UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2004
TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
CORSO D'ITALIA 41
ROME, ITALY 00198
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files
or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
FORM 20-F [X] FORM 40-F [ ]
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is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
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is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
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Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing
the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
YES [ ] NO [X]
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to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______
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PRESS RELEASE
TELECOM ITALIA: GBP 850 MILLION BOND OFFERING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
New bond offering to institutional investors fully appreciated by the market
Financing costs reduced as a result
Milan, June 16, 2004 - Telecom Italia announces that the benchmark bond offering announced yesterday has been successfully completed. The total issue amount for the 15-year fixed-rate note has been set at GBP 850 million.
The strong demand for this offering is a sign of the esteem in which Telecom Italia credit is held by the capital markets. This is the first public bond offering by the Telecom Italia Group on the sterling market.
Today’s transaction allows the company to refinance maturing debt at reduced interest rates and spreads, improving debt diversification in terms of currencies and investor base.
Owing to the fact that the financing cost of this issue is lower than it would have been for a euro market bond issue of similar characteristics, overall funding costs have been reduced.
The main features of the issue are as follows:
Issuer: Telecom Italia S.p.A
Amount: GBP 850 million
Issue date: 24 June 2004
Maturity: 24 June 2019
Tenor: 15 years
Coupon: 6.375% payable semi-annually
Issue price: 98.85%
Yield to maturity: 6.395%
This issue is part of the Telecom Italia EUR 10,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme, for which ABN Amro, HSBC, Lehman Brothers and the Royal Bank of Scotland have acted jointly as Lead Arrangers and Book Runners.
The notes are to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
The securities referred to in this press release have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
Telecom Italia
Media Relations
Corporate and Wireline Press Office
+3906.3688.2610
www.telecomitalia.it/stampa_uk
Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provision of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. The Press Release included in this Form 6-K contains certain forward looking statements and forecasts reflecting management's current views with respect to certain future events. The ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve its projected results is dependant on many factors which are outside of management's control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. The following important factors could cause the Telecom Italia Group's actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward- looking statements: - the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market, including competition from global and regional alliances formed by other telecommunications operators in the core domestic fixed-line and wireless markets of the Telecom Italia Group; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to introduce new services to stimulate increased usage of its fixed and wireless networks to offset declines in its fixed-line business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required price reductions, market share loss and pricing pressures generally; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve cost-reduction targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of rationalizing its non-core assets; - the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment; - the impact of the slowdown in Latin American economies and the slow recovery of economies generally on the international business of the Telecom Italia Group focused on Latin America and on its foreign investments and capital expenditures; - the continuing impact of rapid changes in technologies; - the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which the Telecom Italia Group operates; - the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates; - Telecom Italia's ability to continue the implementation of its 2002-2004 Industrial Plan, including the rationalization of its corporate structure and the disposition of Telecom Italia's interests in various companies; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to successfully achieve its debt reduction targets; - Telecom Italia's ability to successfully roll out its UMTS networks and services and to realize the benefits of its investment in UMTS licenses and related capital expenditures; - Telecom Italia's ability to successfully implement its internet strategy; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve the expected return on the significant investments and capital expenditures it has made in Latin America and in Europe; - the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for Telecom Italia's licences, goodwill or other assets; and - the impact of litigation or decreased mobile communications usage arising from actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to mobile handsets or transmission masts. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the group will achieve its projected results.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 16th, 2004
TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
BY: /s/ Carlo De Gennaro
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Carlo De Gennaro
Company Manager