UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM 20-F
 
(Mark One)
o  REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
OR
 
x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
 
OR
 
o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________
 
OR
 
o  SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File Number:  001-10579
 
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Telecommunications Company of Chile
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
 
Republic of Chile
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
Avenida Providencia 111
Santiago, Chile
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

 
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
      
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
American Depositary Shares
 
New York Stock Exchange
Series A Common Stock
 
New York Stock Exchange*
*
Listed not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
 
Series A Common Stock
873,995,447
Series B Common Stock
83,161,638
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes    o                No   x
 
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes    o                No   x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
 
Yes    x                No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer    x                    Accelerated filer     o                        Non-accelerated filer  o
 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
 
U.S. GAAP   o   International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board  x   Other  o
 
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
 
Item 17   o          Item 18    o

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).
 
Yes    o                No   x
 
 



 
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
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CERTAIN TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
 
All references to “Chile or the “Republic” are references to the Republic of Chile. All references to the “Government” are references to the Government of Chile. Unless otherwise specified, all references to “Telefónica Chile or the “Company” are references to Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A., a publicly held stock corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of Chile, and its subsidiaries. All references to “Telefónica” are references to Telefónica S.A., a publicly held stock corporation organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain that owned, directly and indirectly, 97.89% of the Companys ordinary shares at January 31, 2009. All references to “Telefónica Group” are references to Telefónica and its subsidiaries, including Telefónica Chile.
 
Unless otherwise specified, all references to “$,”US$,”U.S. dollars” and “dollars” are to United States dollars, references to “Chilean pesos,”pesos” or “Ch$” are to Chilean pesos, references to “UF” are to Unidades de Fomento, a daily-indexed Chilean peso-denominated monetary unit that takes into account the effect of the Chilean inflation rate of the previous month, and references to “UTM” are to Unidad Tributaria Mensual, a monthly-indexed Chilean peso-denominated monetary unit that takes into account the effect of the Chilean inflation rate of the month before the previous month. All references to “euros” are to the common currency of the European Union. Unless otherwise specified, all references to IFRS” are to international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (the “IASB), all references to “Chilean GAAP” are to generally accepted accounting principles in Chile and all references to U.S. GAAP” are to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. All references to theSVS” or “Chilean Securities and Exchange Commission” are to the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de Chile.
 
 
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
This Annual Report contains the audited consolidated balance sheets of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008 (collectively, the “Audited Consolidated Financial Statements” or “Financial Statements”), which were audited by Ernst & Young Ltda.
 
Since January 1, 2008, the Companys consolidated financial statements are and will be prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as published by the IASB.
 
The Companys consolidated financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements was restated in accordance with IFRS. See Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
As permitted by IFRS, the Company maintained the restatement of adjustments since January 1, 2004, the same date used as the transition date to IFRS by Telenica, the Companys parent company.
 
IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Chilean GAAP. As a result, the Companys financial information presented under IFRS is not directly comparable to its financial information presented under Chilean GAAP, and readers should avoid such a comparison. Merely for the convenience of the reader, translations of certain amounts into dollars at a specified rate have been included. Unless otherwise specified, or unless the context otherwise requires, the U.S. dollar equivalent for information in Chilean pesos is based on the exchange rate (the “Observed Exchange Rate”) reported by Banco Central de Chile (the “Central Bank”) that is computed, for any date, by averaging the exchange rates of the previous business days transactions in Chiles Mercado Cambiario Formal (the “Formal Exchange Market”). On January 2, 2009, the Central Bank reported that the Observed Exchange Rate with reference to December 31, 2008, the last business day in 2008 for which an exchange rate was reported, was Ch$636.45 per US$1.00. Telefónica Chile does not represent that the Chilean peso or U.S. dollar amounts in this Annual Report actually represent, or could have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars or Chilean pesos, as the case may be, at the rates indicated, or at any particular rate or at all. See “Item 3. Key InformationExchange Rates” for information regarding historical rates of exchange in Chile from January 1, 2004.  Unless otherwise specified, references to the depreciation or the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar are in nominal terms (without adjusting for inflation), based on the Observed Exchange Rates for the relevant period.
 
 
 
1

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
 
This Annual Report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Some of these forward-looking statements include forward-looking phrases such as “anticipates,”believes,”could,”estimates,”expects,”foresees,”intends,” may,”should” or “will continue,” or similar expressions or the negatives thereof or other variations on these expressions, or similar terminology, or discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. These statements also include descriptions in connection with, among other things:
 
 
·
the Companys business development plans and strategies, including its asset growth, cost-saving and financing plans;
 
 
·
new offerings of services and acquisitions of licenses, and anticipated demand related to such new services and licenses;
 
 
·
the future impact of competition;
 
 
·
economic and political developments in Chile;
 
 
·
the effects of inflation and currency volatility on the Companys financial condition and results of operations;
 
 
·
the outcome of regulatory proceedings in which the Company is involved, including its litigation with the State of Chile;
 
 
·
the Companys unionized employees;
 
 
·
trends affecting the Companys financial condition or results of operations; and
 
 
·
regulations affecting the Companys business, including tariff decrees, new rulings, concession and licenses.
 
Such statements reflect the Companys current views regarding future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that forward-looking statements may express or imply, such as, for example:
 
 
·
changes in regulations and laws;
 
 
·
the Companys ability to implement its cost and expenses control plans and its investment program, including its ability to arrange financing where required;
 
 
·
the nature and extent of future competition and technological development;
 
 
·
political, economic and demographic developments in Chile; and
 
 
·
other risks and uncertainties, some of which are described in more detail in “Item 3. Key InformationRisk Factors,”Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”
 
If one or more of these risks or uncertainties affects future events and circumstances, or if underlying assumptions do not materialize, actual results may vary materially from those described in this Annual Report as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company has no plans to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set out in this Annual Report and have no obligation to update any such statements.
 


 
PART I
 
ITEM 1.                      IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 2.                      OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 3.                      KEY INFORMATION
 
A.           Selected Financial Data
 
The following table presents selected financial data as of December 31, 2008 and the previous year. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and other financial information included herein.
 
Since January 1, 2008, the Companys consolidated financial statements are and will be prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
 
The Companys consolidated financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements was restated in accordance with IFRS. See Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
 
As permitted by IFRS, the Company maintained the restatement of adjustments since January 1, 2004, the same date used as the transition date to IFRS by Telefónica, the Companys parent company.
 
IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Chilean GAAP. As a result, the Companys financial information presented under IFRS is not directly comparable to its financial information presented under Chilean GAAP, and readers should avoid such a comparison.
 

 
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos
for the years ended December 31)
   
(in millions of
U.S. dollars)
 
Income Statement:
                 
Revenues
    696,300       738,731       1,160.7  
Other operating income
    9,059       28,131       44.2  
Employee expenses
    (86,268 )     (101,029 )     (158.7 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (181,591 )     (167,573 )     (263.3 )
Other miscellaneous operating expenses
    (357,908 )     (411,078 )     (647.6 )
Financial expenses (net)
    (11,044 )     (27,009 )     (42.4 )
Participation in profit of associates accounted for using equity method
    1,783       1,607       2.5  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (29,793 )     (7,504 )     (11.8 )
Profit Before Taxes
    40,536       54,276       85.3  
Income Taxes
    (8,980 )     (6,369 )     (10.0 )
Profit for the Year
    31,556       47,907       75.2  
Minority Interest
    (91     (69     (0.1
Profit attributable to equity holders of instruments of the parent
    31,647       47,975       75.4  
Earnings per ADS (US$)(1)(3)
    0.21       0.31        
Earnings per Share (Ch$)(1)
    33.0       50.1        
Dividend per Share(2)
    19.4       11.3       0.02  
 
 
 
3

 

 
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos
for the years ended December 31)
   
(in millions of
U.S. dollars)
 
Dividends per ADS (US$)(3)
    0.12       0.07        
Weighted Average Number of  Shares Outstanding
    957,157,085       957,157,085        
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
                       
Cash and cash and equivalents
    73,084       71,555       112.4  
Property, plant and equipment
    1,028,281       1,011,577       1,589.4  
Total Assets
    1,463,544       1,485,456       2,333.9  
Current liabilities
    339,000       398,659       626.4  
Non-current liabilities
    503,395       482,058       757.4  
Net cash flows used in financing activities      68,770       51,499       80.9  
Total equity attributable to Shareholders of parent
    621,149       604,739       950.2  
Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
                       
Net cash flows from operating activities
    228,958       178,137       279.9  
Net cash flows used in investing activities
    128,237       128,167       201.4  
Capital Stock      737,179       697,936       1,096.6  
Capital Expenditures (4)
    141,304       147,989       232.5  
 

(1)
Basic earnings (loss) per share have been computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period presented.
 
(2)
Dividends paid represents the amount of dividends paid in the periods indicated.
 
(3)
Calculated on the basis that each ADS represents four shares of Series A Common Stock. Dividends represent an amount equal to the interim dividends declared for each year and the final dividend for the preceding year declared in April of each year. See “Item 8. Financial InformationDividend Policy and Dividends.”
 
(4)
Represents the amount disbursed in each year, irrespective of the year in which the investment was made.
 
The following table presents selected financial data expressed in Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2007 for the three previous years, in accordance with the Consolidated Financial Statements presented to the SEC in the form 20-F for the year 2007, which were prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP.  The following selected consolidated financial data was affected by certain changes in the Companys corporate structure during the years presented. In particular, the data for 2004 reflects the divestiture and deconsolidation of the Companys mobile subsidiary Telefónica Móvil pursuant to its sale in July 2004.
 
   
2004 (1)
   
2005
   
2006
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos
for the year ended December 31, 2007)
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                 
Chilean GAAP
                 
Operating Revenues
    798,488       636,779       619,917  
Operating Costs and Expenses
    (504,908 )     (409,073 )     (400,629 )
Administrative and Selling Costs
    (180,959 )     (132,200 )     (130,550 )
Operating Results
    112,619       95,505       88,738  
Interest Income
    10,549       8,755       4,765  
Interest Expense, Net of Capitalized Interest
    (61,406 )     (32,350 )     (20,922 )
Price Level Restatement and Exchange Differences(1)
    10,204       3,181       715  
Other non-operating income, net(7)
    353,258       (10,828 )     (16,469 )
Income before Income Taxes
    425,223       64,264       56,826  
Income Taxes
    (70,883 )     (36,616 )     (31,790 )
Net Income (loss)
    354,019       27,615       25,081  
Dividends Paid(2)
    720,073       126,916       25,800  
Chilean GAAP earnings (loss) per Share(3)
    369.87       28.85       26.20  
Earnings per ADS(4)
    1,479.48       115.40       104.80  
Dividends per Share(5)
    752.3       13.60       26.95  
Dividends per ADS(4)
    3,009.22       530.39       107.82  
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding
    957,157,085       957,157,085       957,157,085  
 
 
 
4

 
 
   
 2004 (1)
   
2005
   
 2006
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos
for the year ended December 31, 2007)
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                 
U.S. GAAP
                 
Net Income (loss) in accordance with U.S. GAAP
    22,788.1       50,042.0       43,705.9  
Net income (loss) from continuing operations*
    24,209.0       50,042.0       43,705.9  
Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations*
    (1,420.9 )     -       -  
Number of Shares
    957,157,085       957,157,085       957,157,085  
Net Income (loss) in accordance with U.S. GAAP per Share
    23.81       52.28       45.66  
Net Income (loss) from continuing operations per Share
    25.29       52.28       45.66  
Net Income (loss) from discontinuing operations per Share
    (1.48212 )     -       -  
Balance Sheet Data:
                       
Chilean GAAP
                       
Current Assets
    479,776       349,041       315,448  
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
    1,570,989       1,426,066       1,330,430  
Other Assets
    101,580       101,229       87,771  
Total Assets
    2,152,345       1,876,336       1,733,648  
Total Long-Term Debt (including Current Maturities)(8)
    636,492       550,875       431,308  
Total Shareholders Equity
    1,118,843       1,014,943       967,417  
U.S. GAAP
                       
Total Assets
    2,157,075       1,876,029       1,744,700  
Shareholders Equity
    981,161       882,845       855,992  
Paid in Capital
    1,000,817       1,000,817       956,821  
Other Data:
                       
Capital Expenditures(6)
    92,404       79,024       117,629  


* The Company has revised its amounts previously presented under U.S. GAAP to reclassify its discontinued operations for the sale of Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. in 2004. These revised numbers are unaudited. Under Chilean GAAP, the Company is not required to restate or reclassify financial information presented in previous years to reflect significant divestures. For purposes of U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to eliminate the results of operations of certain divested operations from those of its continuing operations in presenting its U.S. GAAP results. See Note 37 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(1)
The Company has revised its amounts previously presented under U.S. GAAP to reclassify its discontinued operations for the sale of Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. in 2004. These revised numbers are unaudited. Under Chilean GAAP, the Company is not required to restate or reclassify financial information presented in previous years to reflect significant divestures. For purposes of U.S. GAAP, the Company is required to eliminate the results of operations of certain divested operations from those of its continuing operations in presenting its U.S. GAAP results.
 
(2)
Dividends paid represents the amount of dividends paid in the periods indicated.
 
(3)
Basic earnings (loss) per share have been computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period presented.
 
(4)
Calculated on the basis that each ADS represents four shares of Series A Common Stock.
 
(5)
Represents an amount equal to the interim dividends declared for each year and the final dividend for the preceding year declared in April of each year. See “Item 8. Financial InformationDividend Policy and Dividends.”
 
(6)
Represents the amount disbursed in each year, irrespective of the year in which the investment was made.
 
(7)
The Company recorded a non-operating gain associated with the sale of its subsidiary Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. to Telefónica Móviles (TEM) in July 2004.
 
(8)
Total Long-Term Debt (including Current Maturities) includes notes and accounts payable to related companies and capital lease obligations.
 

 
 
Exchange Rates
 
Chiles Ley Orgánica Constitucional del Banco Central de Chile No. 18,840 (the “Central Bank Act”), enacted in 1989, liberalized the rules that govern the purchase and sale of foreign exchange in Chile. Prior to 1989, Chilean law authorized the purchase and sale of foreign exchange only in those cases explicitly authorized by the Central Bank.
 
The Central Bank Act empowers the Central Bank to determine whether certain purchases and sales of foreign exchange must be carried out in the Formal Exchange Market, a market formed by banks and other institutions authorized by the Central Bank for that purpose. The Central Bank has ruled that certain foreign exchange transactions (including those attendant to foreign investments) may be effected only in the Formal Exchange Market. Banks and other institutions may purchase and sell foreign exchange in the Formal Exchange Market at such rates as they freely determine from time to time. The Central Bank reports an Observed Exchange Rate that is computed, for any date, by averaging the exchange rates of the previous business days transactions in the Formal Exchange Market.
 
Since 1989, the Central Bank has also set a reference exchange rate known as the lar acuerdo (“Reference Exchange Rate”) that is reset monthly, taking internal and external inflation into account, and is adjusted daily to reflect variations in the parities between the Chilean peso and each of the U.S. dollar, the euro and the Japanese yen.
 
The Central Bank Act authorized the Central Bank to carry out its transactions at rates within a specified band set around the Reference Exchange Rate. While the band was in place, the Central Bank generally carried out its transactions at the spot rate. When banks needed to buy or sell U.S. dollars from or to the Central Bank, the Central Bank made such sales at rates as high as the upper limit of the band, and such purchases at rates as low as the lower limit of the band. Banks generally carried out authorized transactions on the Formal Exchange Market at the spot rate, which usually fluctuated within the range of the band.
 
 
 
6

 
In order to keep fluctuations in the average exchange rate within the range of the band, the Central Bank of Chile in the past intervened by buying or selling foreign currency on the formal exchange market. On September 2, 1999, in order to allow for increased exchange rate flexibility, the Central Bank suspended its formal commitment to maintain the exchange rate within a specified band. The Central Bank may, however, still intervene in certain exceptional cases of exchange rate fluctuations to keep the average exchange rate within certain limits, and must inform the market of the reason for its intervention in each such event. Nonetheless, the Central Bank will continue to publish the Reference Exchange Rate as a reference for the market. Purchases and sales of foreign exchange that may be effected outside the Formal Exchange Market can be carried out in the Mercado Cambiario Informal (the “Informal Exchange Market”), a recognized currency market in Chile.
 
The following table sets forth the high, low, average and year-end Observed Exchange Rates for U.S. dollars for each year beginning with 2004 and for each of the past six months, as reported by the Central Bank. On March 31, 2009, the Observed Exchange Rate was Ch$583.26 per US$1.00.
 
   
Observed Exchange Rates(1)
(Ch$ per US$)
 
   
Low(2)
   
High(2)
   
Average(3)
   
Period-End
 
                         
Year ended December 31, 2004
    557.40       649.45       609.51       557.40  
Year ended December 31, 2005
    509.70       592.75       559.77       512.50  
Year ended December 31, 2006
    511.44       549.63       530.28       532.39  
Year ended December 31, 2007
    493.14       548.67       522.42       496.89  
Year ended December 31, 2008
    431.22       676.75       522.35       636.45  
Month ended October 31, 2008
    555.56       676.75       623.79       669.94  
Month ended November 30, 2008
    629.19       675.57       651.24       664.57  
Month ended December 31, 2008
    625.59       674.83       647.91       636.45  
Month ended January 31, 2009
    610.09       643.87       622.09       617.10  
Month ended February 28, 2009
    583.32       623.87       605.10       599.04  
Month ended March 31, 2009
    572.39       643.87       606.73       583.26  
 

Source:
Central Bank and Reuters Data Base
 
(1)
Reflects nominal pesos at historical values.
 
(2)
Exchange rates are the actual high and low for each period.
 
(3)
Corresponds to daily average rates during the period.
 
Telefónica Chile does not represent that the Chilean peso or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein actually represent the amounts that were, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Chilean pesos, as the case may be, at the rates indicated, at any particular rate or at all.
 
The Central Bank regulates the international issuance by Chilean companies of non-peso-denominated debt, including, among other things, the repatriation and exchange for pesos of the foreign currency proceeds from such offerings. See “Item 10. Additional InformationExchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders.”
 
B.           Capitalization and Indebtedness
 
Not applicable.
 
C.           Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.
 
D.           Risk Factors
 
The following discussion should be read together with this Form 20-F, including the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and the notes thereto.
 
 
 
7

 
Risks Relating to the Companys Business
 
Regulation may adversely affect revenues in certain of Telefónica Chiles businesses.
 
Tariff regulation
 
The Chilean Government has historically regulated local telephony services in Chile. The Comisión Resolutiva Antimonopolios (the “Antitrust Authority”, now known as the “Tribunal de Libre Competencia), a Chilean government agency responsible for making certain determinations relating to competitive conditions in the telecommunications industry, determined that Telefónica Chile is a dominant operator of local telephony in many geographical areas of Chile. As a result, the Company is subject to tariff decrees that regulate certain rates and fees that the Company can charge for such local telephony services in most of the country. In accordance with the telecommunications law, all telecommunications operators are subject to regulation of their access charges (the charge to telecommunications operators for accessing another operators network) which have been set at different levels depending on the operator. Consequently, costs of accessing different operators networks differ. Regulatory changes in approved access charge rates may affect the revenues for local telephony and costs of interconnections to other local operators. Similarly, interconnections to local operators represent costs for the long distance and mobile businesses. Despite the above, in January 2009, the Antitrust Authority issued an opinion recognizing that current market conditions do not justify tariff regulation regarding local telephone service (fixed and variable charge), public telephones and line connections. The Chilean telecommunications authority, the Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (“Subtel”), may confirm, modify or reject that opinion and, in any case, the Company can give no assurance that the eventual ruling, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.
 
Tariff regulation may have a significant impact on Company revenues and its ability to compete in the marketplace, as the Company is required to charge the same tariff to all clients in a designated tariff area. See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewLicenses and Tariffs.” In 2008, approximately 27% of Company revenues (including the regulated items in fixed charge, variable charge, access charges and public telephony) were from regulated business activities. The application of the local service tariffs, defined by Tariff Decree No. 169 for the period from 2004 to 2009, resulted in a minor impact in the 2004 and 2005 financial statements of Telefónica Chile. In contrast, the introduction of Tariff Decree No. 187 in May 1999 resulted in a reduction of approximately 25% in regulated revenues per line in the first year. Since 1999, the Company has sought administrative relief to correct what it believes are certain errors and illegalities in Tariff Decree No. 187. Upon denial of such relief, and having exhausted the administrative recourses available to it, in March 2002, Telefónica Chile filed a civil lawsuit for damages against the State of Chile, which is currently pending.
 
The Company can give no assurance that future tariff decrees for fixed telephony will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position, as such future tariff decrees could cause alterations in demand or traffic volume, or changes in the timing of traffic distribution from more expensive to less expensive time slots.
 
Other regulations
 
New regulations or changes in the existing regulatory model may adversely affect the Companys businesses. No assurance can be given that future regulations, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations of financial position.
 
Law No. 18,168 (as amended, and together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Telecommunications Law”) also specifies certain causes for which an operator can be sanctioned through penalties or even the termination of its public or intermediate service license, if the operator is in violation of the law or does not comply with the terms and conditions to which the license is subject. If the holder believes that its license has been terminated unlawfully, the holder may appeal the termination in Chilean courts. If a license is terminated, the holder is barred from applying for any license for a period of five years. Any such sanctions could have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations or financial position.
 
 
 
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Telefónica Chile faces intense competition.
 
Telefónica Chile faces intense competition in every aspect of its business, ranging from existing operators to new entrants. In addition, consolidation is leading to greater levels of competition.
 
In 2004, two leading cable operators merged. The combined company, VTR GlobalCom, currently leads the paid television market and is also a relevant player in broadband and fixed telephony. In the mobile telephony business, Telefónica Móviles (“TEM”) acquired Bellsouth in Chile and the mobile subsidiary of Telefónica Chile in 2004. In the same year, competition increased with the entry of new operators, primarily in the long distance and data transmission businesses. The Mexican operator Telmex, a data transmission operator, and América Móvil, a Telmex affiliate, entered the local mobile telephony market by acquiring Smartcom in August 2005. In 2007, Telmex also acquired ZAP, a local satellite television operator. Similarly, in September 2005, the local data transmission operator, GTD, acquired the local fixed operator Manquehue. In 2008, Telmex started building a hybrid fiber coaxial network with voice, broadband and pay television services. Telmex had already entered the residential segment through a bundled offer of telephony, broadband and satellite television. Its telephony and broadband services are provided over WiMax. See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyBusiness Overview AreasMarket and Competition.”
 
In the fixed local telephony market, Telefónica Chile competes with both mobile telephony and other fixed and cable telephony operators, which are not subject to the same tariff regulations as the Company and therefore may compete with different conditions. Partly as a result, the Companys market share has declined. In the corporate communications and data transmission services market, there are eight major operators in the main cities of Chile, three of which have nationwide infrastructure coverage. In the long distance services market, Telefónica Chile competes with numerous other long distance operators and with mobile telephone operators in the domestic long distance market. As a result, the Company has faced intense pricing pressure and a decreasing trend in traffic. Telefónica Chile also faces increasing competition in broadband services and in pay television services as well. The development of new technologies, such as wireless accesses like WiMax or 3G networks, deployed by mobile operators to provide wireless broadband has increased competition in the market. See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewMarket and Competition.” Increased competition or the entrance of new competitors could adversely affect the Companys results of operations, financial condition or prospects.
 
Changes in technology could affect Telefónica Chile in ways it cannot predict.
 
The telecommunications industry as a whole has traditionally been, and is likely to continue to be, subject to rapid and significant changes in technology and the related introduction of new products and services. Although the Company believes that for the foreseeable future, existing and developing technologies will not materially adversely affect the viability or competitiveness of its telecommunications business, there can be no assurance as to the effect of such technological changes on the Company or that the Company will not be required to expend substantial financial resources on the development or implementation of new competitive technologies.
 
New services and technological advances may offer additional opportunities to compete against the Company on the basis of cost, quality or functionality. It may not be practicable or cost-effective for the Company to replace or upgrade its installed technologies in response to competitors actions. Responding to such change may require the Company to devote substantial financial resources to the development, procurement or implementation of new technologies and to write off obsolete assets relating to its existing technology. If the Company chooses to purchase or invest in the development of new telecommunications technology, there can be no assurance that such new products or services will not serve as a substitute to existing products and services offered by the Company. In the past, the Company has experienced such substitution with the introduction of mobile communications service, which has contributed to the declines in number of fixed lines, volume of traffic and in domestic long distance traffic.
 
Recent trends seen outside of Chile have shown an increased use of IP technology as a substitute for traditional voice services, which are often provided at lower prices. The Telecommunications Law requires a regulation to be defined for these services to be offered to the public. Additionally, in 2006, Subtel initiated a process of public inquiry for new regulations relating to IP telephony over broadband. After receiving comments from thirty actors during the inquiry process, on June 14, 2008, Rule No. 484 regarding voice over IP services was published in the Official Gazette. Even though, such rule favors the application of regulations similar to those of public telephone
 
 
 
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services to voice over IP, use of this technology may serve as a substitute for the Companys local and long distance traffic and increase pricing pressure.
 
As a result, if the Company chooses to introduce any such new telephony products or services, it can give no assurance that the benefits of such new products and services will not be materially offset by declines in existing products and services offered by the Company or that it will be permitted to participate in that business.
 
Labor relations may negatively impact Telefónica Chile.
 
As of December 31, 2008, approximately 60% of the Companys employees were union members. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had collective bargaining agreements in place with 22 unions.
 
The Company has taken steps to maintain stable labor relations, such as the contracts for periods from three to four years that were signed after a successful collective bargaining process, as well as the agreement between the Company and its employees in order to implement a new model of labor relations, which was designed to encourage a greater degree of participation and to address the interests of workers and management alike. In 2008, a collective labor agreement was signed with the Chilean telecommunications union, SINTELFI, the largest union in terms of representation of Company employees, representing 1,605 employees. The agreement was negotiated in advance of its expiration, and modified the parameters for annual compensation and incentive adjustments, basing them on performance, productivity and alignment with business objectives. As of December 31, 2008, 92.8% of unionized employees have signed three to four year contracts.
 
However, the Company can provide no assurance that in the future it will be able to successfully negotiate new contracts on favorable terms, or that the unions involved in the negotiations will not choose to implement a labor strike or invoke Article 369 at such time. Article 369 of the Chilean Labor Code allows unions that are renewing labor agreements to freeze the conditions of the previous agreement for a period of 18 months. In addition, new regulations or changes in the existing labor laws may adversely affect the Companys businesses.
 
Telefónica is the controlling shareholder of Telefónica Chile, and thus may determine the outcome of actions requiring shareholder approval.
 
As a result of the tender offers launched by Inversiones Telefónica International Holding Limitada in September and December 2008, Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A. increased its ownership of Telefónica Chiles common stock from 44.9% to 97.89%. Telefónica Internacional Chile is a 99.9% owned subsidiary of Telefónica Chile Holding B.V., which in turn is indirectly wholly-owned by Telefónica. Consequently, Telefónica has the ability to determine the outcome of any actions requiring shareholder approval. See “Item 10. Additional InformationMemorandum and Articles of AssociationShareholders Meetings and Voting Rights.” In addition, Telefónicas equity stake in Telefónica Chile allows Telefónica to control the Companys Board of Directors. At the General Annual Shareholders Meeting held on April 13, 2007, Telefónica elected five of seven members of the Board of Directors.
 
The Company could be adversely affected if major suppliers fail to provide needed equipment and services on a timely basis.
 
The Company depends on suppliers for network infrastructure, equipment and services to satisfy its operating needs. Many suppliers rely heavily on labor; therefore, any work stoppage or labor relations problems affecting the Companys suppliers could adversely affect its operations. Suppliers may, among other things, extend delivery times, raise prices and limit supply due to their own shortages and business requirements. If these suppliers fail to deliver products and services on a timely basis that satisfies its customers demands, the Company could be negatively affected. Similarly, interruptions in the supply of telecommunications equipment for networks could impede network development and expansion.
 
The Companys historical consolidated financial and operating results may not be indicative of future performance.
 
The Company has divested subsidiaries in the past years. See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyHistory and Development of the CompanyDivestures.” In October 2008, the Company sold the assets and customer portfolio of a subsidiary, Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A., to Prosegur for a total of Ch$15,563 million. In
 
 
 
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July 2004, the Company sold its mobile subsidiary, which provided 29.2% of operating revenues in the year ended December 31, 2003, and generated Ch$13,467 million (historic value) in operating income during the same period. The sale of businesses resulted in the loss of their contributions to the Companys operating results. No assurances can be given that the Company will or will not divest of additional businesses in the future or that such divestitures will or will not affect the Companys results and access to financing. As a result, the Companys historical consolidated financial results for and as of the end of periods ending on or prior to these transactions may not be indicative of its future operating and financial performance.
 
The Company may not be successful in the development of new businesses or product innovation.
 
The Company cannot ensure the success of any new services, products or the development of new businesses in the telecommunications market or other markets, or their impact on the Companys results.
 
Certain considerations related to platforms located in other countries.
 
The Company operates in Chile and most of its systems and platforms are located within Chile. Nevertheless, the Company also relies on shared platforms within the Telefónica Group, such as SAP accounting support, and other equipment outside Chile in order to provide the pay television service. As a result, the Company cannot assure that volatility or unfavorable economic, political and social conditions outside Chile will not materially affect its ability to provide services.
 
The Company may not be able to refinance its outstanding indebtedness.
 
The Companys total financial debt as of December 31, 2008 amounted to Ch$436,388 million, (US$685.7 million), including current maturities, outstanding derivatives and fair value adjustments, with an average maturity of 2.4 years. Although in the past Telefónica Chile has relied substantially on public debt issuances and bank loans to meet its financing requirements, in recent years its main sources of liquidity have been cash flow generated from operations and cash flow resulting from savings associated with the refinancing of certain loans and sale of assets. In 2008, the Company continued with the renegotiation of loans and extending of maturities. As a result, the Company has similar amounts of debt maturing in each of the next five years, the repayments of which are expected to be funded through cash flow generated from operations and refinancings.
 
Due to recent turmoil in global credit markets and the continued decline in the global economy, the Company may not be able to refinance its debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which the Company previously benefited, at terms that are acceptable to the Company or at all. Refinancing of debt or increased levels of debt could have negative effects that include: difficulties in obtaining future financing; reductions in credit ratings issued by rating agencies; restrictions on cash flows or operations imposed by lenders; higher rates; and reduced flexibility to take advantage of or pursue other business opportunities. For these reasons, among others, if current economic conditions persist or decline, the Company’s operating results and financial condition, as well as its ability to service debt and pay other obligations, could be adversely affected.
 
A system failure could cause delays or interruptions of service, which could cause us to lose customers.
 
To provide effective service, the Company will need to continue to provide its customers with reliable service over its network. Some of the risks to the Companys network and infrastructure include:
 
 
·
physical damage to access lines and networks;
 
 
·
power surges or outages;
 
 
·
software defects;
 
 
·
disruptions beyond the Companys control; and
 
 
·
disruptions due to changes in obsolete equipment.
 
