gains cash flow hedge for goodwill
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
(377,373)
|
|
-
|
|
(377,373)
|
Losses on financial assets available for sale
|
P&L
|
|
(1,234)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,234)
|
Balances at 12/31/15
|
|
|
(8,936)
|
|
379
|
|
34,025
|
|
25,468
|
Exchange variation
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(17,232)
|
|
(17,232)
|
Gains from future contracts
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
42
|
|
-
|
|
42
|
Reclassification of losses cash flow hedge for capex
|
P&L
|
|
-
|
|
3,128
|
|
-
|
|
3,128
|
Gains on financial assets available for sale
|
P&L
|
|
55
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
55
|
Balances at 12/31/16
|
|
|
(8,881)
|
|
3,549
|
|
16,793
|
|
11,461
|
g)
Company Share Repurchase
Program
In a meeting held on December
9, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors, in accordance with article 17, item XV, of the Articles of Incorporation, approved
the repurchase of common and preferred shares issued by the Company, under CVM Ruling No. 567, of September 17, 2015, for acquisition
of common and preferred shares issued by the Company for subsequent cancellation, disposal or to be held in treasury, without decreasing
capital.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015,
the Company had not acquired any shares under its repurchasing program to be held in treasury, for subsequent sale and/or cancellation.
h)
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings per
share were calculated by dividing profit attributed to the Company’s shareholders by the weighted average number of outstanding
common and preferred shares for the year.
The table below sets out the
calculation of earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Net income for the year attributable to shareholders:
|
|
4,085,242
|
|
3,420,249
|
|
4,936,659
|
Common shares
|
|
1,291,743
|
|
1,083,911
|
|
1,572,094
|
Preferred shares
|
|
2,793,499
|
|
2,336,338
|
|
3,364,565
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares:
|
|
1,688,694
|
|
1,491,131
|
|
1,123,269
|
Weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the year
|
|
569,354
|
|
503,842
|
|
381,335
|
Weighted average number of outstanding preferred shares for the year
|
|
1,119,340
|
|
987,289
|
|
741,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares (in R$)
|
|
2.27
|
|
2.15
|
|
4.12
|
Preferred shares (in R$)
|
|
2.50
|
|
2.37
|
|
4.53
|
|
24)
|
NET OPERATING REVENUE
|
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Gross operating revenue
(1)
|
|
65,006,728
|
|
60,997,496
|
|
52,602,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deductions from gross operating revenue
|
|
(22,498,269)
|
|
(20,710,681)
|
|
(17,602,935)
|
Taxes
|
|
(15,388,784)
|
|
(14,163,869)
|
|
(12,503,782)
|
Discounts granted and return of goods
|
|
(7,109,485)
|
|
(6,546,812)
|
|
(5,099,153)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating revenue
|
|
42,508,459
|
|
40,286,815
|
|
34,999,969
|
|
(1)
|
These include telephone services, use of interconnection
network, data and SVA services, cable TV and other services. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the amounts
relating to infrastructure-related swap contracts, for which the Company acts as an agent under IAS 18, totaled R$392,277,
R$210,636 and R$154,861, respectively.
|
No one customer contributed
more than 10% of gross operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
All amounts in net income are
included in income and social contribution tax bases.
25) OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
12.31.16
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
General and administrative
expenses
|
|
Total
|
Personnel
|
(976,233)
|
|
(2,136,399)
|
|
(747,156)
|
|
(3,859,788)
|
Third-party services
|
(5,705,098)
|
|
(6,151,012)
|
|
(1,254,187)
|
|
(13,110,297)
|
Interconnection and network use
|
(1,924,148)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,924,148)
|
Advertising and publicity
|
-
|
|
(1,065,882)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,065,882)
|
Rental, insurance, condominium and connection means
(1)
|
(2,326,219)
|
|
(141,135)
|
|
(220,655)
|
|
(2,688,009)
|
Taxes, charges and contributions
|
(1,861,237)
|
|
(5,933)
|
|
(92,394)
|
|
(1,959,564)
|
Estimated impairment losses on accounts receivable
|
-
|
|
(1,348,221)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,348,221)
|
Depreciation and amortization
(2)
|
(5,821,620)
|
|
(1,408,866)
|
|
(423,920)
|
|
(7,654,406)
|
Cost of goods sold
|
(2,118,940)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,118,940)
|
Materials and other operating costs and expenses
|
(89,519)
|
|
(197,918)
|
|
(55,074)
|
|
(342,511)
|
Total
|
(20,823,014)
|
|
(12,455,366)
|
|
(2,793,386)
|
|
(36,071,766)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
General and administrative
expenses
|
|
Total
|
Personnel
|
(813,612)
|
|
(1,939,493)
|
|
(468,557)
|
|
(3,221,662)
|
Third-party services
|
(5,300,820)
|
|
(6,183,609)
|
|
(1,044,272)
|
|
(12,528,701)
|
Interconnection and network use
|
(2,595,894)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,595,894)
|
Advertising and publicity
|
-
|
|
(1,102,458)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,102,458)
|
Rental, insurance, condominium and connection means
(1)
|
(2,051,055)
|
|
(156,663)
|
|
(186,691)
|
|
(2,394,409)
|
Taxes, charges and contributions
|
(1,616,920)
|
|
(5,264)
|
|
(65,599)
|
|
(1,687,783)
|
Estimated impairment losses on accounts receivable
|
-
|
|
(1,230,675)
|
|
-
|
|
(1,230,675)
|
Depreciation and amortization
(2)
|
(5,269,588)
|
|
(1,181,216)
|
|
(364,147)
|
|
(6,814,951)
|
Cost of goods sold
|
(2,597,088)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,597,088)
|
Materials and other operating costs and expenses
|
(100,099)
|
|
(206,099)
|
|
(13,193)
|
|
(319,391)
|
Total
|
(20,345,076)
|
|
(12,005,477)
|
|
(2,142,459)
|
|
(34,493,012)
|
|
12.31.14
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
General and administrative
expenses
|
|
Total
|
Personnel
|
(549,353)
|
|
(1,684,431)
|
|
(445,483)
|
|
(2,679,267)
|
Third-party services
|
(4,024,576)
|
|
(5,703,257)
|
|
(795,288)
|
|
(10,523,121)
|
Interconnection and network use
|
(3,176,278)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(3,176,278)
|
Advertising and publicity
|
-
|
|
(940,952)
|
|
-
|
|
(940,952)
|
Rental, insurance, condominium and connection means
(1)
|
(1,556,418)
|
|
(140,912)
|
|
(173,688)
|
|
(1,871,018)
|
Taxes, charges and contributions
|
(1,692,116)
|
|
(3,128)
|
|
(39,482)
|
|
(1,734,726)
|
Estimated impairment losses on accounts receivable
|
-
|
|
(896,336)
|
|
-
|
|
(896,336)
|
Depreciation and amortization
(2)
|
(4,067,310)
|
|
(893,900)
|
|
(334,379)
|
|
(5,295,589)
|
Cost of goods sold
|
(2,107,068)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,107,068)
|
Materials and other operating costs and expenses
|
(49,556)
|
|
(203,809)
|
|
(15,483)
|
|
(268,848)
|
Total
|
(17,222,675)
|
|
(10,466,725)
|
|
(1,803,803)
|
|
(29,493,203)
|
|
(1)
|
The amounts relating to infrastructure-related swap contracts, under the
concept of agent under IAS 18, which were not recognized as costs and revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015
and 2014, totaled R$392,277, R$210,636 and R$154,861, respectively (Note 24).
|
|
(2)
|
Includes R$46,647 and R$37,626, related to non-cumulative PIS and COFINS
tax credits of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
|
|
26)
|
OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES), NET
|
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Recovered expenses and fines
|
|
504,877
|
|
538,239
|
|
418,139
|
Provisions for labor, tax and civil contingencies
|
|
(985,176)
|
|
(1,014,080)
|
|
(775,390)
|
Net gain (loss) on asset disposal/loss
(1)
|
|
463,602
|
|
(4,512)
|
|
(10,266)
|
Other operating income (expenses)
(2)
|
|
(51,977)
|
|
(73,852)
|
|
(30,220)
|
Total
|
|
(68,674)
|
|
(554,205)
|
|
(397,737)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating income
|
|
968,479
|
|
538,239
|
|
510,628
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
(1,037,153)
|
|
(1,092,444)
|
|
(908,365)
|
Total
|
|
(68,674)
|
|
(554,205)
|
|
(397,737)
|
|
(1)
|
The amount shown for 2016 includes R$476,371 (net of residual values) from
the Company's sale of 1,655 of transmission towers to Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda (former Towerco Latam Brasil Ltda (Note 29)).
After the sale of these assets, a lease agreement for part of the towers sold was entered into, thus ensuring continued transmission
of data for mobile services.
|
The transaction was recognized
as sale and leaseback as provided under IAS 17. Management analyzed each asset leased back and classified them as operating or
finance leases in accordance with IAS 17 qualitative and quantitative criteria.
Risks and benefits relating
to these towers have been transferred to their purchasers, with the exception of several towers for which transfer of risks and
benefits was not possible. For these items, the amount was recognized as deferred revenue (Note 20).
|
(2)
|
In the same transaction described in item (1), the Company transferred
assignment of current lease agreements for sites and sold sharing agreements (customer portfolio) for R$40,899.
|
27) FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSES)
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Financial Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
719,399
|
|
832,872
|
|
629,476
|
Interest receivable (customers, taxes and other)
|
|
104,837
|
|
87,023
|
|
119,661
|
Gain on derivative financial instruments
|
|
994,801
|
|
2,910,914
|
|
641,296
|
Foreign exchange variations on loans and financing
|
|
487,747
|
|
203,754
|
|
153,953
|
Other revenues from foreign exchange and monetary variation
|
|
374,169
|
|
569,698
|
|
288,854
|
Other financial income
|
|
100,406
|
|
124,404
|
|
150,146
|
Total
|
|
2,781,359
|
|
4,728,665
|
|
1,983,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan, financing, debenture and finance lease charges
|
|
(1,061,098)
|
|
(921,019)
|
|
(738,980)
|
Foreign exchange variation on loans and financing
|
|
(214,952)
|
|
(1,365,133)
|
|
(338,108)
|
Loss on derivative financial instruments
|
|
(1,342,671)
|
|
(2,011,855)
|
|
(542,967)
|
Interest payable (financial institutions, provisions, trade accounts payable, taxes and other)
|
|
(278,175)
|
|
(216,729)
|
|
(184,010)
|
Other expenses with foreign exchange and monetary variation
|
|
(830,466)
|
|
(704,438)
|
|
(389,132)
|
IOF, PIS, Cofins and other financial expenses
|
|
(288,538)
|
|
(357,669)
|
|
(152,184)
|
Total
|
|
(4,015,900)
|
|
(5,576,843)
|
|
(2,345,381)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Expenses, net
|
|
(1,234,541)
|
|
(848,178)
|
|
(361,995)
|
28) INCOME AND SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION TAXES
The Company and its subsidiaries
recognize income and social contribution taxes on a monthly basis, on an accrual basis, and pay the taxes based on estimates, in
accordance with the trial balances for tax-reduction/tax-suspension purposes. Taxes calculated on profits until the month of the
financial statements are recorded in liabilities or assets, as applicable.
Reconciliation
of the reported tax expense and the amounts calculated by applying the statutory tax rate of 34% (income tax of 25% and social
contribution tax of 9%) is shown in the table below for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Income before taxes
|
|
5,134,722
|
|
4,393,456
|
|
4,753,974
|
Income and social contribution tax expenses, at the tax rate of 34%
|
|
(1,745,805)
|
|
(1,493,775)
|
|
(1,616,351)
|
Permanent and temporary differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity pickup, net of effects from interest on equity received and surplus value of the assets purchased attributed to the Company (Note 11)
|
|
423
|
|
692
|
|
2,360
|
Unclaimed interest on equity
|
|
(11,432)
|
|
(6,552)
|
|
(17,860)
|
Deferred tax adjustments – Law No. 12973/14
(1)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,195,989
|
Non-deductible expenses, gifts, incentives
|
|
(88,916)
|
|
(139,752)
|
|
(122,353)
|
Tax benefit related to interest on equity allocated
|
|
738,529
|
|
593,615
|
|
711,280
|
Other (additions) exclusions
|
|
57,721
|
|
72,565
|
|
29,620
|
Tax debits
|
|
(1,049,480)
|
|
(973,207)
|
|
182,685
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective rate
|
|
20.4%
|
|
22.2%
|
|
-3.8%
|
Current income and social contribution taxes
(2)
|
|
(288,063)
|
|
(939,500)
|
|
(567,014)
|
Deferred income and social contribution taxes
|
|
(761,417)
|
|
(33,707)
|
|
749,699
|
|
(1)
|
After Law No. 12973 came into force (Provisional Executive Order No. 627/13),
published on May 14, 2014, the Company reviewed the tax bases for certain intangible assets resulting from business combinations,
representing a positive net effect on deferred income and social contribution taxes amounting to R$1,195,989 for the year ended
December 31, 2014.
|
|
(2)
|
Current income and social contribution taxes
were R$488,450, R$970,671 and R$566,382 on December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. These expenses were impacted due to adjustments of
current income and social contribution taxes current from previous years. Any impacts on the reconciliation of effective rates
were considered in the table above.
|
Breakdown of gains and losses
of deferred income and social contribution taxes on temporary differences is shown in Note 8.b).
29) BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
|
a)
|
Balances and transactions with related parties
|
The
main balances of assets and liabilities with related parties arises from transactions with companies related to the controlling
group carried out at the prices and other commercial conditions agreed in contracts between the parties as follows:
|
a)
|
Fixed and mobile telephony services provided by Telefónica Group
companies;
|
|
b)
|
Digital TV services provided by Media Networks Latino America;
|
|
c)
|
Lease and maintenance of safety equipment provided by Telefônica
Inteligência e Segurança Brasil;
|
|
d)
|
Corporate services passed through at the cost effectively incurred for
these services;
|
|
e)
|
Systems development and maintenance services provided by Telefónica
Global Technology;
|
|
f)
|
International transmission infrastructure for several data circuits and
roaming services provided by Telxius Cable Brasil (former Telefónica International Wholesale Brasil), Telefónica
International Wholesale Services Espanha, Telefónica USA and Media Net Br;
|
|
g)
|
Administrative and management services (financial, property, accounting
and human resources services) provided by Telefônica Serviços Empresariais do Brasil;
|
|
h)
|
Logistics operator, messenger and motorcycle courier services provided
by Telefônica Transportes e Logística. The amounts for the year of 2015 refer to the period from January to October
2015, the month in which this company was acquired by TData;
|
|
i)
|
Content-related services provided by Terra Networks Brasil;
|
|
j)
|
Data communication services and integrated solutions provided by Telefónica
International Wholesale Services Espanha and Telefónica USA;
|
|
k)
|
Long distance call and international roaming services provided by companies
of Telefónica Group;
|
|
l)
|
Sundry expenses and costs to be reimbursed
by companies of Telefónica Group;
|
|
m)
|
Brand Fee for assignment of rights to
use the brand paid to Telefónica;
|
|
n)
|
Stock option plan for employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries related to acquisition of Telefónica shares;
|
|
o)
|
Cost Sharing Agreement (CSA) for digital-business
related expenses reimbursed to Telefónica Latino América Holding S.L. (former Telefónica Internacional) and
Telefónica Digital;
|
|
p)
|
Leases/rentals of Telefónica Group companies’ buildings;
|
|
q)
|
Financial Clearing House roaming, inflows of funds for payments and receipts
arising from roaming operation between group companies operated by Telfisa;
|
|
r)
|
Integrated e-learning, online education and training solutions provided
by T. Learning Services Brasil;
|
|
s)
|
Factoring transactions, credit facilities for services provided by the
Group's suppliers;
|
|
t)
|
Social investment in Fundação
Telefônica, innovative use of technology to enhance learning and knowledge, contributing to personal and social development;
|
|
u)
|
Contracts or agreements assigning user
rights for cable ducts, optical fiber duct rental services, and right-of-way related occupancy agreements with several highway
concessionaires provided by Companhia AIX;
|
|
v)
|
Adquira Sourcing platform - online solution
provided by Telefónica Compras Electrónicas to transact purchase and sale of all types of goods and services;
|
|
w)
|
Digital media; marketing and sales, in-store
and outdoor digital marketing services provided by Telefônica On The Spot Soluções Digitais Brasil; and
|
|
x)
|
Sale/transfer of the Company's towers
and customer portfolio to Telxius Torres Brasil (former Towerco Latam Brasil).
|
As described in note 32, the
Company and its subsidiaries sponsor pension plans and other post-employment benefits to its employees with Visão Prev e
Sistel.
The following table summarizes
the balances with related parties:
|
|
|
Balance Sheet -
Assets
|
|
|
|
At 12/31/16
|
|
At 12/31/15
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
Noncurrent assets
|
|
Current
assets
|
|
Noncurrent assets
|
Companies
|
Type of transaction
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
Accounts receivable,
net
|
|
Other assets
|
|
Other assets
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
Accounts receivable,
net
|
|
Other assets
|
|
Other assets
|
Parent Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações
|
d) / l)
|
|
-
|
|
94
|
|
9,607
|
|
11
|
|
-
|
|
16
|
|
3,984
|
|
532
|
Telefónica LatinoAmerica Holding (former Telefónica
Internacional)
|
d) / l)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
206,619
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
124,775
|
|
-
|
Telefónica
|
l)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
633
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
3,248
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
94
|
|
216,859
|
|
11
|
|
-
|
|
16
|
|
132,007
|
|
538
|
Other Group companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telefónica USA
|
j)
|
|
-
|
|
3,550
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
4,909
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Peru
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
471
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
912
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Inteligência e Segurança Brasil (former Telefônica
Engenharia de Segurança do Brasil)
|
a) / d) / l)
|
|
-
|
|
868
|
|
595
|
|
350
|
|
-
|
|
301
|
|
569
|
|
350
|
Telxius Cable Brasil (former Telefónica International Wholesale
Services Brasil)
|
a) / d) / k / l) / p)
|
|
-
|
|
11,513
|
|
2,602
|
|
76
|
|
-
|
|
10,416
|
|
172
|
|
76
|
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Espanha
|
j) / k)
|
|
-
|
|
82,613
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
117,356
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Espanha
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
9,220
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
15,555
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Serviços Empresariais do Brasil
|
a) / d) / l) / p)
|
|
-
|
|
2,518
|
|
343
|
|
2,067
|
|
-
|
|
4,357
|
|
1,681
|
|
3,236
|
Terra Networks Brasil
|
a) / d) / l)
|
|
-
|
|
5,499
|
|
7,550
|
|
46
|
|
-
|
|
4,651
|
|
7,440
|
|
46
|
Telefónica Global Technology
|
l)
|
|
-
|
|
1,614
|
|
11,244
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,934
|
|
9,353
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Learning Services Brasil
|
a)
|
|
-
|
|
64
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
58
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Companhia AIX de Participações
|
a)
|
|
-
|
|
37
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Factoring do Brasil
|
a) / d)
|
|
-
|
|
4,927
|
|
6
|
|
16
|
|
-
|
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
13
|
Fundação Telefônica
|
a) / d) / l)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
49
|
|
96
|
Colombia Telecomunicaciones ESP
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
2,641
|
|
3,900
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,932
|
|
4,827
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Argentina
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
6,288
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,057
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Chile
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
10,207
|
|
337
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8,708
|
|
417
|
|
-
|
Pegaso PCS
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
6,163
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
5,175
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Otocel
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
485
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
123
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Uruguay
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
761
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
916
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefonica UK LTD.(O2 UK LTD)
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
8,809
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
15,615
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
T.O2 Germany GMBH CO. OHG
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
9,849
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
6,811
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telcel Telecom. Celulares C. A.
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
6,180
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,530
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telfisa
|
q)
|
|
78,070
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
99,609
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telxius Torres Brasil (former Towerco Latam Brasil (1))
|
x)
|
|
-
|
|
13,842
|
|
3,709
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Panama
|
k)
|
|
-
|
|
1,260
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,137
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other
|
a) / d) / k) / l) / p) / w)
|
|
-
|
|
1,433
|
|
718
|
|
250
|
|
-
|
|
1,476
|
|
870
|
|
564
|
|
|
|
78,070
|
|
190,812
|
|
31,004
|
|
2,805
|
|
99,609
|
|
206,941
|
|
25,382
|
|
4,381
|
Total
|
|
|
78,070
|
|
190,906
|
|
247,863
|
|
2,816
|
|
99,609
|
|
206,957
|
|
157,389
|
|
4,919
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet -
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
12/31/16
|
|
At
12//31/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
Noncurrent liabilities
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
|
Type of transaction
|
|
Trade accounts
payable and other payables
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
Trade accounts
payable and other payables
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
Other liabilities
|
Parent Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações
|
|
|
|
|
l)
|
|
-
|
|
533
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
57
|
Telefónica LatinoAmerica Holding (former Telefónica
Internacional)
|
|
|
|
|
l) / o)
|
|
109
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
63,280
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica
|
|
|
|
|
l) / m) / n)
|
|
2,236
|
|
84,759
|
|
-
|
|
898
|
|
86,596
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,345
|
|
85,292
|
|
-
|
|
64,178
|
|
86,596
|
|
57
|
Other Group companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telefónica USA
|
|
|
|
|
f)
|
|
14,283
|
|
-
|
|
168
|
|
17,786
|
|
122
|
|
202
|
Telefónica Peru
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
976
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,894
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Inteligência e Segurança Brasil (former Telefônica
Engenharia de Segurança do Brasil)
|
|
|
|
|
c)
|
|
26,516
|
|
19
|
|
8
|
|
5,234
|
|
-
|
|
8
|
Telxius Cable Brasil (former Telefónica International Wholesale
Services Brasil)
|
|
|
|
|
d) / f) / l)
|
|
52,210
|
|
1,690
|
|
378
|
|
35,299
|
|
1,673
|
|
378
|
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Espanha
|
|
|
|
|
f) / k)
|
|
50,121
|
|
8
|
|
-
|
|
16,501
|
|
19,208
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Espanha
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
4,671
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
14,437
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Serviços Empresariais do Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
g) / l)
|
|
112
|
|
803
|
|
239
|
|
1,904
|
|
2,115
|
|
1,745
|
Terra Networks Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
i)
|
|
3,360
|
|
440
|
|
769
|
|
5,647
|
|
78
|
|
769
|
Telefónica Global Technology
|
|
|
|
|
e)
|
|
15,169
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
14,071
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Digital España
|
|
|
|
|
o)
|
|
35,347
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
30,311
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Media Networks Latina America SAC
|
|
|
|
|
b)
|
|
32,398
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
45,866
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Learning Services Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
r)
|
|
16,328
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
10,607
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Companhia AIX de Participações
|
|
|
|
|
u)
|
|
1,835
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,601
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefônica Factoring do Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
s)
|
|
-
|
|
6,154
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8,400
|
|
-
|
Fundação Telefônica
|
|
|
|
|
t)
|
|
-
|
|
52
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
22
|
|
266
|
Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. ESP
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
2,675
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,500
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Compras Electrónicas
|
|
|
|
|
v)
|
|
24,196
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
14,738
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Argentina
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
13,997
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
8,027
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Chile
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
10,673
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
9,758
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Pegaso PCS
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
2,452
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
354
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Otocel
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
3,033
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
3,056
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Uruguay
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
2,059
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,342
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefonica UK LTD.(O2 UK LTD)
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
3,868
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
4,800
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
T.O2 Germany GMBH CO. OHG
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
4,409
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
991
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telcel Telecom. Celulares C. A.
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
4,721
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
416
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telxius Torres Brasil (former Towerco Latam Brasil (1))
|
|
|
|
|
x)
|
|
33,178
|
|
15,991
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Panama
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
737
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
362
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
h) / k)
|
|
19,571
|
|
-
|
|
347
|
|
4,631
|
|
-
|
|
347
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
378,895
|
|
25,157
|
|
1,909
|
|
252,133
|
|
31,618
|
|
3,715
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
381,240
|
|
110,449
|
|
1,909
|
|
316,311
|
|
118,214
|
|
3,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income statement
|
Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type of transaction
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Parent
Companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SP Telecomunicações Participações
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
d) / l)
|
|
67
|
|
(240)
|
|
(18,292)
|
Telefónica LatinoAmerica Holding (former
Telefónica Internacional)
|
|
|
|
|
|
d) / l) / o)
|
|
91,874
|
|
120,575
|
|
113,349
|
Telefónica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
l) / m) / n)
|
|
(329,435)
|
|
(372,167)
|
|
(337,975)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(237,494)
|
|
(251,832)
|
|
(242,918)
|
Other Group companies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Telefónica USA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
f) / j)
|
|
(12,321)
|
|
(12,917)
|
|
1,692
|
Telefónica Peru
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(1,677)
|
|
(3,190)
|
|
(793)
|
Telefônica Inteligência
e Segurança Brasil (former Telefônica Engenharia de Segurança do Brasil)
|
|
|
|
a) / c) / d) / l)
|
|
(38,279)
|
|
(24,660)
|
|
(6,787)
|
Telxius Cable Brasil (former Telefónica
International Wholesale Services Brasil)
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / f) / k / l) / p)
|
|
(228,727)
|
|
(237,529)
|
|
(190,702)
|
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Espanha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
f) / j) / k)
|
|
1,219
|
|
66,101
|
|
10,800
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Espanha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(3,006)
|
|
(885)
|
|
(2,464)
|
Telefônica Serviços Empresariais do Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / g) / l) / p)
|
|
942
|
|
(6,468)
|
|
(59,523)
|
Telefônica Transportes e Logistica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / h) / l) / p)
|
|
-
|
|
(53,657)
|
|
(78,500)
|
Terra Networks Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / i) / l)
|
|
(207)
|
|
(20,123)
|
|
6,323
|
Telefónica Global Technology, S.A.U.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
e) / l)
|
|
(29,689)
|
|
(9,456)
|
|
(20,351)
|
Telefônica Digital España
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
l) / o)
|
|
(46,134)
|
|
(52,296)
|
|
(3,446)
|
Media Networks Latina America SAC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
b) / l)
|
|
(17,183)
|
|
(39,234)
|
|
868
|
T. Learning Services Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / r)
|
|
(46,231)
|
|
(44,685)
|
|
(17,648)
|
Companhia AIX de Participações
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / u)
|
|
(21,249)
|
|
(19,184)
|
|
(18,417)
|
Telefônica Factoring do Brasil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / s)
|
|
241
|
|
124
|
|
999
|
Fundação Telefônica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / l) t)
|
|
(10,530)
|
|
(10,283)
|
|
(11,445)
|
Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. ESP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(3,554)
|
|
(188)
|
|
(481)
|
Telefónica Compras Electrónicas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
v)
|
|
(42,889)
|
|
(13,692)
|
|
(2,549)
|
Telefónica Moviles Argentina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(6,040)
|
|
(7,675)
|
|
(1,003)
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Chile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(102)
|
|
(3,405)
|
|
(403)
|
Pegaso PCS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(5,905)
|
|
(2,503)
|
|
(1,642)
|
Otocel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(130)
|
|
(635)
|
|
(107)
|
Telefónica Moviles Del Uruguay
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(1,864)
|
|
(1,705)
|
|
(1,854)
|
Telefonica UK LTD.(O2 UK LTD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(989)
|
|
854
|
|
(379)
|
T.O2 Germany GMBH CO. OHG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(4,482)
|
|
(1,412)
|
|
(2,611)
|
Telcel Telecom. Celulares C. A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(668)
|
|
1,920
|
|
168
|
Telxius Torres Brasil (former Towerco
Latam Brasil (1))
|
|
|
|
x)
|
|
(70,500)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Telefónica Moviles Panama
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
k)
|
|
(1,026)
|
|
(480)
|
|
(331)
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a) / d) / f) / h) / k) / l) / p) / w)
|
|
(18,292)
|
|
(4,133)
|
|
(8,740)
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(609,272)
|
|
(501,396)
|
|
(409,326)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(846,766)
|
|
(753,228)
|
|
(652,244)
|
|
(1)
|
In March 2016, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreements
for infrastructure and assignment of leases, pooling and other covenants ("Agreement") with Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda
(former Towerco Latam Brasil Ltda) (a Telefónica subsidiary). The subject matter of the agreement is the purchase and sale
of 1,655 tower structures, assignment of current rental agreements for their sites and shared-use/ pooling agreements. The total
amount involved was R$760,000, comprising R$719,101 relating to the tower infrastructures and R$40,899 relating to the customer
portfolio.