The Companys operations also rely on a stable supply of utilities. Given recent instability of those supplies, including the supply of gas from Argentina and electricity rationing in Chile, the Company can not ensure that future
 
 
 
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supply instability or interruptions will not impair its ability to procure required utility services in the future, which could adversely impact its operations.
 
Prolonged service interruptions could affect the Companys business. The Company relies heavily on its network equipment, telecommunications providers, data and software to support all of its functions. The Company relies on its networks and the networks of others for substantially all of its revenues. The Company is able to deliver services only to the extent that it can protect its network systems against damage from power or telecommunications failures, computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized access, theft of copper wires from external networks and other disruptions. While the Company endeavors to provide for failures in the network by providing backup systems and procedures, it cannot guarantee that these backup systems and procedures will operate satisfactorily in an emergency. Should the Company experience a prolonged failure, it could seriously jeopardize its ability to continue operations. In particular, should a significant service interruption occur, its customers may choose a different provider and its reputation may be damaged, reducing its attractiveness to new customers.
 
The Company may not be successful in currently pending legal proceedings.
 
The Company is a party to lawsuits and other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its businesses, some of which have been pending for several years. An adverse outcome in, or any settlement of, these or other lawsuits could result in significant costs and negatively impact the Companys financial results. See “Item 8. Financial InformationConsolidated Statements and Other Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.”
 
Risks Relating to Chile
 
A downturn in the Chilean economy may adversely affect Telefónica Chile.
 
Nearly all of Telefónica Chiles customers are Chilean companies or individuals, and substantially all of Telefónica Chiles operations are located in Chile. For these reasons, the results of the Companys operations and its financial condition are sensitive to, and dependent upon, the level of economic activity in Chile. Historically, growth in the Chilean telecommunications industry has been tied to the state of Chiles economy, particularly levels of consumer spending and demand.
 
Unfavorable general economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown in Chile, could negatively affect the affordability of and demand for some of the Company’s products and services. In difficult economic conditions, consumers may seek to reduce discretionary spending by forgoing purchases of the Company’s products, electing to use fewer higher-margin services or obtaining products and services under lower-cost programs offered by other companies. Similarly, under these conditions the business customers that the Company serves may delay purchasing decisions, delay full implementation of service offerings or reduce their use of services. Furthermore, adverse economic conditions may lead to an increased number of the Company’s consumer and business customers that are unable to pay for services. If any of these events were to occur, it could have a negative effect on the Company’s results of operations.
 
The Company can give no assurance that Chiles economy will continue to grow in the future, nor can it give assurances that future developments in or affecting the Chilean economy will not impair its ability to proceed with its business plan or materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Developments in other emerging markets or in the global telecommunications market may adversely affect Telefónica Chile.
 
Developments in the global telecommunications market and in other emerging markets, particularly in Latin America, may adversely affect the market for Telefónica Chiles securities and the availability of foreign capital in Chile. The Company cannot predict whether events in other markets will adversely affect the price of, or market for, its securities.
 
Unfavorable general economic conditions, including the current recession in the United States and the recent financial crisis affecting the global banking system and financial markets, have caused a decrease in the amount of foreign capital invested in emerging markets, including Chile and Latin America. In turn, this has caused securities markets in many emerging markets, including Chile and Latin America, to decrease in value and has led to depreciation of emerging market currencies compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company cannot give any assurance
 
 
 
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that negative developments in Latin America or other emerging markets will not occur or that such negative developments would not adversely affect the securities markets in which the Companys securities trade or affect the Companys access to sources of financing.
 
An increase in inflation may adversely affect Telefónica Chile.
 
Chile has experienced high levels of inflation in the past. High levels of inflation in Chile could adversely affect the Chilean economy and Telefónica Chiles financial condition and results of operations. The rate of inflation as measured by changes in the Chilean consumer price index in the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 was 2.4%, 3.7%, 2.6%, 7.8% and 7.1% respectively. Over the past two years, inflation has exceeded the Central Banks target range. Generally, high levels of inflation will adversely affect the Companys financial condition to the extent that, during any given period:
 
 
·
the Companys average domestic inflation-indexed liabilities exceed its average domestic inflation-indexed assets;
 
 
·
the Companys average monetary assets exceed its average monetary liabilities; or
 
 
·
the Company is unable to transfer increased inflation-indexed costs such as labor and supplies to customers.
 
Any significant increase in the level of inflation in the future may adversely affect the performance of the Chilean economy and the operating results of the Company.
 
Currency devaluations and foreign exchange fluctuations may adversely affect Telefónica Chile.
 
Volatility of the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar could adversely affect the Companys financial condition and results of operations. In 2004, 2005 and 2007, the peso recorded a nominal appreciation against the U.S. dollar of 6.1%, 8.1% and 6.7%, versus the prior year. However, in 2006 and 2008 the peso experienced a nominal depreciation of 3.9% and 28.1%, respectively.
 
The main driver of exchange rate volatility in the past years was the significant devaluations in other Latin American countries, mainly Brazil, as well as general uncertainty and trade imbalances in global markets. In  2007, Chilean peso appreciation was driven by improvement in Chilean economic indicators and record commodities prices, together with weakness in the U.S. dollar. More recently, the primary driver of exchange rate volatility has been the substantial appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to emerging markets currencies, including the Chilean peso. The value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. See “Item 3. Key InformationSelected Financial DataExchange Rates.”
 
Historically, a significant portion of the Company’s indebtedness has been denominated in U.S. dollars, while a substantial part of its revenues and operating expenses has been denominated in pesos. If the peso’s value declines against the dollar, Telefónica Chile will need more pesos to repay the same amount of dollar-denominated debt. As a result, fluctuations in the Chilean peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate may affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2008, 67.8% of the Company’s interest-bearing debt was denominated in U.S. dollars and was fully hedged against exchange rate variations between the peso and the U.S. dollar through financial instruments such as forward exchange agreements and cross-currency swaps. The remainder of the Company’s interest-bearing debt is UF- or peso-denominated and therefore not subject to exchange rate risk. The Company’s hedging policy against foreign exchange fluctuations is disclosed in “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Risk of Variations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.”
 
Risks Relating to the Company’s ADSs
 
The relative illiquidity and volatility of Chilean securities markets and the decreased liquidity of the Company’s common stock could adversely affect the price of the Company’s ADSs and common stock.
 
Chilean securities markets are substantially smaller and less liquid than the major securities markets in the United States. In addition, Chilean securities markets may be affected materially by developments in other emerging markets, particularly in other countries in South America. Since the completion of the tender offers launched by
 
 
 
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Telefónica Internacional Holding Limitada, the liquidity of the Companys common stock in the Chilean market has markedly decreased. The relatively low liquidity of the Chilean market and the low liquidity of the Companys common stock may impair the ability of holders of ADSs to sell shares of the Companys common stock withdrawn from the ADS program into the Chilean market in the amount and at the price and time they wish to do so.
 
The termination of the deposit agreement relating to the Companys ADSs may impair ADS holders ability to transfer their ADSs, delay ADS holders receipt of any dividends and result in the cancellation of the ADSs and the subsequent sale of the securities underlying the ADSs.
 
The Company has directed Citibank, N.A., as depositary, (the “Depositary”) to terminate the deposit agreement relating to the Company’s ADSs. Upon effectiveness of the termination, which the Company expects to occur on or about May 7, 2009 (the “Termination Date”), the Depositary will cease to provide certain services, including the registration of transfer of Telefónica Chile’s ADSs, and it will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders of the ADSs. Existing ADS holders may exchange their ADSs for the underlying Series A Common Stock of the Company at any time until the expiration of a 60-day period commencing on the Termination Date. In addition, after the expiration of such 60-day period, the Depositary may, and intends to, sell the securities underlying the ADSs and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it under the deposit agreement, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the ADSs. The Company cannot guarantee that such termination will not impair ADS holders’ ability to transfer their ADSs when and if they choose to do so, will not delay the receipt of any dividends or that the sale of any securities underlying the ADSs will occur in a manner that maximizes the price obtained for such securities. See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing—Offer and Listing Details—Common Stock Prices and Related Matters” for more information.
 
The delisting of the Companys ADS from the NYSE and the Companys expected deregistration with the SEC may reduce the liquidity of the market for the Companys ADSs.
 
Effective February 19, 2009, the Company’s ADSs have been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. Following the delisting and the termination of the deposit agreement, the Company will deregister with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) if it becomes eligible to do so under the SEC’s rules. The company hopes to do so in or around October 2009. If it is able to deregister with the SEC, the Company will no longer be required to file annual or periodic reports with the SEC, and investors will have to rely on its filings with the SVS and the Chilean Stock Exchanges, which are made in the Spanish language, for information. As a result, there can be no assurance that a liquid market for the Company’s ADSs exists now or will exist in the future. See See “Item 9. The Offer and Listing—Offer and Listing Details—Common Stock Prices and Related Matters” for more information.
 
Controls on foreign investment and repatriation of investments in Chile may adversely impact the Companys ADS holders ability to obtain and dispose of the shares of the Companys common stock underlying its ADRs.
 
Equity investments in Chile by persons who are not Chilean residents are generally subject to exchange control regulations that restrict the repatriation of investments and earnings from Chile. The Companys ADSs are subject to an ADR foreign investment contract among us, the Depositary and the Central Bank of Chile which is intended to grant holders of the Companys ADSs and the Depositary access to Chiles formal exchange market. See “Item 3. Key InformationExchange Rates.” Pursuant to current Chilean law, the Companys ADR foreign investment contract may not be amended unilaterally by the Central Bank of Chile. However, the Company cannot make any assurances that additional Chilean restrictions applicable to holders of its ADSs, the disposition of underlying shares of its common stock or the repatriation of the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying common stock could not be imposed in the future, nor can the Company assess the duration or impact of the restrictions if imposed. If for any reason, including changes to the Companys ADR foreign investment contract or Chilean law, the Depositary is unable to convert Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars, investors would receive dividends or other distributions in Chilean pesos. Transferees of shares of the Companys common stock withdrawn from the ADR facility will not be entitled to access to the formal exchange market unless the withdrawn shares are redeposited with the Depositary.
 
Holders of ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights.
 
The Ley de Sociedades Animas (Law No. 18,046), the Reglamento de Sociedades Anónimas (the “Chilean Corporations Law) and applicable regulations require that whenever the Company issues new common stock for
 
 
 
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cash, the Company grants preemptive rights to all of its shareholders (including holders of ADSs), giving them the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage. Such an offering would not be possible unless a registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, were effective with respect to such rights and common stock or an exemption from the registration requirements thereunder were available.
 
Since the Company is not obligated to elect to make a registration statement available with respect to such rights and the common stock, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise their preemptive rights. If a registration statement is not filed or an applicable exemption is not available, the Depositary will sell holders preemptive rights and distribute the proceeds thereof if a premium can be recognized over the cost of any such sale.
 
Holders of ADSs may have fewer and less well-defined shareholders rights than with shares of a company in the United States.
 
The Companys corporate affairs are governed by its estatutos, or bylaws, and the laws of Chile. Under such laws, the Companys shareholders may have fewer or less well-defined rights than they might have as shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.
 
Foreign Exchange risks may adversely affect the U.S. dollar amount of dividends payable to holders of the Companys ADSs.
 
Chilean trading in the shares of the common stock underlying ADSs is conducted in pesos. The Depositary will receive cash distributions that the Company makes with respect to the shares underlying the ADSs in pesos. The Depositary will then convert such pesos to U.S. dollars at the then prevailing exchange rate to make dividend and other distribution payments in respect to ADSs. If the Chilean peso depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of the ADSs and the distributions ADS holders receive from the Depositary may decrease.
 
ITEM 4.                      INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
 
A.           History and Development of the Company
 
Telefónica Chile is a corporation organized under the Chilean Corporations Law. Telefónica Chile was incorporated on November 18, 1930 and has a duration through August 10, 2068. The address and telephone numbers of the Companys registered office and the Companys agent in the United States are as follows:
 
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.
Avenida Providencia 111
Santiago, Chile
Telephone:  (562) 691-2020
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
Telephone:  (800) 624-0909
   
Telephone service in Chile commenced in 1880 with the formation of Compañía de Teléfonos Edison in Valparaíso. In 1927, the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation (“ITT”) acquired the Chile Telephone Company, which had 26,205 telephones in operation at the time. In 1930, the Company was formed as a stock company named Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile S.A. In 1971, the Chilean Government intervened to take management control of the Company and, in 1974, the Chilean Governments Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (“Corfo”) acquired 80% of the total shares issued by the Company, then held by ITT.
 
In August of 1987, Corfo announced that it would reduce its shareholdings and privatize the Company by selling approximately 30% of Corfos shares in the Company. In January of 1988, 151 million shares of Series A Common Stock of the Company were transferred to Bond Chile. After giving effect to a capital increase in an April 1988 offering and other additional purchases of Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock of the Company, Bond Chile owned approximately 50% of the then issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company.
 
In April of 1990, TISA, a subsidiary of Telefónica, indirectly acquired the stock of Bond Chileand thus all of Bond Chiles interest in the Company. Bond Chile then changed its name to Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A. (“TIC”).
 
 
 
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The Companys July 1990 international offering of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) reduced TICs ownership to 44.5% of the Companys issued and outstanding capital stock. Subsequently, payments made by third parties for subscribed but unpaid shares further reduced TIC ownership to 43.6% by 2003. In July 2004, TIC purchased an additional 1.3%, increasing its ownership stake in the Company up to 44.9%.
 
An Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting held on April 20, 2006 approved the modification of the Companys brand name to “Telefónica Chile. The legal name of the Company has not changed.
 
On September 17, 2008, Telefónica, acting through its subsidiary, Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Limitada (“Inversiones Telefónica”), itself a subsidiary of TIC, launched a tender offer in Chile and the U.S. for the 55.1% of the shares of Telefónica Chile that it did not control. The tender offer was for any and all Telefónica Chile shares, including its ADSs, trading on the Santiago and New York exchanges, at a price per share of Ch$1000 for Series A shares (Ch$4000 per ADS) and Ch$900 for Series B shares. Among other conditions, the tender offer was subject to the approval at an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting of an amendment to the Companys bylaws that, among other things, would permit a shareholder to own more than 45% of the Companys common stock. Although 55% of the shares voted in favor, the 75% majority required for approval was not achieved and the amendment was not approved. On October 28, 2008, an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting was held to submit the aforementioned bylaw amendment to a vote after certain terms of the offer were modified, including an increase in the offer price to Ch$1100 per Series A share (Ch$4400 per ADS) and Ch$990 per Series B share.
 
With the approval of 85.9% of all outstanding shares eligible to vote, the Companys shareholders approved the elimination of the following articles of the Companys estatutos (“bylaws”): Article 1 bis (subject to Decree Law 3500); Article 5 bis (maximum permitted shareholding concentration of 45% of the outstanding shares, minimum minority shareholding requirement of 10% of the outstanding shares, minimum number of unrelated shareholders and minimum shareholdings of such shareholders requirement of 15% of the outstanding shares held by 100 or more shareholders, and restrictions pertaining to registration in the shareholders registry); Article 17 bis (minimum quorum required for certain actions by the board of directors); Article 24 bis (board faculty limits); Article 28 (selection of account inspectors); Article 32 bis (requirement of approval of investment and financing policy at the ordinary shareholders meeting); Article 33 bis (approval of the disposition of any assets essential to the Companys operations, establishment of guarantees regarding such assets and early modification of the investment and financing policy at the extraordinary shareholders meeting); Article 40 bis (limitations on voting rights); Article 45 bis (minimum quorum requirement for modification of certain bylaw articles); Article 47 bis (Pension Funds Administrators right of withdrawal); and Article 51 bis (requirement to send certain information to shareholders). All the above relate to Title XII of Decree Law 3500.
 
On November 2, 2008, Inversiones Telefónica announced the success of the tender offer launched on September 17, 2008, having thus acquired a 96.75% equity interest. Pursuant to Chilean regulatory requirements, on December 2, 2008, Inversiones Telefónica launched a subsequent tender offer in Chile and the U.S. for all remaining shares at the same offer price as the previous tender offer. As a result of the tender offers, Inversiones Telefónica purchased 53.0% of the Companys outstanding capital stock.
 
Currently, Telefónica Chile is controlled by TIC, which, directly and through Inversiones Telefónica, holds a combined 97.89% interest in the Company. TIC is indirectly wholly-owned by Telefónica S.A., a Spanish communications company whose shares are listed on various European, American and Asian stock exchanges. Telefónicas capital stock is widely held and Telefónica does not have a controlling shareholder.
 
On January 29, 2009, Telefónica Chiles Board of Directors resolved to terminate its ADR program, delist its ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange, deregister with the SEC and terminate the Foreign Investment Contract among Telefónica Chile, the Central Bank of Chile and Citibank, N.A., as depositary, under Chapter XXVI of the Compendium of International Foreign Exchange Regulation.
 
The Companys website address is www.telefonicachile.cl.
 
Mergers, Acquisitions and New Subsidiaries
 
During the last three years, Telefónica Chile has not participated in any merger or acquisition activities material to the business. However, during 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Company reorganized its subsidiaries in the following manner:
 
 
 
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·
In January 2006, 100% ownership of Tecnonaútica was transferred from Telefónica Internet Empresas S.A. (“TIE”) to Telefónica Chile. Following this transfer, the subsidiary changed its name to Telefónica Multimedia and expanded its line of business to pay television services.
 
 
·
Also in January 2006, ownership of TIE was transferred from Telefónica Empresas to Telefónica Chile.
 
 
·
In March 2006, CTC Equipos was absorbed by Telefónica Chile.
 
 
·
Also in March 2006, Telefónica Chiles long distance subsidiaries, Telefónica Mundo and Globus, merged to form a new subsidiary called Telefónica Larga Distancia. In June 2006, as part of this merger process, a payment of Ch$674 million (historical) was made to 2,375 shareholders of Telefónica Mundo who exercised their right of withdrawal.
 
 
·
In September 2007, Telefónica Chile acquired the remaining outstanding stock of TIE, equivalent to 0.0005%, at book value. In December 2007, the Board of Directors agreed to the dissolution of TIE, transferring all its assets and liabilities to the Company, which is its legal continuer.
 
 
·
In November 2007, TIE sold its participation in Telepeajes de Chile S.A. to Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos de Chile, S.A. (“t-gestiona”), a Telefónica Chile subsidiary.
 
 
·
In November 2007, t-gestiona purchased a third partys participation, achieving 99.99% ownership of Telepeajes de Chile S.A. Finally, Telepeajes de Chile S.A. changed its name to Instituto Telefónica Chile and a new and unique line of business in training was adopted.
 
 
·
In December 2008, after the Company purchased from t-gestiona its .001% interest in Telemergencia, thus gathering 100% of its capital stock, the Board of Directors agreed to the dissolution of Telemergencia, transferring all of its assets and liabilities to the Company, which is its legal continuer.
 
Divestitures
 
 
·
In October 2008, the Company executed agreements for the sale of the assets and customer portfolio of its subsidiary Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. (“Telemergencia”) to Prosegur for a total of Ch$15,563 million (US$24.4 million).
 
Capital Expenditures
 
Capital expenditures disbursed by the Company in 2007 and 2008 amounted to, respectively, Ch$141,304 million (US$228.4 million) and Ch$147,989 million (US$232.5 million). The Company has been steadily adjusting its capital expenditures in local telephony and using its available installed capacity to expand service, rather than investing in new lines. During 2008, the Company focused its investment primarily on consolidating business growth (especially in broadband), projects for the corporate segment and digital television. Together, these investments consumed approximately 64% of the years capital expenditures. In the fixed telecommunications business, investments were used for commercializing lines with minute plans and for maximizing the use of installed capacity, focusing on network deployment in areas of real estate development. The investment plan for the year also emphasized initiatives designed to update network infrastructure by replacing old equipment and introducing new generation technologies, such as IP telephony, with a view to attaining high service-quality standards with more stable and flexible platforms. Additional emphasis was placed on simplifying the processes and systems that support tools for the Companys business, technical and administrative management.
 
Since January 2001, all capital expenditures made by the Company have been on projects located within Chile. Capital expenditures have been financed substantially with cash flow generated from operations.
 
B.           Business Overview
 
The Company provides a broad range of telecommunications and other services throughout Chile, including:
 
 
·
local telephone services;
 
 
 
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·
broadband services;
 
 
·
pay television services;
 
 
·
long distance services;
 
 
·
data transmission;
 
 
·
dedicated lines (direct lines dedicated to a customers exclusive use);
 
 
·
terminal equipment sales and leasing;
 
 
·
public telephone service;
 
 
·
interconnection services (connecting calls from long distance, mobile and local telephone networks to Telefónica Chiles local telephone network); and
 
 
·
value-added services (including the sale of telephone numbers, such as “600,”700” and “800” numbers for toll calls, to providers of telephone-based services, and the provision of supplementary services and direct dialing).
 
The Company provides all of its fixed telephony services through its own digital telecommunications network, including local telephone, broadband and interconnection services. In addition, the Company, through its subsidiaries Telefónica Empresas and Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A. (“Telefónica Larga Distancia”), provides substantially all of its data transmissions and domes tic and international long distance services with its own equipment and data and long distance networks, respectively. The pay television service, which utilizes satellite technology and was launched in June 2006, is provided by the Telefónica Multimedia Chile S.A. subsidiary.
 
Chilean law currently requires companies to obtain licenses from the government before providing many telecommunications services. Telefónica Chile holds licenses to provide local telephone service and data transmission services throughout Chile. The Company also holds licenses to provide long distance service throughout Chile and internationally through its subsidiary Telefónica Larga Distancia. In addition, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Empresas, holds nationwide public service data transmission licenses for an indefinite term.
 
Moreover, the Chilean Government sets the maximum prices, fees and charges that Telefónica Chile may charge for certain services, including local telephone service, public telephones, interconnection services and related administrative services, unbundled network services, and line connections. The regulation applies to the Companys fixed monthly charge, variable charge, connections and other installations, access charges for rural companies, the number for information services through an operator, access charges and interconnection, and public telephones. In 2008, approximately 27% of Telefónica Chiles total operating revenues were generated through the provision of services subject to tariff regulation. The Chilean Government does not currently regulate the prices that Telefónica Chile charges for its other products and services, including, among others, long distance, data transmission, broadband, pay television, value-added services, directory advertising, and sales and leasing of terminal equipment.
 
Despite the above, in 2008, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications asked the Competition Tribunal to review the telephony services currently subject to regulation in light of changes in market conditions. In January 2009, the Competition Tribunal issued its opinion, recognizing that market conditions did not currently justify tariff regulation regarding local telephone service (fixed and variable charge), public telephones and interconnection services. Subtel must still make a ruling based on this opinion.
 
Telecommunications Products and Services
 
The Company’s primary business focus in 2008 was on marketing its “Dúo” and “Trío” voice, broadband and television bundles, whose main feature is the flexibility given to customers to choose the services they desire according to their specific interests. In other words, customers may build their own service bundles with the amount of voice minutes, the broadband speed and the television plan that suits their personal preferences. The Company
 
 
 
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developed a page on its website displaying valuation and comparison mechanisms that include all possible bundles. The main products and services offered by the Company are described below:
 
Fixed Telecommunications Services
 
The Company provides basic telephone services to its customers over the public telephone network in two forms:
 
Regulated Plans
 
Regulated plans include telephone line service (fixed monthly charge) and variable charges that includes local traffic defined as measured local service (“MLS”) and traffic from local lines to Internet and mobile telephones (“local tranche”).
 
Minute Plans (Tariff Flexibility Plans)
 
In order to mitigate the adverse impact of regulation and the decrease in traffic and other negative factors affecting fixed-line revenues, Telefónica Chile has focused on offering various non-regulated services over its local network infrastructure, thus adding value to existing fixed lines and mitigating the decrease in revenues per line. Starting in 2004, as an alternative to the regulated plan, the Company began to market Flexible Plans (see “—Regulatory Framework” below) such as: (i) Planes de Minutos (“Minute Plans”), consisting of telephone service with a certain number of minutes for a monthly charge; (ii) nea Económica (“Economy Line”), consisting of a monthly amount from which customer calls are deducted, allowing for additional calls to be placed using prepaid cards; (iii) nea Súper Económica (“Super Economy Line”), which enables customers to make calls for a certain number of minutes through prepaid cards charged on a monthly basis; and (iv) bundled services, such as broadband plus minute plans. Marketed individually or bundled with broadband and pay television plans, the Minute Plans have slowed the rate of decline in fixed lines.
 
During 2008, 389,566 new fixed lines were connected, a 11.3% decrease and 1.4% increase in new line connections as compared to 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 447,797 lines were disconnected, a 5.9% and a 26.5% decrease compared with 2007 and 2006, respectively. As a result, lines in service under fixed telephony as of December 31, 2008 totaled 2,120,974, representing a decrease of 2.7% and 4.3% as compared to December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
The following table sets forth certain fixed-line performance and line connection information for the periods indicated.
 
   
For the year ended December 31,
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
 
Lines installed
    3,043,379       3,007,432       3,021,487       3,032,522       3,058,238  
Fixed lines in service
    2,427,364       2,440,827       2,215,629       2,179,205       2,120,974  
Average fixed lines in service
    2,406,266       2,451,356       2,332,634       2,185,823       2,147,544  
Lines per 100 inhabitants(1)
    15.0       15.1       13.4       13.1       12.6  
Number of new lines connected
    343,318       358,088       384,003       439,224       389,566  
Number of lines disconnected
    332,733       344,625       609,201       475,648       447,797  
Defects per line (annual average)(2)
    0.40       0.44       0.54       0.52       0.45  
Local traffic (in millions of minutes)(3)
    13,759       12,012       9,643       8,395       7,313  
 

(1)
Telefónica Chile fixed lines per 100 inhabitants. Population figures are based on National Institute of Statistics reports, which estimated Chiles population to be 16.8 million as of December 2008.
 
(2)
Defects refer to any technical problems occurring in telephone lines, ADSL and equipment as well as in the Companys external plant and central switches.
 
(3)
As of February 1, 2000, per-second billing was implemented.
 
Over the past four years, Telefónica Chiles fixed-line traffic has decreased, mainly due to customers greater use of mobile services and electronic communications.
 
 
 
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As of December 31, 2008, 1,661,452 lines, a 3% increase compared with 2007, have been signed up for flexible tariff plans in accordance with Decree No. 742, which provides regulations governing the terms on which dominant local public telephony service operators may provide alternative plans and joint offers, representing 78.3% of the Companys total lines in service and thus significantly contributing to the growth of the fixed-line market.
 
Although the effective rates charged for flexible tariff plans are less than those charged in traditional plans, these types of products allow the Company to use the available capacity of the network to be more competitive.
 
Broadband Services
 
Telefónica Chile offers broadband ADSL technology to residential customers, small and medium enterprise customers and corporate clients, as well as to Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) as resellers.
 
Although broadband service is currently primarily used for high-speed Internet access, it also allows the Company to offer customers other services, such as virtual private networks (“VPNs”), security systems with remote monitoring from anywhere in the world, e-learning, wireless connections, intranet IP telephony (voice over IP) for corporate customers and multimedia applications. The broadband service also allows the provision of value-added services, including online antivirus and firewall protection, parental controls for Internet and computer technical support, both remote and in-home.
 
Telefónica Chiles broadband service continued to expand, supported by bundling with voice and pay television plans, as evidenced by a 10% increase in the number of connections. In addition, fixed telephony operators continued to develop capacity, boosting speeds (tripling and doubling them in April and December, respectively) and increasing the average installed access speed by 75%. In 2008, the broadband market was highly dynamic as a result of the sectors strong growth. In addition, the entrance of new competitors, such as the mexican operator Telmex, and increased 3.5G broadband sales by existing mobile telephony operators led to increased competition. Nevertheless, as of December 31, 2008, ADSL connections totaled 710,797, representing an increase of 10.3% and 43.4% with respect to 2007 and 2006, respectively. The following table sets forth the number of ADSL connections in service as of the dates indicated:
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
 
ADSL connections in service
    200,794       314,177       495,479       644,522       710,797  
ADSL/Lines in service
    8.3 %     12.9 %     22.4 %     29.6 %     33.5 %
 
Other Fixed Telephony Services
 
Prepaid Services
 
Prepaid services have supported the development of flexible plans. The prepaid service known as Tarjeta Línea Propia (“TLP”) allows customers to make calls from any fixed telephone, public phone or enabled mobile phone, and surf the web on a broadband connection using Wireless Fidelity (“Wi-Fi”) or through dial-up access. TLP allows customers to refill the Super Economy Line and the bundled Prepaid Broadband through prepaid or postpaid lines. In addition to the physical TLP, the Company also sells an electronic version. As of December 31, 2008, 15.7 million TLPs were sold at Ch$1,000 each, representing a decrease of 1.2% over 2006 and an increase of 5.3% over 2005. The total number of prepaid lines reached 336,973 in 2008, which represents decreases of 5.5% with respect to 2007 and 5.6% with respect to 2006.
 
Public Telephones (Payphones)
 
Telefónica Chile offers public telephony services and is responsible for the installation and operation of its own public telephones on public roadways and in indoor areas, the marketing of public telephone equipment to private third parties and fixed telephony installation. Currently, the public telephony market in Chile is made up of seven operators and numerous private parties. The revenues in this business area are generated by traffic on public phones owned by the Company, the management of its own call centers, maintenance agreements for indoor installations,
 
 
 
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and post-sales maintenance and business support services provided to third parties such as owners of public telephones purchased from the Company.
 
Alarm Monitoring and Security Services
 
Telefónica Chile, through its subsidiary Telemergencia, offered alarm monitoring services to residential customers and SMEs until October 14, 2008 when Telemergencias assets and client portfolio were sold to Prosegur, an international company operating in the alarm monitoring market, for Ch$15,563 million (US$24.4 million).
 
Value-Added Services
 
Telefónica Chile markets value-added services to its fixed telephone service customers. Such services include caller ID (incoming and call waiting), voice mail, call waiting, call forwarding, control of outbound traffic to mobile phones, information and entertainment services (“600” and “700” numbers), itemized local call lists and guaranteed in-home maintenance.
 
In 2008, revenues from fixed telecommunications were Ch$553,530 million (US$869.7 million), representing 74.9% of total ordinary income, increased 3.8% from 2007, mainly as a result of 0.8% and 22.1% increases in revenues from voice and broadband, respectively, as compared with 2007.
 
Multimedia (Television Services)
 
On June 14, 2006, Telefónica Chile launched its pay satellite television service with a flexible marketing format unique to the local market.
 
Telefónica Chile was the first company to provide flexible pay television. Customers pay for what they watch, which means that the services are tailored to the interests and budget of each home. The plan is known as the Telefónica digital television offering, and it offers an entry-level plan for Ch$9,900, including a selection of the channels in greatest demand such as Disney Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Channel, Cartoon Network, TNT, Sony, Warner, ESPN football channel and Fox. For a variety of prices, the customer has the opportunity to add an assortment of thematic or premium movie plans, family, sports and premiere film channels under this format.
 
The service provides national coverage and offers additional services to customers, which include, among others, parental control, an on-screen programming guide, program reminders, access to pay-per-view service and a thematic search feature. In order to provide this service, the Company invested in information technology systems and software as well as equipment for installation in customers’ homes, such as satellite receivers and set-top boxes. In addition, the Company incurred costs associated with satellite transmission services and content acquisition. After one year of offering this service, the Company launched broadband television service (“IPTV”), starting a gradual deployment of this project by initially providing service only to a limited number of clients as a trial. The service is offered in areas of Santiago where the Companys network meets the technological requirements. This service constitutes part of the digital television flexible contents offer, and includes interactive functions such as video on demand (“VoD”), by which clients have available a wide and diverse range of films, series and audio-visual content from a digital library with more than 200 hours of content. Telefónica Chile was the first Latin American company to provide this technology. Moreover, in September 2007, the personal video recorder (“PVR”) service was launched, which allows users to record programs and pause, forward and rewind live programming.
 
The pay television service is provided by the Telefónica Multimedia Chile S.A. subsidiary, and is marketed in bundles: “o,” combining television and fixed telephony and “Trío,” combining television, fixed telephony and broadband service. About 17% of the Companys total clients have subscribed to the television service.
 
Growth is achieved by providing flexibility to customers, who can purchase a convenient service tailored to their interests and budgets. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had 262,957 pay television customers, making it the second-largest pay television operator in the country.
 
In 2008, revenues from digital television services were Ch$39,235 million (US$61.6 million), which represented 5.3% of total ordinary income.
 
 
 
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Corporate Customer Communications and Data
 
The corporate communications business, operated through the Telefónica Empresas subsidiary, has the mission of providing a comprehensive response to the communications needs of the larger and more complex organizations established in Chile. Clients of Telefónica Empresas include government ministries, public institutions, associations, and large corporations, both national and international, that are involved in a broad range of economic activities.
 
Communications” play an essential role in the mission-critical processes of these clients. For this reason, the services provided by Telefónica Empresas are subject to continuous challenges, which include increasing capacity, availability and quality standards, and the need for progressive convergence and integration of different technologies. By integrating technologies, this subsidiary delivers solutions that add value to its clients businesses, meeting their requirements more efficiently.
 
One of the primary services provided by Telefónica Empresas is data transmission, mainly through IP-based services. In some cases, circuit-based solutions and value-added services are delivered through data links such as Frame Relay and ATM. Telefónica Empresas also provides corporate clients with basic and advanced telephony solutions, private IP telephony and IP Centrex solutions based on the Next Generation Network infrastructure. In addition to providing a range of solutions such as PABX, videoconferencing and point-to-point data circuits, Telefónica Empresas offers advanced telecommunications solutions in the form of consulting projects, professional services and outsourcing. Telefónica Empresas supplements these offerings with international services tailored to each customer’s needs. These services take advantage of Grupo Telefónica’s international presence and network, delivering relevant added value for global customers. In recent years, Telefónica Empresas has begun offering networked IT services that ensure the availability, protection and operational continuity of a company’s IT systems and involve managing the infrastructure at both the customer’s facilities and the Telefónica Chile datacenter. Telefónica Empreses also provides and manages the IT equipment and voice terminals, as well as integrated corporate connectivity and Internet access for the customer's employees, with features tailored to each position.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding some of the Companys data services as of the dates indicated.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
 
Dedicated IP connections
    10,377       10,869       12,634       15,581       19,122  
Datared (circuits)
    9,770       5,821       5,353       4,808       4,742  
Frame Relay (points)
    3,892       2,621       1,930       1,865       1,388  
ATM (points)
    1,660       1,085       1,101       1,101       1,090  

In 2008, revenues from the corporate customer communications and data business segment, which include revenues from equipment sales and rental, data transmission services and complementary services, amounted to Ch$88,480 million (US$139.0 million), representing 12.0% of total ordinary income. Revenues from this segment increased 11.4% compared to 2007.
 
Long Distance
 
The Company provides a broad offering of domestic and international long distance services, including public and private voice, data and video services, through its subsidiary Telefónica Larga Distancia. The long distance (“LD”) business segment also includes the rental of Telefónica Larga Distancias LD network to other telecom operators, such as other LD carriers with and without their own networks, as well as mobile companies, including Telefónica Móvil, which was sold by Telefónica Chile in July 2004, and ISPs. Telefónica Larga Distancia, like many other LD operators, has a business area dedicated to international businesses. This area is involved in negotiating settlement rates and volumes for incoming and outgoing international traffic with different international operators, as well as establishing agreements for the intermediation of international traffic among LD carriers.
 
During 2008, the Company recorded an increase of 5.3% in domestic LD traffic compared to 2007 and 5.5% compared to 2006 due to the growing use of mobile telephones, e-mail and Internet, and the increase in lines blocked for LD calls. On the other hand, in terms of international LD business, traffic increased 5.4% compared to
 
 
 
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2007 and increased 14.7% compared to 2006, primarily owing to the increased competition in prices for international LD destinations.
 
The following table sets forth traffic information for domestic and international LD telephone traffic carried by Telefónica Larga Distancia for the periods indicated.
 
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
 
Domestic LD traffic (in millions of minutes)
    664       602       542       543       572  
Outgoing international LD traffic (in millions of minutes)
    67       66       68       74       78  
 
The business continues to face major challenges as a result of increased penetration by the mobile industry, which is replacing long distance telephone service. In addition, there has been a significant shift in the way Chileans communicate towards e-mail and the Internet. As a result, the Companys strategy has been to maximize installed capacity and to create innovative product plans that generate traffic, ensure customer loyalty and allow it to lead the industry. In 2008, Telefónica Larga Distancia installed the Puerto Natales-Cerro Castillo fiber-optic network, having received the contract through a public tender held by the Telecommunications Development Fund to provide telecommunications infrastructure for residents of rural areas in the region. This helped Telefónica Larga Distancia overcome the negative industry trend in 2008 and position itself as the market leader.
 
The main sales channels through which the Company offers its long distance products and services are direct telemarketing sales campaigns conducted by third parties. The Company also uses third-party call centers to sell domestic and international LD traffic plans and other products, such as prepaid cards.
 
In 2008, revenues from LD were Ch$55,697 million (US$87.5 million), which represented 7.5% of total consolidated revenues. Revenues from LD decreased by 8.8% and 15.8% compared to 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Other Businesses
 
t-gestiona
 
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A. (“t-gestiona”), a subsidiary of Telefónica Chile, provides support services to all Company subsidiaries and other Telefónica Group companies. Its services include, without limitation, logistics, e-learning, accounting, insurance, collections, payroll, real estate management and general services.
 
Fundación Telefónica
 
Fundación Telefónica is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and channel the community and cultural activities of the Grupo Telefónica companies in Chile.
 
In 2008, Fundación Telefónica continued to promote the Educational Internet project, which has provided free Internet connections to more than 5,500 educational establishments throughout Chile and has trained more than 30,000 teachers in educational uses of the Internet. In 2008, the Fundación Telefónica media portal (www.educared.cl) developed educational content in the sciences, technology and mathematics, and received almost one and a half million visits during the year.
 
Another important program sponsored by Fundación Telefónica is “Pro-niño,” a community initiative providing support for children and youth at social risk by offering full scholarships that allow them to continue their education. In addition, the “Volunteer Army”  made up of some 1,500 individuals and led by Fundación Telefónica organized various support activities and fundraisers in 2008 that directly benefited more than 7,000 underprivileged people.
 
In addition, in 2008, the Fundación Telefónica Hall of the Arts presented the highly successful exhibit “Cubism and its Surroundings” with works from the Telefónica España art collection, notably by Juan Gris and other world-renowned artists. This was followed by “Territories and Existences, Gobi-Southern Atacama,” an exhibit by Magdalena Correa, and “Tesla, a Digital Culture Encounter,” a collective exhibit of the work of major Chilean artists. As a form of national cultural outreach, Fundación Telefónica also continued its traveling photo exhibit “One Day in Chile,” which visited the cities of Temuco, Talca and Curicó.
 
 
 
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Market and Competition
 
The telecommunications industry in Chile, including the pay television business, achieved sales of US$5.0 billion in 2008, an increase of 14% from 2007. This increase was largely driven by mobile growth and broadband development.
 
In 2008, the industry advanced with an important growth in Internet access speeds for residential and business users and a great momentum toward full market availability of integrated services. In the residential segment, there was significant growth in the area of bundled voice, broadband and television. A similar situation is developing in the small and medium enterprises (“SME”) segment, where voice and broadband plans are becoming available. The corporate communications segment is witnessing a consolidation of IP networks, making it possible to offer voice and data services and facilitating integration toward IT-based business processes.
 
Additionally, there has been massive, across-the-board growth in mobile communications in all of Chiles social and business strata. Mobile broadband services have similarly spread throughout Chilean society and represented more than 50% of total broadband market net gains.
 
At the country level, there has been a clear consolidation of a competitive model based on “overlapping” networks that primarily employ the following access technologies:
 
 
·
Four operators utilize copper pair and ADSL broadband technology for telephony, data and ADSL broadband, with estimated potential coverage of 65% of the countrys 4.5 million households and a majority of businesses.
 
 
·
Coaxial network concentrated in one cable television company with potential coverage of almost 53% of all households. In 2008, the development of a second cable network commenced with an estimated additional coverage of 15%. Additionally, several operators, including the Company, offer television services through satellite transmission.
 
 
·
Fiber-optic networks for corporations with an approximate length of 25,000 kilometers, operated primarily by four operators.
 
 
·
Mobile coverage using the GSM standard in approximately 95% of the countrys inhabited territory; mobile service provided by three companies.
 
Nationwide, a competitive model based on network infrastructure that mainly uses copper pair (“ADSL”), coaxial, fiber optic and wireless technologies (“3G,WiMax andPHS”) remains in place. During 2008, the consolidation of bundled services continued generating a competitive focus among diverse sectors operators, which create their own services or alliances with third parties. As a result, almost all fixed operators in the residential segment offer bundled services of voice, broadband and pay television. A similar situation exists in the small and medium enterprise segment with offers of voice plans and broadband. In the corporate segment, operators offer bundled solutions that allow corporations to consolidate their IP networks for transmitting voice and data, simplifying the integration of business processes based on IT. Similarly, mobile communications have grown in the country, becoming a mass service and penetrating all segments of the population.
 
In the context of solutions of wireless last mile, Telmex maintains its WiMax service for voice and broadband, VTR maintains its intention of expanding its current coverage under the same technology and Telsur continues to implement its wireless telephony services with its own and rented infrastructure.
 
In 2008, Telmex started building a hybrid fiber coaxial (“HFC”) network with voice, broadband and pay television services. Telmex had already entered the residential segment through a bundled offer of telephony, broadband and satellite television. The telephony and broadband services are provided over WiMax, while its acquisition of ZAP TV allowed it to bundle these services with satellite television.
 
In mobile business, 3G technology was included in the operators sale offers and utilizes the UMTS and HSDPA standards. As a result, mobile broadband was the business with highest growth in the industry in 2008.
 
 
 
24

 
The following chart shows the business segments in which the main Chilean telecommunications companies operate:
 
 
Company
 
 
Fixed Telephony
 
 
Broadband (1)
 
 
Long Distance
 
 
Mobile
Communications
 
 
Data Transmission
 
 
ISP
 
 
Pay
Television (9)
Telefónica Chile(2)
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
Movistar(3)
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
           
ENTEL(4)
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
   
VTR(5)
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
Claro(6)
     
ü
     
ü
           
Telmex Chile(7)
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
Telefónica del Sur
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
Terra Networks
                     
ü
   
CMET
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
 
ü
Direct TV
                 
ü
     
ü
GTD - Manquehue(8)
 
ü
 
ü
 
ü
     
ü
 
ü
   
 

(1)
Broadband with last mile access. Does not include resellers or ISPs and does not consider dedicated accesses to corporations.
 
(2)
In July 2004, the extraordinary shareholders meeting of Telefónica Chile approved the offer made by TEM to acquire 100% of the Companys subsidiary, Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. (“Movistar”). See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyHistory and Development of the CompanyDivestitures.”
 
(3)
Includes operations from Bellsouth Chile acquired by TEM in 2004. The Antitrust Commission approved the merger of both companies in January 2005.
 
(4)
Telecom Italia sold its stake in Entel Chile (55%) to Chilean investors in 2005.
 
(5)
Includes Metrópolis Intercom merged in July 2005.
 
(6)
Until July 2006, it was named Smartcom. It was acquired by América Móvil in August 2005.
 
(7)
In 2008, Telmex Chile began to offer voice, broadband and pay television services over its HFC network.
 
(8)
Includes Manquehue Net, which was acquired by GTD in September 2005.
 
(9)
Only those companies that own the infrastructure to provide the service.
 
Telefónica Chile faces intense competition in every aspect of its business activities. Unless otherwise indicated, all statements regarding the competitive position of Telefónica Chile are based on the Companys internal estimates.
 
Fixed Telecommunications
 
The fixed telephony market in Chile reached approximately 3.4 million lines as of December 2008, the same as year-end 2007. The rate of penetration of fixed lines, as of December 2008, was 20.2 lines per 100 inhabitants.
 
Although Telefónica Chile operates approximately 63% of the local fixed lines in service in Chile, its market share has been declining for the past seven years because of intense competition in key niches of the market due to the aggressive offers of competitors.
 
Currently, there are ten operators that provide fixed telephony service and, in the aggregate, operate the total number of fixed lines in service in Chile as of December 31, 2008. In certain areas of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Complejo Manufacturero de Equipos Telefónicos S.A.C.I. (“CMET”), GTD S.A. (“Grupo Teleductos”), which includes operations from Manquehue Net and Telesat S.A., VTR Telefónica S.A. (“VTR”), which is an 80% subsidiary of Liberty Media, Entel Telefonía Local S.A. (“Entelphone”), which is a local telephony subsidiary of Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. (“Entel”), and Compañía Nacional de Teléfonos (“Telefónica del Sur” or “Telsur”), hold licenses to provide local service. Furthermore, two companies, Telsur and its subsidiary Compañía Telefónica de Coyhaique S.A. (“Telcoy), have licenses to provide local service in southern ChileTelsur in Regions X and XI and Telcoy in Regions XI and XII. Additionally, Telmex operates in the corporate segment of the main cities in the country and recently entered the residential segment with an offer of bundled services which is enhanced by its development of its HFC network. Apart from Telefónica Chile, three other companies provide local telephone service in rural areas. Telefónica Chile also competes with providers of private communications systems, particularly in areas of significant business activity.
 
 
 
25

 
Broadband
 
Broadband connections (ADSL, cable modem, W:Max and Wireless Local Loop (“WLL”)) in Chile currently represent 99% of all Internet connections (broadband, narrowband and dedicated). Broadband penetration of total homes in Chile (calculated as “total accesses/total homes) has increased from 29% in 2007 to 32% at the end of 2008. Moreover, broadband through fixed lines (“fixed broadband”) connections grew to 1,450,000 by year-end 2008, a 13% increase. As of December 2008, ADSL broadband connections represented 57% of the countrys total broadband use.
 
There are nine operators in the Chilean broadband market (broadband being defined as connections of 128 kbps or more) using the different technologies. One of the nine operators provides broadband service utilizing cable modems (VTR). Four use only ADSL technology (Telefónica Chile, Telefónica del Sur, GTD and CMET). Additionally, Entel utilizes ADSL and WLL technology and Telmex utilizes ADSL and WiMax. Claro and Telefónica Chile offer mobile broadband access. The Company estimates that, as of December 31, 2008, its ADSL service (including direct sales and as a wholesale provider) accounted for approximately 49% of all fixed broadband access offered in Chile.
 
Long Distance
 
The LD telephony market in Chile maintains its trend toward decreased traffic, observed since 1999. Thus, annual domestic LD traffic decreased by 11% in 2008 compared to the previous year, while international LD traffic fell by 4% in the same period. These results are primarily due to the substitution by mobile telephony and Internet communications.
 
In 2008, Telefónica Larga Distancias market share represented approximately 47% of domestic LD voice traffic and 43% of outgoing international LD voice traffic, maintaining market leadership in domestic and international LD, according to Telefónica Chile estimates.
 
Corporate Customer Communications and Data
 
Strong competition remains in the corporate communications and data transmission market in Chile because of the ongoing aggressiveness exhibited by operators. Operators are continuing to migrate their traditional services (ATM, Frame Relay and Datared) to IP networks and are expanding their services into outsourcing of IT services. As of December 2008, there are eight operators in the countrys major cities and only three have national infrastructure coverage. Telefónica Chile estimates that as of December 31, 2008, its share of the total revenues generated by the market for these services was approximately 44%. In this market, the Company competes mainly with Entel, Telmex Chile, Teleductos and Telsur.
 
Security
 
Telefónica Chile, through its subsidiary Telemergencia, participated in the security business until October 2008, when the client portfolio and related assets were sold to a third party.
 
Corporate Goals and Business Strategy
 
Telefónica Chiles goal is to lead the growth and innovative development of the information society in Chile by building relationships of deep-seated trust and mutual benefit with customers, employees, shareholders, the government and the country at-large.
 
The Company harnesses its corporate values, communications solutions and Telefónica Groups technological innovations in the service of this goal, striving to improve the lives of its customers and contribute to the countrys welfare.
 
Accordingly, in 2008, despite the turbulent global and local economies, Telefónica Chile invested over US$150 million in the deployment of broadband technologies, high-speed networks, data services and information technologies.
 
This has led to significant advances, the most noteworthy being:
 
 
 
26

 
 
·
Quadrupling broadband connection speed from an average of 600 kpbs in late 2007 to 2.4 Mpbs in late 2008.
 
 
·
Ensuring broadband network coverage and quality in almost 99% of its current infrastructure through upgrades in the external copper network, new nodes and fiber-optic links.
 
 
·
Making IP service convergence a reality in the corporate markets (VoIP, VPN IP and Centrex).
 
Corporate and Business Strategy
 
The internal action plan for the Companys strategy is based on “Plan Ahora,” launched in early 2007, defining specific goals for each of the companys four strategic pillars: customers, employees, society and shareholders.
 
In 2008, the Company made significant progress in meeting the plans components, the most noteworthy being: a customer-oriented organizational culture; implementation of several initiatives designed to improve service and customer care quality; reducing revenue growths dependence on traditional businesses; motivating employees to achieve common targets; the “Pro-niño project; and the “Public-Private Agreement for Digital Connectivity in Chile.”
 
The specific goals of the plans four pillars are:
 
Customers: “The best customer experience”
 
The goal is to lead the industry in customer satisfaction. To achieve this, the Company promotes an organizational culture based on excellence, innovation and customer focus in all areas, emphasizing service delivery and customer care quality with a view to consolidating its competitive and market leadership position.
 
Employees: “The best company to work for in the telecommunications industry”
 
With a view to attracting the best talent and assembling a team that is not only the best but is also motivated and keen to accomplish its goals, the Company has implemented an internal workplace management model that focuses on five areas of action: leadership, communications, compensation, development and recognition.
 
Society: “Social commitment”
 
The Companys goal is to be recognized as a socially responsible company in light of its efforts to shrink the digital-social gap by providing broadband access to the low-income population and by contributing to education through digital literacy and connectivity programs at schools and through social programs.
 
Shareholders: “The best combination of growth and profitability”
 
The Company maintains particular emphasis on constant innovation and on productivity gains, with the aim of growing profitably and in line with shareholders demands. Thus, the Company invests in businesses with the greatest potential impact, ensuring efficient operations and process management.
 
Licenses and Tariffs
 
Licenses
 
Under Law No. 18,168 (as amended, and together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Telecommunications Law”), companies must obtain licenses in order to provide the following telecommunications services:
 
 
·
public telecommunications services (services provided to the public, such as local and mobile telephony, data transmission, paging and trunking);
 
 
·
intermediate telecommunications services (services provided to companies that are holders of telecommunications licenses, as well as domestic and international LD services provided under the Multicarrier System); and
 
 
 
27

 
 
·
broadcasting services, such as those provided by radio and television stations.
 
Only corporate entities may obtain licenses. Licenses specify the conditions that the license holder must fulfill in order to install, operate and develop the service and business that are the subject of the license. Licenses granted since 1994 for public and intermediate services generally have 30-year terms and may be renewed indefinitely for 30-year periods at the request of the operator (although certain licenses held by Telefónica Chile have longer terms).
 
Holders of local telephone service licenses are required to provide service to all parties located in the license area that have requested such service within two years of such request. In addition, license holders must provide service to all parties situated outside the license area who are willing to pay for the line extensions required to reach their location from the license holders facilities.
 
The Telecommunications Law requires that holders of public telecommunications service licenses interconnect their networks to other networks providing the same type of service. This requirement is intended to ensure that subscribers and users of public services are able to communicate with each other, both inside the country and abroad. The same requirement applies to holders of intermediate service licenses for LD services, who are required to interconnect their networks to the local telephone network. Subtel sets the tariffs applicable to services provided through the interconnection of networks, in accordance with the procedures established in the Telecommunications Law. The structure, level and indexing of these interconnection rates are fixed by a tariff decree.
 
More than one service license may be granted for the same geographic area. Moreover, in instances where the number of licenses to be granted is limited by technical or other concerns, such licenses are awarded through a public bidding process.
 
The Telecommunications Law specifies certain causes for which an operator can be sanctioned through the termination of its public or intermediate service license. A license may be terminated, after notice of noncompliance with the applicable technical regulations, by executive decree, if the operator is in violation of the law or does not comply with the terms and conditions to which the license is subject. If the holder believes that its license has been terminated unlawfully, the holder may appeal the termination in Chilean courts. If a license is terminated, the holder is barred from applying for any license for a period of five years.
 
The following table provides the breakdown of those products and services offered by Telefónica Chile that are regulated under the 2004 to 2009 tariff decree (“Tariff Decree No. 169”) or are unregulated and that require or do not require licenses.
 
 
Services Subject to Tariff Regulation
 
 
Activities Not Subject to Tariff Regulation
 
License Required(1)
 
 
License Required
 
 
License Not Required
Local telephone service
 
Domestic long distance service
 
Sale of advertising in telephone directories
         
Access charges and interconnection
 
International long distance service
 
Direct marketing
         
Public telephones(1)
 
Mobile communications(2)
 
Sales and leasing of telephone and facsimile equipment and private exchanges (“PABX”)
         
Line connections
 
Public data transmission
 
Supplementary services
         
Unbundled network services(3)
 
Other unbundled network services(3)
 
Broadband
         
   
Pay television
   
 

(1)
All services subject to tariff regulation require licenses, except the public telephony. However, Telefónica Chiles public telephony services are regulated.
 
(2)
The interconnection fee for calls to the mobile networks is regulated under the CPP structure. See “—Licenses and TariffsCalling Party Pays Structure” below. The mobile business was sold in July 2004.
 
(3)
Only the unbundling of the local network, as defined by the Antitrust Commission, is regulated.
 
 
 
28

 
Licenses Held by Telefónica Chile
 
Telefónica Chile holds the following licenses for the provision of telecommunications services:
 
 
·
Local Telephony Public Service Licenses. Telefónica Chile holds a license for local telephone service in all regions of Chile for a 50-year renewable period beginning as of December 1982, except Regions X and XI, which were incorporated to said license in 1995. In addition, the Company holds licenses for local telephone service in the Santiago Metropolitan Region and in certain cities in Regions V and VIII for an indefinite term. Telefónica Chile also holds a nationwide public service renewable license for data transmission for a 30-year period beginning as of July 1995.
 
 
·
Multicarrier Long Distance Licenses. Under the Multicarrier System, Telefónica Chiles long distance subsidiary, Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A. (formerly, Telefónica Mundo), held 30-year renewable licenses beginning as of April 1993 to install and operate a nationwide fiber-optic network, a network of base stations and other transmission equipment, and to provide domestic and international LD services, including voice, data and image transmission, throughout Chile. The Companys other LD subsidiary, Globus, also held licenses for an indefinite term to provide domestic and international LD services through central switches and cable and fiber-optic networks nationwide. Since the merger of Globus and Telefónica Mundo in 2006, all the aforementioned licenses are owned by Telefónica Larga Distancia.
 
 
·
Public Service Data Transmission. In addition to the 30-year data transmission license previously mentioned, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Empresas, holds, as of March 1987, nationwide public service data transmission licenses for an indefinite term.
 
 
·
Limited Television License. The Companys subsidiary, Telefónica Multimedia, formerly known as Tecnonaútica S.A. (see “Item 4. History and Development of the CompanyDivestitures”), has a license to establish, operate and use a portion of the spectrum of the 2.6 GHz bandwidth in Santiago, Chile, for an indefinite period. The license was modified to be an intermediate telecommunications service concession, authorizing the frequencies used to communicate voice, data and images for a 30-year period. This period started on February 29, 2008. Since December 2005, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Multimedia, has held a nationwide 10-year renewable license to provide limited satellite television service. Additionally, in January 2006, Telefónica Chile, through Telefónica Multimedia, was assigned a limited television service license to provide the service nationwide in the main municipalities, except Region III and Region Metropolitana, through the Companys xDSL broadband network for an indefinite period. Moreover, in March 2007, a limited television service license was granted in order to provide this service through the xDSL broadband network in the Metropolitan Region for an indefinite period.
 
 
·
Wireless Local Telephony Licenses. Telefónica Chile also holds licenses for wireless local telephony (3400 to 3700 MHz) in Regions XI and XII, which enable the transmission of voice, data and images. This frequency may be used for Wi-Fi and Wi-Max developments, among others.
 
The Tariff System
 
Pursuant to the Telecommunications Law, prices for public telecommunications services and intermediary telecommunications services in Chile are not regulated unless the Antitrust Authority (“Competition Tribunal”) specifically rules that the conditions existing in the market are insufficient to ensure a free pricing system, in which case maximum tariffs for certain telecommunications services must be subject to tariff regulation. The Competition Tribunal may subject public local telephony services and domestic and international long distance services, except for mobile telephone services to the public, which are expressly exempted under the Telecommunications Law, and the switching services and signals provided as intermediate telecommunications service or as private circuits, to price regulation. In addition, maximum prices for interconnection services (mainly inter-company access fees for network usage) are, as a matter of law, subject to tariff regulation and are set in accordance with procedures established by the Telecommunications Law.
 
Also pursuant to the Telecommunications Law, once the Competition Tribunal has determined that tariff regulation is necessary, the structure, level and indexing of the maximum tariffs that may be charged for tariff-regulated services are fixed by a joint decree issued by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the
 
 
 
29

 
Ministry of the Economy (together, the “Ministries”). The Ministries determine such maximum tariffs by applying to each regulated company an economic model based on the costs, efficiency and growth rates of a hypothetical company that provides only regulated services, and calculating a rate of return on such services in line with the hypothetical companys market cost of capital. Telefónica Chiles actual rate of return, however, may vary from the predictions of the model. Each maximum tariff takes into account the relevant cost components associated with providing the regulated service, and is adjusted monthly in accordance with the tariff index (the “Tariff Index”), as contemplated in the tariff structure and described below. A distinct Tariff Index exists for each individual regulated service that reflects the different theoretical cost components associated with each such service.
 
As part of the tariff-setting process, license holders prepare studies of each regulated service that they provide in each license area, calculating the incremental development costs and the total long-term cost with respect to each such service for a five-year period. The purpose of these studies is to propose to  the Ministries a structure for and level of future tariffs for each regulated service in each license area.
 
Regulatory Framework
 
The first five-year tariff period commenced in 1989, at which time the Competition Tribunal determined that the conditions prevailing in the local and domestic and international LD markets did not guarantee free competition and therefore would be subject to regulation. However, according to Resolution No. 515, in April 1998, the Antitrust Commission determined that only local services, public telephone services and line connections offered by dominant companies would be subject to tariff regulation. In addition, Resolution No. 515 included the unbundled network services among the services subject to tariff regulation.
 
On January 18, 2001, the Company estimated that market conditions had changed and consequently asked the Antitrust Commission to deregulate local telephone rates charged to the public, stating, in its opinion, that the then-existing market conditions warranted deregulation throughout the country. However, on July 11, 2001, by Resolution No. 611, the Antitrust Commission rejected the Companys petition, although the Antitrust Commission asked the National Economic Attorney Generals Office to monitor the evolution of the market in order to detect changes as they occur that could lead to the deregulation of certain services in certain geographic areas. The Antitrust Commission also decided that Telefónica Chile could request authorization to offer alternative tariff plans and request the authority to issue complementary resolutions to Tariff Decree No. 187, which would allow for differentiated rates within each tariff area. In accordance with this decision, in the second half of 2001, the Company submitted a proposal to Subtel for alternative tariff plans for different customer categories. In this regard, on May 24, 2002, Subtel approved the Companys proposal to offer prepaid service for fixed line customers. Moreover, on August 24, 2002, the Ministries issued Decree No. 455, which approved a high usage plan oriented toward residential customers and a very high usage plan oriented toward corporate customers, which were based on a flat monthly fee.
 
Tariff Setting Process for Telefónica Chiles Services for 2004 to 2009: Tariff Decree No. 169
 
On January 13, 2003, Telefónica Chile requested that the Antitrust Commission, on the basis that market conditions were sufficient to guarantee healthy competition, rule in favor of fully deregulating tariffs in specific geographical areas. The Company also requested that, in cases where conditions are not sufficient to guarantee competition, the Antitrust Commission define the services that will be subject to tariff regulation by the corresponding ministries, nonetheless affording the Company the flexibility to offer alternative tariff plans to the regulated rates without previous authorization.
 
On May 22, 2003, the Antitrust Commission issued Resolution No. 686. This Resolution ruled against deregulation of rates charged by Telefónica Chile for services to the public. The Antitrust Commission did not issue a specific pronouncement regarding the request for tariff flexibility. In view of this, on September 1, 2003, the Company submitted to the Antitrust Commission a request for an explanation and expansion of Resolution No. 686 regarding tariff flexibility.
 
Thus, on October 13, 2003, the Antitrust Commission issued Resolution No. 709, unanimously approving the Companys September 1, 2003 request for local telephony services tariff flexibility and making it possible to offer alternative plans within a framework of conditions to be subsequently specified by the regulator.
 
 
 
30

 
On February 26, 2004, a rule of procedures regarding how the Company may offer alternative tariff plans was published in the Official Gazette. A relevant aspect is that no previous authorization is required to offer these plans. Plans are not subject to maximum tariffs or predetermined structures, and may include joint offers with other telecommunications and non-telecommunications services.
 
By Exent Resolution No. 1,418, dated November 25, 2008, Subtel affirmed 2007s level of average monthly consumption of “heavy use” plans of 5,000 minutes per customer for 2009.
 
Resolution No. 686 of May 2003, also defined the services subject to tariff regulation by the Ministries for the 2004 to 2009 tariff decree, which were substantially similar to the services regulated in Tariff Decree No. 187.
 