|
The agreement's conditions
were established taking into consideration (i) prior transactions of the same nature performed by the Company and other companies
in the industry; (ii) a valuation report for the assets subject matter of the agreement, prepared by an independent appraiser;
and (iii) internal business plan showing that the operation is profitable for the Company.
The following table summarizes
the aforementioned transaction:
Impacts
on the Balance Sheet
|
Description
|
|
Balance Sheet Group
|
|
R$
thousands
|
Amounts receivable from Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda (former Towerco Latam Brasil Ltda.)
|
|
Related-party receivables
(1)
|
|
760,000
|
Amount of write-offs of residual values of towers
|
|
Property, plant and equipment (note 13)
|
|
(99,210)
|
Value of towers classified as finance lease
|
|
Finance lease (Note 21)
|
|
2,674
|
Value of towers awaiting for contractual conditions for transfer
|
|
Deferred revenues (Note 20)
|
|
140,846
|
|
(1)
|
On April 8, 2015, Telxius Torres Brasil Ltda (former
Towerco Latam Brazil Ltda) settled the amount of R$760,000 in favor of the Company relating to this transaction, which is classified
in the statement of cash flows as cash received from sale of PP&E items.
|
Impacts
on the Statement of Income
|
Description
|
|
DRE Group
|
|
R$
thousands
|
Value of disposal of towers (except retention and financial lease)
|
|
Other operating revenues (expenses), net (Note 26)
|
|
575,580
|
Value of write-off of residual amount
|
|
Other operating revenues (expenses), net (Note 26)
|
|
(99,210)
|
Value of customer portfolio
|
|
Other operating revenues (expenses), net (Note 26)
|
|
40,899
|
Amount of PIS and Cofins charged on customer portfolio
|
|
Other operating revenues (expenses), net (Note 26)
|
|
(3,783)
|
Effect on operating income
|
|
|
|
513,486
|
Amount of IR and CS levied on towers and customer portfolio
|
|
Income and social contribution taxes (Note 28)
|
|
(174,585)
|
Net effect on transaction income
|
|
Net effect on transaction income
|
|
338,901
|
|
b)
|
Management compensation
|
Key management
personnel compensation paid by the Company to its Board of Directors and Statutory Officers for the years ended December 31, 2016,
2015 and 2014 totaled R$109,314, R$82,582 and R$22,174, respectively. Of this amount, R$39,822 (R$40,328 at December 31, 2015 and
R$16,793 at December 31,2014) corresponds to salaries, benefits and social charges and R$69,492 (R$42,254 at December 31, 2015
and R$5,381 at December 31, 2014) to variable compensation.
These amounts
were recorded as expenses with personnel under the General and administrative expenses group of accounts (Note 25).
For the years
ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s Directors and Officers did not receive any pension, retirement pension
or other similar benefits.
The policy of the Company and
its subsidiaries, as well as the Telefónica Group, includes contracting insurance coverage for all assets and liabilities
involving significant and high-risk amounts, based on management’s judgment and following Telefónica corporate program
guidelines.
At December 31, 2016, maximum
limits of claims (established pursuant to the agreements of each company by the Company) for significant assets, liabilities or
interests covered by insurance and their respective amounts were R$1,047,826 for operational risks (with loss of profit) and R$75,000
for general civil liability.
|
31)
|
SHARE-BASED PAYMENT PLANS
|
Telefónica, as the Company's
parent company, has different share-based payment plans based on the share quotes, which were also offered to management and employees
of its subsidiaries, including Telefônica Brasil and the latter's subsidiaries.
The fair value of these options
is estimated on the grant date, based on a binomial pricing model reflecting terms and conditions of instruments granted.
The Company and its subsidiaries
reimburse Telefónica for the amount of the fair value of the benefits granted to management and employees on the grant date.
The main plans in effect at
December 31, 2016 and 2015 are detailed below:
|
a)
|
Performance & Investment Plan (“PIP”)
|
Telefónica's General
Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 18, 2011 approved a long-term program for using Telefónica stock options to reward
senior management's global commitment, outstanding performance and high potential by awarding Telefónica S.A. shares.
Participants are not required
to pay for their initial stock options and may increase the number of shares to be received at the end of the plan if they decide
to make a joint investment in their PIP, which requires a participant to buy the equivalent of 25% of the initial shares awarded
by Telefónica and hold them until the end of the cycle, when Telefónica will add another 25% in addition to the initial
amount of shares in their co-investment.
Initially, the plan is expected
to remain effective for 3 years. The cycles are independent of each other. The number of shares is reported at the beginning of
each cycle and will be transferred to participants 3 years after the grant date assuming these professionals have met their targets.
The granting of shares is conditional
on: (i) maintenance of an active employment relationship within the Telefónica Group on the cycle consolidation date; and
(ii) achievement, by Telefónica, of results representing fulfillment of the objectives established for the plan.
The level of success is based
on a comparison of the growth in shareholder earnings, considering stock quotations and dividends (Total Shareholder Return - TSR)
with the growth in TSR for companies of the Group in an established basis of comparison.
In 2014, the Company approved
the extension of this program for another 3 cycles of 3 years each, beginning October 1, 2014 and extending to September 30, 2017.
The number of shares is stated at the beginning of the cycle and three years after grant date, and shares are transferred to participants
as long as TSR targets are met.
The 2012-2015 cycle was completed
in June 2015, achieving the TSR targets. Sixty eight (68) of the Company's executives obtained the right to receive 258,552 Telefónica
shares.
The 2013-2016 cycle takes place
in June 2016 and the TSR was not achieved, therefore Telefónica shares were not awarded to the Company’s executives.
The following cycles have been
scheduled:
|
·
|
4th cycle (October
1, 2014 to September 30, 2017): 66 active Company executives (including 3 executives appointed under the Company’s Articles
of Incorporation) hold the right to potentially receive 365,215 Telefónica shares (includes initial amounts and co-investment).
|
|
·
|
5th Cycle (October
1, 2015 the September 30, 2018): 106 active Company executives (including 3 executives appointed under the Articles of Incorporation)
of the Company, hold the right to potentially receive 581,899 Telefónica shares (includes initial amounts and co-investment).
|
At December 31, 2016, the value
of Telefónica’ share price was Eur 8.82.
|
b)
|
Talent for the Future Share Plan (“TFSP”)
|
Telefónica's 2014 General
Shareholders’ Meeting approved a long-term program to reward the global commitment, outstanding performance and high potential
of its executives by awarding Telefónica shares.
Participants are not required
to pay for their initial options. Initially, the plan is expected to remain effective for 3 years. The cycle began on October 1,
2014 and will be effective until September 30, 2017. The number of shares is reported at the beginning of the cycle and shares
will be transferred to participants 3 years after grant date if their targets have been met.
The granting of shares is conditional
upon: (i) maintenance of an active employment relationship within the Telefónica Group on the cycle consolidation date;
and (ii) achievement, by Telefónica, of results representing fulfillment of the objectives established for the plan. The
level of success is based on a comparison of growth in Telefónica shareholder earnings, including their quotations and dividends
(Total Shareholder Return - TSR) compared with the growth in TSR for Companies of the Group in an established basis of comparison.
The following cycles have been
scheduled:
|
·
|
1st cycle (October
1, 2014 to September 30, 2017): with the right to potentially receive 58,000 Telefónica shares (includes initial amounts).
|
|
·
|
2nd cycle (October
1, 2015 to September 30, 2018): with the right to potentially receive 90,000 Telefónica shares (includes initial amounts).
|
At December 31, 2016, the value
of Telefónica’ share price was Eur 8.82.
|
c)
|
Global Employee Share Plan (“GESP”)
|
At the Telefónica General
Shareholders’ Meeting held on May 30, 2014, a share purchase plan under tax incentive was approved, intended for employees
of Telefónica Group at the international level, including the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. This plan offers
the possibility of acquiring Telefónica shares with the commitment of the later to deliver free of charge to participants
a given number of its shares, whenever certain requirements are met.
Initially, the plan was expected
to remain effective for 2 years. Employees enrolled in the plan were able to acquire Telefónica shares by making monthly
contributions of 25 to 150 euros (or the equivalent in local currency) totaling at most 1,800 euros over 12 months (acquisition
period).
Shares will be transferred on
the plan's vesting date, at July 31, 2017 and is subject to the following conditions: (i) the permanence in the Company during
the 2-year program period (vesting period), subject to certain special conditions related to terminations; and (ii) the exact number
of shares to be granted at the end of the vesting period
depends on the number of shares acquired and held by employees. Thus, employees enrolled with the plan, who remained in the Telefónica
Group and who have held the shares acquired for an additional period of over 12 months after the end of the purchase period, will
be entitled to receive one free share for each share they have acquired and held until the end of the vesting period.
Changes (quantities) of share-based
compensation plans described above, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, are as follows:
|
|
Number / Plans
|
|
|
TFSP
|
|
PIP
|
|
Total
|
Outstanding shares at 12.31.14
|
|
73,500
|
|
1,994,430
|
|
2,067,930
|
Shares granted in the year
|
|
81,000
|
|
771,058
|
|
852,058
|
Shares expired in the year
|
|
(7,000)
|
|
(1,092,323)
|
|
(1,099,323)
|
Shares exercised in the year
|
|
-
|
|
(258,552)
|
|
(258,552)
|
Outstanding shares at 12.31.15
|
|
147,500
|
|
1,414,613
|
|
1,562,113
|
Shares granted in the year
|
|
23,500
|
|
-
|
|
23,500
|
Shares expired in the year
|
|
(23,000)
|
|
(467,499)
|
|
(490,499)
|
Outstanding shares at 12.31.16
|
|
148,000
|
|
947,114
|
|
1,095,114
|
The expenses of the Company
and its subsidiaries with the share-based compensation plans described above, where applicable, are recorded as personnel expenses,
divided into the groups Cost of Services, Selling expenses and General and Administrative Expenses (Note 25), corresponding to
R$21,952, R$15,406 and R$12,038 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
|
32)
|
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
|
The plans sponsored by the Company
and related benefit types are as follows:
Plan
|
|
Type
|
|
Entity
|
|
Sponsor
|
PBS-A
|
|
Defined benefit (DB)
|
|
Sistel
|
|
Telefônica Brasil, jointly with other telecoms resulting from privatization of the Sistema Telebrás
|
PAMA / PCE
|
|
Defined benefit (DB)
|
|
Sistel
|
|
Telefônica Brasil, jointly with other telecoms resulting from privatization of the Sistema Telebrás
|
Healthcare - Law No. 9656/98
|
|
Defined benefit (DB)
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
CTB
|
|
Defined benefit (DB)
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
Telefônica BD
|
|
Defined benefit (DB)
|
|
VisãoPrev
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
PREV
|
|
Hybrid
|
|
VisãoPrev
|
|
Telefônica Brasil
|
VISÃO
|
|
Defined contribution (DC) / Hybrid
|
|
VisãoPrev
|
|
Telefônica Brasil, TData and TGLog
|
The actuarial valuation of the
plans was made in December 2016 and 2015, based on members registered at July 31, 2016 for the plans administered by VisãoPrev
and Sistel (except for registered health care plan members - Law No. 9656/98, at August 31 2016), both projected for December 31,
2016 and based on members registered at July 31, 2015 for the plans administered by VisãoPrev and Sistel (except for registered
health care plan members - Law No. 9656/98, at April 30 2015), both projected for December 31, 2015.