In February 2005, Tariff Decree No. 169 was approved and published in the Official Gazette. Starting in May 2004, the Company began charging customers with the published rates retroactively from May 6, 2004, as required by the Telecommunications Law. In addition to the new tariffs, Tariff Decree No. 169 also provides for seven tariff areas compared to four in the previous decree, three time slots (normal from 08:00 to 19:59 hrs.; reduced from 20:00 to 24:00 hrs.; and night from 0:00 to 8:00 hrs. on weekdays) versus two in Tariff Decree No. 187, adjustments in the composition of the tariff indicator and a new prepaid tariff. The average variation in tariffs between Tariff Decree No. 169 and the existing Tariff Decree, based on 2003 traffic, is as follows:
 
 
 
Average Tariff Variation Between
Decree No. 169 and Decree
No. 187(1)
Fixed Charge
+7.7%
Variable ChargeMeasured Local Service (MLS)
-18.3%
Local Tranche (to mobile and rural operators)
+48.2%
Local Tranche (to Internet and 10X numbers)
+28.3%
Access Charge
+49.1%
 
(1)
Traffic is weighted according to 2003 Company traffic in the different time slots. 2003 was used as the reference year, because 2004 traffic was influenced by the impact of two different tariffs (under Tariff Decrees No. 187 and No. 169). Tariff Decree No. 169 also introduced a regulated prepaid tariff which amounted to Ch$150.48 in Chilean pesos as of Dec. 2002 (excluding VAT).
 
A Tariff Index has also been defined to adjust monthly maximum regulated tariffs, which is different for the fixed monthly charge and the variable charges (including the variable charge per minute, the local interconnection charge and access charges), taking into account: (i) the monthly variation of the wholesaler price index (“WPI”) for domestic goods, (ii) the monthly variation of the WPI for imported goods, (iii) consumer price index, (iv) wholesaler price index, (v) access charge index (for variable charge only) and (vi) the prevailing corporate income tax rate. The use of the Tariff Index permits the Company to significantly minimize the impact of inflation on its revenues from tariff-regulated services.
 
The following is the Tariff Index for Tariff Decree No. 169:
 
Index
 
WDGPI(1)
   
WIGPI(2)
   
Index of Wages and Salaries
   
CPI(3)
   
WPI(4)
   
Access Charge Index(5)
 
Fixed Charge
    36 %     21.3 %           12.4 %     30.3 %      
Variable Charge (MLS)
    9.5 %     34.0 %           19.4 %     26.3 %     10.8 %
 

(1)
WDGPI:  Wholesaler domestic goods price index.
 
(2)
WIGPI:  Wholesaler imported goods price index (U.S. dollar component).
 
(3)
CPI:  Consumer price index.
 
(4)
WPI:  Wholesaler price index.
 
(5)
Access charge index:  A composite of access charges for non-Telefónica Chile operators.
 
 
 
31

 
Tariff Setting Process for Telefónica Chiles Services for 2009-2014
 
In January 2008, through a petition by the Ministry of Telecommunications to the Competition Tribunal to determine if prevailing market conditions warranted a free pricing regime in local telephony services, the process for setting tariffs for the period from 2009 to 2014 commenced. After a discussion process and presentation of antecedents by almost all industry actors, the Competition Tribunal, through Report No. 2/2009 of January 30, 2009, liberalized tariffs for the following services: telephony line service, variable charge, line connection and public telephony.
 
Additionally, price regulation for “local tranche” and value-added services, including disconnection and replacement of the service, access entitled for domestic and international LD and complementary services, among others, was expanded to apply to all companies, not just dominant companies. Also, tariff regulation for unbundled network services for all fixed-line companies remains in effect.
 
Moreover, the Competition Tribunal upheld the classification of Telefónica del Sur (and its related company, Telcoy) in Regions X, XI and XIV, ENTEL in Isla de Pascua and Telefónica Chile in the rest of the country as dominant companies.
 
Furthermore, the Competition Tribunal made several recommendations for increasing competition, including:
 
 
·
requiring service providers to offer “effectively” bundled services separately and to identify the unit price by service and discount associated with the bundling;
 
 
·
measures to prevent the offering of fixed-mobile bundling services;
 
 
·
maintaining close oversight of contracts and agreements between related fixed and mobile companies;
 
 
·
maintaining regulations, such as “Flexibility Ruling (No. 742),” for commercializing plans and increasing transparency in price information and plan conditions;
 
 
·
reassigning the responsibility for defining “unbundling” and “resale of services” from the Competition Tribunal to Subtel;
 
 
·
requiring Subtel to assure an effective resale offer from fixed telephony companies with installed networks;
 
 
·
suggesting eliminating call price differences among same company telephones (“on net”) and towards different ones (“off net”); and
 
 
·
the rapid implementation of number portability for fixed and mobile telephony.
 
In conjunction with the above, in April 2008, Telefónica Chile presented its technical and economic basis proposal for a new Tariff Setting Process for the Companys regulated services for the period from 2009 to 2014. Subtel issued definitive technical and economic bases in June 9, 2008, through Exent Resolution No. 562. On November 7, 2008, the Company presented its tariff proposal for the different regulated services and on March 7, 2009, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications issued the objections and counterproposals report. Telefonica Chile requested the constitution of an expert panel, whose recomendation will be included in Telefonica Chiles reply. Finally, a new Tariff Decree regulating services that remain subject to tariff regulation under Report No. 2/2009 of the Competition Tribunal, for the period from 2009 to 2014, will be in place on May 7, 2009.
 
Multicarrier System
 
On March 10, 1994, Law No. 19,302 amended the Telecommunications Law to introduce the Multicarrier System for LD services. Among other things, the Multicarrier System permits local telephone service providers to obtain licenses to supply domestic and international LD services through a subsidiary or affiliate using their own equipment. Under this system, users are able to select LD carriers on a dialed or pre-subscribed basis.
 
 
 
32

 
Calling Party Pays Structure
 
Calling Party Pays (“CPP”) was implemented on February 23, 1999. Under this tariff structure, local telephone companies pay mobile telephone companies an interconnection charge for calls placed from fixed networks to mobile networks.
 
On April 12, 2004, the Chilean General Comptroller approved the tariff decrees for mobile interconnection tariffs and interconnection facilities of the mobile telephony networks, applicable to the operators in this market for the 2004 to 2009 period, which were published in the Official Gazette on April 14, 2004. These decrees were applied retroactively to January 23, 2004 for mobile operators, except for Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A., for which it is applied retroactively to February 12, 2004. The tariff decrees stipulate three time slots defined as “peak,”reduced” and “night and new per-minute tariffs for the period. The tariffs implied a decline of 26.5% in the first year, compared to the average tariff in Chilean pesos as of December 2002, with a subsequent 0.5% decrease per year thereafter. The new tariffs imply an average decrease of 27.4% for the period of 2004 to 2009 in comparison with the average tariff in Chilean pesos as of December 2002.
 
In July 2004, the Company sold its mobile subsidiary and therefore is no longer regulated in this business. See “—History and Development of the CompanyDivestitures” above.
 
The tariff-setting process for interconnection rates of the mobile companies, corresponding to the period from 2009 to 2014, finished with the issuance of tariff decrees in January 2009, establishing an average decrease of 44.6% from outstanding tariffs as of December 2008. Although these decrees were published in the Official Gazette on April 13, 2009, they will apply retroactively to January 24, 2009.
 
Lawsuit Against the State of Chile
 
On October 31, 2001, Telefónica Chile filed an administrative motion for reconsideration with the Ministries, to correct the following errors in the issuance of Tariff Decree No. 187: a mathematical error in determining the fixed monthly charge for telephone line service; unlawful application of the depreciation method; failure to consider the costs of telephone directories; incorrectly assuming lower investments related to the location of switching centers; erroneous application of the same local telephone service non-payment rate to the CPP service; and failure to scale access charges and local tranche charges. On January 29, 2002, the Ministries issued a joint response rejecting the administrative motion filed by Telefónica Chile.
 
Upon exhausting the administrative recourses available to correct what the Company believes are illegal actions taken in the tariff-setting process discussed above, in March 2002, Telefónica Chile filed a lawsuit for damages against the State of Chile. This legal action seeks damages in the amount of Ch$181,038 million (US$274 million, historical value as of the date of the lawsuit), plus adjustments and interests, covering past and prospective losses through May 2004 arising from errors incurred in Tariff Decree No. 187. Experts reports have been presented on various aspects of the case supporting the position held by Telefónica Chiles position. On March 29, 2005, the judge called the period of discussion and proof provision from the interested parties to a close, in order to issue a sentence in first instance. In March 2008, the trial court rejected the Companys claims. The Company is appealing this decision.
 
For further information, see “Item 8. Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.”
 
Voissnet Lawsuit
 
Voissnet has filed two complaints before the Antitrust Commission against Telefónica Chile alleging improper business practices related to the commercialization of its broadband and telephony offerings. Telenica Chile has requested that both complaints be rejected.  The Competition Tribunal stated it would issue a combined ruling on both claims.
 
For further information, see “Item 8. Financial InformationLegal Proceedings.”
 
 
 
33

 
Key Proposed Changes to the Regulatory Framework
 
Public Inquiries on Regulations for IP Telephony Services
 
In July and August 2004, Subtel initiated a process of public inquiries addressed to the main participants in the telecommunications industry in connection with their proposals regarding network unbundling and IP telephony.
 
The proposal for IP telephony defined a special type of telephony over broadband, which is provided over existing infrastructure and with lower regulatory requirements than traditional telephony. This discriminates against traditional local operators, which are subject to different conditions for the same service. The Company, along with other operators, presented its comments on, and legal objections to, the proposal, calling it, among other things, discriminatory and likely to inhibit investment in new infrastructure and broadband.
 
On December 20, 2006, Subtel made a public inquiry on the proposed rules governing public voice over IP. As was required, Telefónica Chile provided its comments and proposals on January 26, 2007.
 
From the new regulation presented by Subtel, the most relevant proposals were:
 
 
·
The concessionaires of public telephone services and LD intermediate telecommunication services will be able to obtain concessions for the new service, without restrictions or limitations of any sort. This means that the regulation does not exclude or limit the participation of Telefónica Chile and Telefónica Larga Distancia.
 
 
·
To provide public services of voice over IP, a concession obtained by supreme decree will be required.
 
 
·
The concessionaires of the new services must establish and accept the interconnection with telephony public services networks. Costs of interconnections must be charged to the new operators.
 
 
·
The coverage of the concession will be nationwide.
 
 
·
The concessionaires of the new services must provide access to emergency services and will not be obligated to distribute phone directories.
 
 
·
The concessionaires will be able to use the telephone service numbering.
 
 
·
The regulation will come into effect 6 months from the date of the publication in the Official Gazette.
 
Thirty companies provided comments. In general, the telephone companies approved of the regulation and favored the application of regulations similar to those of public telephone service to voice over IP. Companies from the computer sector, however, supported having less regulation over this service.
 
The resulting regulation, Rule No. 484, regarding voice over IP services was published in the Official Gazette on June 14, 2008.  Rule No. 484 was generally similar to the proposed regulations described above.
 
Public Inquiry on “Bill Amending Law No. 18,168 (the General Telecommunications Act)  to Create a Panel of Experts to Resolve Disputes Arising in the Telecommunications Industry”
 
On September 6, 2006, Subtel announced a public inquiry on a bill to create an expert committee, made up of seven professionals, to resolve disputes in the telecommunications industry. The document proposes, among other things, a list of matters to be resolved by the panel, the panels powers and duties, its composition (five engineers and two attorneys named by the Antitrust Commission), and the areas where it lacks jurisdiction. The costs of the panel would be borne by the concessionaires on a prorated basis, which may take into account the value of their assets and/or the estimated number of disputes affecting them as well as the nature and complexity of these disputes.
 
Telefónica Chile duly submitted its proposal and comments, along with Movistar, Telmex, Telefónica del Sur and Telcoy, GTD, VTR, Entel, SOFOFA, Colegio de Ingenieros, and Instituto Libertad y Desarrollo.
 
 
 
34

 
On April 29, 2008, the Government presented a bill before the National Congress in order to create the expert committee.
 
Public Inquiry on “Creation of an Office of Superintendent of Telecommunications”
 
This bill aims at modifying the Telecommunications Law in order to create a jurisdictional separation between the setting of telecommunications policy and the monitoring and punitive preventive control of market operations. As of January 31, 2009, no bill had been presented before the National Congress on this matter.
 
Public Inquiry on “Amendment of License Regime”
 
This bill aims to give network operators and service providers a set of rules to eliminate bureaucratic procedures when initiating services. In view of technological advances leading to a convergence of networks and services, the proposed system is designed, among other issues, to replace the license and permit granting procedures currently required prior to initiating service. The new registration-based system would make it necessary to register before telecommunications service can be provided, but would eliminate the need for prior approval from regulatory authorities unless the service involves exclusive use of the radio spectrum.
 
In addition, this bill:
 
 
·
establishes differences between network operators and service operators;
 
 
·
eliminates local and domestic long distance separation and domestic LD multicarrier, keeping it only for international LD;
 
 
·
amends the freedom to determine service areas by providing that service areas originally listed upon registration may not be reduced;
 
 
·
defines broadband as a “telecommunications service”;
 
 
·
provides for higher penalties by increasing fines; and
 
 
·
shortens the period for addressing service supply requests from two years to six months.
 
As of January 31, 2009, no bill had been presented before the National Congress on this matter.
 
Network Neutrality Bill
 
Aimed at ISPs and telecommunications access providers, the Network Neutrality Bill, among other provisions, contains the prohibition against blocking, interfering with, discriminating against or hindering the ability of users to access, utilize, send, receive or offer any legitimate content, application or service through the Internet; requires access providers and ISPs to take action designed to ensure user privacy, virus protection and network security; and sets a 90-day period for Subtel to issue regulatory provisions for operating issues and identify practices restricting the free use of content or services. This bill is now at its second constitutional stage. Telefónica Chile has submitted a report, including comments and proposals, to the Senate Public Works, Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, including comments and proposals.
 
Digital Connectivity
 
In 2007, Telefónica Chile jointly executed a Digital Connectivity Agreement with Subtel, Fundación País Digital, fixed and mobile telephony licensees, LD carriers, the Mobile Telephony Association and the Association of Internet Providers. By setting goals aimed at improving telecommunications service coverage, the agreement seeks to enhance collaborative efforts toward significantly reducing the digital gap. Goals include facilitating communications for the general public, attaining two million broadband access points, connecting 100% of rural schools, providing access to telecommunications services to 95% of the countrys rural population, and driving the countrys productive development through information and communication technologies.
 
 
 
35

 
Telefónica Chile will participate in various work areas described in the Digital Connectivity Agreement. These include: digital connectivity regulations, competition and new technology, the Telecommunications Development Fund and corporate social responsibility, and indicators and tracking.
 
Bill to Amend the Free Competition Act
 
In June, 2006, the Government announced a legal initiative seeking to amend the law on free competition to eliminate the implicit risk of market concentration. This initiative is aimed at taking preventive action and increasing the maximum penalty that the Antitrust Commission may impose from 20,000 to 30,000 Annual Tax Units (from US$15 to US$22 million). This bill is now at its second constitutional stage in the Congress.
 
Law Project that Modifies the Telecommunications Development Fund
 
Currently, companies with public and intermediate telecommunications service concessions that offer LD services and companies with limited television service permits may participate in public auctions for the right to develop telecommunications projects financed by the Telecommunications Development Fund, which is financed by the Government. In order to participate in the auctions of this fund, these companies were required to create separate corporations, which are subject to the laws and standards governing publicly traded companies and to the regulation of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. On July 12, 2007, Law No. 20,196 was passed, modifying Article 28F of the Ley General de Telecomunicaciones, eliminating the obligation for concessionaires and permit holders of telecommunications services to create separate corporations when participating in public bidding processes of the Telecommunications Development Fund.
 
C.           Organizational Structure
 
As a result of the tender offers described above, Telefónica Chile is now controlled by TIC, which holds a 97.89% interest. The shareholders of TIC are Telefónica Chile Holding B.V. (99.99%) and Telefónica Internacional Holding B.V. (0.01%), both of which are 100% controlled by Telefónica, a Spanish communications company whose shares are listed on various European, American and Asian stock exchanges. Telefónicas capital stock is widely held and Telefónica does not have a controlling shareholder. Telefónica S.A. also has direct or indirect ownership interests in the following companies that operate in the Chilean market: Atento Chile S.A., Terra Networks Chile S.A., Telefónica International Wholesale Services Chile S.A., Telefónica Móviles Soluciones y Aplicaciones S.A. and Telefónica Móviles Chile S.A.
 
Subsidiaries and Certain Affiliates of Telefónica Chile
 
The following chart sets forth the organization of Telefónica Chiles subsidiaries and affiliates, all of which are Chilean corporations, except for TBS Celular Participações S.A., which is a Brazilian corporation. Percentage ownership information is as of December 31, 2008.
 
Telefónica Chiles business activities are managed through the following operating subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
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On October 2008, Telefónica Chile sold the assets and client portfolio of Telemergencia to Prosegur for Ch$15,563 million (US$24.4 million). Subsequently, the Company purchased from t-gestiona its .001% interest in Telemergencia, thus gathering 100% of its capital stock, and then dissolved the company as of December 31, 2008.
 
Subsidiaries and Related Companies
 
Telefónica Larga Distancia
 
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A. (“Telefónica Larga Distancia”), formerly Telefónica Mundo S.A., a subsidiary formed in 1989, is the Companys domestic and international long distance subsidiary carrier. See “—Business OverviewLicenses and TariffsThe Tariff SystemMulticarrier System” and “—Business OverviewLicenses and TariffsLicenses.” The Government granted Telefónica Larga Distancia licenses to provide domestic and international long distance services with its own equipment effective August 27, 1994.
 
On October 14, 1998, Telefónica Chile completed its acquisition of 99.9% of the equity securities of VTR Larga Distancia, a telecommunications company offering data transmission and domestic and international long distance services throughout Chile. The LD business of VTR Larga Distancia was transferred to a newly created subsidiary, Globus, and the data transmission business of VTR Larga Distancia was later absorbed by Telefónica Empresas, the subsidiary which largely forms the Companys corporate customers communications and data business area. In 2006, Telefónica Larga Distancia was formed out of the merger of Globus and Telefónica Mundo.
 
Telefónica Larga Distancia currently operates the most extensive fiber-optic network in the country, stretching from Region I (the Peruvian border) to Region XII (Punta Arenas), including connections to Peru and Argentina. In 2006, a new tranche of the network was inaugurated from Region X (Osorno) to Region XII, passing through Argentina between Aduana Pajaritos (Region X) and reaching Cerro Redondo and Punta Arenas in Region XII. In 2007, this connection was complemented with a new fiber optic link between Aduana Pajaritos and Puerto Natales (XII Region). Telefónica Larga Distancia also operates digital satellite and microwave links. In addition, Telefónica Larga Distancia participates actively in the development and use of submarine fiber-optic networks such as Unisur, Americas II, Atlantis II, Panamericano, Maya I, TPC-5, Pencan 5, Taino Caribe, Sea Me We-3 and SAM-1 (TIWS), and in the Hispasat, Intelsat and Telesat (formerly Loral Skynet) satellite systems.
 
Telefónica Empresas
 
In 1992, Telefónica Empresas Chile S.A. (“Telefónica Empresas”) began operating Telefónica Chiles private telecommunications services (including data transmission, and the sale and rental of networks and equipment) and managing the Companys large business and institutional customer accounts.
 
Telefónica Multimedia
 
In February 2006, the Tecnonaútica subsidiary changed its name to Telefónica Multimedia, extending its corporate purpose to television services. This subsidiary is responsible for developing, installing, maintaining, marketing, and operating cable, satellite and regular or broadband television services using any physical or technical media, including basic, special or paid individual or multi-channel services, video on demand, and interactive or multimedia television services.
 
t-gestiona
 
On August 1, 2001, Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A. (“t-gestiona”) began operations. This subsidiary is responsible for the provision of support services to other business areas of the Company, including logistics delivery, e-learning, fund management, insurance, collection, personnel, tax, real estate administration and general services.
 
Instituto Telefónica
 
In November 2006, a former Telefónica Chile subsidiary, Telepeajes, changed its name to Instituto Telefónica Chile and also changed its corporate purpose to training under the terms set forth in Law No. 19,518, including training in private security matters.
 
 
 
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Atento Chile
 
Atento Chile S.A. (“Atento Chile) was created on May 5, 1999. Currently Telefónica Chile holds 28.84% (27.41% directly and 1.43% indirectly) of this affiliate, which operates an integrated global call-center business platform among its members. Atento Chile offers Telefónica Chile directory assistance, technical assistance and customer complaint management, as well as general commercial and sales information.
 
Telemergencia
 
Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. was created in 2001 to offer security services through alarm monitoring systems connected to the phone line, as well as home assistance services. This subsidiary was dissolved as of December 31, 2008.
 
Fundación Telefónica
 
Fundación Telefónica Chile (“Fundación Telefónica”) has existed since 1999 when it was created to contribute to the improvement of living conditions for the most vulnerable social groups, encouraging the development of education and equal opportunity by applying new information technologies to the learning process. The equity interest of Telefónica Chile in this subsidiary amounts to 50.0%.
 
TBS Celular
 
The primary purpose and activity of TBS Celular Participações S.A. (“TBS Celular”) is to hold the shares of Compañía Riograndense de Telecomunicaciones (“CRT”) acquired through an international bidding process conducted pursuant to Edital COD 04/96 or any other shares that may be offered in the future. In addition, TBS Celular performs any and all activities pertaining to the management of CRT, as well as to acquire an interest as a partner or shareholder in other companies in connection with its primary activities. The ownership interest of Telefónica Chile in TBS Celular is 2.61%.
 
In February 2006, CRT merged with Vivo Participações S.A. (formerly Telesp Celular Participações S.A.); therefore, Telefónica Chile indirectly holds 0.124% of Vivo Participações S.A. through TBS Celular.
 
D.           Property, Plant and Equipment
 
The principal plant and equipment of the Company consists of outside plant and switching equipment and operating units that are located throughout the country. Furthermore, there is an extensive network consisting of 707 central switches linked by 58,500 kilometers of copper cabling and 7,500 kilometers of local fiber optic cabling. This represents 3.0 million lines, of which 2.1 million are in service. Within the xDSL broadband network, the Company has deployed 1,800 broadband nodes (DSLAM) with capacity to serve roughly 900,000 clients. In addition, in June 2006, Telefónica Chile launched a new satellite digital television service which by the end of 2008 had 262,957 clients with an average of 2.1 set-top boxes per home. Additionally, Telefónica Chiles LD subsidiary currently owns the longest LD fiber-optic network in the country (4,450 kilometers), which includes connections to Peru and Argentina.
 
The Companys land and buildings principally consist of its telephone exchanges and other technical, administrative and commercial properties. As of December 31, 2008, the Companys telephone plants and equipment represented 71.7% of its gross fixed assets (including depreciation), construction in progress represented 2.0%, land and buildings represented 20.2%, and furniture, office equipment and other assets represented 6.2%.
 
Substantially all of Telefónica Chiles telephone exchanges are situated within buildings owned by the Company. Telefónica Chile also owns its corporate headquarters located at Avenida Providencia 111 in Santiago. This building, which houses the Companys principal offices, was completed in October 1996 and currently provides office space for the majority of the administrative and technical staff of Telefónica Chile and its subsidiaries. The assets of Telefónica Chile and its subsidiaries are insured, subject to standard deductibles and other terms and conditions, for all events of physical damage and loss of revenue resulting from service outages. As of December 31, 2008, the value of the assets and operating revenue insured totaled approximately Ch$1,679,095 million (US$2,638.2 million), which consisted of Ch$1,100,943 million (US$1,729.8 million) in insured assets and Ch$578,152 million (US$908.4 million) in insured revenues.
 
 
 
38

 
ITEM 4A.                      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
 
ITEM 5.                      OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
The information in this Item 5 should be read in conjunction with the Companys Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
Since January 1, 2008, the Companys consolidated financial statements are and will be prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards as published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
 
The Companys consolidated financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements was restated in accordance with IFRS. See Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
 
As permitted by IFRS, the Company maintained the restatement of adjustments since January 1, 2004, the same date used as the transition date to IFRS by Telefónica, the Companys parent company.
 
IFRS differs in certain significant respects from Chilean GAAP. As a result, the Companys financial information presented under IFRS is not directly comparable to its financial information presented under Chilean GAAP, and readers should avoid such a comparison.
 
IFRS No. 1 provides for certain exemptions from full retrospective application of IFRS in the opening balance sheet. See Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for a discussion of the exceptions elected by the Company.
 
Overview
 
Telefónica Chile is the largest local telephony operator in Chile. The Company provides a broad range of telecommunications services throughout Chile, including local telephone service, domestic and international long distance service, data transmission, broadband access and services, dedicated lines, terminal equipment sales and leasing, public telephone service, interconnection services, certain value-added services and pay television service.
 
To strengthen the Company’s leadership in broadband growth, in 2008 Telefónica Chile reinforced its commitment to putting Chile on the path to communications levels similar to those of developed countries, investing over US$150 million in the deployment of broadband technologies, high-speed networks, data services and information technologies. Additionally, the Company strengthened its bundled offers, which include the “Dúo”, combining broadband services and fixed telephone service, and “Trío,” combining broadband services, fixed telephone service and pay television service. This strategy has strengthened client loyalty and new service adds, increasing the revenue per customer.
 
Several factors that influence the Companys financial results are described in “—Trend Information” below.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Significant accounting principles, as well as significant estimates, judgments and assumptions in applying those principles, are described in detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
 


A.           Operating Results
 
Figures in the following discussion are expressed in millions of Chilean pesos of their corresponding period.
 
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos
for the years ended December 31)
   
(in millions of U.S. dollars)
 
Revenues
    696,300       738,731       1,161  
Fixed Telephony
    533,271       553,530       869.7  
Telephony (Voice)
    330,210       332,891       523.0  
          Broadband
    94,335       115,139       180.9  
          Access Charges
    54,275       58,599       92.1  
          Complementary Services
    54,451       46,901       73.7  
Television Services
    25,274       39,235       61.6  
Corporate Customers Communications and Data
    79,390       88,480       130.0  
Long Distance
    56,045       55,697       87.5  
Others
    2,320       1,789       2.8  
Other Operating Income
    9,059       28,131       44.1  
Personnel expenses
    (86,268 )     (101,028 )     (158.7 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (181,590 )     (167,573 )     (263.3 )
Other miscellaneous operating expenses
    (357,908 )     (411,078 )     (645.9 )
Financial expenses (net)
    (11,044 )     (27,009 )     (42.4 )
Participation in profits of associates accounted
     for using the equity method
    1,783       1,607       2.5  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (29,793 )     (7,504 )     (11.8 )
                         
Profit before taxes
    40,536       54,276       85.3  
                         
(Income) on tax on profits
    (8,980 )     (6,369 )     (10.0 )
                         
NET PROFIT
    31,556       47,907       75.2  
                         

 
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Operating Revenues
 
Operating revenues increased by 6.1% to Ch$738,731 million (US$1,160.7 million) in 2008 from Ch$696,300 million in 2007. This growth resulted mainly from increased revenues from broadband, pay television and corporate communications which grew 22.1%, 55.2%, and 11.4%, respectively, compared to 2007. This increase was offset by decreased revenues from complementary services and LD which declined 13.9% and 0.6%, respectively, compared to 2007.
 
Other Operating Income
 
Other operating income increased 210.5% to Ch$28,131 million (US$44.2 million) in 2008 from Ch$9,050 million in 2007, mainly explained by the sale of the security services subsidiary, Telemergencia S.A., that generated a gain of Ch$15,500 million (US$24.4 million) in the period.
 
Expenses
 
Total expenses includes personnel expenses and other miscellaneous operating expenses. Total expenses increased by 15.3% to Ch$512,106 million (US$804.6 million) in 2008 as compared to Ch$444,176 million in 2007.
 
 
 
40

 
Personnel Expenses
 
Personnel expenses, which accounted for 19.7% of total expenses in 2008, increased by 17.1% to Ch$101,029 million (US$158.7 million) in 2008, as compared to Ch$86,268 in 2007, primarily due to adjustments to salary into real terms (2008 inflation was 8.9%) and a 5.2% increase in the number of employees.
 
Other Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
 
Other operating expenses accounted for 80.3% of total expenses in 2008. This item includes, among others, television and broadband content, commercial expenses, maintenance costs, utilities cost and uncollectible accounts cost. Other operating expenses increased by 14.9% to Ch$411,078 million (US$645.9 million) in 2008, as compared to Ch$357,908 million in 2007, mainly because of: (i) higher television content expenses associated with an increase in number of subscribers, as well as higher capacity rental costs due to the higher download/upload speed offered to clients; (ii) an increase in maintenance costs due to increased accesses; and (iii) an increase in the provision for uncollectible accounts, to reflect current expectations about collections.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation expenses decreased by 7.7% to Ch$167,573 million (US$263.3 million) in 2008 from Ch$181,590 million in 2007, mainly because the useful lives of certain assets expired and lower investment levels as compared with previous years.
 
Financial Expenses Net
 
Financial expenses net increased by 144.6% to Ch$27,009 million (US$42.4 million) in 2008 from Ch$11,044 million in 2007, due to hedging activities related to the Companys debt, that were swapped from UF-denominated debt to nominal Chilean peso-denominated debt, increasing the nominal interest rate.
 
Participation in Profit (Loss) of Associates
 
Share of profit of associates decreased by 9.9% to Ch$1,607 million (US$2.5 million) in 2008 from Ch$1,783 million in 2007, accounted for using the equity method.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Differences
 
Foreign currency exchange differences recorded a net loss in the amount of Ch$7,504 million (US$11.8 million) in 2008, as compared to a loss of Ch$29,793 million in 2007. To the extent that, during any given period, the Company has net liabilities denominated in a foreign currency (such as the U.S. dollar or euros) and the Chilean peso depreciates or appreciates in nominal terms against that currency, the Company may recognize for that period a foreign exchange loss or gain. Nevertheless the conservative hedging policy of the Company for foreign currency-denominated interest-bearing debt and operating expenses allows the Company to offset exposure to unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations. During 2008, the peso experienced a nominal depreciation of 28.1% against the U.S. dollar.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company recorded an income tax charge in the amount of Ch$6,369 million (US$10.0 million) in 2008 corresponding to an effective consolidated tax rate for the Company of 11.7%, compared to an income tax charge of Ch$8,980 million in 2007 corresponding to an effective consolidated tax rate for the Company of 22.2%. The Companys effective income tax rate differs from the Chilean tax rate of 17% due to the credit associated to price restatement for equity.
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
As a result of the above, Telefónica Chile’s net results amounted to a net income of Ch$47,907 million (US$75.2 million) in 2008, as compared to a net income of Ch$31,556 million recorded in 2007.
 
 
 
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Results of Operations by Business Segments for the Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
The tables below sets forth the contribution to the Company’s net income by business segments for 2008 and 2007. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is regularly used by the chief operating decisionmaker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. See Note 5 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company to find a description of each of the following segments.
 
Relevant information regarding the Company and its main subsidiaries, which represent different segments, together with information regarding other subsidiaries is as follows for 2008:
 

For the year ended as of December 31, 2008
 
Fixed
Telecomm.
   
Long Distance
   
Corporate Comm. and Data
   
Television
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
Revenue from external customers
    553,530       55,697       88,480       39,235       1,789       -       738,731  
Revenue between segments
    68,838       46,127       11,985       11       12,775       (139,736 )     -  
Other operating income
    26,619       26       1,888       9       -       (411 )     28,200  
Employee expenses
    (85,718 )     (941 )     (9,044 )     (308 )     (5,016 )     -       (101,029 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (130,152 )     (10,456 )     (16,177 )     (10,784 )     (4 )     -       (167,573 )
Other operating expenses
    (379,694 )     (60,304 )     (66,707 )     (33,733 )     (10,787 )     140,147       (411,078 )
                                                         
Interest income
    10,111       5,784       447       26       10       (11,048 )     5,330  
Interest expenses
    (38,401 )     -       (822 )     (4,067 )     (98 )     11,048       (32,339 )
Financial expenses, net
    (28,290 )     5,784       (375 )     (4,041 )     (88 )     -       (27,009 )
                                                         
Participation in profit of associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    33,893       25       52       -       -       (32,363 )     1,607  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (7,594 )     1,359       (278 )     (1,090 )     100       -       (7,504 )
                                                         
Profit before taxes
    51,432       37,318       9,822       (10,701 )     (1,231 )     (32,364 )     54,276  
Income tax expense
    (3,648 )     (4,515 )     (310 )     2,149       (46 )     -       (6,369 )
Profit for the year
    47,784       32,803       9,512       (8,552 )     (1,276 )     (32,364 )     47,907  
                                                         
Segment assets
    1,573,220       233,730       110,425       89,099       8,014       (529,032 )     1,485,456  
Investment in associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    266,473       79       205       -       -       (257,342 )     9,415  
Capital expenditures
    100,214       9,257       18,303       20,216       -       -       147,989  
                                                         
Segment liabilities
    939,896       52,415       43,215       86,147       7,180       (248,136 )     880,716  
                                                         

Relevant information regarding the Company and its main subsidiaries, which represent different segments, together with information regarding other subsidiaries is as follows for 2007:
 
 
 
42

 
 
For the year ended as of December 31, 2007
 
Fixed Telecomm.
   
Long Distance
   
Corporate Comm. and Data
   
Television
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
(in millions of Chilean pesos)
 
Revenue from external customers
    533,271       56,045       79,390       25,274       2,320       -       696,300  
Revenue between segments
    55,241       35,227       11,547       78       11,064       (113,157 )     -  
Other operating income
    10,660       117       432       281       7       (2,440 )     9,058  
Employee expenses
    (69,235 )     (1,056 )     (10,947 )     (306 )     (4,724 )     -       (86,268 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (145,562 )     (10,838 )     (17,916 )     (7,272 )     (3 )     -       (181,591 )
Other operating expenses
    (335,308 )     (52,638 )     (54,426 )     (22,636 )     (8,498 )     115,597       (357,908 )
                                                         
Interest income
    8,785       3,346       1,073       137       31       (6,368 )     7,004  
Interest expenses
    (22,274 )     -       (2 )     (1,805 )     (334 )     6,368       (18,049 )
Financial expenses, net
    (13,490 )     3,346       1,071       (1,669 )     (304 )     -       (11,045 )
                                                         
Participation in profit of associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    30,416       30       62       -       -       (28,727 )     1,783  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (30,204 )     (128 )     190       324       26       -       (29,793 )
                                                         
Profit before taxes
    35,791       30,104       9,403       (5,926 )     (110 )     (28,727 )     40,536  
Income tax expense
    (5,514 )     (3,970 )     (940 )     1,254       189       -       (8,980 )
Profit for the year
    30,277       26,134       8,464       (4,671 )     79       (28,727 )     31,556  
                                                         
Segment assets
    1,553,067       201,165       111,248       57,795       7,236       (466,968 )     1,463,544  
Investment in associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    260,778       73       148       -       -       (253,379 )     7,621  
Capital expenditures
    94,309       4,057       9,510       33,389       39       -       141,304  
                                                         
Segment liabilities
    904,591       46,439       37,476       46,362       6,006       (198,479 )     842,395  

Fixed Telephony Revenues
 
Fixed telephony revenues, which accounted for 74.9% of the Companys operating revenues in 2008, increased by 3.8% to Ch$553,530 million (US$869.7 million), as compared to Ch$533,271 in 2007. Voice, fixed network and complementary services includes revenues from: (i) telephony (voice) that consists of traditional telephone service (fixed and variable charge) and minute plans; (ii) broadband; (iii) access charges and interconnection; and (iv) complementary services, which includes other revenues associated with fixed telephony, such as: interior installations, equipment marketing, connections and other installations, directory advertising and public telephones, among others.
 
Telephony (Voice). Revenues from basic telephony, which includes telephone line service fees (fixed monthly charges), variable charges and minute plans associated with tariff flexibility, among others, increased by 0.8% in 2008 to Ch$332,891 million (US$523.0 million) from Ch$330,210 million in 2007 mainly due to an 11.2% increase in revenues in minutes plans, which generated Ch$138,344 million (US$217.4 million) in 2008 as compared with Ch$124,377 million in 2007. As of December 31, 2008, these plans represented 78.3% of the total lines in service. In addition, there was a 10.1% increase in revenues from value-added services that offset the decrease in revenues associated with traditional telephony services (fixed charge and variable charge), which decreased 20.1% and 1.4% to Ch$40,056 million (US$62.9 million) and Ch$47,156 million (US$74.1 million) in 2007, respectively. This
 
 
 
43

 
decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the number of lines that are charged fixed monthly and variable charges as customers with traditional lines have migrated to flexible plans such as “minute plans” and “prepaid plans,” which do not charge a monthly telephone line service fee.
 
Broadband. Broadband revenues represented 15.6% of all operating revenues in 2008 and include revenues from broadband Internet access provided by the Company through ADSL to residential customers, small- and medium-sized companies, and corporate customers. Broadband revenues grew by 22.1% to Ch$115,139 million (US$180.9 million) in 2008 as compared to Ch$94,335 million in 2007, based on a 10.3% increase in ADSL connections in the year, driven by a commercial focus on bundled plans of broadband plus minutes of voice and digital television (for residential customers). As of December 31, 2008, the number of broadband connections totaled 710,797.
 
Access Charges and Interconnection. Revenues from access charges and interconnection include revenues from interconnection charges generated by LD carriers, as well as those paid by other telecommunications operators that use Telefónica Chiles network and data-processing services offered to LD operators, such as metering, rating, billing and collections. Access charges and interconnection revenues increased by 8.0% to Ch$58,599 million (US$92.1 million) in 2008 from Ch$54,275 million in 2007. This increase was mainly due to higher interconnection services that increased 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. This was partially offset by a decrease of 13.0% and 3.3% in access charge revenues from domestic and international LD, respectively. Long distance access charge traffic decreased 8.5% in 2008 as compared with 2007.
 
Complementary Services. Complementary Services revenues include interior installations, equipment marketing, connections and other installations, directory advertising, Telemergencia (security services including alarm monitoring), public telephones, operator services and equipment marketing, among others. These revenues decreased 13.9% in 2008 to Ch$46,901 million (US$73.7 million) from Ch$54.5 million in 2007, impacted by: (i) a 11.6% decrease in revenues from interior installations due to lower number of lines subject to maintenance charges; (ii) a decrease in revenues from Telemergencia home security services mainly due to the sale of this business during this period; (iii) an 18.3% decrease in public telephone revenue due to lower traffic and lines as a result of mobile substitution; and (iv) a 75.5% decrease in ISP-switched and dedicated lines. The above were partly offset by a 15.1% increase in equipment marketing.
 
Television Services Revenues
 
Multimedia revenues accounted for 5.3% of the Companys operating revenues in 2008 and increased by 55.2% to Ch$39,235 million (US$61.6 million), as compared to Ch$25,274 in 2007. This increase was based on a 19.6% increase in television connections in the year. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had 262,957 pay television customers.
 
Long Distance Revenues
 
Revenues from the long distance business segment, which accounted for 7.5% of total revenues in 2008, decreased by 0.6% to Ch$55,697 million (US$87.5 million) compared to Ch$56,045 million in 2007. LD revenues include revenues from domestic and international long distance traffic carried by the Company, as well as revenues from the rental of the Companys LD network to other telecom operators. The decrease in LD revenues was mainly attributable to a 7.0% decrease in domestic LD revenues. However, this was partly compensated for by a 3.3% increase in revenues from international LD and a 2.2% increase in rental capacity compared to 2007.
 
Corporate Customers Communications Revenues
 
Revenues from the corporate customers communications business segment, which accounted for 12.0% of the Companys revenues in 2008, increased by 11.4% to Ch$88,480 million (US$139.0 million) compared to Ch$79,390 million in 2007. Corporate customers communications includes revenues from: (i) the sale and rental of telecommunications equipment to large corporate customers; (ii) complementary telephone services, such as 800 numbers and digital communication services; (iii) data services, including ATM, Frame Relay, data equipment and services related to the IP network; and (iv) dedicated links and other services, including videoconference, Datared, E1 Links and VSAT, housing and hosting, and consulting services to large corporate customers.
 
 
 
44

 
The increase in revenues was mainly due to a 19.3% increase in data services revenues to Ch$33,536 million (US$52.7 million) from Ch$28,107 million in 2007, a 14.9% increase in revenues from circuits and others and an increase of 2.2% in complementary services. Revenues from terminal equipment marketing partially offset these increases with a 5.8% decrease during 2008.
 
Other Businesses Revenues
 
Revenues from other businesses, which accounted for 0.2% of the Company’s revenues in 2008, decreased by 22.9% to Ch$1,789 million (US$2.8 million) as compared to Ch$2,320 million in 2007. Revenues from other businesses include revenues from t-gestiona.
 
B.           Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Sources of Liquidity
 
The Companys main historical sources of liquidity have been its cash flows from operations, proceeds from borrowings and the issuance of equity. Although in the past Telefónica Chile has relied substantially on public debt issues and bank loans to meet its financing requirements, since 2001 its main sources of liquidity have been cash flow generated from operations and free cash resulting from savings associated with the refinancing of certain loans. The current working capital level is sufficient to meet present requirements. If any additional working capital is needed in the future, the Company will evaluate additional financing.
 
During 2008, Telefónica Chile continued to pursue its strategy of improving its financial structure by focusing capital expenditures on Company businesses with the highest expected returns and reducing capital expenses.
 
During 2008, the Company generated net cash from operating activities totaling Ch$178,137 million (US$279.9 million), compared to Ch$228,958 million in 2007, as a result of a net income of Ch$47,907 million (US$75.2 million) in 2008 as compared to net income of Ch$31,556 million in 2007, adjusted for activities that affect net income but do not affect cash, principally depreciation and amortization charges of Ch$167,573 million (US$263.3 million) in 2008 as compared to Ch$181,590 million in 2007.
 
Net cash used in investing activities reached Ch$128,167 million (US$201.4 million) in 2008, compared to Ch$128,237 million in 2007. The cash used in investing activities in 2008 was principally associated with the acquisition of property, plant and equipment.
 
Net cash used in financing activities reached Ch$51,499 million (US$80.9 million) in 2008 as compared with Ch$68,769 million in 2007. Cash in 2008 was mainly used for dividend payments and a capital reduction of Ch$50,036 million (US$78.6 million) and repayments of debt.
 
The Companyequity as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 was Ch$604,739 million (US$950.2 million) and Ch$621,149 million, respectively. The decrease in equity as of December 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to the payment, during 2008, of dividends totaling Ch$10,792 million (US$17.0 million), as well as a capital reduction of Ch$39,243 million (US$61.7 million), in order to distribute additional cash to shareholders of the parent.
 
Outstanding Indebtedness
 
Following its privatization in 1988, the Company pursued an aggressive development plan to expand its fixed-line network and develop other telecommunications services, such as LD service, mobile telephony and data transmission services. To fund the capital expenditures associated with this expansion, the Company has raised capital by issuing debt through domestic and international offerings, including the issuance of Yankee and Euro Bonds, and has borrowed funds from commercial banks in the form of syndicated and bilateral loans. The Company has also accessed the local Chilean capital markets through the issuance of medium- and long-term bonds, primarily sold to pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors, and commercial paper, and through borrowing from commercial banks.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Companys financial debt totaled Ch$436,388 million (US$685.7 million) including current maturities, outstanding derivatives and fair value adjustments, which decreased as compared with 2007, due
 
 
 
45

 
to the amortization of US$150 million of credit derivatives in August 2008 and the amortization of Series F bonds in April and October 2008. The repayment of Series F bonds amounted to US$2.3 million.
 
During 2008, the sources of financing were mainly operating funds, which allowed the Company to make Ch$147,989 million (US$232.5 million) in investments. In addition, a total of Ch$10,793 million (US$17.0 million) was distributed to shareholders as dividends and Ch$39,243 million (US$61.7 million) was distributed to shareholders through a capital decrease.
 
The following table sets forth the Companys outstanding debt as of December 31, 2008:
 
   
 
As of December 31, 2008
      
Total Debt Outstanding
 
Short Term Portion
 
Long Term Portion
 
Type of Debt
 
Date Incurred
 
Original
Principal
Amounts
Borrowed(1)
 
Interest Rate
 
Maturity
   
(In millions of constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2008, except as indicated)
                                 
Long Term Obligations with Banks:
                           
CALYON, New York and Others
 
127,229
 
127,229
 
 
Syndicated loan
 
2004
 
US$200 mm
 
Libor + 0.35
 
2009
BBVA Bancomer and Others
 
95,904
 
476
 
95,429
 
Syndicated loan
 
2005
 
US$150 mm
 
Libor + 0.334
 
2011
BBVA Bancomer and Others
 
95,338
 
261
 
95,077
 
Syndicated loan
 
2008
 
US$150 mm
 
Libor + 0.60
 
2013
Banco Santander
 
76,643
 
392
 
76,251
 
Bilateral loan
 
2005
 
UF 3,555,000
 
TAB360 + 0.325
 
2010
Total Long Term Obligations with Banks
 
395,114
 
128,358
 
266,757
                   
                                 
Bonds and Debentures:
                               
Series F
 
11,475
 
1,641
 
9,834
 
Local bond
 
1991
 
UF 500,000
 
6.00%
 
2016
Series L
 
63,118
 
40
 
63,147
 
Local bond
 
2006
 
UF 3,000,000
 
3.75%
 
2012
Total Bonds and Debentures
 
74,663
 
1,682
 
72,981
                   
                                 
Notes and Accounts Payables to Related Companies and Capital Lease Obligations:
           
Leasing Obligations
 
225
 
19
 
206
 
Leasing
 
-
 
-
 
8.10%
 
2016
                                 
Total Long Term Debt (including current maturities)
 
470,003
                           
                                 
Total Debt Outstanding
 
470,003
                           
Fair Value Total Debt
 
469,993
                           
Outstanding Derivatives
 
33,605
                           
Total Debt
 
436,388
                           
 

(1)
In original currency of debt as incurred.
 
 
In addition to available cash as of December 31, 2008, the Company has the ability to draw up to approximately Ch$1,700 million (US$2.7 million) from unused lines of credit granted by Chilean banks.
 
The Company has the equivalent of US$200 million of debt that will mature in 2009.  The Company intends to refinance this debt. In connection with this refinancing, the Company issued Series N bonds in the Chilean market
 
 
 
46

 
or the equivalent of Ch$106,000 million (US$181 million) in April 2009. The bonds will mature in 2014 and carry an interest rate of UF plus 3.23%.
 
Some of the Companys indebtedness is governed by instruments and agreements that contain restrictive covenants with which the Company is obligated to comply. During the recent years, the Company has been renegotiating its outstanding debt in order to improve its rates and maturities, but also to establish less restrictive covenants.
 
In December 2008, the Companys creditors agreed to modify the leverage covenants in response to the Companys adoption of IFRS. Under the terms of the Companys syndicated loan agreements, as amended by the above mentioned modification, the Company must maintain a leverage ratio (as defined in each respective agreement) equal to or lower than 2.5. Additionally, the covenants for the local bonds require that the Company maintain a leverage ratio (as defined in the local bond agreement) equal to or lower than 2.5. In addition, the Companys Board of Directors agreed to propose at the 2009 General Annual Shareholders Meeting to eliminate the inclusion of any covenant in the Investment and Financing Policy for 2009. As of December 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants set forth under the agreements governing its debt obligations and with all other covenants in these agreements. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had a leverage ratio of 1.38, defined as total liabilities minus hedging assets divided by equity.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had an interest coverage ratio of 6.47, defined as EBITDA divided by net financial expenses plus debt exchange differences.
 
During 2008, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed the Companys rating of BBB+ with a stable outlook.
 
Capital Expenditures and Other Liquidity Requirements
 
Debt Prepayment and Repayment
 
In 2008, the Company continued its strategy of strengthening its financial structure. During the last six years, the Company achieved a significant decrease in its total financial debt through increased cash flow, which enabled the Company to reduce its debt through several debt repayments.
 
During 2008, the Companys main source of financing was operating cash flow. These resources allowed investments of Ch$147,989 million (US$232.5 million) for capital expenditures and the payment of dividends and return of capital equivalent to Ch$50,036 million (US$78.6 million).
 
Debt Refinance
 
On June 12, 2008, the Company renegotiated an international loan in the amount of US$150 million. The international bank loan has been structured as a “club deal, with the participation of the following banks: Banco Santander, Banesto, Bank of Tokyo, BBVA, Caja Madrid, EDC and Rabobank. The funds were used to refinance a syndicated loan that was to mature in December 2008.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
Capital expenditures have been designated primarily for those business areas presenting the greatest potential return.
 
In 2008, Telefónica Chiles capital expenditures totaled Ch$147,989 million (US$232.5 million). These investments were focused on consolidating business growth, mostly in broadband, projects of the corporate customer segment and digital television. In the fixed telecommunications business, investment funds were used for for commercializing lines with minute plans and for maximizing the use of installed capacity, focusing on network deployment in areas of real estate development. The investment plan emphasized initiatives aimed at updating network infrastructure by replacing old equipment and introducing new generation technologies (IP), with a view to attaining high service quality standards with more stable and flexible platforms.
 
Additional emphasis was placed on simplifying the processes and systems that support Company operations, thus improving the support tools for the Companys business, technical and administrative management.
 
 
 
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The Companys management expects to maintain a similar level of capital expenditures in future years in addition to the capital expenditures required for the provision of pay television services to its different client segments. The Companys management reviews the capital expenditures program periodically and adjustments are made as appropriate in light of any changes in market conditions, general economic conditions in the country, competition and other factors.
 
Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Risk Management
 
The Company obtains financing abroad mainly in U.S. dollars and, in certain cases, with floating interest rates. As a result, Telefónica Chile is exposed to financial risks related to foreign exchange and/or interest rate fluctuations. For this reason, Telefónica Chile periodically reviews its exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risk to determine the levels of coverage required for each period. See “Item 3. Key InformationRisk Factors.” Currency devaluations and foreign exchange fluctuations may adversely affect Telefónica Chile.
 
In 2008, the Company continued its policy of hedging 100% of its financial debt against foreign exchange fluctuations. Of the Companys total long-term debt (including current maturities) of Ch$436,288 million (US$685.7 million) as of December 31, 2008, 32.9% was denominated in Chilean pesos and 67.1% was denominated in foreign currencies, mainly the U.S. dollar. In addition, the Company has hedged some of its dollar-denominated operating expenses.
 
As of December 31, 2008, 62.4% of the Companys long-term interest-bearing debt, including current portion and foreign currency- and Chilean peso-denominated debt, was exposed to interest rate fluctuations. The remaining 37.6% of the Companys interest-bearing debt was insulated from interest rate fluctuations: 21.7% was hedged and 15.9% was fixed-rate debt. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding cross-currency swaps of Ch$101,833 million (US$160.0 million), which serve to hedge against dollar-peso exchange rate fluctuations and, at the same time, effectively change its floating rate to a fixed rate. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”
 
Impact of Foreign Exchange
 
Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are restated at period-end exchange rates. In the Companys case, the amount of monetary correction for any period will depend primarily on the amount of foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities.
 
Significant Changes in Accounting Policies
 
The following published IFRS and interpretations of the IFRIC have been issued and still not effective.
 
Standard and Standard Amendments
Date of mandatory application
Amendment of IFRS 1
First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IFRS 2
Share based payments
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IFRS 3R
Business Combinations
July 1, 2009
IFRS 8
Operating Segments
January 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 1R
Presentation of financial statements – reviewed presentation
January 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 23
Borrowing costs
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IAS 27R
Consolidated and Individual Financial Statements
July 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 32 y IAS 1
Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation - puttable financial instruments and obligations arising on liquidation
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IAS 39
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
July 1, 2009
Interpretations
Date of mandatory application
IFRIC 13
Customer fidelity programs
July 1, 2008
IFRIC 16
Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation
October  1, 2008
 

 
 
48

 
We have opted for the early adoption of IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”. The adoption of these standards, amendments and interpretations has not had a significant impact on the Companys financial position or consolidated results in the initial period of application, although it has entailed new disclosures in the accompanying Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
C.           Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
 
The Company does not incur any material research and development expenses. The Company has a technological development unit responsible for developing solutions to satisfy technical needs of different business units of the Company. No separate investment budget is allocated to that units activities, which are based on specific project tasks.
 
The Company holds no material patents and does not grant others material licenses on its intellectual property. In connection with its provision of telecommunications services, the Company plans infrastructure development based upon present and projected future demand for such services. The Company mainly acquires the necessary technology, including equipment, from third parties.
 
D.           Trend Information
 
Regulatory Environment
 
The Chilean Government has historically regulated local telephony services in Chile. The Chilean government, through the Chilean Antitrust Authority, the agency responsible for making certain determinations relating to competitive conditions in the telecommunications industry, has determined that Telefónica Chile is a dominant operator of local telephony in many regions of Chile. As a result, the Company is subject to tariff decrees that regulate certain rates and fees the Company can charge for local telephony services in most of the country. Tariff regulation, which is set every five years, may have a significant impact on Company revenues and its ability to compete in the marketplace, as the Company is required to charge the same tariff to all customers in a designated tariff area.
 
Recent trends seen outside of Chile have shown an increased use of IP telephony as a substitute for traditional voice services at lower prices. The Telecommunications Law in Chile requires a regulation to be defined for these services to be offered to the public. Currently IP telephony may only be offered to corporate customers for internal use. See “Item 4. Information on the CompanyBusiness OverviewLicenses and Tariffs.”
 
The Chilean Economy
 
The Companys operations are located almost entirely in Chile; therefore, the Companys operating and financial performance is sensitive to, and dependent upon, the level of economic activity in Chile. For the last seven years the Chilean economy has experienced positive growth, with an expansion of GDP at rates of 6.0% in 2004, 5.6% in 2005, 4.6% in 2006, 4.7% in 2007. Despite the economys growth in 2008, in the final part of the year, the Chilean economy began to slow down due to the current situation faced by many developed economies, resulting in a real growth rate of 3.2%. The Central Banks concern for price stability has translated into the application of an inflation targeted monetary approach. Inflation reached 2.4% in 2004, 3.7% in 2005, 2.6% in 2006,  7.8% in 2007 and 7.1% in 2008. The current account had a surplus of 2.2% of GDP in 2004, 1.2% in 2005, 4.9% in 2006 and 4.4% in 2007, while in 2008 there was a deficit of 2.0%. Annual average unemployment declined from 9.0% in 2002 to 7.7% in 2008; therefore, household spending has contributed to the recent years expansion. During 2008, fiscal revenue remained strong, driven especially by the high prices of commodities in the first half of the year, particularly copper, resulting in a fiscal surplus equal to an estimated 5.2% of GDP. Meanwhile, domestic demand increased by approximately 7.4%, private consumption grew by approximately 4.3% and investment grew by approximately 19.5%. In spite of the favorable economic climate, there can be no assurance that the consumption of the Companys products and services will grow in the same proportion.
 
Increased Competition, New Entrants and M&A Activity
 
Telefónica Chile faces intense competition in every aspect of its business. Telefónica Chile competes with both mobile telephony and other fixed and cable telephony operators, none of which are subject to the same tariff regulations as the Company and therefore compete under different conditions. Nevertheless, the Company remains
 
 
 
49

 
the leading fixed telephony operator. In 2004 and 2005, the competitive environment led to significant merger and acquisition activity, primarily in the cable operator business, where the top two companies consolidated and, combined, had nearly 90% of the pay television market, while also becoming a relevant player in broadband and fixed telephony. Additionally, in the mobile telephony business, in 2004, Telefónica Móviles (“TEM”) acquired Bellsouth in Chile and the mobile subsidiary of Telefónica Chile in order to merge these two companies. During 2005, the Mexican operator America Móvil (a subsidiary of Telmex) acquired the local mobile operator Smartcom, Telecom Italia sold its controlling stake in Entel to the local group Almendral, and the fixed network operator Manquehue Net was acquired by the local data transmission operator, GTD Group. In June 2006, Telefónica Chile entered the pay television market, where the dominant operator is the cable company VTR, and has managed to gain significant  market share. In 2008, Telmex started building a hybrid fiber coaxial network with voice, broadband and pay television services. Telmex had already entered the residential segment through a bundled offer of telephony, broadband and satellite television. The telephony and broadband services are provided over WiMax, while its acquisition of ZAP TV allowed it to bundle these services with satellite television. The mobile telephony market has continued to grow, reaching a penetration in the market of about 95 lines per 100 inhabitants as of December 31, 2008, as compared with only 20 lines per 100 inhabitants in fixed line service. The Company has experienced substitution since the introduction of mobile communications service, which has contributed to the declines in number of fixed lines, volume of local traffic and domestic LD traffic.
 
See also “Item 4. Information on the CompanyBusiness Overview.”
 
E.           Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
There are no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Companys financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
 
F.           Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
 
The following table summarizes the Companys contractual cash obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2008 and the liquidity requirements for such obligations in the future periods specified.
 
   
Payments due by period in millions of constant Chilean pesos
as of December 31, 2008
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
1-3-years
   
3-5 years
   
More than
5 years
 
Long-term debt, including current maturities (1)
    469,635       130,007       174,651       161,212       3,765  
Capital (finance) lease obligations (1)
    367       51       101       101       114  
Operating lease obligations
                             
Purchase obligations
                             
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet under IFRS (2)
    397,114       228,324       3,697       7,428       157,665  
Other accounts payable and due to related company (1)
    40,277       40,277       -       -       -  
Total contractual obligations 
    907,393       398,659       178,449       168,741       161,544  
 

(1)
Includes accrued interest as of December 31, 2008.
 
(2)
Other long-term liabilities include dividends payable, notes payable, miscellaneous accounts payable, accruals, withholdings and deferred taxes, severance indemnity obligations and other liabilities.
 


 
ITEM 6.                      DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
 
A.           Directors and Senior Management
 
The Company is managed by its Board of Directors, which, in accordance with the Company’s estatutos, or bylaws, must consist of seven directors and their respective alternate directors. Six of the directors, together with their respective alternate directors, are elected by holders of the Series A Common Stock, each for a three-year term, at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Holders of the Series B Common Stock elect one director and one alternate director for a three-year term at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.
 
If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors during the course of any three-year term (for example, upon resignation of a director), the alternate director corresponding to the vacant position serves as director for the balance of the term. If such alternate director resigns, dies or by virtue of law becomes unable to serve as a director, the Board of Directors then appoints a new alternate director to serve until the date of the next General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, when an election of the entire Board of Directors must take place.
 
Telefónica Chile’s Board of Directors was elected for a three-year term at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held April 13, 2007. Alternate directors participate in discussions at the Board meetings but are entitled to vote only when their respective principal directors are absent. The bylaws also require that the directors and alternate directors elected by the holders of Series B Common Stock be shareholders of the Company.
 
The Board of Directors appoints a General Manager (also known as the Chief Executive Officer) and such other executive officers as are deemed appropriate to implement the Board’s policies and decisions. The Chief Executive Officer of a public Chilean corporation cannot also serve as a director of such corporation.
 
The Board of Directors must meet at least once per month.
 
As of March 1, 2008, the Company’s directors and executive officers were:
 
Directors (1)
 
Name
 
Position
Emilio Gilolmo López
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director Series A
Common Stock
Narcís Serra Serra
 
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director
Series A Common Stock
Andrés Concha Rodríguez
 
Director Series A Common Stock
Fernando Bustamante Huerta
 
Director Series A Common Stock
Patricio Rojas Ramos
 
Director Series A Common Stock
Hernán Cheyre Valenzuela
 
Director Series A Common Stock
Marco Colodro Hadjes
 
Director Series B Common Stock
José María Álvarez-Pallete
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Manuel Álvarez-Tronge
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Raúl Morodo Leoncio
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Benjamin Holmes Bierwirth
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Carlos Díaz Vergara
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Mario Vázquez Mari
 
Alternate―Director Series A Common Stock
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero
 
Alternate―Director Series B Common Stock

 
Executive Officers
 
Name
 
Position
Oliver Alexander Flögel(2)
 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Victor Galilea Page
 
General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors
Isabel Margarita Bravo Collao
 
Financial Officer
Gustavo Marambio(3)
 
Technology and Operations Officer
César Valdés Morales
 
Commercial and Administrative Services Officer
Mauricio Monteiro de Azevedo
 
Small and Medium Business Officer
Rafael Zamora Sanhueza(4)
 
Strategic Planning and Regulation Officer
Francisco Javier de Miguel del Val
 
Internal Auditing Officer
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Position
Pedro Pablo Lazo(5)
 
Corporate Communications Business Officer
Rubén Sepúlveda Miranda
 
Human Resources Officer
Fernando García Muñoz
 
Management Control and Chief Accounting Officer
Humberto Soto Velasco
 
Regulation and Wholesalers Officer
Juan Antonio Etcheverry
 
Residential Business Officer
 
(1) The Board of Directors was elected for a three-year period at the General Shareholder’s Meeting held on April 13, 2007.
 
(2) Oliver Flögel was appointed as Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2009 to succeed José Moles, who left that position on December 31, 2008.
 
(3) Gustavo Marambio was appointed as Technology and Operations Officer on April 1, 2009, to succeed Manuel Plaza.
 
(4) Rafael Zamora was appointed as Corporate Strategy Development and Regulation Officer on March 1, 2009. Mr. Zamora was formerly the Telefónica Empresas Officer.
 
(5) Pedro Pablo Lazo was appointed as Telefónica Empresas Officer on March 1, 2009, to succeed Rafael Zamora.
 