The Company
has participation in the decisions that directly affect the governance of the plans, with members nominated for both the Deliberative
Council and the Fiscal Council of the administrators Sistel and VisãoPrev.
Sistel, as of
December 31, 2016, had 12 members, 2 members appointed by the Company as part of its Deliberative Council. On the same date, Sistel
had as part of its Fiscal Council, composed of 6 members, one member appointed by the Company.
VisãoPrev,
as of December 31, 2016, had as part of its Deliberative Council, composed of 8 members, 5 members appointed by the Company. On
that same date, VisãoPrev had as its Fiscal Council, composed of 8 members, 5 members appointed by the Company.
The actuarial gains and losses
generated in each year are immediately recognized in equity (in other comprehensive income).
The defined benefit obligation
is made up of different components, according to the pension characteristic of each plan, and may include the actuarial liabilities
of supplementary pension liabilities, health care benefits to retirees and dependents or compensation for death or disability of
members. This liability is exposed to economic and demographic risks, such as: (i) increases in medical costs that could impact
the cost of health care plans; (ii) salary growth; (iii) long-term inflation rate; (iv) nominal discount rate; and (v) life expectancy
of members and pensioners.
The fair value of plan assets
is primarily comprised of fixed income investments (NTN's, LFT, LTN's, repurchase agreements, CDBs, debentures, letters of guarantee
and FIDC shares) and equity investments (highly liquid, well regarded, large company shares and investments in market indices).
Due to the concentration of fixed income and floating rate investments plan assets are mainly exposed to the risks inherent in
the financial market and economic environment such as: (i) market risk in the economic sectors where variable income investments
are concentrated; (ii) risk events that impact the economic environment and market indices where variable income investments are
concentrated; and (iii) the long-term inflation rate that may erode the profitability of fixed-income investments at fixed rates.
The companies that administer
post-employment benefits plans sponsored by the Company (VisãoPrev and Sistel) seek to meet the flows of assets and liabilities
through the acquisition of fixed income securities and other long-term assets.
With the exception of the CTB
deficit plans and the healthcare plan under Law No. 9656/98 all other plan benefits have a surplus position. The economic benefit
recorded in the Company's assets or that of its subsidiaries does not reflect the total surplus determined in these plans. The
economic benefit stated under assets considers only the portion of the surplus that is actually recoverable. The means of plan
surplus recovery is solely through reductions in future contributions and given that not all plans currently receive enough contributions
for full recovery of surpluses, the economic benefit recorded under assets is limited to the total possible recovery amount in
accordance with projected future contributions.
The position of plan assets
is at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and plan assets were apportioned based on the company’s actuarial liabilities
in relation to the total actuarial liabilities of the plan.
The following is a summary of
the pension plans and other post-employment benefits:
|
a)
|
Post-retirement Health Plans
|
a.1)
Healthcare Plan to Retirees
and Special Coverage Program (PAMA and PAMA-PCE)
The Company, together with other
companies of the former Telebrás System, at shared cost, sponsor health care plans (PAMA and PAMA-PCE) for retirees. These
plans are managed by Fundação Sistel and are closed plans, not admitting new members.
Contributions to the plans are
determined based on actuarial valuations prepared by independent actuaries, in accordance with the rules in force in Brazil. The
funding procedure is the capitalization method and the sponsor’s contribution is at the fixed percentage of 1.5% of payroll
of employees covered by the Telefônica BD plan.
Sistel’s ordinary Deliberative
Board’s Meeting of September 30, 2015, approved the setting up of a compensation and solvency fund, formed by the resources
of the special reserve of the PBS-A plan, to cover exclusively PAMA’s financial insufficiency, for the sole purpose of abiding
by a final unappeasable court decision. This court ruling obliges sponsors (including the Company) to maintain the PAMA plan with
the original coverage conditions and renegotiate the existing deficit.
In function of the extinction
of the deficit related to the PAMA in December 2015, the Company wrote-off the actuarial liability related to PAMA in the amount
of R$430,335, matched against other comprehensive income (R$284,021 net of taxes).
a.2)
Health care plan –
Law No. 9656/98
The Company manages and individually
sponsors a health care plan to retired employees and former employees with fixed contributions to the plan, in accordance with
Law No. 9656/98.
As provided for in articles
30 and 31 of said law, participants shall have the right to the health care plan in which they participated while they were active
employees. Benefitted participants are classified as retirees and their dependents and dismissed employees and their dependents.
Retirees and dismissed employees,
in order to keep their right to the benefits, must make contributions to the plan in accordance with the contribution tables by
age bracket established by carriers and/or insurance companies.
|
b)
|
Post-Employment Pension Plans
|
They include the PBS Assisted
Plans (“PBS-A"), CTB, Telefônica BD, Prev and Visão, described below:
Contributions to the CTB and
Telefônica BD plans are determined based on actuarial valuations prepared by independent actuaries, in accordance with the
rules in force in Brazil. The funding procedure is the capitalization method and the sponsor’s contribution is a fixed percentage
of payroll of employees covered by the plan.
b.1)
PBS Assisted Plan (PBS-A)
The PBS-A plan is a defined
benefit private pension plan managed by Sistel and sponsored by the Company jointly with the other telecommunications companies
originating in the privatization of the Telebrás system. The plan is subject to funding by sponsors in case of any asset
insufficiency to ensure pension supplementation of participants in the future.
The PBS-A plan comprises assisted
participants of the Sistel Benefit Plan who were already retirees on January 31, 2000, from all the participating sponsors, with
joint liability of all sponsors to the plan and Sistel.
Although the PBS-A plan has
assets in excess of actuarial liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015, such surplus was not recognized due to lack of legal provision
in relation to refund thereof, in addition, since it is not a contributive plan, it is not possible to make any deduction from
future contributions.
Sistel’s ordinary Deliberative
Board’s meeting of September 30, 2015, approved the discontinuation of the special reserve in connection with the review
of the PBS-A plan, referring to 2009, 2010 and 2011, with the consequent formation of the Compensation and Solvency Fund.
The Compensation and Solvency
Fund was destined by Sistel’s Executive Board to cover PAMA financial insufficiency, exclusively to abide by a final unappeasable
court decision. This court ruling obliges sponsors (including the Company) to keep PAMA with the original coverage conditions and
even up the existing deficit. Thereafter, Sistel must determine in the annual actuarial assessments of the PBS-A plan any existing
exceeding amounts, in addition to the contingent reserve of 25%, to meet PAMA cash needs.
b.2)
CTB Plan
The Company also individually
manages and sponsors the CTB Plan, originally provided to former employees of Companhia Telefônica Brasileira (“CTB”)
who were in the Company in 1977, with whom an individual retirement concession agreement was executed to encourage their resignation.
This is an informal pension supplementation benefit paid to former employees directly by the Company. In the event that the former
employee is deceased, the spouse will be entitled to 50% of the benefit amount upon death. These plans are closed, and no other
members are admitted.
b.3)
Telefônica DB
Plan
The Company individually sponsors
defined benefit retirement plan, the Telefônica DB Plan (former PBS Telesp plan).
In order to improve allocation
of Telefôncia DB plan assets and analyze the coverage ratio of plan obligations in future years, a stochastic ALM study was
prepared by Visão Prev and Willis Towers Watson. This ALM study aimed at projecting the ratio between coverage of liabilities
(solvency ratio) and the risk of mismatching measured by the standard deviation of the solvency ratio. The study concluded that
the PBS plans present sustainable projection of their coverage ratio with the current investments portfolio.
Visão Prev obtained approval
from the National Superintendence of Supplementary Pension (“PREVIC”) for plan merger to simplify structures and unify
regulations. On January 27, 2015, PREVIC approved merger of PBS Tele Sudeste Celular plan with the Telefônica DB plan. On
December 28, 2015, PREVIC approved the process of incorporation of the PBS Telemig Celular plan by the Telefônica DB plan.
b.4)
PREV Plans
The Company individually sponsors
hybrid defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, the PREV plans, managed by Visão Prev. PREV plans include:
(i) Vivoprev Plan; and (ii) Tcoprev Plan.
Contributions to PREV plans
are: (i)
basic contribution:
percentage of participation salary, where the sponsor also contributes the amount equivalent
to the basic contribution of the participant; (ii)
supplementary or voluntary contribution
: percentage over the participation
salary, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor; and (iii)
sporadic contribution:
with amount value
and periodicity defined by the participant, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor. In addition to these
contributions, the sponsor may make occasional voluntary contributions, apportioned in proportion to the basic contribution of
the participant.
In order to improve allocation
of Tcoprev plan assets and analyze the coverage ratio of plan obligations in future years, a stochastic ALM study was prepared
by Visão Prev and Willis Towers Watson. This ALM study aimed at projecting the ratio between coverage of liabilities (solvency
ratio) and the risk of mismatching measured by the standard deviation of the solvency ratio. The study concluded that the Tcoprev
plan present sustainable projection of its coverage ratio with the current investments portfolio.
On September 21, 2015, PREVIC
approved merger of the Tcpprev and Celprev Telemig plans with Visão Telefônica plan.
b.5)
VISÃO Plans
The Visão Telefôncia,
Visão Multi and Visão Tgestiona plans will hereinafter be shown jointly under the name VISÃO, due to their
similarity.
The Company and its subsidiaries
sponsor defined contribution pension plans with defined benefit components (hybrid plans), i.e. the VISÃO Plans, managed
by Visão Prev. The VISÃO plans include: (i) Visão Telefônica Plan; (ii) Multi Visão Plan and
(iii) Visão Tgestiona Plan.
The contribution is attributed to each subsidiary in the economic
and demographic proportion of its respective obligation to the plan.
The contributions made by the
Company related to defined contribution plans totaled R$37,879 at December 31, 2016 (R$20,092 at December 31, 2015).
The contributions to the VISÃO
plans are the following:
Visão Telefônica
Plan:
(i)
basic contribution:
percentage of participation salary, where the sponsor contributes the amount equivalent
to the basic contribution of the participant; (ii)
additional contribution:
percentage over the participation salary, where
the sponsor contributes the amount equivalent to the basic contribution of the participant; (iii)
sporadic contribution:
percentage of the participant's choice of participation salary, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor;
(iv)
specific contribution:
percentage on bonuses, participation in profits and results or any other payment made by the
sponsor, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor; and (v)
additional contribution:
with amount and
periodicity defined by the participant, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor. In addition to these contributions,
the sponsor may make occasional voluntary contributions, apportioned in proportion to the basic contribution of the participant.
Multi Visão Plan:
(i)
basic contribution:
percentage of the participation salary, where the sponsor also contributes the amount in proportion
to the employee's time of admission with the amount equivalent to the basic contribution of the participant; (ii)
additional
contribution:
additional contribution: percentage over the participation salary, where the sponsor also contributes the amount
proportionally to the amount equivalent to the time of admission of the basic contribution of the participating employee; (iii)
sporadic contribution:
sporadic contribution: with value and periodicity defined by the percentage of the participant's
choice, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor; and (iv)
specific contribution:
percentage on bonuses,
profit sharing or any other payment made by the sponsor, in which there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor. In addition
to these contributions, the sponsor may make occasional voluntary contributions, apportioned in proportion to the basic contribution
of the participant.
Visão Tgestiona Plan:
The subsidiary TGLOG sponsors, together with other sponsors, the Visão Tgestiona Plan. This plan has the features of the
VISÃO plans, it is a defined contribution pension plan with defined benefit components (hybrid plans), and is managed by
Visão Prev.
The participant can contribute
to the Visão Tgestiona plan as follows: (i)
basic contribution:
percentage of 2% of participation salary for participants
with membership up to November 30, 2008 and 1% of participation salary for participants with 11/30/2008; (ii)
additional contribution:
optional contribution with a percentage of 0% to 7% over the portion of the participation salary that exceeds 9 (nine) Standard
Reference Units of the plan for participants with membership up to 11/30/2008 and a percentage of 0 % to 5% on the portion of the
participation salary that exceeds the 9 (nine) Standard Reference Units of the plan for participants with membership after 11/30/2008;
(iii)
specific contribution:
full percentage applicable to bonuses, profit sharing and any other payment made by the sponsor;
and (iv)
additional contribution:
with value and periodicity defined by the participant.
The sponsor also contributes
with 100% of the basic contribution and the additional contribution made by the participants with adhesion until 11/30/2008. For
participants joining after 11/30/2008, the sponsor also contributes in return for the basic and additional contributions of the
participants, in different proportions, according to the time of admission of the employee, being: up to 5 years of service, contribution
of 30 % of the participant's contributions; 5 to 10 years of service, contribution of 60% of the participant's contributions; and
over 10 years of service, contribution of 100% of the participant's contributions. For the specific and supplementary contributions
there is no counterpart contribution from the sponsor. In addition to these contributions, the sponsor may make the voluntary contribution,
of a sporadic nature, being apportioned in proportion to the basic contribution of the participant.