Certain of the Company’s directors also serve as directors or officers of other companies, including related companies (where noted below) and other companies in the Chilean telecommunications industry. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”
 
Set forth below is a brief biographical description of the directors and executive officers of the Company. All ages of directors and executive officers are stated as of December 31, 2008.
 
Directors
 
Emilio Gilolmo López, 67, became a Series A director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors in April 2006. Within the Telefónica Group he has served as member of the Board of Sogecable S.A. and Chairman of Lolafilms S.A. He has vast experience in the banking industry and as a professor in constitutional law at Complutense University of Madrid and the diplomatic academy. He is Vice President of the Spanish Federation of Human Rights Protection, of the “Club Siglo XXI” and sponsor of the Ortega y Gasset Foundation. He holds a law degree from the Universidad de Madrid.
 
Narcís Serra Serra, 66, became a Series A director and Deputy Chairman of the Board in July 2004. He is the Chairman of Fundación CIDOB, of the National Museum of Art of Catalunya, Deputy Chairman of Catalunya’s Advisory Board of Telefónica S.A., member of the Board of TELESP, Telefónica Internacional, S.A. and Caixa Catalunya. Currently, he is a professor of Economic Theory at Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. He holds an economics degree from Universidad de Barcelona and a Ph.D. in economics from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
 
Andrés Concha Rodríguez, 65, became a Series A director on April 26, 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chile. At present, he is the General Director of the Chilean Federation of Industry, member of the Board of Security Holdings, a financial institution, and a member of the Board of Pilmaiquen Electrical Co.
 
Fernando Bustamante Huerta, 69, became a Series A director on April 26, 2001. He was the Chairman of the Board of Metro S.A. He is a general manager and partner of Inversiones El Olivar Ltda. He holds an accounting degree from Universidad de Chile.
 
Patricio Rojas Ramos, 48, became a Series A director in April 2005. He is a partner of P. Rojas & Asociados, an economic consulting company. Currently, he is professor of the Department of Economics at the Universidad Católica de Chile. He holds an economics degree from the Universidad Católica de Chile and a Ph.D. from MIT.
 
 
 
Hernán Cheyre Valenzuela, 54, became a Series A director on April 15, 2004. He is the Chairman of Econsult, a consulting company. He holds a commercial engineering degree from the Universidad Católica de Chile and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago.
 
Raúl Morodo Leoncio, 74, became a Series A director on April 23, 2008. He is a professor of constitutional law at the Complutense University of Madrid and former vice-chancellor of the Universidad Internacional Menéndez y Pelayo. As a diplomat, he was the Spanish ambassador to UNESCO, Portugal and Venezuela. He holds a law degree from the Universidad de Salamanca.
 
Marco Colodro Hadjes, 67, became a Series B director on January 28, 2005. He has been Manager of International Commerce of Banco Central de Chile, Deputy Chairman of Banco del Estado de Chile and Chairman of Televisión Nacional de Chile. He holds an economics degree from the Universidad de Chile and a doctorate from the University of Paris.
 
José María Álvarez-Pallete, 45, became a director on April 22, 2003. In September 1999, he became Chief Financial Officer of Telefónica, S.A. He was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica Internacional on July 24, 2002. He is a member of the following Boards of Directors: Telefónica de España, Telefónica Móviles, Telefónica Móviles España, Telefónica Data, Telefónica Internacional, Telefónica de Argentina, Telesp, Telefónica Chile, Telefónica de Perú, Cointel, Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile Transmisiones Regionales, Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico, China Netcom, and the Supervisory Board of Cesky Telecom. Mr. Álvarez-Pallete holds a graduate degree in economics from the Complutense University of Madrid. He also studied economics at the Université Libre de Belgique.
 
Manuel Álvarez Tronge, 52, became a Series A alternate director in April 2006. He also served as Secretary of the Board of Telefónica Internacional S.A. in Spain. He worked as a lawyer at the Superintendencia de Seguros de la Nación (the National Superintendent of Insurance) and served as Counsel of the Ministry of Justice of Peru and a Legal Manager of Perez Companc S.A. He has also been a professor at Austral, Saint Andrews and Buenos Aires Universities. He holds a law degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
 
Benjamin Holmes Bierwirth, 59, became an alternate Series A director in April 2005. He is a member of the Board of Zofri S.A., La Fuente Editores and Laboratorio City. He is also the Chairman of Sociedad de Inversiones y Asesorías Frutillar and founding partner of Portal del Arte S.A. He holds a commercial engineering degree from the Universidad de Chile.
 
Carlos Díaz Vergara, 46, became an alternate Series A director on April 15, 2004. He is a member of the Risk Rating Commission for securities that can be purchased by pension funds. Currently, he holds the positions of Dean and Professor at the School of Business and Economics at the Universidad de los Andes and Professor in the Department of Economics at the Universidad Católica de Chile. He holds a commercial engineering degree from the Universidad Católica de Chile, and has a master’s degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
Mario Vásquez Mari, 73, became an alternate Series A director in April 2007. He is a member of the following Boards of Directors: Telefónica Latinoamérica, Telefónica Argentina S.A., Telefónica Holdings S.A. and Fundación Telefónica in Argentina, among other companies and foundations. Moreover, he is president of Río Seguros S.A. and is professor of auditing in the Faculty of Economics of the University of Buenos Aires. He holds a degree in Public Auditing from the University of Buenos Aires.
 
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero, 67, became an alternate Series B director on April 26, 2001. He is a director of Telefónica S.A., Telefónica Internacional S.A. and Telefónica de Perú S.A.A., the Chairman of the Commission of Appointments and Payments of Telefónica, and President of the Audit Committee of Telefónica de Perú. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Madrid University’s Polytechnic School and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.
 
Executive Officers
 
Oliver Alexander Flögel, 37, was appointed on Janaury 1, 2009 as the Chief Executive Officer of Telefónica Chile. Prior to joining the Company, he was the General Director of Telefónica Móviles Chile. He holds a Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Information Systems from the European University in Belgium and a
 
 
 
Masters in Corporate Finance from the Centre for Macroeconomic Studies of Argentina. Within the Telefónica Group, he held positions in Río de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Madrid, Spain and Santiago de Chile, where he worked for over 14 years in the finance, corporate development and mergers & acquisitions departments.
 
Victor Galilea Page, 49, has been the Secretary of the Board of Directors and General Counsel of Telefónica Chile since November 2008. Prior to joining the Company, he was the legal and regulatory affairs officer at Telefónica Móviles Chile and previously held the same position at Bellsouth Comunicaciones in Chile. He holds a law degree from the Universidad de Chile.
 
Isabel Margarita Bravo Collao, 41, Financial Officer of Telefónica Chile. She joined the finance division of Telefónica Chile in November of 1990 and was the head of the Investor Relations division until 2001, when she was appointed to her current position. She holds a Commercial Engineering degree from Universidad de Santiago de Chile and a Masters degree in Finance from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.
 
Gustavo Marambio, 55, Technology and Operations Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in April 2009. Prior to joining the Company, he was Technology officer at Telefónica Móviles Chile since 2002. Within the Telefónica Group, he held positions in CRT Celular Brazil. He holds a degree in electronic civil engineering and has a master’s degree in administration.
 
César Valdés Morales, 44, Chief Commercial and Administrative Services Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in 1991. He has held executive positions at both the Company, in the Systems Development area, and within Telefónica Latin America, in Global Project Development and IT Services and Development. He holds a degree in industrial civil engineering from the Universidad Católica de Chile, as well as postgraduate degrees in company and IT management.
 
Mauricio Monteiro de Azevedo, 38, Small and Medium Business and Professionals Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in November 2007. He has served as commercial director of the TOP business segment at Telefónica Brazil. He holds a degree in Production Engineering from Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
 
Juan Antonio Etcheverry, 42, Residential Business Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in January 2007. He holds a degree in industrial civil engineering from the Universidad de Chile.
 
Francisco Javier de Miguel del Val, 41, Internal Auditing Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in February 2007. Prior to joining the Company, he held positions as head of financial management and manager of internal auditing for Telefónica Spain. He holds a degree in law from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, a master’s degree in taxation from the Centro de Estudios Financieros and a master’s degree in real estate law and legal practice from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
 
Rubén Sepúlveda Miranda, 43, the Human Resources Officer, joined the Company in June 2006. He holds a degree in commercial engineering and a master’s degree in human resources management from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, as well as a diploma in strategic human resources management from the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez as well as a master’s degree in human resources administration and management from Universidad de Santiago de Chile.
 
Fernando García Muñoz, 36, Management Control and Chief Accounting Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in 2007. He holds a degree in economics and business science from CUNEF, Universidad Complutense and an MBA from the Instituto de Empresas of Madrid. Prior to joining the Company, he held positions in the management control, strategy and corporate development and human resources departments within the Telefónica Group
 
Humberto Soto Velasco, 50, the Regulation and Wholesalers Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in July 2002. He holds an electrical civil engineering degree from the Universidad de Chile.
 
Rafael Zamora Sanhueza, 43, the Corporate Strategy Development and Regulation Officer, joined Telefónica Chile in 1991. His experience at the Company includes head positions in the control and planning area, as well as the residential and corporate customers areas. He holds a degree in civil industrial engineering and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Universidad de Chile.
 
 
 
Pedro Pablo Lazo48, the Telefónica Empresas Officer, joined Telefonica Chile in March 1, 2009. Prior to joining the Company, he was the Corporate Segment officer at Telefónica Móviles Chile since 2005. He holds a degree in civil engineering from the Universidad Católica de Chile.
 
B.           Compensation of Directors and Officers
 
Each director and alternate director, with the exception of the Chairman of the Board and the Deputy Chairman of the Board, receives compensation equal to 120 UTMs (US$7,099 as of December 31, 2008) per month for attending Board meetings and for expenses, provided he has attended at least one Board meeting in the month.
 
The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives twice the compensation received by other directors. The Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors receives 1.5 times the compensation received by other directors.
 
The compensation for Board members and their alternate directors is decided at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the compensation paid to directors and executive officers of the Company was as follows:
 
Name
 
Position
 
Total Compensation
(in thousands of
constant Ch$ as of
December 31, 2008)
 
Emilio Gilolmo López
 
Chairman and Director Series A Common Stock
    105,325 (1)
Narcís Serra Serra
 
Deputy Chairman and Director Series A Common Stock
    73,699  
Andrés Concha Rodriguez
 
Director Series A Common Stock
    54,900 (2)
Fernando Bustamante Huerta
 
Director Series A Common Stock
    53,621  
Patricio Rojas Ramos
 
Director Series A Common Stock
    61,287 (3)
Hernán Cheyre Valenzuela
 
Director Series A Common Stock
    62,566 (2)(3)
Marco Colodro Hadjes
 
Director Series B Common Stock
    53,621  
José María Álvarez-Pallete
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    31,225  
Manuel Álvarez Tronge
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    40,262  
Benjamin Holmes Bierwirth
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    61,287 (3)
Carlos Díaz Vergara
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    61,287 (3)
Mario Vázquez Mari
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    53,621  
Raúl Morodo Leoncio
 
AlternateDirector Series A Common Stock
    40,047  
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero
 
AlternateDirector Series B Common Stock
    45,028 (4)
Sub-Total (Directors)
        760,088  
Executives
        8,043,008 (5)
Total
        8,803,096  
(1) Includes Ch$7,029 for service on the Directors Committee.
 
(2) Includes Ch$1,279 for service on the Audit Committee.
 
(3) Includes Ch$7,666 for service on the Directors Committee.
 
(4) Includes Ch$321 for service on the Audit Committee.
 
(5) This sum represents the compensation paid to 63 executives  of the Company.
 

Since 2001, the Company’s subsidiaries do not compensate their directors. Consequently, during 2008, no fees were paid to directors of subsidiaries. In the case of each subsidiary, the decision to eliminate directors’ fees was adopted by the respective boards of directors and approved by their shareholders.
 
The Company does not compensate directors by other means such as through bonuses, profit-sharing plans, stock option plans, or pension, retirement or similar benefits.
 
C.           Board Practices
 
The Company’s directors are elected for a three-year term at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. The current Board of Directors was elected at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 13, 2007. The Company has no service contracts with its directors.
 
 
 
If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, the respective alternate director will assume the duties of the vacant directorship for the remainder of the term. Upon any alternate director’s resignation, death, or legal disqualification, the Board may appoint a replacement to serve until the next General Shareholders’ Meeting, where elections shall be held for the entire Board.
 
Directors Committee
 
According to Law 19,705, effective as of December 20, 2000, all limited liability public companies with a market capitalization greater than UF1,500,000 (equivalent to approximately US$50.6 million as of December 31, 2008) must appoint a directors committee composed of three directors, the majority of whom must be independent from the controlling shareholder.
 
The Company’s Directors Committee was created on April 14, 2005. The current members of the Directors Committee were elected by the Board of Directors at a meeting held on April 23, 2007. The budget for this committee and the monthly compensation of the committee members and alternate committee members for the year 2008 were approved at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company held on April 14, 2008.
 
The main functions of the Directors Committee are (i) to review the account inspectors’ report and the external auditors’ report, (ii) to propose external auditors and local credit-rating agencies to the Company’s Board of Directors, (iii) to examine all applicable transactions involving directors and related parties under Articles 44 and 89 of the Chilean Corporations Law and (iv) to review the salaries and bonuses of the Company’s senior executives. In addition, Telefónica Chile’s Directors Committee examines all transactions involving the Company’s CEO and other senior executive officers. The Directors Committee examines, proposes and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors that are not binding upon the Board.
 
During 2008, the Directors Committee held monthly meetings to review the matters entrusted to it as is stipulated in the corresponding Committee acts. Additionally, the Committee approved the quarterly financial statements submitted to it by management.
 
Each member and alternate member of the Directors Committee receives compensation equal to UF30 (approximately US$1,011 as of December 31, 2008) per month for attending Directors Committee meetings, provided that he has attended at least one Directors Committee meeting in such month. The annual budget of the Directors Committee amounts to Ch$75 million (approximately US$117,841 as of December 31, 2008). During 2008, the Directors Committee made no use of the budget.
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Directors Committee was comprised of the following persons:
 
Regular Member
 
Alternate Member
Emilio Gilolmo López
 
José María Álvarez-Pallete
Patricio Rojas Ramos
 
Benjamin Holmes Bierwirth
Hernán Cheyre Valenzuela
 
Carlos Díaz Vergara

 
Audit Committee
 
On July 21, 2005, an Audit Committee was created with a total of three independent members, in compliance with Rule 10A-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Board of Directors named Mr. Andrés Concha, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari and Mr. Hernán Cheyre as audit committee members, with Mr. Cheyre serving as financial expert.
 
The audit committee supervises the process of financial reporting, internal control systems over financial reporting and general oversight of the external auditors, as well as dealing with any related complaints.
 
At the Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 14, 2008, compensation for audit committee members was set at UF15 per session, with a maximum of six sessions per year. For more information on executive compensation paid in 2007, see “—Compensation of Directors and Officers” above. The expense budget for the audit committee was set at Ch$37 million (approximately US$58,135) for the year 2008.
 
 
 
For further information about significant differences in the Companys corporate governance practices from U.S. companies listed with the NYSE, please see “Item 16G. Corporate Governance.”
 
D.           Employees
 
As of December 31, 2008, Telefónica Chile (excluding its subsidiaries) employed 3,892 persons. Telefónica Chile’s subsidiaries employed 621 persons as of December 31, 2008.
 
The table below sets forth the total number of employees as of December 31 of each year indicated, and the percent change from December 31 of the preceding year.
 
Year
 
Number of Employees
 
% Change
2006
 
3,660
 
-6.4%
2007
 
4,291
 
+17.2
2008
 
4,513
 
+5.2%
 
The table below sets forth the breakdown of the Company’s employees as of December 31 of each year indicated, and the change from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008.
 
   
Number of Employees
       
Company Segment
 
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
% Change Between 2008 and 2007
 
Parent Company
    2,962       3,619       3,892       7.5 %
Long Distance
    29       46       24       (47.8 )%
Corporate Customer Communications
    412       340       332       (2.4 )%
Others
    257       286       265       (7.3 )%
Total
    3,660       4,291       4,513       5.2 %
 
The 5.2% increase in total employment with respect to 2007 is due primarily to a new customer support service platform that involves opening new stores. Additionally, during the year the Company incorporated the remaining of the outsourced labor according to the Outsourcing Law, effective since January 1, 2007, that required companies to incorporate as permanent employees certain independent contractors who previously were considered outsourced labor.
 
In 2006, eight collective bargaining agreements were finalized with 21 unions representing 2,589 Company employees. 100% of unionized employees had signed a contract for a period of three to four years. The most relevant change introduced in these collective bargaining agreements was the inclusion of variable compensation linked directly to business targets. During this process, certain union organizations decided to discontinue application of Article 369 after having applied it since 2002.
 
In 2007, a collective bargaining agreement was finalized with one union, OITT, representing 309 employees.
 
In 2008, the collective labor agreement with the Chilean telecommunications union, SINTELFI, (which represents 1,605 employees or 35.4% of the Company’s employees, more than any other union) was negotiated in advance of its expiration. The agreement modified the parameters for determining annual compensation and incentives, basing them on performance, productivity and alignment with business objectives.
 
As of December 31, 2008, 3,009 employees, or 66.8% of Company employees, were unionized, represented by 22 unions under ten collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2008, 100% of unionized employees have signed three to four year contracts.
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s severance indemnity provisions were Ch$49,646 million (US$78.0 million).
 
Under the law enacted in November 1980 that privatized the Chilean social security system, the Company is required to deduct from employees’ monthly wages a contribution to a personal pension fund owned by each employee, managed by Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones or AFPs (Chilean pension funds), individually selected by the employee. Compulsory contribution, which currently amounts to approximately 13% of monthly taxable income (“MTI”) (up to a maximum MTI of UF60, equivalent to approximately US$2,022 per month), includes the costs of life insurance and disability insurance coverage. The Company’s statutory social security obligation is fully satisfied by the deduction and delivery to the corresponding AFP of such monthly contributions on behalf of the respective employees.
 
Additionally, Chilean employees contribute 7% of their monthly taxable income (up to a maximum of UF60, equivalent to approximately US$2,022 per month), to an ISAPRE (Chilean Health Insurance System) individually selected by the employee.
 
E.           Share Ownership
 
As of March 31, 2009, two shares of Series B Common Stock were owned by Mr. Marco Colodro and one such share was owned by Mr. Alfonso Ferrari. None of these persons owns more than 1% of any class of the Company’s outstanding shares. In addition, none of the persons listed in Item 6.B as directors own shares of Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
 
As of February 28, 2009, 51 non-executive employees of the Company owned 45,777 shares of Series A Common Stock and 16 non-executive employees of the Company owned 11,998 shares of Series B Common Stock, collectively representing 0.01% of the Company’s outstanding shares. There are no plans for employees to purchase stock options.
 

ITEM 7.                      MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
A.           Major Shareholders
 
The following table sets forth certain information, on a subscribed share basis, as of January 31, 2009 with respect to each shareholder known to the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Companys shares of common stock and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group:
 
 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
 
Series of
Common Stock
   
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned
   
% of Series
   
% of Total
 
Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A.                                                                
   
A
      387,993,524       44.4       40.5  
Av. Providencia 111, 23rd floor
Santiago, Chile
   
B
      41,739,487       50.2       4.4  
Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda.(1)
   
A
      313,718,590       35.9       32.8  
Av. Vitacura 2736, 2nd floor
Santiago, Chile
   
B
      38,784,326       46.6       4.1  
Citibank, N.A., as depositary(1)(2)                                                                
   
A
      160,221,031       18.3       16.7  
111 Wall Street
New York, NY 10043, USA
                               

(1)
As of January 31, 2009, Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda (“Inversiones Telefónica) held 38,681,635 ADSs, which are registered under Citibank, N.A., as depositary, representing 154,726,540 shares of Series A Common Stock or 17.7% and 16.2% of the Series A Common Stock and the outstanding capital stock of the Company, respectively.
 
(2)
Pursuant to the requirements of Chilean law, all shares of Series A Common Stock represented by ADSs are registered to the Depositary.
 
As a result of the tender offer launched on September 17, 2008 by Inversiones Telefónica for all of the Companys shares not owned by TIC, in October 2008 it acquired 51.9% of Telefónica Chiles outstanding capital stock. As a result of a subsequent tender offer launched on December 2, 2008 by Inversiones Telefónica for all
 
 
 
remaining outstanding capital stock, in January 2009 it acquired an additional 1.1% of Telefónica Chiles outstanding capital stock, increasing its ownership percentage to 53.0%.
 
As of December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, Citibank, N.A., as depositary for the Companys American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), owned approximately 11.0%, 16.0% and 16.8% of the Companys outstanding capital stock, respectively. As of January 31, 2008, ADR holders (through the Depositary) held 16.7% of Telefónica Chiles outstanding capital stock, represented by 35 registered holders. The remaining 83.3% of the Companys outstanding capital stock was held in Chile, represented by 9,848 shareholders. All of the Companys shareholders have identical voting rights. The Companys Series A Shareholders vote to elect six of the seven members of the board of directors and the Series B shareholders elect one member to the board of directors.
 
The following table provides information, as of January 31, 2009, with respect to the shares owned by the persons listed in Item 6.B as directors and officers.
 
 
Name
 
Number of Series A Shares
   
Number of Series B Shares
   
% of Series A Shares
   
% of Series B Shares
   
% of Total
 
Marco Colodro Hadjes
    -       2       -       -       -  
Alfonso Ferrari Herrero                                                       
    -       1       -       -       -  

 
Controlling Shareholders
 
TIC owns 44.9% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. Additionally, Inversiones Telefónica, which is a subsidiary of TIC, owns 53.0% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company. TIC is 99.9% owned by Telefónica Chile Holding B.V., which is indirectly wholly-owned by Telefónica. Thus, collectively, Telefónica owns 97.9% of the of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.
 
B.           Related Party Transactions
 
Article 89 of the Chilean Corporations Law requires that a companys transactions with related parties (defined as entities that belong to the same group of companies) be on similar terms to those customarily prevailing in the market. Directors and executive officers of companies that violate Article 89 are liable for losses or damages resulting from such violations. In addition, Article 44 of the Chilean Corporations Law provides that any transaction in which a director has a personal interest or is acting on behalf of a third party may be approved in advance by the board of directors only if the board of directors is informed of such directors interest and if the terms of such transaction are similar to those prevailing in the market. If a transaction involves an amount greater than UF20,000 (equivalent to US$674,132 as of December 31, 2008), the board of directors must be presented with a report as to whether the terms of the proposed transaction are comparable to those prevailing in the market before such transaction takes effect. If it is impossible for the board of directors to determine the prevailing market terms, the board can appoint two independent appraisers and make a decision regarding the transaction in question only after the reports of both appraisers are received. If the opinions of two independent appraisers significantly differ, or if the terms and conditions of the action or contract in question are unfavorable to the shareholders of the Company, shareholders representing at least 5% of the issued voting stock may request that the board of directors summon a special meeting of shareholders to approve such transaction. Two-thirds of the issued voting stock must approve the transaction at such meeting. Resolutions approving such transactions must be reported to the Companys shareholders at the next shareholders meeting. Violation of Article 44 may result in imposition of administrative or criminal sanctions upon responsible parties, and the Company, its shareholders, or interested third parties who suffer losses as a result of such violation have the right to receive compensation in certain situations.
 
In accordance with Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, since July 2002, the Company has not and will not extend any loans to directors and officers. As of December 31, 2008, the Company does not have any outstanding loans to its directors or executive officers.
 
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company engages in a variety of transactions with certain of its affiliates, primarily for the purchase, at fair market prices negotiated on an arms-length basis, of goods or services that may also be provided by other suppliers. The Directors Committee is informed of all such transactions in advance, and such transactions are approved by the Board of Directors. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesDirectors Committee.” Below are descriptions of such transactions with affiliates that are material
 
 
 
to either the Company or the related counterparty. Financial information concerning these transactions is also set forth in Note 7 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. As of December 31, 2008, the receivables from related parties amounted to Ch$28,301 million (US$44.5 million) and the accounts payable to related parties amounted to Ch$40,276 million (US$63.3 million). The income and expenses from related party transactions resulted in a net expense of Ch$69,374 million (US$109.0 million).
 
Transactions with Telefónica España
 
Since June 30, 1992, the Company, through its subsidiary Telefónica Larga Distancia, has had a correspondence agreement with Telefónica providing for the exchange of international LD traffic between Chile and Spain. This agreement, which has an indefinite term subject to cancellation by either party on six months notice, generated income of Ch$1,316 million and Ch$719 million (US$1.1 million) for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The outstanding balances under the agreement in favor of the Company, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, were Ch$2,532 million (US$4.0 million) and Ch$2,816 million, respectively. The outstanding balances payable by the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to Ch$1,125 million (US$1.8 million) and Ch$696 million respectively.
 
Transactions with Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A.
 
In 1997, the Company entered into an agreement of technical service with TIC for the coordination of certain joint activities among the members of the Telefónica Group on behalf of the Company. Under the agreement, the Company incurred expenses of Ch$536 million (US$0.8 million) in 2008 and Ch$606 million in 2007. Outstanding balances in favor of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to Ch$440 million (US$0.7 million) and Ch$667 million respectively.
 
Transactions with Terra Networks Chile S.A.
 
On April 30, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Terra Networks Chile S.A. (Terra Networks Chile”), a subsidiary of Telefónica, pursuant to which the Company provides collection services to Terra Networks Chile. Furthermore, on June 1, 1999, the Company entered into an agreement with Terra Networks Chile pursuant to which Terra Networks Chile provides Internet access to certain Chilean schools, the costs of which are to be paid by the Company to Terra Networks Chile. Telefónica Chile also has an agreement to purchase online advertising from Terra Networks Chile for itself and its subsidiaries. In January 2007, Telefónica Chile and Terra Networks Chile signed a three-year agreement to outsource the provision of Internet access to the Companys broadband customers. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company recorded net expenses of Ch$7,924 million (US$12.5 million) in 2008 and Ch$10,359 million in 2007. The Company had balances receivable from Terra Networks Chile of Ch$354 million (US$0.6 million) and Ch$460 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Balances payable to Terra Networks Chile from the Company under these agreements amounted to Ch$3,152 million (US$5.0 million) and Ch$2,621 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Transactions with Atento Chile S.A.
 
On September 1, 1999, the Company and Atento Chile S.A. (“Atento Chile), a 28.84% affiliate of the Company, signed an outsourcing agreement. The agreement comprises several contracts for services to be provided by Atento Chile to the Companys business units and customers. Such services include directory assistance, technical assistance and customer complaint management, as well as general commercial and sales information. These contracts were all in effect during 2008. Similar agreements, involving all of the Companys subsidiaries, were also in effect during 2008. Pursuant to all of the agreements discussed above, the Company recorded total net expenses of Ch$22,224 million (US$39.4 million) and Ch$23,781 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The outstanding balances payable to Atento Chile were Ch$3,912 million (US$6.1 million) and Ch$3,532 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The outstanding balances payable in favor of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were Ch$528 million (US$0.8 million) and Ch$554 million, respectively.
 
Transactions with Correspondents of Telefónica Group
 
In 2004, correspondent agreements were entered into with members of Telefónica Group. These members are Telefónica Argentina, Telefónica Sao Paulo, Telefónica Guatemala, Telefónica Perú, Telefónica Puerto Rico and other mobile companies within Telefónica Group such as Telefónica Móvil El Salvador and Telcel Venezuela.
 
 
 
These agreements generated net income of Ch$3,364 million (US$5.3 million) and Ch$743 million  for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. The outstanding balances payable by the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were Ch$7,799 million (US$12.3 million) and Ch$6,100 million, respectively. The outstanding balances in favor of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were Ch$12,353 million (US$19.4 million) and Ch$7,550 million, respectively.
 
Transactions with Telefónica Móviles de Chile S.A.
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company recognized a balance in its favor of Ch$8,112 million (US$12.7 million) and Ch$7,707 million, mainly related to access charges and rental of capacity. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company recognized a balance payable of Ch$10,956 million (US$17.2 million) and Ch$15,252 million, mainly related to mobile interconnections (CPP). Transactions with Telefónica Móviles de Chile for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 generated net expenses of Ch$25,226 million (US$39.6 million) and Ch$29,500 million, respectively.
 
Transactions with Telefónica Móviles Chile Affiliates
 
As a result of LD contracts with Telefónica Móviles Chile Inversiones S.A., Telefónica Móviles Chile S.A. and Telefónica Móviles Chile Larga Distancia S.A., the Company recognized a total balance in its favor of Ch$419 million (US$0.7 million) and Ch$415 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and a total balance payable of Ch$284 million (US$0.4 million) and Ch$48 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 these contracts generated total net income of Ch$903 million (US$1.4 million) and Ch$1,156 million, respectively.
 
Transactions with Telefónica International Wholesale Services Group
 
The Company has an agreement with companies belonging to the Telefónica Wholesale International Services Group (“TIWS”), for international data traffic services. The agreements with the TIWS companies were all effective during 2008 and have different expiration dates, depending on the nature of each specific contract. These agreements generated net expenses of Ch$13,769 million (US$21.6 million) and Ch$9,060 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The outstanding balances under the agreement in favor of Telefónica Chile as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were Ch$1,007 million (US$1.6 million) and Ch$848 million, respectively. The Company had balances payable of Ch$8,834 million (US$13.9 million) and Ch$8,388 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
C.           Interest of Experts and Counsels
 
Not applicable.
 

ITEM 8.                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
A.           Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
 
See “Item 18. Financial Statements” for a listing of the Companys Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this Annual Report.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
Unless expressly stated otherwise in this section, the amounts of judgments and claims for damages, as stated in Chilean pesos, do not include adjustment for inflation, interest and costs, which may be required at final judgment. When a judgment or claim is stated in a readjusting unit of currency, such as the UF, no further inflation adjustment is required.
 
a) Lawsuit against the State of Chile:
 
 
(i)
Having exhausted all administrative remedies aimed at correcting the errors and illegal actions taken in the tariff-setting process of 1999, in March 2002, the Company filed a lawsuit for damages against the
 
 
 
 
 
Government of Chile in the amount of Ch$181,038 million (US$284.4 million), plus readjustments and interest, covering past and future damages incurred up to May 2004.
 
The judicial process is currently at the sentencing stage.
 
 
(ii)
Telefónica Chile and Telefónica Larga Distancia filed an indemnity suit against the State of Chile, claiming damages caused by, and due to, modification of the telecommunications cable network carried out by highway concessionaires from 1996 to 2000.
 
The amount of the damages claimed consists in both companies having been obligated to pay to transfer their telecommunications networks due to the construction of public works concessioned under the Concessions Law in the amount of:
 
 
a.
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.: Ch$1,929 million (historical) (US$3.0 million); and
 
 
b.
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A. (“TLD”): Ch$2,865 million (historical) (US$4.5 million)
 
On March 24, 2008, the final first instance sentence was notified and it rejected the Company’s complaint, without costs. The Company is appealing this sentence.

 
b) Lawsuits
 
 
(i)
Voissnet
 
On July 12, 2007, Voissnet filed a complaint before the Tribunal de Libre Competencia (the “Competition Tribunal”) against Telefónica Chile for alleged cross-subsidy in the joint commercialization of its broadband and fixed telephony services by taking advantage of its dominant position in those markets.
 