On September 21, 2015, PREVIC
approved the merger of the Visão Telerj Celular, Visão Telest Celular, Visão Telebahia Celular, Visão
Telergipe Celular and Visão Celular CRT by the Visão Telefônica Plan.
c)
Information on Pension
Plans and Other Post-Employment Benefits
c.1)
Reconciliation of assets
and liabilities:
|
Net liabilities
(assets) at 12.31.16
|
|
Net liabilities
(assets) at 12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Present value of DB plan obligations
|
1,763,866
|
|
767,642
|
|
2,531,508
|
|
1,503,966
|
|
402,927
|
|
1,906,893
|
Fair value of plan assets
|
2,703,593
|
|
667,993
|
|
3,371,586
|
|
2,178,182
|
|
529,485
|
|
2,707,667
|
Net liabilities (assets)
|
(939,727)
|
|
99,649
|
|
(840,078)
|
|
(674,216)
|
|
(126,558)
|
|
(800,774)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset limitation
|
993,754
|
|
164,953
|
|
1,158,707
|
|
721,123
|
|
156,270
|
|
877,393
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent assets
|
(9,041)
|
|
-
|
|
(9,041)
|
|
(8,724)
|
|
-
|
|
(8,724)
|
Current liabilities
|
6,826
|
|
4,162
|
|
10,988
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Noncurrent liabilities
|
56,242
|
|
260,440
|
|
316,682
|
|
55,631
|
|
29,712
|
|
85,343
|
c.2)
Total expenses recognized
in the income statement:
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Current service cost
|
2,811
|
|
2,761
|
|
5,572
|
|
2,682
|
|
5,720
|
|
8,402
|
|
2,558
|
|
2,901
|
|
5,459
|
Net interest on net actuarial assets/liabilities
|
5,278
|
|
2,986
|
|
8,264
|
|
4,525
|
|
36,763
|
|
41,288
|
|
90
|
|
34,590
|
|
34,680
|
Total
|
8,089
|
|
5,747
|
|
13,836
|
|
7,207
|
|
42,483
|
|
49,690
|
|
2,648
|
|
37,491
|
|
40,139
|
c.3)
Amounts recognized in
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Actuarial (gains) losses
|
(174,496)
|
|
240,072
|
|
65,576
|
|
(87,306)
|
|
76,868
|
|
(10,438)
|
|
39,742
|
|
(25,210)
|
|
14,532
|
Asset limitation effect
|
182,088
|
|
(10,897)
|
|
171,191
|
|
(541,596)
|
|
150,541
|
|
(391,055)
|
|
40,811
|
|
-
|
|
40,811
|
Total
|
7,592
|
|
229,175
|
|
236,767
|
|
(628,902)
|
|
227,409
|
|
(401,493)
|
|
80,553
|
|
(25,210)
|
|
55,343
|
c.4)
Changes in amount net
of liability (asset) of defined benefit, net
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Net interest on net defined benefit liability
(asset) at the beginning of the year
|
46,907
|
|
29,712
|
|
76,619
|
|
44,822
|
|
396,654
|
|
441,476
|
Business combinations
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(25)
|
|
-
|
|
(25)
|
Expenses
|
8,089
|
|
5,747
|
|
13,836
|
|
7,207
|
|
42,483
|
|
49,690
|
Sponsor contributions
|
(8,562)
|
|
(31)
|
|
(8,593)
|
|
(9,136)
|
|
(3,893)
|
|
(13,029)
|
Amounts recognized in OCI
|
7,593
|
|
229,174
|
|
236,767
|
|
(628,902)
|
|
227,409
|
|
(401,493)
|
Transfer of reserves between plans
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
632,941
|
|
(632,941)
|
|
-
|
Net interest on net defined benefit liability
(asset) at the end of the year
|
54,027
|
|
264,602
|
|
318,629
|
|
46,907
|
|
29,712
|
|
76,619
|
Actuarial assets per balance sheet
|
(9,041)
|
|
-
|
|
(9,041)
|
|
(8,724)
|
|
-
|
|
(8,724)
|
Actuarial liabilities per balance sheet
|
63,068
|
|
264,602
|
|
327,670
|
|
55,631
|
|
29,712
|
|
85,343
|
c.5)
Changes in defined benefit
liability
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Defined benefit liability at the beginning of
the year
|
1,503,966
|
|
402,927
|
|
1,906,893
|
|
1,559,008
|
|
453,344
|
|
2,012,352
|
Liability assumed after acquisition of company
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
82
|
|
-
|
|
82
|
Current service costs
|
2,811
|
|
2,761
|
|
5,572
|
|
2,682
|
|
5,720
|
|
8,402
|
Interest on actuarial liabilities
|
179,496
|
|
48,420
|
|
227,916
|
|
167,819
|
|
53,879
|
|
221,698
|
Benefits paid
|
(156,056)
|
|
(24,229)
|
|
(180,285)
|
|
(149,994)
|
|
(23,550)
|
|
(173,544)
|
Member contributions paid
|
174
|
|
-
|
|
174
|
|
94
|
|
-
|
|
94
|
Actuarial losses (gains) adjusted by experience
|
78,373
|
|
298,403
|
|
376,776
|
|
82,913
|
|
(32,368)
|
|
50,545
|
Actuarial losses (gains) adjusted by demographic
assumptions
|
-
|
|
(81,144)
|
|
(81,144)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Actuarial losses (gains) adjusted by financial
assumptions
|
155,102
|
|
120,504
|
|
275,606
|
|
(158,638)
|
|
(54,098)
|
|
(212,736)
|
Defined benefit liability at the end of the year
|
1,763,866
|
|
767,642
|
|
2,531,508
|
|
1,503,966
|
|
402,927
|
|
1,906,893
|
c.6)
Changes in the fair
value of plan assets
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of
the year
|
2,178,182
|
|
529,485
|
|
2,707,667
|
|
2,647,155
|
|
56,690
|
|
2,703,845
|
Asset acquired on acquisition of company
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,083
|
|
-
|
|
2,083
|
Benefits paid
|
(149,521)
|
|
(24,229)
|
|
(173,750)
|
|
(142,965)
|
|
(19,688)
|
|
(162,653)
|
Participants contributions paid
|
174
|
|
-
|
|
174
|
|
94
|
|
-
|
|
94
|
Sponsor contributions paid
|
2,027
|
|
31
|
|
2,058
|
|
2,106
|
|
31
|
|
2,137
|
Interest income on plan assets
|
264,761
|
|
65,015
|
|
329,776
|
|
291,069
|
|
22,845
|
|
313,914
|
Return on plan assets excluding interest income
|
407,970
|
|
97,691
|
|
505,661
|
|
11,581
|
|
(163,334)
|
|
(151,753)
|
Transfers of reserves between plans
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(632,941)
|
|
632,941
|
|
-
|
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year
|
2,703,593
|
|
667,993
|
|
3,371,586
|
|
2,178,182
|
|
529,485
|
|
2,707,667
|
c.7)
Changes in assets limitation
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
|
Post-retirement pension
plans
|
|
Post-retirement health
plans
|
|
Total
|
Asset Limitation at the beginning of the year
|
721,123
|
|
156,270
|
|
877,393
|
|
1,132,969
|
|
-
|
|
1,132,969
|
Interest on the asset limitation
|
90,543
|
|
19,580
|
|
110,123
|
|
127,779
|
|
5,729
|
|
133,508
|
Changes in the assets limitation, except interest
|
182,088
|
|
(10,897)
|
|
171,191
|
|
(541,596)
|
|
150,541
|
|
(391,055)
|
Effect generated by company acquisition
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,971
|
|
-
|
|
1,971
|
Asset Limitation at the end of the
year
|
993,754
|
|
164,953
|
|
1,158,707
|
|
721,123
|
|
156,270
|
|
877,393
|
c.8)
Results projected for
2017
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
Current service cost
|
|
2,977
|
|
7,042
|
|
10,019
|
Net interest on net defined benefit liability/asset
|
|
5,291
|
|
29,236
|
|
34,527
|
Total
|
|
8,268
|
|
36,278
|
|
44,546
|
c.9)
Sponsoring company contributions
projected for 2017
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
Sponsor contributions
|
|
2,722
|
|
33
|
|
2,755
|
Benefits paid directly by the sponsor
|
|
6,826
|
|
4,162
|
|
10,988
|
Total
|
|
9,548
|
|
4,195
|
|
13,743
|
c.10)
Average weighted duration
of defined benefit liability
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
In 2016
|
|
8,9 years
|
|
12,7 years
|
In 2015
|
|
9 years
|
|
13,5 years
|
c.11
)
Actuarial assumptions
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
Discount rate to present value of defined benefit liability
|
|
Vivoprev and Visão: 10,9%
PBS-A, CTB, Telefônica BD and Tcoprev: 10,8%
|
|
10.9%
|
Future salary growth rate
|
|
PBS-A: N/A
CTB, Telefônica BD,
Prev and Visão: 6,2%
|
|
N/A
|
Medical expense growth rate
|
|
N/A
|
|
7.6%
|
Nominal annual adjustment rate of pension benefits
|
|
4.5%
|
|
N/A
|
Medical service eligibility age
|
|
N/A
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 5% when reaching 52
years and 10 years of contribution; 3% each subsequent year; 100% eligibility on retirement
Law No. 9656/98: 100% to 57 years
|
Estimated retirement age
|
|
PBS-A and CTB: N/A
Telefônica
BD: 57 years
Prev and Visão: 60 years
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 60 years
Law No. 9656/98: 57 years
|
Mortality table for nondisabled individuals
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and Telefônica BD:
AT-2000 Basic segregated by
gender, down-rated by 10%
Prev and Visão: AT-2000 Basic
segregated by gender, down-
rated by 50%
|
|
AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 10%
|
Mortality table for disabled individuals
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and PBS: RP-2000 Disabled
Female, down-rated
by 40%
Prev and Visão: RP-2000 Disabled Male
|
|
PAMA and PCE: RP-2000 Disabled Male
Law No. 9656/98: AT-2000 Basic segregated
by gender, down-
rated by 10%
|
Disability table
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and Telefônica BD:
Mercer Disability
Prev and Visão: Light-Fraca, down rated
by 30%
|
|
Mercer Disability
|
Turnover
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and Telefônica BD:
N/A
Prev and Visão: Turnover experience
in VISÃO plans (2008 to
2011)
|
|
PAMA and PCE: N/A
Law No. 9656/98: Turnover experience
in VISÃO plans (2008 to
2011)
|
Further to the assumptions stated
above, other assumptions common to all plans were adopted in 2016 as follows:
|
·
|
Long-term inflation
rate 4,5%; and
|
|
·
|
Annual increase
in the use of medical services according to age: 4.0%.
|
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
Discount rate to present value of defined benefit liability
|
|
Prev (except TCOPrev) and Visão: 12,7%
PBS-A, CTB, PBS and Prev (TCOPrev): 12,6%
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 12,5% Law No. 9656/98: 13,6%
|
Long term inflation rate
|
|
5.0%
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 5,0% Law No. 9656/98: 6,0%
|
Future salary growth rate
|
|
PBS-A: N/A CTB, PBS, Prev and Visão: 6,7%
|
|
N/A
|
Medical expense growth rate
|
|
N/A
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 8,2% Law No. 9656/98: 9,2%
|
Annual increase in use of healthcare services according to age
|
|
4.0%
|
|
PAMA and PCE: 4,0% Law No. 9656/98: From 0 to 24 years: 0,50%
From 25 to 54 years: 2,00%
From 55 to 79 years: 4,50%
Over 80 years: 3,00%
|
Nominal annual adjustment rate of pension benefits
|
|
5.0%
|
|
N/A
|
Medical service eligibility age
|
|
N/A
|
|
PAMA e CTB: 5% when reaching 52 years and 10 years of contribution; 3% each subsequent year; 100% eligibility on retirement Law No. 9656/98: 100% to 60 years
|
Estimated retirement age
|
|
PBS-A and CTB: N/A PBS: 57 years Prev and Visão: 60 years
|
|
60 years
|
Mortality table for nondisabled individuals
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and PBS: AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 10% Prev and Visão: AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 50%
|
|
PAMA and CTB: AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 10% Law No. 9656/98: AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 50%
|
Mortality table for disabled individuals
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and PBS: RP-2000 Disabled Female, down-rated by 40% Prev and Visão: RP-2000 Disabled Male
|
|
PAMA and PCE: RP-2000 Disabled Female, down-rated by 40% Law No. 9656/98: AT-2000 Basic segregated by gender, down-rated by 50%
|
Disability table
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and PBS: Mercer Disability Prev and Visão: Light-Fraca, down rated by 30%
|
|
PAMA and CTB: Mercer Disability Law No. 9656/98: Light-Fraca, down rated by 30%
|
Turnover
|
|
PBS-A, CTB and PBS: N/A Prev and Visão: Turnover experience in VISÃO plans (2008 to 2011)
|
|
PAMA and PCE: N/A Law No. 9656/98: Turnover experience in VISÃO plans (2011 to 2014)
|
c.12)
Changes in actuarial
assumptions in relation to the prior year
In order to adjust some actuarial
assumptions to the economic and demographic reality, a study was conducted for the plans administered by Visão Prev and
Sistel, which adopted the definition of the assumptions in their Deliberative Councils.
The main economic and financial
assumptions that have changed in relation to the previous fiscal year and that interfere with the defined benefit liability are:
(i) rates for discount to present value of the defined benefit liability; (ii) long-term inflation rate; (iii) rate of future wage
growth; (iv) rate of growth of medical costs; and (v) annual nominal index of adjustment of social security benefits.
The impacts on the plans’
defined benefit liabilities due to the new definition of the actuarial assumptions are as follows:
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
Defined benefit liability, based on current actuarial assumptions
|
|
1,763,866
|
|
767,642
|
|
2,531,508
|
Defined benefit liability, based on prior-year actuarial assumptions
|
|
1,608,764
|
|
728,282
|
|
2,337,046
|
Difference from change in actuarial assumptions
|
|
155,102
|
|
39,360
|
|
194,462
|
c.13)
Sensitivity analysis
for actuarial assumptions
The Company believes that the
significant actuarial assumptions with reasonable likelihood of variation due to financial and economic scenarios, which could
significantly change the amount of the defined benefit obligation, are the discount rate used to adjust the defined benefit liability
to present value and the rate of growth of medical costs.
Sensitivity analysis of the
defined benefit liability for scenarios involving a 0.5% increase and a 0.5% decrease in the discount rate used to discount the
defined benefit liability to present value is as follows:
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value at current rate
|
|
1,763,866
|
|
767,642
|
|
2,531,508
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value considering a rate increased by 0.5%
|
|
1,694,847
|
|
716,514
|
|
2,411,361
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value considering a rate decreased by 0.5%
|
|
1,838,333
|
|
824,790
|
|
2,663,123
|
The following is a sensitivity
analysis on the defined benefit obligation for scenarios of 1% increase and 1% reduction in the rate of growth of medical costs:
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value at current rate
|
|
1,763,866
|
|
767,642
|
|
2,531,508
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value considering a rate increased by 0.5%
|
|
1,694,847
|
|
716,514
|
|
2,411,361
|
Defined benefit liability, discounted to present value considering a rate decreased by 0.5%
|
|
1,838,333
|
|
824,790
|
|
2,663,123
|
c.14)
Allocation of plan
assets
|
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
Investments with market value quoted in active market:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed income investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Treasury Note (NTN)
|
1,769,606
|
|
553,515
|
|
1,507,016
|
|
450,062
|
Treasury Financial Letter (LFT)
|
229,793
|
|
114,478
|
|
183,484
|
|
79,423
|
Repurchase operations
|
134,863
|
|
-
|
|
111,863
|
|
-
|
Bank Deposit Certificates (CDB)
|
36,744
|
|
-
|
|
37,333
|
|
-
|
Financial bills
|
30,588
|
|
-
|
|
4,638
|
|
-
|
Debentures
|
12,843
|
|
-
|
|
3,064
|
|
-
|
National Treasury Notes (LTN)
|
1,895
|
|
-
|
|
10
|
|
-
|
FIDC shares / Others
|
6,449
|
|
-
|
|
2,824
|
|
-
|
Variable income investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in energy sector
|
246,400
|
|
-
|
|
108,479
|
|
-
|
Investments in food and beverage industry
|
45,054
|
|
-
|
|
43,865
|
|
-
|
Investments in aerospace sector
|
28,947
|
|
-
|
|
26,955
|
|
-
|
Investments in mining sector
|
2,581
|
|
-
|
|
2,055
|
|
-
|
Investments in other sectors
(1)
|
9,207
|
|
-
|
|
5,409
|
|
-
|
Real estate investments
|
121,176
|
|
-
|
|
107,818
|
|
-
|
Loans to participants
|
23,562
|
|
-
|
|
26,955
|
|
-
|
Structured investments
|
224
|
|
-
|
|
4,492
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments with market value not quoted in active market:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans to participants
|
1,850
|
|
-
|
|
1,898
|
|
-
|
Structured investments
|
1,811
|
|
-
|
|
24
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
2,703,593
|
|
667,993
|
|
2,178,182
|
|
529,485
|
(1)
Investments in variable income in the following industries: oil, gas and biofuel; telephony; steel and metals; construction and
engineering; sales and distribution; transportation; wood and paper; education; financial services and banks; real estate, among;
others.
c.15)
Maturity of future
benefit payments
|
|
Post-retirement pension plans
|
|
Post-retirement health plans
|
|
Total
|
2017
|
|
166,392
|
|
30,305
|
|
196,697
|
2018
|
|
171,025
|
|
33,374
|
|
204,399
|
2019
|
|
175,527
|
|
36,864
|
|
212,391
|
2020
|
|
179,835
|
|
40,846
|
|
220,681
|
2021
|
|
184,956
|
|
45,384
|
|
230,340
|
2022 onwards
|
|
5,976,707
|
|
15,999,152
|
|
21,975,859
|
Total
|
|
6,854,442
|
|
16,185,925
|
|
23,040,367
|
|
33)
|
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
|
a)
Derivative financial
instruments
The derivative financial instruments
contracts at the Company are mainly intended to hedge against foreign exchange risk arising from assets and liabilities in foreign
currency, against risk of inflation of its debentures and lease indexed to the IPCA and against the risk of changes in TJLP of
a portion of debt with BNDES. There are no, derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and possible currency risks
are hedged.
Management understands that
the Company's internal controls for its derivatives are adequate to control risks associated with each strategy for the market.
Gains/losses obtained or sustained by the Company in relation to its derivatives show that its risk management has been appropriate.
The Company calculates the effectiveness
of the derivative financial instruments to hedge its financial liabilities and cash flows in foreign currency at the beginning
of the operation and on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the derivative financial instruments were effective for
the hedged items.
As long as these derivatives
financial instruments qualify for hedge accounting, the risk covered may also be adjusted to fair value, offsetting the result
of derivatives, according to the rules of hedge accounting. This hedge accounting applies both to financial liabilities and probable
cash flows in foreign currency
At December 31, 2016 and 2015,
the Company held no embedded derivatives financial instruments.
Derivatives
financial instruments
includes specific penalties for breach of contract. Breach of contract
provided for in agreements made with financial institutions leads to the early settlement thereof.
a.1)
Fair value of derivative
financial instruments
The valuation method used to
calculate the fair value of financial liabilities (if applicable) and derivative financial instruments was the discounted cash
flow method, based on expected settlements or realization of liabilities and assets at market rates prevailing at the balance sheet
date.
The fair values of positions
in Reais are calculated by projecting future inflows from transactions using BM&FBovespa yield curves discounting these flows
to present value using market DI rates for
swaps
announced by BM&FBovespa.
The market values of foreign-exchange
derivatives were obtained using the market exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and projected market rates obtained
from the currency's coupon-rate yield curves. The linear convention of 360 calendar days was used to determine coupon rates of
positions indexed in foreign currencies, while the exponential convention of 252 business days was used to determine coupon rates
for positions indexed to CDI rates.
Derivatives financial instruments
shown below are registered with Brazils’ OTC Clearing House (“CETIP”) and classified as swaps, usually, that
do not require margin deposits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated effects
from fair value
|
|
|
Notional Value
|
|
Net position at
fair value
|
|
Amount
receivable (payable)
|
Description
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Long position
|
|
2,739,524
|
|
3,154,484
|
|
2,836,207
|
|
3,674,083
|
|
212,993
|
|
498,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency
|
|
1,522,598
|
|
1,652,802
|
|
1,599,378
|
|
2,141,243
|
|
158,762
|
|
457,351
|
US$ (1) (2)
|
|
742,137
|
|
781,473
|
|
730,490
|
|
934,492
|
|
73,833
|
|
216,475
|
EUR (2)
|
|
70,064
|
|
89,118
|
|
66,959
|
|
92,566
|
|
-
|
|
2,735
|
LIBOR US$ (1)
|
|
710,397
|
|
782,211
|
|
801,929
|
|
1,114,185
|
|
84,929
|
|
238,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floating rate
|
|
898,324
|
|
1,064,647
|
|
800,097
|
|
1,030,332
|
|
31,987
|
|
19,328
|
CDI (1) (2)
|
|
254,883
|
|
172,116
|
|
138,710
|
|
173,321
|
|
3,979
|
|
7
|
TJLP (4)
|
|
643,441
|
|
892,531
|
|
661,387
|
|
857,011
|
|
28,008
|
|
19,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inflation rates
|
|
318,602
|
|
437,035
|
|
436,732
|
|
502,508
|
|
22,244
|
|
22,185
|
IPCA (3) (5)
|
|
192,318
|
|
209,051
|
|
269,817
|
|
239,099
|
|
17,998
|
|
16,248
|
IGPM (6)
|
|
126,284
|
|
227,984
|
|
166,915
|
|
263,409
|
|
4,246
|
|
5,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short position
|
|
(2,573,351)
|
|
(3,154,485)
|
|
(2,758,376)
|
|
(3,409,326)
|
|
(184,616)
|
|
(234,107)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Floating rate
|
|
(2,391,882)
|
|
(2,853,704)
|
|
(2,492,368)
|
|
(2,935,269)
|
|
(184,545)
|
|
(228,982)
|
CDI (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
|
|
(2,391,882)
|
|
(2,853,704)
|
|
(2,492,368)
|
|
(2,935,269)
|
|
(184,545)
|
|
(228,982)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency
|
|
(181,469)
|
|
(300,781)
|
|
(266,008)
|
|
(474,057)
|
|
(71)
|
|
(5,125)
|
US$ (2)
|
|
(88,710)
|
|
(161,692)
|
|
(85,356)
|
|
(167,318)
|
|
(71)
|
|
(4,472)
|
EUR (1) (2)
|
|
-
|
|
(10,424)
|
|
-
|
|
(10,612)
|
|
-
|
|
(143)
|
LIBOR US$ (1)
|
|
(92,759)
|
|
(128,665)
|
|
(180,652)
|
|
(296,127)
|
|
-
|
|
(510)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long position
|
|
|
|
|
212,993
|
|
498,864
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,943
|
|
81,306
|
|
|
|
|
Non Current
|
|
|
|
|
144,050
|
|
417,558
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short position
|
|
|
|
(184,616)
|
|
(234,107)
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
(183,212)
|
|
(151,686)
|
|
|
|
|
Non Current
|
|
|
|
|
(1,404)
|
|
(82,421)
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts receivable, net
|
|
|
|
28,377
|
|
264,757
|
|
(1)
|
Foreign currency swaps (US$ and LIBOR) x CDI (R$1,305,481) - swap transactions
for varying debt repayment dates held to hedge currency risk affecting the Company's loans in US$ (carrying amount R$1,287,864).
|
|
(2)
|
Foreign currency swaps (Euro) (R$17,512) and (US$ and CDI x US$) (R$39,119)
- maturing through March 22, 2017 to hedge currency risk affecting net amounts payable (carrying amount R$19,563 in euros) and
receivables (carrying amount R$56,359 in US$).
|
|
(3)
|
IPCA x CDI rate swaps (R$36,096) - maturing through 2019 to hedge the same
flow as the debentures (4th issue - 3rd series) indexed to the IPCA (carrying amount R$37,296).
|
|
(4)
|
TJLP x CDI swaps (R$661,387) - maturing through 2019 to hedge the risk
of TJLP variation on loan with BNDES (carrying amount R$701,611).
|
|
(5)
|
IPCA x CDI swaps (R$228,081) – maturing in 2033 to hedge risk of
change in finance lease rate pegged to IPCA (carrying amount R$235,049).
|
|
(6)
|
IGPM x CDI swaps (R$166,915) – maturing 2016 through 2018 to hedge
IGP-DI variation risk affecting regulatory commitments related to 4G license.
|
The table below shows the breakdown
of swaps maturing after December 31, 2016:
|
|
Maturing in
|
|
|
Swap contract
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020 onwards
|
|
Amount receivable
(payable) at 12/31/16
|
Foreign currency x CDI
|
|
(125,215)
|
|
64,550
|
|
39,234
|
|
-
|
|
(21,431)
|
CDI x Foreign Currency
|
|
4,162
|
|
(200)
|
|
(75)
|
|
-
|
|
3,887
|
TJLP x CDI
|
|
4,671
|
|
13,304
|
|
8,428
|
|
-
|
|
26,403
|
IPCA x CDI
|
|
(1,261)
|
|
(545)
|
|
7,980
|
|
9,097
|
|
15,271
|
IGPM x CDI
|
|
3,374
|
|
873
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
4,247
|
Total
|
|
(114,269)
|
|
77,982
|
|
55,567
|
|
9,097
|
|
28,377
|
For the purposes of preparing
its financial statements, the Company adopted the fair value hedge accounting methodology for its foreign currency swaps x CDI,
IPCA x CDI, IGPM x CDI and TJLP x CDI for hedging or financial debt. Under this arrangement, both derivatives and hedged risk are
recognized at fair value.
The ineffective portion at December
31, 2016 was R$2,091 (R$2,836 at December 31, 2015).
At December 31, 2016, 2015 and
2014, the transactions with derivatives generated negative (net) result of R$347,870 and positive of R$899,059 and R$98,329, respectively
(Note 27).
a.2)
Sensitivity analysis
to the Company’s risk variables
CVM Resolution 604/09 requires
listed companies to comply with IFRS 7 by disclosing sensitivity analyses for each type of market risk that management understands
to be significant when originated by financial instruments to which the entity is exposed at the end of each period, including
all derivatives financial instrument.