Telefónica Chile requested that the complaint be rejected, mainly due to its contention that voice and broadband package offers were made in response to competitive dynamics and that the Company did not engage in practices that restricted competition. The evidence stage has been completed.
 
In addition, on August 29, 2008, Voissnet presented a second complaint to the Antitrust Authority against Telefónica Chile, this time for alleged tied sale in the commercialization of broadband with telephone services.
 
Telefónica Chile requested that the complaint be rejected, with costs.  The Antitrust Authority stated it would issue a combined ruling on both claims.
 
(ii)
VTR Telefónica S.A. (“VTR”)
 
On May 8, 2008, Telefónica Chile and VTR agreed to a settlement covering all judicial and administrative conflicts related to “800” number services and reciprocal access charges to be paid between the companies. In accordance with the terms of the settlement, both parties will make reciprocal discounts and Telefónica Chile has paid VTR Ch$12,036 million (US$18.9 million). As a result of such settlement, all related proceedings have been terminated without sanction.
 
(iii)
Manquehue Net
 
On June 24, 2003, Telefónica Chile filed a breach of contract claim before an arbitrator against Manquehue Net in the amount of Ch$3,648 million (US$7.3 million) plus sums accrued during the proceeding. On the same date, Manquehue Net filed a discount compliance complaint for UF107,000 (US$4.3 million) in addition to a claim to obligate related to the signing of “700 number service contracts.
 
 
 
On April 11, 2005, the arbitrator accepted the complaint of Telefónica Chile, ordering Manquehue Net to pay approximately Ch$452 million (US$0.9 million), and at the same time accepted the complaint filed by Manquehue Net ordering Telefónica Chile to pay UF47,600 (US$1.9 million).
 
Telefónica Chile filed ordinary public law motions against both sentences which are currently pending before the Santiago Court of Appeals.
 
(iv)
Chilectra and CGE
 
In June 2006, Telefónica Chile filed complaints against Chilectra S.A. and Río Maipo (today CGE Distribución), requesting an adjusted refund of the Reimbursable Financial Contributions that the Company paid between 1992 and 1998, in virtue of the Electric Law. The amounts Telefónica Chile seeks to be restored amount to Ch$899.7 million (US$1.8 million) and Ch$117.4 million (US$0.2 million), respectively.
 
(v)
Telmex Servicios Empresariales S.A. (“Telmex Servicios”)
 
During the first quarter of 2008, Telmex Servicios filed a complaint before the Antitrust Authority against Telefónica Chile for alleged restriction of competition related to the process by which the Company was awarded the concession for local public wireless service of the 3,400–3,600 MHz band. Telmex Servicios requested that the government fine the Company 18,000 UTA (US$1.1 million). The Company rejected all elements of the complaint.  The proceeding is at the hearing stage.
 
In addition, Telefónica Chile and TLD were sued by Telmex Servicios before the Antitrust Authority for restricting competition by providing long-distance services through Telefónica Chile’s prepaid card, called “Tarjeta Línea Propia,” and requested that the government fine each company UTA 20,000 (US$1.2 million).  The Company and TLD requested the rejection of all elements of the complaint with costs.
 
(vi)
Empresa Ferrocarriles del Estado de Chile (“EFE”)
 
EFE filed an ordinary lawsuit for the enforcement of obligations resulting from the Regulation on Railway Crossing, Parallelism and Support, and demanded payment of a sum of no less than UTM 48,298.44 (US$2.8 million), for construction and/or annual passage relating to the Company’s use of land adjacent to the railway, plus indemnity for material damages and pain and suffering alleged to have been experienced, with adjustments, interest and costs, notwithstanding the sums accrued during the proceeding.
 
On March 25, 2008, the final first instance sentencing was passed, fully rejecting the complaint, which is being appealed by EFE.
 
(vii)
Theoduloz Slier and Ochoa Soriano versus Zalaquett Zalaquett and Telefónica Chile
 
Executive lawsuit of commitment to file complaint by Rodemilia Theoduloz Slier and Matilde Ochoa Soriano against Armando Zalaquett Zalaquett and Telefónica Chile. The suit arises from Mr. Zalaquett’s sale of shares of the Company’s common stock for which he subscribed, but did not pay for. The commitment to perform the lawsuit would consisit of the delivery of 14,468,895 Series A shares of Telefónica Chile by Mr. Zalaquett to Ms. Theoduloz and Ms. Ochoa.
 
Telefónica Chile opposed the execution, since Mr. Zalaquett is not a shareholder of the Company. This is currently in process.
 
(viii)
Other Lawsuits
 
During the last quarter of 2007, resolutions issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications were notified, in which fines were assessed due to non-compliance with previous resolutions that amounted to UTM 33,700 (US$1.1 million). Telefónica Chile has filed appeals against those resolutions, which are currently in process and pending sentence. It should be noted that the
 
 
 
resolutions consider daily fines, which as of December 31, 2007 are estimated to amount to close to UTM 1,200 (US$70,991).
 
Management and its internal and external legal counsel periodically monitor the evolution of the lawsuits and contingencies affecting the Company during the normal course of its operations, analyzing in each case the possible effects on the Companys financial condition. Based on this analysis and the information available to date, management and its legal counsel believe that it is unlikely that the Companys income and equity will be significantly affected by loss contingencies in addition to those already recorded in the financial statements.
 
Dividend Policy and Dividends
 
Dividend Policy
 
Telefónica Chiles dividend policy (including the policy set by the Board of Directors with respect to the payment of interim dividends for each year) is announced at the General Annual Shareholders Meetings of the Company. At such meetings, the Board of Directors presents for the shareholders consideration and approval its proposals for a final dividend for the preceding year.
 
The Company implements its dividend policy in compliance with Chilean law, pursuant to which the Companys bylaws provide that the Company must distribute a cash dividend in an amount at least equal to 30% of its net income for the relevant year, unless otherwise decided by unanimous vote of the shareholders of the issued and subscribed shares.
 
On September 21, 2004, Telefónica Chiles Board of Directors amended the Companys dividend policy, increasing the distribution of dividends to 100% of annual profits. This policy has been maintained since 2005.
 
The dividend policy for future years will be in line with the Companys financial plan, which focuses primarily on a gradual increase in the rate of self-financing, so as to adjust the financial structure of the Company to the requirements of the development plan. However, this dividend policy will depend on several factors, including the amount of net income generated each year, economic projections that may periodically be made, or certain other events that may affect the Companys ability to distribute dividends. The availability of funds will also determine the degree of compliance with the dividend policy. Telefónica Chiles Board of Directors plans to maintain a dividend policy in accord with the Companys cash flow for the coming years and the projected performance of its financial indicators. The 2009 dividend policy contemplates distributing 100% of net profits for each fiscal year through the payment of an interim dividend in November and a final dividend in May of the following year, subject to approval at the respective General Annual Shareholders Meeting.
 
At its meeting on February 26, 2007, the Companys Board of Directors modified the dividend policy by adding the following: “In addition to paying dividends equivalent to 100% of net income, for the following fiscal year, to the extent that there is a free cash flow and the Companys business-related obligations have been fulfilled, the Boards intention is to distribute a portion of this free cash flow to shareholders. This distribution will be proposed at a shareholders meeting to be called for this purpose.”
 
Dividends
 
Dividends are paid to shareholders of record on the fifth business day (including Saturdays) prior to the payment date. The following table sets forth the amounts per share of annual dividends paid out of the Companys earnings in the years 2004 through 2008. These amounts represent, for each year, a sum of the interim dividends plus the final dividend paid with respect to such year.
 
 
 
   
Dividends Paid
   
Total Dividends Paid
 
   
Per Share(1)
   
Per Share(1)
   
Per ADS
 
 
Fiscal Year
 
Dividends against Net Income
   
Additional Dividends
   
Total (Ch$)(2)
   
Total (US$)(3)
   
Total (US$)(3)
 
2004
    264.6 (4)     394.3 (5)     658.9       1.182       4.728  
2005
    69.8 (6)     51.0 (7)     120.8       0.236       0.943  
2006
    16.3 (8)     42.0 (9)     58.3       0.110       0.440  
2007
    19.4 (10)     51.0 (11)     70.4       0.142       0.567  
2008
    11.3 (12)     41.0 (13)     52.3       0.082       0.329  
 

(1)
Represents dividend amounts paid with respect to Series A and B Common Stock. Per share information does not take into account any Chilean withholding tax.
 
(2)
Amounts shown are presented in Chilean historic pesos.
 
(3)
Translated into U.S. dollars at the Observed Exchange Rates as of December 31 of the respective year. Per ADS information is based on four underlying shares of Series A Common Stock per one ADS and does not take into account any Chilean or U.S. withholding tax.
 
 (4)
Includes a final dividend corresponding to the period 2003 for an amount of Ch$3.2 per share, and interim dividends of Ch$131.44 and Ch$130.00 per share charged against 2004 net income.
 
(5)
Dividend charged to retained earnings as of December 31, 2003.
 
(6)
Includes a final dividend of Ch$58.8 charged to net income as of December 31, 2004. It also includes an interim dividend of Ch$11 per share charged to 2005 net income.
 
(7)
Dividend charged to retained earnings as of December 31, 2004.
 
(8)
Includes a final dividend of Ch$15.31 per share charged to 2005 net income and an interim dividend of Ch$11.0 per share, charged to 2006 net income.
 
(9)
At the extraordinary shareholders meeting held on April 20, 2006, a capital reduction was approved in the amount of Ch$40.2 billion, equivalent to Ch$42 per share, which was paid on June 15, 2006.
 
(10)
Includes a final dividend of Ch$13.44 per share charged to 2006 net income and an interim dividend of Ch$6.0 per share, charged to 2007 net income.
 
(11)
At the extraordinary shareholders meeting held on April 13, 2007, a capital reduction was approved in the amount of Ch$48.8 billion, or Ch$51 per share, which was paid on June 12, 2007.
 
(12)
Includes a final dividend of Ch$5.28 per share charged to 2007 net income and an interim dividend of Ch$6.0 per share, charged to 2008 net income.
 
(13)
At the extraordinary shareholders meeting held on April 14, 2008, a capital reduction was approved in the amount of Ch$39.2 billion, or Ch$41 per share, which was paid on June 13, 2007.
 
 
The final dividend corresponding to 2008 net income will be presented for approval at the General Annual Shareholders Meeting on April 23, 2009. The total amount of the dividend is expected to be Ch$11,874 million, equivalent to Ch$12.41 per share. Dividends are calculated on the basis of net income in Chilean GAAP. To see a detailed description of the main differences between Chilean GAAP and IFRS, see Note 3 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
 
On May 7, 2004, a final dividend charged against net income of the period 2003 was paid for an amount of Ch$3.2 per share.
 
On July 15, 2004, as a result of the Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. sale, shareholders agreed to approve the dividend payment of US$800 million. The Board of Directors agreed to pay US$200 million of the dividend as an interim dividend for 2004 and shareholders approved a US$600 million dividend to be charged against retained earnings. Therefore, the distribution was an interim dividend of US$0.21 per share, charged against fiscal year 2004 profits and a dividend of US$0.63 per share, charged against accumulated retained earnings. These dividends were paid on August 31, 2004. See “Item 4. Information On The CompanyDivestitures.”
 
On November 4, 2004, in line with the dividend policy approved in September 2004, the Company distributed an interim gross dividend of Ch$130 per share (US$0.21 per share), charged against fiscal year 2004.
 
Dividends paid during 2004, as part of the Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. transaction and the new dividend policy, resulted in the distribution of 29% of the value of the stock.
 
 
 
On May 30, 2005, a final dividend charged against net income 2004 was paid for an amount of Ch$58.8 per share (US$0.10 per share). Also, on May 30, 2005, an interim dividend of Ch$51.0 per share (US$0.10 per share) was paid and charged to 2004 retained income.
 
On November 30, 2005, an interim dividend of Ch$11 per share (US$0.02 per share) was paid and charged to 2005 net income.
 
On June 22, 2006, a final dividend of Ch$15.31 per share (US$0.03 per share) was paid and charged to 2005 net income.
 
On June 15, 2006, a capital reduction of Ch$42.0 per share (US$0.08 per share) was paid to shareholders.
 
On November 23, 2006, an interim dividend of Ch$11.0 per share (US$0.02 per share) was paid to shareholders and charged to 2006 net income.
 
On May 16, 2007, a final dividend of Ch$13.4 per share (US$0.03 per share) was paid to shareholders and charged to 2006 net income.
 
On June 12, 2007, a capital reduction of Ch$51.0 per share (US$0.08 per share) was paid to shareholders.
 
On November 21, 2007, an interim dividend of Ch$6.0 per share (US$0.01 per share) was paid to shareholders and charged to 2007 net income.
 
On May 14, 2008, a final dividend of Ch$5.3 per share (US$0.01 per share) was paid to shareholders and charged to 2007 net income.
 
On June 13, 2008, a capital reduction of Ch$41.0 per share (US$0.08 per share) was paid to shareholders.
 
On December 10, 2008, an interim dividend of Ch$6.0 per share (US$0.01 per share) was paid to shareholders and charged to 2008 net income.
 
Dividends received by the Companys shareholders that are not Chilean residents, including holders of ADSs, are subject to Chilean withholding tax. See “Item 10. Additional InformationTaxationChilean Tax Considerations.”
 
As a general requirement, shareholders who are not residents of Chile must register with the Central Bank to have dividends, sale proceeds, or other amounts with respect to their shares remitted outside of Chile through the formal currency market. Under the Foreign Investment Contract (as described below in “Item 10. Additional InformationExchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders”), the Depositary has been granted access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert cash dividends from pesos to dollars and to pay such dollars to ADR holders outside of Chile. As a result of the cancellation of the ADR facility, the Depositary will cease distributing any dividends paid after May 6, 2009.  Any such dividends will be collected and distributed to ADR holders upon their withdrawal of the shares underlying the ADRs or upon the liquidation of such shares by the Depository, which will commence on July 7, 2009.
 
B.           Significant Changes
 
No undisclosed significant change has occurred since the date of the Audited Consolidated Annual Financial Statements.
 

ITEM 9.                      THE OFFER AND LISTING
 
A.           Offer and Listing Details
 
Common Stock Prices and Related Matters
 
Shares of the Companys Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock are currently traded in Chile on the Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago (the “Santiago Stock Exchange”), the Bolsa de Corredores-Bolsa de Valores (the
 
 
 
Valparaíso Stock Exchange”) and on the Bolsa Electrónica de Chile-Bolsa de Valores (the “Electronic Stock Exchange”) (collectively, the “Chilean Stock Exchanges”). The Santiago Stock Exchange is Chiles principal exchange accounting for 86.6% of all equity traded in Chile during 2008. Additionally, approximately 13.1% of equity trading in Chile during 2008 was conducted on the Electronic Stock Exchange, an electronic trading market that was created by banks and non-member brokerage houses, and less than 0.3% of equity trades in Chile occurred on the Valparaíso Stock Exchange in 2008.
 
From July 20, 1990 to February 19, 2009, shares of Series A Common Stock were traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) in the form of ADSs, which are evidenced by ADRs. Originally, each ADS represented 17 shares of Series A Common Stock. Effective January 2, 1997, this ratio was changed to four shares of Series A Common Stock per ADS. Pursuant to the requirements of Chilean law, all shares of Series A Common Stock represented by ADSs are owned of record by Citibank, N.A., as depositary.
 
On February 18, 2009, Telefónica Chile and the Depositary amended the deposit agreement governing the ADR facility. The deposit agreement was amended to shorten the period following the termination of the ADR facility before the Depositary may begin to liquidate the shares underlying the ADSs. Subsequently, Telefónica Chile terminated the deposit agreement. Telefónica Chile expects such termination will become effective in May 2009 and that the Depositary will begin liquidating any underlying shares in July 2009.
 
In addition, on February 19, 2009, Telefónica Chile voluntarily withdrew its ADSs from listing on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) pursuant to Rule 12d2-2(c) under the Exchange Act.  The Companys Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock continue to trade on the Chilean Stock Exchanges.
 
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low closing sales prices for the shares of the Companys Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the high and low sales prices of the ADSs as reported by the NYSE.
 
   
Santiago Stock Exchange
   
NYSE
 
   
(Ch$ per Share(1))
   
(US$ per ADS(2)(3))
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
   
Series A
   
Series B
   
Series A
   
Series B
             
Yearly
                                   
2004
    2,390       2,150       1,450       1,240       16.83       9.40  
2005
    1,710       1,610       1,091       1,000       11.88       8.55  
2006
    1,264       1,080       860       779       9.70       6.40  
2007
    1,330       1,125       925       880       9.94       7.46  
2008
    1,105       990       705       630       9.21       5.24  
                                                 
Quarterly
                                               
2007
                                               
First quarter
    1,260       1,100       1,055       961       9.43       8.04  
Second quarter
    1,330       1,125       1,140       1,020       9.92       8.75  
Third quarter
    1,285       1,081       1,050       980       9.94       8.15  
Fourth quarter
    1,245       1,110       925       880       9.90       7.46  
2008
                                               
First quarter
    990       900       740       785       8.75       6.00  
Second quarter
    1,000       900       740       660       9.21       5.68  
Third quarter
    995       884       705       630       7.44       5.27  
Fourth quarter
    1,105       990       845       880       7.75       5.24  
2009
                                               
First quarter
    1,100       990       870       990       7.94       5.80  
                                                 
Monthly
                                               
2008
                                               
November
    1100       990       970       980       7.33       5.60  
December
    1,105       980       1,074       980       7.10       6.00  
 
 

 
 
 
   
Santiago Stock Exchange
   
NYSE
 
   
(Ch$ per Share(1))
   
(US$ per ADS(2)(3))
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
   
Series A
   
Series B
   
Series A
   
Series B
             
 2009
                                               
January
    1,100       990       1,003       990       7.94       5.75  
February(3)
    980       990       900       990       6.80       5.80  
March
    900       990       870       990       -       -  
April (through April 15 )
    890       990       850       990       -       -  
 

(1)
Chilean pesos are reflected at historic values.
 
(2)
One ADS represents four shares of Series A Common Stock.
 
(3)
The ADSs were suspended from listing on the NYSE on February 19, 2009.
 
On Janaury 31, 2009, there were 40,055,257 ADSs (equivalent to 160,221,031 shares of Series A Common Stock) outstanding, held by approximately 35 registered holders. On that date, such ADSs represented 16.7% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the Companys common stock.
 
Debt Securities
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company does not have debt securities that trade in the over-the-counter market in the United States.
 
B.           Plan of Distribution
 
Not applicable.
 
C.           Markets
 
See “—Offer and Listing DetailsCommon Stock Prices and Related Matters” above.
 
D.           Selling Shareholders
 
Not applicable.
 
E.           Dilution
 
Not applicable.
 
F.           Expenses of the Issue
 
Not applicable.
 

ITEM 10.                      ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
A.           Share Capital
 
Not applicable.
 
B.           Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
Set forth below is certain information concerning Telefónica Chiles capital stock and a brief summary of certain significant provisions of the Companys bylaws and Chilean law. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the bylaws, which have been attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
 
 
 
Organization and Register
 
Telefónica Chile is a publicly held stock corporation (sociedad anónima abierta) organized under the laws of Chile and was incorporated on November 18, 1930, as recorded on page 426 No. 158 of the Commercial Record of Santiago of the year 1931, and has a duration through August 10, 2068. The purpose of the Company is to provide a broad range of telecommunications and related broadcasting services, as more fully set forth in Article Four of the bylaws.
 
Shareholders Rights
 
Shareholders rights in Chilean companies are governed generally by a companys bylaws (which effectively serve the purpose of both the articles, or certificate, of incorporation and the bylaws of a corporation in the United States). Additionally, the Chilean Corporations Law and Supreme Decree 587 (the “regulations on corporations”) govern the operation of companies and provide for the upholding of shareholder rights.
 
The Chilean securities markets are principally regulated by the Chilean Security and Exchange Commission (the “SVS”) under the Securities Market Law and the Corporations Law. These two laws contain disclosure requirements, impose restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, and provide for the protection of minority investors. The Corporations Law clarifies rules and requirements for establishing “open” corporations while eliminating authority supervision of “closed” companies. Open corporations are those which: (i) have 500 or more shareholders, (ii) have 100 or more shareholders who own as a group together at least 10% of the subscribed capital (excluding those whose individual holdings exceed such percentage) or (iii) register in the securities record on a voluntary basis or in compliance with a legal requirement. Telefónica Chile is an open corporation. The Securities Market Law establishes requirements for public offerings, stock exchanges and brokers and outlines disclosure requirements for companies that issue publicly offered securities.
 
Under Articles 12 and 54 and Title XV of the Securities Market Law, certain information regarding transactions in shares of open corporations must be reported to the SVS and the Chilean exchanges on which such shares are listed must be informed. Holders of shares of open corporations are required to report the following to the SVS and the relevant Chilean exchange:
 
 
(i)
any acquisition or sale of shares that results in the holders acquiring or disposing of 10% or more of an open corporations capital; and
 
(ii)
any acquisition or sale of shares or options to buy or sell shares, in any amount, if made by a holder of 10% or more of an open corporations capital or if made by a director, liquidator, main officer, general manager or manager of such corporation.
 
Persons or entities intending to acquire control of an open corporation are also required to inform the public in advance through a notice published in a Chilean newspaper. The notice must disclose the price and conditions of any negotiations. Prior to such publication, a written communication to such effect must be sent to the SVS and the relevant Chilean exchange.
 
Under Articles 28, 29, and 67 No. 5 of the Chilean Corporate Law, a capital reduction requires the approval of shareholders by a shareholders meeting with a minimum quorum of two-thirds of the outstanding shares with voting rights. In addition, there must be a publication of the reform extract accepting a capital reduction and after a 30-day waiting period, the capital reduction will become effective through either the allotment of capital or the companys purchase of its own shares. The 30-day time period provides third parties and minority shareholders the opportunity to exercise their corresponding rights through revocable shares. In addition, under Article 69 of the Tax Code, a company cannot realize capital reductions without previous authorization of the Internal Tax Service.
 
Capitalization
 
Under Chilean law, a corporation issues its stock as soon as the shareholders authorize an increase in such corporations capital. When a shareholder subscribes for shares, the shares are registered with such shareholders name, and the shareholder is treated as a shareholder for all purposes, except receipt of dividends, unless otherwise stipulated in the bylaws of the corporation. The shareholder becomes eligible to receive dividends once such shareholder has paid for the shares. If a shareholder does not pay for shares for which such shareholder has
 
 
subscribed on or prior to the date agreed upon for payment, the corporation is entitled to auction the shares on the stock exchange, and has a cause of action against the shareholder for the difference between the subscription price and the price received at auction. However, until such shares are sold at auction, the shareholder continues to exercise all his rights (except the right to receive dividends). Authorized shares that have not been paid for within the maximum period of three years from the date of issuance determine that the capital of the corporation is automatically reduced to the amount effectively paid within such period.
 
The Companys bylaws authorize two classes of common stock, Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock. The rights of both series of shares are identical, except that the holders of Series B Common Stock are entitled as a class only to (i) elect one of seven directors and an alternate director for that director and (ii) name one of three liquidators of Telefónica Chile in the event of its dissolution.
 
Director Requirements
 
The bylaws establish that the Board of Directors shall consist of seven directors, six to be elected by the holders of Series A Common Stock and one to be elected by the holders of Series B Common Stock. One alternate director will be elected for each director and will replace that director if the director is unable to attend a meeting or serve a full term. Only the director and alternate director elected by the holders of the Series B Common Stock are required to be stockholders in the Company.
 
The Companys bylaws (Article 18), as well as the Chilean Corporations Law (Article 38), stipulate that the Board of Directors can only be fully dissolved by a General or Special Shareholders Meeting (as defined below). The individual or collective dissolution of the Board of Directors by one or more of the Board members is not allowed.
 
The bylaws require that any act or contract by the Company in which a director or an officer, or a party related to them, holds an interest must be previously approved by two-thirds of the Board of Directors, and the terms of the act or contract must be adjusted to similar conditions to those prevailing in the market.
 
The Companys bylaws include a chapter governing the creation and functions of the Directors Committee, which was created by the Board of Directors on April 26, 2001. For more information on the Directors Committee, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesBoard PracticesDirectors Committee.”
 
Preemptive Rights and Increases of Share Capital
 
The Chilean Corporations Law grants certain preemptive rights to shareholders of all Chilean companies. Thus, options to purchase shares from capital increases or convertible securities have to be offered, at least one time, preferentially to shareholders on a pro rata basis.
 
Dividend and Liquidation Rights
 
In accordance with Chilean law, the Company must distribute mandatory cash dividends of at least 30% of its net income of the year calculated in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless otherwise decided by a unanimous vote of the shareholders. See “Item 8. Financial InformationDividend Policy and Dividends.” In addition, dividends can only be paid from net income or retained earnings.
 
At the option of the Company, the portion of any dividend that exceeds the mandatory limits established pursuant to Chilean law may be paid in cash, in shares of the Company or in shares of open corporations held by the Company. Shareholders who do not expressly elect to receive a dividend other than in cash are legally presumed to have decided to receive the dividend in cash.
 
Dividends that are declared but not paid within the appropriate time period set forth in the bylaws for payment of such dividends (as to minimum dividends, 30 days after declaration; as to optional dividends, the date set for payment at the time of declaration) are adjusted to reflect the change in the value of the UF from the date set for payment to the date such dividends are actually paid. Such dividends also accrue interest for adjustable operations during such period. The right to receive a dividend lapses if it is not claimed within five years after the time the dividend becomes due. In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the holders of fully paid shares would participate in a pro rata distribution of assets available after all creditors have been paid.
 
 
 
Shareholders Meetings and Voting Rights
 
The General Annual Shareholders Meeting of the Company is held during the first four months of each year. Extraordinary meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of Directors when deemed appropriate or when requested by shareholders representing at least 10% of the issued voting shares or by the SVS. Notice to convene the General Annual Shareholders Meeting or an Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting is given by means of a notice published in a newspaper of Telefónica Chiles corporate domicile (currently, Santiago) or in the Official Gazette in the prescribed manner by the law and its rule. Notice must also be mailed to each shareholder and given to the SVS at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
 
The quorum to constitute a shareholders meeting is established by the presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders representing at least the absolute majority of the issued voting shares of the Company; if a quorum is not present at the first meeting, the meeting can be reconvened and shareholders present at the reconvened meeting are deemed to constitute a quorum regardless of the percentage of the shares represented. The agreements will be adopted by the absolute majority of the present or represented shares with voting rights. However, if a shareholders meeting is called for the purpose of: (i) transformation, merger or division of the Company, (ii) an amendment to the term of duration or early dissolution, (iii) a change in corporate domicile, (iv) a decrease of corporate capital, (v) approval of capital contributions or assessments of assets other than cash, (vi) modification of the faculties reserved to shareholders or limitations of attributions on the Board of Directors, (vii) reduction in the number of Directors comprising the Board, (viii) the sale, transfer or disposition of 50% or more of the Companys assets, either including or excluding their corresponding liability, or the formulation or modification of any business plan which includes the sale, transfer or disposition of the Companys asset in such percentage, (ix) the form of distributing corporate benefits, (x) real or personal guarantees to caution liabilities of any third party, in an amount exceeding 50% of the Companys total assets, (xi) the purchase by the Company of the Companys issued stock in accordance with Articles 27A and 27B of Law 18,046, (xii) corrections of formal defects with regard to the Companys incorporation or amendments to the bylaws relating to any of the matters enumerated above or (xiii) any other matter as required by the bylaws, the vote required at such meeting is two-thirds of the issued voting Shares as established in Article 44 of the bylaws of the Company.
 
Chilean law does not require a publicly traded company to provide the level and type of information that United States securities laws require a reporting company to provide to its shareholders in connection with a solicitation of proxies. Under Chilean law, a notice of a shareholders meeting listing matters to be addressed at the meeting must be mailed not later than 15 days prior to the date of a meeting. In the case of a General Annual Shareholders Meeting, an annual report of the Companys activities, which includes audited financial statements for the Company, must also be mailed to certain shareholders (corresponding to the higher value between (i) those shareholders owning 90% of the shares, and (ii) those shareholders representing 35% of total shareholders which have an investment higher than 120 UF). Additionally, the Company regularly provides, and management intends to continue to provide, a proposal for the final dividend and a statement of the proposed dividend policy for interim dividends for the then current year. See “Item 8. Financial InformationDividend Policy and Dividends.”
 
The Chilean Corporations Law provides that, whenever shareholders representing 10% or more of the issued voting shares so request, a summary of the comments and proposals that shareholders requested in relation to the businesses of the company must be included as an exhibit to the companys annual report. The Chilean Corporations Law also provides that, whenever the board of directors of an open company convenes a general meeting of shareholders, solicits proxies for the meeting, and distributes information supporting its decisions or other similar materials, it must include pertinent comments and proposals requested by such shareholders.
 
Only shareholders registered as such with the Company at least five days prior to the date of a shareholders meeting are entitled to attend and vote their shares. Shareholders may appoint another individual (who need not be a shareholder) as their proxy to attend and vote on their behalf. Every shareholder entitled to attend and vote at a shareholders meeting has one vote for each share subscribed. The Companys bylaws (Article 46), as well as the Chilean Corporations Law (Article 68), stipulate that the shares belonging to shareholders who, during a period of over five years, have not collected dividend payments that the Company has distributed and have not attended shareholders meetings that were held, are not considered for quorum purposes or for the voting majorities required at the shareholders meetings. When one of the mentioned conditions ceases to occur, those shares must again be considered for the above-mentioned purposes.
 
 
 
Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement among the Company, the Bank of New York, as Depositary, and the owners and holders of ADRs, dated as of July 19, 1990, as amended and restated in the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among the Company, Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, and the owners and holders of ADRs, dated as of January 2, 1997, and the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1998, among Telenica Chile, Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, and the owners and holders of ADRs, as amended, the holders of ADRs have the right to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights with respect to the underlying common shares. The Depositary is not permitted to vote any of the underlying shares as to which it has received no instructions from the holders of ADRs.
 
Approval of Financial Statements
 
The Board of Directors is required to submit the Companys financial statements to the shareholders annually for their approval. If the shareholders reject the financial statements, the Board of Directors must submit new financial statements not later than 60 days from the date of the meeting. If the shareholders reject the new financial statements, the entire Board of Directors is deemed removed from office and a new Board of Directors is elected at the same meeting. Directors who individually approved such financial statements rejected by the Companys shareholders are disqualified for re-election for the ensuing period.
 
Right of Dissenting Shareholders to Tender Their Shares
 
The Chilean Corporations Law provides that, at an extraordinary shareholders meeting on any of the resolutions enumerated below, dissenting shareholders acquire the right to withdraw from a Chilean company and to compel that company to repurchase their shares, subject to certain terms and conditions.
 