In making the above analysis,
each of the transactions with derivative financial instruments was assessed and assumptions included a probable scenario and two
others that could adversely impact the Company.
In the probable scenario the
assumption is to keep, on the maturity dates of each of the transaction, what the market had been showing through BM&FBovespa
yield curves (currencies and interest rates), as well as data available at CETIP, IBGE, Central Bank, FGV, among others. In the
probable scenario, there is no impact on the fair value of the above-mentioned derivatives. However, for scenarios II and III,
as per CVM ruling, risk variables were considered to deteriorate by 25% and 50% respectively.
Since the Company only holds
derivatives to hedge its foreign-currency assets and liabilities, changing scenarios are tracked by the corresponding hedged items,
thus showing that effects are almost non-existent. For these transactions, the Company reported the net exposure in each of the
above-mentioned three scenarios at December 31, 2016.
Sensitivity analysis - net
exposure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transaction
|
Risk
|
|
Probable
|
|
25% depreciation
|
|
50% depreciation
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (depreciation risk US$)
|
|
925,743
|
|
1,159,205
|
|
1,394,058
|
Debt in US$
|
Debt (appreciation risk US$)
|
|
(925,743)
|
|
(1,159,205)
|
|
(1,394,058)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (depreciation risk EUR)
|
|
17,519
|
|
21,899
|
|
26,278
|
Payables in EUR
|
Debt (appreciation risk EUR)
|
|
(23,848)
|
|
(29,810)
|
|
(35,772)
|
Receivables in EUR
|
Debt (depreciation risk EUR)
|
|
6,315
|
|
7,894
|
|
9,473
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
(14)
|
|
(17)
|
|
(21)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (short position)
|
Derivatives (depreciation risk US$)
|
|
(52,472)
|
|
(65,589)
|
|
(78,707)
|
Payables in US$
|
Debt (appreciation risk US$)
|
|
(84,461)
|
|
(105,577)
|
|
(126,692)
|
Receivables in US$
|
Debt (depreciation risk US$)
|
|
136,961
|
|
171,201
|
|
205,441
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
28
|
|
35
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (risk of decrease in IPCA)
|
|
379,787
|
|
478,594
|
|
579,029
|
Debt in IPCA
|
Debt (risk of increase in IPCA)
|
|
(377,733)
|
|
(475,991)
|
|
(575,869)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
2,054
|
|
2,603
|
|
3,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (risk of decrease in IGP-DI)
|
|
263,409
|
|
284,219
|
|
308,155
|
Debt in IGP-DI
|
Debt (risk of increase in IGP-DI)
|
|
(263,381)
|
|
(287,932)
|
|
(313,804)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
28
|
|
(3,713)
|
|
(5,649)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (risk of decrease in UMBND)
|
|
379,787
|
|
478,594
|
|
579,029
|
Debt in UMBND
|
Debt (risk of increase in UMBND)
|
|
(377,733)
|
|
(475,991)
|
|
(575,869)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
2,054
|
|
2,603
|
|
3,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (long position)
|
Derivatives (risk of decrease in TJLP)
|
|
661,387
|
|
678,242
|
|
696,040
|
Debt in TJLP
|
Debt (risk of increase in TJLP)
|
|
(661,434)
|
|
(678,290)
|
|
(696,090)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
(47)
|
|
(48)
|
|
(50)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge (CDI position)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge US$ and EUR (short and long position)
|
Derivatives (risk of decrease in CDI)
|
|
34,919
|
|
34,894
|
|
34,878
|
Hedge IPCA (short position)
|
Derivatives (risk of increase in CDI)
|
|
(254,544)
|
|
(253,910)
|
|
(253,931)
|
Hedge IGPM (short position)
|
Derivatives (risk of increase in CDI)
|
|
(162,669)
|
|
(162,586)
|
|
(162,586)
|
Hedge UMBND (short position)
|
Derivatives (risk of increase in CDI)
|
|
(221,465)
|
|
(223,200)
|
|
(224,967)
|
Hedge TJLP (short position)
|
Derivatives (risk of increase in CDI)
|
|
(634,985)
|
|
(634,930)
|
|
(635,150)
|
Hedge US$ (short position)
|
Derivatives (risk of increase in CDI)
|
|
(1,101,477)
|
|
(1,098,514)
|
|
(1,096,213)
|
|
Net Exposure
|
|
(2,340,221)
|
|
(2,338,246)
|
|
(2,337,969)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net exposure in each scenario
|
|
|
(2,336,118)
|
|
(2,336,783)
|
|
(2,337,327)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net effect on changes in current fair value
|
|
|
-
|
|
(665)
|
|
(1,209)
|
The assumptions used by the
Company for the sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2016 were as follows:
Sensitivity analysis assumptions
Risk Variable
|
|
Probable
|
|
25% depreciation
|
|
50% depreciation
|
US$
|
|
3.2591
|
|
4.0739
|
|
4.8887
|
EUR
|
|
3.4351
|
|
4.2939
|
|
5.1526
|
JPY
|
|
0.0279
|
|
0.0349
|
|
0.0419
|
IPCA
|
|
6.36%
|
|
7.95%
|
|
9.54%
|
IGPM
|
|
7.17%
|
|
8.97%
|
|
10.76%
|
IGP-DI
|
|
6.87%
|
|
8.59%
|
|
10.31%
|
UMBND
|
|
0.0636
|
|
0.0795
|
|
0.0954
|
URTJLP
|
|
2.0097
|
|
2.5121
|
|
3.0145
|
CDI
|
|
13.63%
|
|
17.04%
|
|
20.45%
|
For calculation of the net exposure
for the sensitivity analysis, all derivatives were considered at market value and hedged items designated for hedge for accounting
purposes were also considered at fair value.
The fair values shown in the
table above are based on the portfolio position at December 31, 2016, but do not reflect an estimate for realization due to the
dynamism of the market, which is constantly monitored by the Company. The use of different assumptions could significantly affect
the estimates.
b)
Fair value
The Company and its subsidiaries
assessed their financial assets and liabilities in relation to market values using available information and appropriate valuation
methodologies. However, both the interpretation of market data and the selection of valuation methods require considerable judgment
and reasonable estimates to produce the most adequate realization value. As a result, the estimates shown do not necessarily indicate
amounts that could be realized in the current market. The use of different assumptions for the market and/or methodologies may
have a material effect on estimated realization values. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, neither the Company not its subsidiaries
detected any significant and enduring impairment of their financial instruments.
The fair value of all assets
and liabilities are classified within the fair value hierarchy described below, based on the lowest level of information that is
significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:
Level 1:
quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2:
valuation techniques for which significant lower level of information to measure the fair value directly or indirectly
observable; and
Level 3:
valuation techniques for which the lowest and significant level of information to measure the fair value is not
available.
During years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, there were no transfers between fair value measurements of level 3 and level 1 and 2.
The following tables show the
composition of financial assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
|
|
|
|
Fair value hierarchy
|
|
Book value
|
|
Fair value
|
|
|
Classification by category
|
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
|
12/31/16
|
|
12/31/15
|
Financial Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
5,105,110
|
|
5,336,845
|
|
5,105,110
|
|
5,336,845
|
Trade accounts receivable, net (Note 6)
|
|
Loans and receivables
|
|
|
|
8,701,688
|
|
8,285,319
|
|
8,701,688
|
|
8,285,319
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
3,979
|
|
3,017
|
|
3,979
|
|
3,017
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Hedges (economic)
|
|
Level 2
|
|
64,964
|
|
78,289
|
|
64,964
|
|
78,289
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments pledged as collateral
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
78,166
|
|
109,864
|
|
78,166
|
|
109,864
|
Trade accounts receivable, net (Note 6)
|
|
Loans and receivables
|
|
|
|
305,411
|
|
330,451
|
|
305,411
|
|
330,451
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Hedges (economic)
|
|
Level 2
|
|
144,050
|
|
417,558
|
|
144,050
|
|
417,558
|
Total financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,403,368
|
|
14,561,343
|
|
14,403,368
|
|
14,561,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable (Note 16)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
7,611,246
|
|
8,373,235
|
|
7,611,246
|
|
8,373,235
|
Loans and financing (Note 21)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
1,256,147
|
|
565,700
|
|
1,363,539
|
|
651,426
|
Loans and financing (Note 21)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
1,286,828
|
|
1,656,367
|
|
1,307,310
|
|
1,777,104
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
2,120,197
|
|
120,632
|
|
2,242,291
|
|
470,828
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
307
|
|
292
|
|
1,412
|
|
1,334
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
4,111
|
|
5,184
|
|
4,111
|
|
5,184
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Hedges (economic)
|
|
Level 2
|
|
179,101
|
|
146,502
|
|
179,101
|
|
146,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncurrent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable (Note 16)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
71,907
|
|
67,742
|
|
71,907
|
|
67,742
|
Loans and financing (Note 21)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
1,837,077
|
|
1,499,698
|
|
1,668,524
|
|
1,192,040
|
Loans and financing (Note 21)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
874,982
|
|
2,577,090
|
|
822,818
|
|
2,366,597
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
Amortized cost
|
|
|
|
1,396,813
|
|
3,299,010
|
|
1,260,814
|
|
2,942,969
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
36,990
|
|
124,780
|
|
34,124
|
|
98,862
|
Contingent consideration (Note 21)
|
|
Measured at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
Level 2
|
|
414,733
|
|
377,721
|
|
414,733
|
|
377,721
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
Hedges (economic)
|
|
Level 2
|
|
1,404
|
|
82,421
|
|
1,404
|
|
82,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,091,843
|
|
18,896,374
|
|
16,983,334
|
|
18,553,965
|
c)
Capital management
The purpose of the Company's
capital management is to ensure maintenance of a high credit rating before institutions and an optimal capital ratio in order to
support the Company's business and maximize shareholder value.
The Company manages its capital
structure by making adjustments and adapting to current economic conditions. For this purpose, the Company may pay dividends, raise
new loans, issue promissory notes and derivatives financial instruments. For the year ended December 31, 2016, there were no changes
in capital structure objectives, policies or processes.
In its net debt structure, the
Company includes balances referring to loans, financing, debentures, finance lease, contingent consideration (Note 21) and derivatives
financial instruments (Note 33), less cash and cash equivalents (Note 5) and short-term investments to secure BNB financing.
The Company’s ratio of
debt to equity consists of the following:
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
5,105,110
|
|
5,336,845
|
Loans, financing, debentures, financial lease and contingent consideration
|
|
(9,224,074)
|
|
(10,221,290)
|
Derivative financial instruments, net
|
|
28,377
|
|
264,757
|
Short-term investment pledged as collateral
|
|
10,773
|
|
38,805
|
Net debt
|
|
4,079,814
|
|
4,580,883
|
Equity
|
|
69,244,419
|
|
68,567,242
|
Net debt-to-equity ratio
|
|
5.89%
|
|
6.68%
|
d)
Risk management policy
The Company and its subsidiaries
are exposed to several market risks as a result of its commercial operations, debts contracted to finance its activities and debt-related
financial instruments.
d.1)
Currency Risk
There is risk arising from the
possibility that the Company may incur losses due to fluctuating exchange rates, which add to costs arising from loans denominated
in foreign currencies.
At December 31, 2016, 14.0%
of financial debt was foreign-currency denominated (16.5% at December 31, 2015). The Company enters into derivative financial instruments
(currency hedge) with financial institutions to hedge against exchange rate variation affecting its total indebtedness in foreign
currency (R$1,287,864 and R$1,681,968 at 31 December 2016 and 2015, respectively). Its total debt on these dates was covered by
asset positions in currency-exchange hedge transactions with CDI-rate swaps.
There is also foreign exchange
risk for non-financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which may generate a smaller amount receivable
or larger amount payable depending on the exchange rate in the period.
Hedging transactions were engaged
to minimize the risks associated with exchange-rate variation of non-financial assets and liabilities in foreign currencies. This
balance is subject to daily changes due to the dynamics of the business. However, the Company intends to cover the net balance
of these rights and obligations (US$17,293 thousand receivable and €5,695 thousand payable by December 31, 2016 and US$32,030
thousand and €19,079 thousand payable by December 31, 2015) to mitigate its foreign exchange risks.
d.2)
Interest and Inflation
Risk
This risk arises because the
Company may incur losses in the event of an unfavorable change in the domestic interest rate, which may adversely affect financial
expenses resulting from the portion of debentures referenced to the CDI and liability positions in derivatives (currency hedge,
IPCA and TJLP) pegged to floating interest rates (CDI).
The debt with BNDES is indexed
to the Long-Term Interest Rate (TJLP), which is set on a quarterly basis by the National Monetary Council. In March 2015, the National
Monetary Council decided to increase the annual rate to 6.00% from April 1 to June 30, 2015. The TJLP rose 0.50 percentage points
from the previous annual rate of 5.50%. In the course of 2015, the TJLP was raised to 6.5% for the period from July to September
and to 7.0% for the period from October to December. In 2016, the TJLP was raised to 7.5%.
Inflation risk arises from the
Minas Comunica debentures of the 1
st
issue, which are tied to the IPCA and thus may adversely affect financial expenses
in the event of an unfavorable change in this index.
To reduce exposure to the variable
interest rate (CDI), the Company and its subsidiaries invested their cash equivalents of R$4,906,741 at December 31, 2016 (R$5,103,103
at December 31, 2015), mostly in short-term CDI-based financial investments (Bank Deposit Certificates). The carrying amounts of
these instruments approach their fair values, since they may be redeemed in short term.
d.3)
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the possibility
of the Company or its subsidiaries not holding sufficient funds to meet their commitments due to different currencies and dates
of realization of rights and settlement of obligations.
The Company structure the maturity
dates of non-derivative financial instruments, as shown in Note 21, and their respective derivatives, as shown in the schedule
of payments disclosed in this note, to avoid affecting their liquidity.
The Company cash flow and liquidity
and those of its subsidiaries are managed on a daily basis by the departments in charge to ensure that operating cash flows and
prior funding, when necessary, will be sufficient to meet their schedule of commitments in order to avoid liquidity risk.
Below, we summarize the maturity
profile of our financial liabilities as set forth in loan agreements:
At 12.31.16
|
|
Less than one year
|
|
From 1 to 2 years
|
|
From 2 to 5 years
|
|
Over 5 years
|
|
Total
|
Trade accounts payable (Note 16)
|
|
7,611,246
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
71,907
|
|
7,683,153
|
Loans, financing and finance lease (Note 21)
|
|
2,542,975
|
|
1,129,939
|
|
1,326,269
|
|
255,851
|
|
5,255,034
|
Contingent consideration (Note 21)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
414,733
|
|
414,733
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
2,120,504
|
|
1,355,683
|
|
78,120
|
|
-
|
|
3,554,307
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
183,212
|
|
1,185
|
|
97
|
|
122
|
|
184,616
|
Total
|
|
12,457,937
|
|
2,486,807
|
|
1,404,486
|
|
742,613
|
|
17,091,843
|
At 12.31.15
|
|
Less than one year
|
|
From 1 to 2 years
|
|
From 2 to 5 years
|
|
Over 5 years
|
|
Total
|
Trade accounts payable (Note 16)
|
|
8,373,235
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
67,742
|
|
8,440,977
|
Loans, financing and finance lease (Note 21)
|
|
2,222,067
|
|
1,920,416
|
|
1,804,220
|
|
352,152
|
|
6,298,855
|
Contingent consideration (Note 21)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
377,721
|
|
377,721
|
Debentures (Note 21)
|
|
120,924
|
|
1,999,645
|
|
1,410,270
|
|
13,875
|
|
3,544,714
|
Derivative financial instruments (Note 33)
|
|
151,686
|
|
64,692
|
|
4,157
|
|
13,572
|
|
234,107
|
Total
|
|
10,867,912
|
|
3,984,753
|
|
3,218,647
|
|
825,062
|
|
18,896,374
|
d.4)
Credit Risk
The risk arises from the possibility
of the Company and its subsidiaries incurring losses due to difficulty in receiving amounts billed to their customers and sales
of prepaid handsets and cards that have been pre-activated for the distribution network.
The credit risk on accounts
receivable is diversified and mitigated by strict control of the customer base. The Company constantly monitors the level of accounts
receivable from postpaid services, and limits bad-debt risk by cutting off access to telephone lines if bills are past due. The
mobile customer base predominantly uses the prepaid system, which requires purchase of credits beforehand and therefore does not
pose credit risk. Exceptions are made for telecommunications services that must be maintained for security or national defense
reasons.
Credit risk on sales of pre-activated
prepaid handsets and cards is managed by a conservative policy for granting credit, using modern credit scoring methods, analyzing
financial statements and consultations to commercial databases, in addition to requesting guarantees.
The Company and its subsidiaries
are also subject to credit risk arising from their investments, letters of guarantee received as collateral for certain transactions
and receivables from derivative financial instruments. The Company and its subsidiaries control the credit limits granted to each
counterpart and diversify this exposure across first tier financial institutions as per current credit policies of financial counterparties.
d.5)
Social and Environmental Risks
Our operations and properties
are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that, among others, govern environmental licenses and records, protection
of fauna and flora, air emissions, waste management and remediation of contaminated sites. If we fail to meet present and future
requirements, or to identify and manage new or existing contamination, we will incur in significant costs, which include cleaning
costs, damages, compensation, fines, activities suspension and other penalties, investments to improve our facilities or change
our processes, or interruption of operations. The identification of environmental conditions not currently identified, more stringent
inspections by regulatory agencies, the entry into force of more stringent laws and regulations or other unanticipated events may
occur and, ultimately, result in significant environmental liabilities and their costs. The occurrence of any of the above factors
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. According to Article 75 of
Law No. 9605 of 1998, the maximum fine per breach of environmental law is R$50,000,000 (fifty million reais).
From the social point of view,
we are exposed to contingent liabilities due to the fact that our structure provides for the hiring of outsourced service providers.
These potential liabilities may involve labor claims by service providers which are treated as direct employees and claim joint
liability resulting from overtime and occupational accidents. If we obtain unfavorable decision with respect to a significant portion
of these contingencies and if we have not recognized a provision for these risks, our financial position and results of operations
may be adversely affected. In addition, if the labor authorities consider that outsourcing services involves core activities of
the company, this could be considered employment relationship, which would significantly increase
our costs and therefore subject the Company to administrative proceedings and, payment of fines to third parties.
d.6)
Other Risks
The Company is required to comply
with Brazilian anti-corruption laws and regulations, as well as laws and regulations on the same subject in jurisdictions where
it has its securities traded. In particular, the Company is subject, in Brazil, to the Law nº 12.846/2013 and, in the United
States, to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
Although the Company has internal
policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the aforementioned anti-corruption laws and regulations, there can be
no assurance that such policies and procedures will be sufficient or that the Company’s employees, directors, officers,
partners, agents and service providers will not take actions in violation of the Company’s policies and procedures (or otherwise
in violation of the relevant anti-corruption laws and regulations) for which the Company or they may be ultimately held responsible.
Violations of anti-corruption laws and regulations could lead to financial penalties, damage to the Company’s reputation
or other legal consequences that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and
financial condition.
In connection with the above-mentioned
policies, the Company is currently conducting an internal investigation - which is part of a broader investigation being conducted
by the controlling shareholder of the Company (Telefónica, S.A.) - regarding possible violations of the abovementioned laws
and regulations. The Company is in contact with governmental authorities about this matter and intends to cooperate with
those authorities as the investigation continues. It is not possible at this time to predict the scope or duration of this
matter or its likely outcome.
|
34)
|
COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES (RENTALS)
|
The Company and its subsidiaries
lease equipment, facilities, and several stores, administrative buildings, and sites (containing radio-base stations and towers),
through several non-cancellable operating agreements maturing on different dates, with monthly payments.
At December 31, 2016, the total
amounts corresponding to the full period of the contracts were as follows:
Up to 1 year
|
|
2,102,820
|
From 1 to 5 years
|
|
7,527,672
|
Over five years
|
|
6,589,535
|
Total
|
|
16,220,027
|
35)
PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED OR REVIEWED)
The Company presents below its
unaudited pro forma income statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, related to the acquisition of GVTPart.
|
Telefônica
Brasil for the year ended 12.31.15
|
|
GVTPart. for the
four-month period ended 04.30.15
|
|
Pro Forma Adjustments
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
Telefônica
Brasil Pro Forma
|
Net operating revenue
|
40,286,815
|
|
1,899,512
|
|
-
|
|
(52,644)
|
|
42,133,683
|
Cost of services provided and goods sold
|
(20,388,376)
|
|
(991,472)
|
|
(51,759)
|
|
52,644
|
|
(21,378,963)
|
Gross profit
|
19,898,439
|
|
908,040
|
|
(51,759)
|
|
0
|
|
20,754,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (expenses)
|
(14,658,841)
|
|
(564,646)
|
|
(136,695)
|
|
0
|
|
(15,360,182)
|
Selling expenses
|
(11,962,177)
|
|
(407,697)
|
|
(131,170)
|
|
-
|
|
(12,501,044)
|
General and administrative expenses
|
(2,142,459)
|
|
(154,055)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(2,296,514)
|
Other operating revenues (expenses), net
|
(554,205)
|
|
(2,894)
|
|
(5,525)
|
|
-
|
|
(562,624)
|
Operating income
|
5,239,598
|
|
343,394
|
|
(188,454)
|
|
0
|
|
5,394,538
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income (expenses), net
|
(848,178)
|
|
(260,520)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,108,698)
|
Equity pick-up
|
2,036
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
2,036
|
Income before taxes
|
4,393,456
|
|
82,874
|
|
(188,454)
|
|
0
|
|
4,287,876
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and social contribution taxes
|
(973,207)
|
|
(30,492)
|
|
47,100
|
|
-
|
|
(956,599)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for the year
|
3,420,249
|
|
52,382
|
|
(141,354)
|
|
0
|
|
3,331,277
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (in R$)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.10
|
Basic and diluted earnings per preferred
share (in R$)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.30
|
Notes to the income statements
a)
Basis of preparation of income statements
The historical financial information for
the Company and GVTPart., as used in the preparation of these income statements, was obtained from the historical financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2015.
These pro forma financial reports should
be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of the companies involved.
The income statements reflect the effects
of acquiring 100% of the share capital of GVTPart. and have been prepared and presented solely for information purposes assuming
the acquisition of GVTPart. to have taken place on January 1, 2015.
The income statements should not be used
as an indication of future consolidated quarterly statements or taken as the Company’s income statements.
b)
Pro forma adjustments
The income statements were prepared
and presented based on each company's historical quarterly financial statements and pro forma adjustments were determined based
on assumptions and estimates, which we believe are reasonable.
The adjustments shown in the
income statements reflect: (i) depreciation of surplus value (capital loss) of property and equipment; (ii) amortization of surplus
value (capital loss) of intangible assets; (iii) amortizations of trademark; (iv) amortizations of the customer base; (v) Income
tax (25%) and social contribution tax (9%) and (vi) inter-company eliminations as shown below:
|
|
Group in Income Statements
|
|
2015
|
Depreciation of added (excluded) value from P&E acquired
|
|
(1)
|
|
(8,367)
|
Amortization of added (excluded) value from P&E acquired
|
|
(1)
|
|
(2,148)
|
Amortization of trademark
|
|
(2)
|
|
(13,111)
|
Amortization of customer portfolio
|
|
(2)
|
|
(114,905)
|
Other
|
|
(1) / (2)
|
|
(49,923)
|
Deferred taxes (income and social contribution taxes)
|
|
(3)
|
|
47,100
|
Eliminations
|
|
(4)
|
|
52,644
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts recognized as “Costs of sales and services”;
|
|
(2)
|
Amounts recognized as “Selling expenses”;
|
|
(3)
|
Income and social contribution taxes on adjustments;
|
|
(4)
|
Amounts recognized as “Net operating revenue” and “Cost
of sales and services”, basically related to interconnection and network use.
|
36)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CASH FLOWS
The
main transactions of investments and financing that do not involve cash are as follows:
|
|
12.31.16
|
|
12.31.15
|
|
12.31.14
|
Acquisition of assets through financial leases
|
|
(61,866)
|
|
(74,784)
|
|
(8,269)
|
Authorization licenses
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,112,818)
|
Total
|
|
(61,866)
|
|
(74,784)
|
|
(1,121,087)
|
37) SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
a)
Partial
payment of 700 MHz licenses
On January 31,
2017, the Company paid R$858,991 to EAD, referring to the 2nd and 3rd installments of the auction of 700 MHz national frequency
bands for the provision of SMP, performed by ANATEL on September 30, 2014 (note 22).
b)
Issuance
of Debentures
At a meeting
held on January 26, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors resolved to hold the 5th issue of simple debentures, non-convertible
into shares of the Company, in a single series, unsecured, in the total amount of R$2 billion, which were subject to public placement
with restricted efforts, under a firm guarantee regime, under the terms of ICVM 476/09.
On February
8, 2017, the Company issued 200,000 debentures, with unit par value equivalent to R$10,000 (ten thousand reais). The debentures
have a maturity of 5 years and the unit par value of each debenture is not subject to monetary restatement.
Interest corresponding
to 108.25% of the accumulated variation of the CDI.
The net proceeds obtained by the Company with this issuance will be fully used for reprofiling the Company's financial liabilities,
taking into account the Company's ordinary management business.
c)
Interim interest on equity decided
by the Company
At a meeting held on February
13, 2017, calling upon the General Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors approved the payment of interest on equity
for the fiscal year 2017, under the terms of article 28 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, article 9 of Law No.
9249/95 and CVM Ruling No. 638/12, in the gross amount of R$180,000, equivalent to R$0.09996509791 per common share and R$0.10996160770
per preferred share, corresponding to a net amount of Withholding Income Tax (IRRF) of R$153,000, equivalent to R$0.08497033323
per common share and R$0.09346736655 per preferred share, calculated based on the net income stated in the balance sheet as of
January 31, 2017.
Payment thereof will be made
up to the end of fiscal year 2018, on a date to be set by the Board of Directors and timely communicated to the market, being paid
individually to shareholders, according to the ownership structure contained in the Company's records, through the end of day February
24, 2017.