Dissenting shareholders are defined as (i) shareholders who vote against a resolution and thus acquire the right to withdraw from the company or (ii) shareholders who are absent from a shareholders meeting and who state in writing to the company their opposition to the resolution adopted at such a meeting. Dissenting shareholders must manifest their withdrawal rights by tendering their stock to the company within 30 days of adoption of the resolution in question.
 
The price paid to a dissenting shareholder of an open company for such shares is the weighted average of the closing sale prices for the companys shares, as reported on the relevant stock exchanges, for the 60-day period preceding the event giving rise to the withdrawal right.
 
Under the Chilean Corporations Law, a dissenting shareholders right to withdraw arises upon adoption of resolutions concerning the following matters:
 
(a)
transformation of the company;
 
(b)
merger of the company with another entity;
 
(c)
disposition of 50% or more of the corporate assets under the terms described in “Item 10. Additional InformationMemorandum and Articles of AssociationShareholders Meetings and Voting Rights”;
 
(d)
grant of real or personal guarantees to secure third-party obligations in an amount exceeding 50% of the corporate assets;
 
(e)
creation of preferential rights for a class of shares or modification of those already existing, in which case the right to withdraw only accrues to the dissenting shareholder of the class or classes of shares adversely affected;
 
(f)
corrections of formal defects with regard to the companys incorporation or amendments to the bylaws relating to any of the matters enumerated above; or
 
(g)
such other causes as may be established by the Companys bylaws and the Chilean Law.
 
 
 
Registrations and Transfers
 
The Companys shares are registered by the Company acting as its own transfer agent, as is customary among Chilean corporations. In the case of jointly owned shares, an attorney-in-fact must be appointed to represent the joint owners in the Company.
 
C.           Material Contracts
 
There were no material contracts signed in the year 2008.
 
D.           Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders
 
Telefónica Chile has outstanding ADRs and debt securities. Each of these securities is subject to requirements as to issuance and other matters established by the Central Bank.
 
The Central Bank is, among other things, responsible for monetary policies and for exchange controls in Chile. Appropriate registration of a foreign investment in Chile permits the investor to access the formal currency market. Foreign investments can be registered with the Foreign Investment Committee under Decree-Law 600 of 1974, as amended, or with the Central Bank under the Central Bank Act. The Central Bank Act is an organic constitutional law that required a “special majority” vote of the Chilean Congress to be modified.
 
Chapter XIV of Title I of the Compendium of Rules on Foreign Exchange (the “Compendium”) issued by the Central Bank authorizes qualifying Chilean issuers to offer convertible debentures or debt securities both in Chile and abroad. Pursuant to an amendment of the Compendium issued by the Central Bank on April 19, 2001, any new international issue of convertible debentures or debt securities must be carried out through the Formal Exchange Market, and the participants must inform the Central Bank of the issuance. However, all issuances of debt made prior to the April 19, 2001 amendment of the Compendium, including certain of the debt securities of the Company, remain subject to the rules and regulations as in effect at the time of their respective issuances.
 
The following is a summary of the relevant portions of the Central Banks regulations regarding issuance of convertible debentures and debt securities denominated in currencies other than pesos in the international markets. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Resolution No. 254-15-921029, which has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Companys Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-5184), as filed with the Commission on July 22, 1996 and as amended on January 7, 1999, and by reference to the resolutions of the Central Bank authorizing the issuance of the debt securities which are the subject of the above-referenced Registration Statement.
 
Debt securities must have an average weighted term of not less than four years, weighted on the basis of principal installments and on the assumption that, if the issuer has the ability to call the debt securities, they will be deemed to have been called at the earliest possible date for purposes of this requirement. Convertible debt securities offered internationally must first be offered to existing shareholders of the issuer in a preemptive rights offering. Subscribers in such an offering must purchase the debentures with pesos and receive peso-payable debt securities whereas international investors must purchase the debt securities in a foreign currency. Persons not residing or domiciled in Chile may exchange their peso-payable debt securities for the foreign-currency payable debt securities, subject to compliance with certain conditions.
 
The Compendium also requires that the foreign currency proceeds from the international sale of debt securities either be brought to Chile and exchanged for Chilean pesos in the Formal Exchange Market or be held outside of Chile and used for (i) direct payment abroad of expenses incurred in connection with import operations, contracting services abroad or the issue of securities abroad, (ii) repayment at maturity of external indebtedness registered with, and approved by, the Central Bank and (iii) direct investment in financial instruments abroad. If the foreign currency proceeds are used to finance investments outside of Chile or to repay obligations of foreign branches and/or subsidiaries, no access to the Formal Exchange Market is given.
 
Until September of 1998, the Compendium made foreign loans granted to (including international debt offerings issued by) Chilean individuals or companies subject to a mandatory deposit of an amount equal to 30% of the proceeds of the loan in a one-year, non-interest bearing U.S. dollar account with the Central Bank (or to payment of a charge to the Central Bank on the next business day after the time the foreign currency is converted into Chilean
 
 
 
pesos in an amount equal to interest on such deposit at the rate of the twelve-month LIBOR for U.S. dollar deposits plus 4.0% for one year). On June 26, 1998, the Central Bank lowered the amount of this mandatory deposit to 10% of loan proceeds, and further reduced this amount to 0% on September 17, 1998. Although the mandatory deposit was eliminated from the Compendium on April 19, 2001, it is still within the Central Banks powers, to reinstate such mandatory deposit requirement.
 
International investors must purchase internationally offered debt securities with foreign currency and receive foreign currency-payable securities.
 
A foreign investment and exchange contract was entered into by the Central Bank, the Company and the Bank of New York, as depositary in 1990 (the “Foreign Investment Contract”) pursuant to Article 47 of the Central Bank Act and to Chapter XXVI of the Compendium (“Chapter XXVI”). On December 30, 1996, the Foreign Investment Contract was amended to incorporate the designation of Citibank N.A. as the successor depositary for Telefónica Chiles ADR program. Although an amendment made by the Central Bank on April 19, 2001, repealed Chapter XXVI, it continues to be enforceable with respect to contracts entered into pursuant to Chapter XXVI, such as the Foreign Investment Contract. As a result of the termination of the Companys ADR facility, the Company expects to cancel the Foreign Investment Contract at an as yet undetermined date in the future.
 
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Foreign Investment Contract. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Chapter XXVI and the Foreign Investment Contract.
 
Under Chapter XXVI and the Foreign Investment Contract, the Central Bank grants to the Depositary, on behalf of ADR holders, and to any non-Chilean investor who withdraws shares of Series A Common Stock upon delivery of ADRs (such shares being referred to herein as “Withdrawn Shares”) access to the formal currency market to convert pesos to dollars (and remit such dollars outside of Chile) with respect to shares of Series A Common Stock represented by ADSs or Withdrawn Shares, including amounts received as (a) cash dividends, (b) proceeds from the sale in Chile of Withdrawn Shares (subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the holder of the Withdrawn Shares (or from an institution authorized by the Central Bank) that such holders residence and domicile are outside of Chile and a certificate from a Chilean exchange (or from a brokerage or securities firm established in Chile) that such Withdrawn Shares were sold on a Chilean exchange), (c) proceeds from the sale in Chile of rights to subscribe for additional shares of Series A Common Stock, (d) proceeds from the liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Company and (e) other distributions, including without limitation, those resulting from any recapitalization, as a result of holding shares of Series A Common Stock represented by ADSs or Withdrawn Shares. Transferees of Withdrawn Shares are not entitled to any of the foregoing rights under Chapter XXVI. Investors receiving Withdrawn Shares in exchange for ADRs have the right to redeposit such shares in exchange for ADRs, provided that the conditions to redeposit are satisfied.
 
Shares of Series A Common Stock acquired as described above may be deposited for ADRs and receive the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract, subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the Depositary stating that such deposit has been made and that the related ADRs have been issued along with a declaration from the person making such deposit waiving the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract with respect to the deposited shares.
 
Access to the Formal Exchange Market under any of the circumstances described above is not automatic. Pursuant to Chapter XXVI, such access requires the Central Banks approval of a request presented through a banking institution established in Chile. The Foreign Investment Contract provides that, if the Central Bank has not acted on such request within a period of seven business days, the request will be deemed approved.
 
The Central Bank regulations provide that a person who brings foreign currency to Chile for the purpose of purchasing shares of Series A Common Stock must convert such currency into pesos on the same date and has five banking business days within which to invest in such shares in order to receive the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract. If such person decides within such period not to acquire the shares, such person can access the Formal Exchange Market to reacquire dollars, provided that the applicable request is presented to the Central Bank within seven banking business days of the initial conversion into pesos. Shares of Series A Common Stock acquired as described above may be deposited for ADSs and receive the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract, subject to: (i) receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the Depositary stating that such deposit has been made and
 
 
 
that the related ADRs have been issued and (ii) receipt by the custodian bank for the ADRs of a declaration from the person making such deposit waiving the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract with respect to the deposited shares.
 
Under current Chilean law and judicial precedents, the Foreign Investment Contract cannot be changed unilaterally by the Central Bank. While the authorization to issue the debt securities is a unilateral act of the Central Bank, other authorizations of the Central Bank have not been historically rescinded. Although this area was significantly liberalized as a result of the amendment made by the Central Bank on April 19, 2001, additional Chilean restrictions applicable to the holders of debt securities or ADRs, to the disposition of any such security, or the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition, may be imposed in the future. There can be no assessment of the duration or impact of such restrictions, if imposed.
 
The Central Bank regulations that became effective on July 4, 1995 (the “New Central Bank Regulations”) required persons bringing foreign currency into Chile for the purpose of acquiring pesos to purchase securities to either (1) establish a non-interest bearing deposit with the Central Bank of Chile for a one-year term in an amount equal to 30% of foreign currency brought into Chile, or (2) pay a charge to the Central Bank at the time the foreign currency is converted into pesos in an amount equal to interest on such deposit for one year at the rate of twelve-month LIBOR plus 4%. The New Central Bank Regulations were amended in October 1996 to make them applicable to persons bringing foreign currency into Chile for the purpose of purchasing securities from certain issuers thereof as part of a capital increase by the issuer. However, these rules do not apply to foreign investments made for purposes of purchasing newly issued shares under Chapter XXVI and an ADR investment contract. The New Central Bank Regulations apply to subsequent transactions in which foreign currency is brought into Chile to purchase securities in secondary market transactions. On September 17, 1998, the Central Bank eliminated this mandatory deposit requirement. Despite this elimination, the Central Bank may at any time reinstate its deposit requirements in any amount up to 40%. Although the mandatory deposit was eliminated from the Compendium on April 19, 2001, its imposition still constitutes one of the Central Banks powers.
 
The New Central Bank Regulations may affect the price and volume of trading in securities in Chile, including the price and volume of trading in the Companys common stock. The New Central Bank Regulations may also affect the amount of any differential in prices between ADSs evidencing securities of Chilean issuers, including the Companys ADSs, and prices of the underlying securities in Chile, including the common stock. However, the Company is unable to assess at this time the impact of the New Central Bank Regulations on the securities markets in Chile, the market for the Companys common stock in Chile or the market for its ADRs. The Company is unable to predict whether (and, if so, how or when) the New Central Bank Regulations will be modified or terminated or what effect any such modifications or termination will have on the securities markets in Chile, the market for the Companys common stock or the market for its ADRs.
 
E.           Taxation
 
The following discussion contains a description of the material Chilean and material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs (evidenced by ADRs) representing shares of Series A Common Stock by certain holders. This summary is based upon the tax laws of Chile 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 Chilean, U.S. federal or other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any state, local or non-U.S., or non-Chilean tax laws.
 
Chilean Tax Considerations
 
The following discussion summarizes the principal Chilean tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Series A Common Stock, or any ADSs representing such Series A Common Stock by an individual holder who is not domiciled or resident in Chile or by a legal entity not organized under the laws of Chile and with no permanent establishment in Chile (a “Foreign Holder”). For purposes of Chilean taxation, an individual holder is a resident of Chile if such holder has resided in Chile for more than six consecutive months in any one calendar year, or for a total of more than six months in two consecutive years. A Chilean citizen generally will be treated as a domiciliary and resident of Chile for Chilean tax purposes unless such person can demonstrate the contrary.
 
 
 
To date, there is no income tax treaty in force between Chile and the United States.
 
Deposit and Withdrawal of Series A Common Stock in Exchange for ADSs
 
The deposit and withdrawal of shares of Series A Common Stock in exchange for ADSs is not subject to any Chilean taxes. As to the tax basis of shares of Series A Common Stock received by a Foreign Holder in exchange for ADSs, the Company has obtained a Ruling (the “Ruling”) from the Chilean tax authorities that provides that the Chilean tax authorities will abide by the valuation procedure set forth in the Depositary Agreement, which values shares at the highest price at which shares of Series A Common Stock were traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange on the date of the withdrawal of the shares of Series A Common Stock from the Depositary.
 
Taxation of Dividends
 
Cash dividends paid by the Company with respect to the shares of Series A Common Stock held by Foreign Holders will be subject to a Chilean withholding tax at the rate of 35% (the “Withholding Tax”), which is withheld and paid over by the Company. A credit against the Withholding Tax is available based on the level of corporate income tax actually paid by the Company on the income to be distributed (the “First Category Tax”). Full applicability of the First Category Tax credit at the 17.0% rate results in an effective Withholding Tax rate of 21.7%. Consequently, the effective Withholding Tax rate with respect to dividends fluctuates between 21.7% and 35.0%, depending on whether or not the income distributed by the Company was subject to the First Category Tax and the distribution amount.
 
The First Category Tax credit, if available, does not reduce the Withholding Tax on a one-for-one basis because it also increases the base on which the Withholding Tax is imposed. In addition, if the Company distributes less than all of its distributable income, the credit for First Category Tax paid by the Company is reduced proportionately. The example below illustrates the effective Chilean Withholding Tax burden on a cash dividend received by a Foreign Holder, assuming a Withholding Tax rate of 35%, an effective First Category Tax at the maximum rate of 17.0%, and a distribution of 100% of the Companys net income that is distributable after payment of the First Category Tax.
 
 
Example:
 
Ch$
 
Company taxable income
    100  
First Category Tax (17% of Ch$100)
    (17 )
Net distributable income
    83  
Dividend distributed by the Company
    83  
Withholding Tax
       
(35% of the Companys taxable income)
    (35 )
Credit for First Category Tax
    17  
Net Withholding Tax
    (18 )
Net dividend received
    65 (83-18)
Effective dividend withholding tax rate
    21.7 % (18/83)

The foregoing tax consequences apply to cash dividends paid by the Company to the Depositary as representative of the holders of ADSs. The Ruling provides that disbursements of such cash dividends by the Depositary to the holders of ADSs will not be subject to additional Chilean taxation. Dividend distributions made in property (other than shares of Series A Common Stock) will be subject to the same Chilean tax rules as cash dividends based on the fair market value of such property. Stock dividends are not subject to Chilean taxation.
 
A capital reduction, such as the one that was approved by the Companys shareholders at the April 14, 2008 shareholders meeting, is generally tax-free to holders of Series A Common Stock or ADSs except in certain circumstances, such as the existence of: (i) pending taxable net income from prior periods, (ii) pending net income (retained earnings), and (iii) capitalized share premiums generated by above market price capital increases on which the Company elected to not pay taxes at the time of issuance. The effective tax rate applicable to the capital reduction paid in 2008 was 21.7%, due to the fact that condition (i), pending taxable net income from prior periods, was met. The average First Category Tax credit rate applicable to the capital reduction was 17% of the amount paid.
 
 
 
Taxation of Capital Gain on the Sale of Shares of Series A Common Stock and ADSs
 
(1)
The Ruling provides that gains from sales or other dispositions of ADSs are not subject to any Chilean taxes, provided that such sales occur outside of Chile.
 
(2)
Taxation of shares acquired on or before April 19, 2001:
 
A gain recognized on a sale or exchange of shares (as distinguished from sales or exchanges of ADSs representing such shares) acquired on or before April 19, 2001 will be subject to both a 17% Chilean income tax and the 35% Chilean withholding tax (the former being creditable against the latter) if either the foreign holder:
 
 
Has held the shares for less than one year since exchanging ADSs for the shares; or
 
 
Acquired and disposed of the shares in the ordinary course of its business or as an habitual trader of shares.
 
In all other cases, gain on the disposal of shares acquired on or before April 19, 2001 will be subject to a 17% Chilean income tax but will not be subject to the 35% Chilean withholding tax.
 
This rule also applies for the disposal of shares not qualifying for the exemption in (3), below.
 
(3)
Taxation on shares acquired after April 19, 2001:
 
On November 7, 2001, the income tax law was amended in order to create a tax exemption on capital gains arising from the sale of shares of listed companies traded in the stock markets. Although there are certain restrictions established in the amended income tax law, in general terms, the amendment provides that in order to have access to the capital gain exemption: (i) the shares must be of a public stock corporation with a certain minimum level of trading in a stock exchange, (ii) the sale must be carried out in a Chilean stock exchange, or in another stock exchange authorized by the SVS, or in a tender offer subject to Chapter XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, (iii) the shares which are being sold must have been acquired on a stock exchange, or in a tender offer subject to Chapter XXV of the Chilean Securities Market Law, or in an initial public offering (due to the creation of a company or to a capital increase), or due to the exchange of convertible bonds, and (iv) the shares must have been acquired after April 19, 2001.
 
The tax basis of shares received in exchange for ADSs will be the acquisition value of the shares. The valuation procedure set forth in the deposit agreement, which values shares at the highest price at which they trade on the Santiago Stock Exchange on the day of the exchange, will determine the acquisition value for this purpose. Consequently, the conversion of ADSs into shares and the immediate sale of the shares for the value established under the deposit agreement will not generate a capital gain subject to taxation in Chile.
 
The distribution and exercise of preemptive rights relating to shares of Series A Common Stock will not be subject to Chilean taxes. However, amounts received in exchange for the sale of preemptive rights will be subject to Chilean income taxes at an effective rate of 35%.
 
For Chilean tax purposes, you will be treated as having sold ADSs and purchased shares of Series A Common Stock at the expiration of the 60-day period commencing on the Termination Date.  If you have not exchanged your ADSs for the underlying shares of Series A Common Stock by that date, you will be treated as having sold the shares when the Depositary sells them on your behalf after the expiration of the 60-day period.  See Item 3. Key InformationRisk FactorsRisks Relating to the Company’s ADSsThe termination of the deposit agreement relating to the Companys ADSs may impair ADS holders ability to transfer their ADSs, delay ADS holders receipt of any dividends and result in the cancellation of the ADSs and the subsequent sale of the securities underlying the ADSs.
 
Other Chilean Taxes
 
Although there is no direct authority on this point, as a practical matter there are no Chilean inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of ADSs by a Foreign Holder, but such taxes generally will apply to the transfer at death or by gift of the shares of Series A Common Stock by a Foreign Holder. There are no Chilean stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of debt securities and holders of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs.
 
Withholding Tax Certificates
 
Upon request, the Company will provide to Foreign Holders appropriate documentation evidencing the payment of the Chilean Withholding Tax (net of the applicable First Category Tax). For further information, the investor
 
 
 
should contact the Depositary before the termination of the Deposit Agreement, which is expected to occur on or about May 7, 2009, at:
 
Citigroup
Depositary Receipt Services
388 Greenwich Street, 14th floor
New York, New York 10013, USA
 
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
 
The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders described herein of owning and disposing of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular persons decision to hold such securities.  The discussion applies only if you hold shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs as capital assets for U.S. federal tax purposes and it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders subject to special rules, such as:
 
 
certain financial institutions;
 
 
insurance companies;
 
 
dealers and traders in securities;
 
 
persons holding shares of Series A Common Stock 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;
 
 
partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
 
 
persons liable for the alternative minimum tax;
 
 
tax-exempt organizations;
 
persons holding shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs that own or are deemed to own ten percent or more of the Company’s voting stock;
 
persons who acquired the Company’s ADSs or shares of Series A Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; or
 
persons holding shares 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 shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership.  Partnerships holding shares of Series A Common Stock 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 shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs.
 
This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof.  These authorities are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.  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 tax purposes you are a beneficial owner of the Companys shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs and if you are:
 
 
 
 
a citizen or individual 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 or any political subdivision thereof; or
 
 
an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.
 
The summary of material U.S. federal income tax consequences set out below is intended for general informational purposes only.  You should consult your tax adviser with respect to the particular tax consequences to you of owning or disposing of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, including the applicability and effect of state, local, non-U.S. and other tax laws and the possibility of changes in tax laws.
 
In general, if you own ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the shares of the Series A Common Stock 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, including in connection with the termination of the Deposit Agreement, see “Item 3. Key InformationRisk FactorsRisks Relating to the Company’s ADSsThe termination of the deposit agreement relating to the Companys ADSs may impair ADS holders ability to transfer their ADSs, delay ADS holders receipt of any dividends and result in the cancellation of the ADSs and the subsequent sale of the securities underlying the ADSs.
 
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom American depositary shares are pre-released or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between U.S. Holders 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 for U.S. 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 non-corporate holders.  Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of Chilean taxes, and the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate holders, each described below, could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
 
Please consult your tax adviser concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs in your particular circumstances.
 
This discussion assumes that the Company is not, and will not become a passive foreign investment company, as described below.
 
Taxation of Distributions
 
Distributions paid on ADSs or shares of Series A Common Stock will 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).  Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holders basis in the shares and then as capital gain.
 
Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the U.S. Treasury, dividends paid by qualified foreign corporations to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, may be taxable at a maximum rate of 15%.  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 New York Stock Exchange where the Companys ADSs were traded in 2008.  The Company’s ADSs ceased to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2009.  You should consult your tax adviser to determine whether the favorable rate applied to dividends you received and whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to be taxed at this favorable rate.
 
The amount of a dividend will include any amounts withheld by us in respect of Chilean taxes on the distribution.  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 Depositarys, receipt of the dividend.  The amount of any dividend income paid in Chilean pesos will be a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate for converting Chilean pesos into U.S. dollars 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 generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend
 
 
 
income.  You may have foreign currency gain or loss if the amount of such dividend is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of such 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, Chilean income taxes (after reduction for the credit for First Category Tax) withheld from dividends on shares of Series A Common Stock 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.  Instead of claiming a credit, you may, at your election, deduct such Chilean 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 must apply to all taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year to foreign countries and possessions of the United States.
 
Sale or Other Disposition of Shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs
 
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss you realize on the sale or other disposition of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, including sales of shares by the Depositary at the expiration of the 60-day period commencing on the Termination Date on behalf of ADS holders who do not exchange their ADSs for the underlying Series A common stock of the Company prior to the expiration of such period, will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs for more than one year.  The amount of your gain or loss will equal the difference between your tax basis in the shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars.  If a Chilean tax is withheld on the sale or disposition of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, your amount realized will include the gross amount of the proceeds of such sale or disposition before deduction of the Chilean tax. See “—Chilean Tax ConsiderationsTaxation of Capital Gain on the Sale of Shares of Series A Common Stock and ADSs” for a description of when a disposition may be subject to taxation by Chile.  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 adviser as to whether the Chilean tax on gains may be creditable against the holders U.S. federal income tax on foreign-source income from other sources
 
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
 
The Company believes that it was not a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its 2008 taxable year.  However, because PFIC status depends upon the composition of a companys income and assets (including, among others, less than 25%-owned equity investments) from time to time, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year.  If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs, gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of the shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holders holding period for the shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs.  The amount allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before the Company 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 amount allocated to such taxable year.  Further, similar rules would apply to any distribution in respect of shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs in excess of 125% of the average of the annual distributions on shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs received by a U.S. Holder during the preceding three years or such holders holding period, whichever is shorter.  Certain elections may be available that would result in alternative treatments (such as a mark-to-market treatment) of the shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs.  U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers to determine whether such elections are available and, if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.
 
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 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 Internal Revenue Service.
 
U.S. Holders of the Companys shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs should consult their tax adviser as to the Chilean, U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Companys shares of Series A Common Stock or ADSs based upon their particular circumstances.
 
F.           Dividends and Paying Agents
 
Not applicable.
 
G.           Statement by Experts
 
Not applicable.
 
H.           Documents on Display
 
Telefónica Chile will provide without charge to each person to whom this Annual Report is delivered, upon written, e-mail or oral request from any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referenced in this Annual Report. Written requests for such copies should be directed to either of the following contacts:
 
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.
Avenida Providencia 111, 22nd floor
Santiago, Chile
Attention:  Isabel M. Bravo
Finance Director
 
E-mail and oral requests for copies of such documents may be made to Telefónica Chile at imbravo@telefonicachile.cl or at 56-2-691-2905.
 
I.           Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 11.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Overview
 
The following discussion about the Companys risk management activities includes forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.
 
The Company faces market risk exposure in two categories: interest rate fluctuations and exchange rate fluctuations.
 
The primary interest rate risk that the Company faces is the effect on its fluctuating rate loans of a rise in the LIBOR rate. The Company had outstanding as of December 31, 2008 long-term fluctuating rate-based loans in the amount of Ch$395,114 million (US$620.8 million), including current maturities and accrued interest. As of December 31, 2007, long-term fluctuating rate-based loans in the amount of Ch$319,371 million (US$501.8 million), including current maturities and accrued interest, were outstanding.
 
The primary exchange rate risk that the Company faces is the depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar, due to the fact that a substantial portion of the Companys long-term liabilities are dollar-denominated while the Companys revenues are largely denominated in Chilean pesos. The Company had, as of December 31, 2008,
 
 
 
 
Ch$318,471 million (US$500.4 million) in dollar-denominated, interest-bearing, long-term liabilities (including current maturities and accrued interest) compared to Ch$249,223 million (US$391.6 million) in dollar-denominated, interest-bearing, long-term liabilities, including current maturities and accrued interest as of December 31, 2007.
 
The Company periodically reviews its exposure to risks arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates, and determines at its senior management level how to hedge such risks. Subject to this review process, the Company manages foreign currency and interest rate risks through hedging transactions in the Chilean and foreign derivative markets and through other mechanisms, such as the purchasing in the Chilean capital markets of dollar-denominated marketable securities with floating LIBOR-based interest rates. The Company has entered into interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, cross-currency swaps, interest rate collars and foreign currency forward contracts with respect to a portion of its borrowings. The Company uses such derivative instruments to reduce risk by offsetting market exposure. The derivative instruments held by the Company are not leveraged and are not held for trading.
 
In the normal course of business, the Company also faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include political risk, credit risk and legal risk, and are not represented in the tables below. See “Item 3. Key InformationRisk Factors.”
 
Risk of Variations in Floating Interest Rates
 
Of the Companys long-term interest-bearing debt denominated in foreign currencies, as of December 31, 2008, 100% was floating-rate debt, having remained the same as of December 31, 2007. In 2008 and 2007, all of the Companys foreign currency long-term floating-rate debt was tied to LIBOR. In addition, part of the Companys Chilean peso-denominated debt is variable-rate UF-denominated. In 2008, of the total Chilean peso-denominated debt, 50.6% was floating-rate debt and 49.4% was fixed-rate debt.
 
As of December 31, 2008, 62.4% of the Companys long-term interest-bearing debt, including current portion and foreign currency- and Chilean peso-denominated debt, was exposed to interest rate fluctuations. Of the remaining 37.6% of the Companys interest-bearing debt that was insulated from interest rate fluctuations, 21.7% was hedged through the instruments set forth in the following table and 15.9% was fixed-rate debt. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding cross-currency swaps for a liability of Ch$101,833 million (US$160.0 million), which serve to hedge against dollar-peso exchange rate fluctuations and, at the same time, effectively change its floating rate to a fixed rate.
 
As of December 31, 2007, 34.8% of the Companys long-term interest-bearing debt, including current portion and foreign currency- and Chilean peso-denominated debt, was exposed to interest rate fluctuations. Of the remaining 65.2% of the Companys interest-bearing debt that was insulated from interest rate fluctuations, 31.9% was hedged through the instruments set forth in the following table and 17.9% was fixed-rate debt. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding cross-currency swaps for a liability of Ch$183,850 million (US$288.9 million), which serve to hedge against dollar-peso exchange rate fluctuations and, at the same time, effectively change its floating rate to a fixed rate.
 
The Companys higher exposure to floating interest rates is part of a strategy employed by the Company to focus on long-term efficiency in financial expenses. The objective of this strategy is to reduce the impact of inflation on the financial results and cash flow of the Company by hedging interest-bearing debt against inflation risk (nominalization until maturity). This strategy aims to fix interest rates when market interest rates are low and to allow floating rates when interest rates are high.
 
The following table summarizes the long-term interest-bearing debt obligations (including current maturities and accrued interest) and derivative instruments held by the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The Company enters into interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and/or zero-cost collar contracts or any other hedging instrument to achieve synthetically the appropriate level of variable and fixed-rate debt approved by senior management. For debt, the tables present principal payment obligations by maturity date and the related average interest rate. For collars, the tables present the notional amounts and cap and floor rates by contractual dates. Average interest rates for liabilities are calculated based on the prevailing interest rate as of December 31 of each year, for each loan. Dollar-denominated liabilities have been converted into Chilean pesos based on the Observed Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2008, which was Ch$636.45 per US$1.00.
 
 
 
         
As of December 31, 2008
       
         
Expected Maturity Date
   
Fair Value (2)
 
   
Average interest rate (1)
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
There-after
   
Total Long Term Debt (incl. 2009 maturities)
   
Underlying Debt
   
Associated Derivatives
   
Total
 
Liabilities
 
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
 
                                                                   
Long-Term Interest Bearing
                                                                 
  Debt:
                                                                 
Fixed Rate
                                                                 
  (Ch$-denominated)
    4.10 %     1,701       1,535       1,538       64,689       1,547       3,879       74,889       74,879       -3,662       71,217  
  (US$-denominated)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Variable Rate
                                                                                       
  (Ch$-denominated)
    2.61 %     392       76,251       -       -       -       -       76,643       76,643       -4,465       72,178  
  (US$-denominated) (3)
    2.67 %     127,965       -       95,429       -       95,077       -       318,471       318,471       -25,478       292,993  
  (EURO-denominated)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
                                                                                         
Interest Rate Derivatives
         
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
                 
Cross-Currency Swaps
                                                                                       
Notional Amount of  Variable to Fixed
            31,823               70,010               -       -                                  
  (US$-denominated)
                                                                                       
  Average pay Rate
            1.93 %             3.57 %                     -                                  
  Average receive Rate
            3.45 %             4.24 %                     -                                  
                                                                                         
Notional Amount of  Variable to Variable
            130,561       76,264       25,458               95,468                                          
  (US$-denominated)
                                                                                       
  Average pay Rate
            2.30 %     3.18 %     3.53 %             2.89 %                                        
  Average receive Rate
            9.25 %     9.51 %     9.68 %             8.59 %                                        
                                                                                         
Notional Amount of  Fixed to Variable
                            12,779       64,358                                                  
  (US$-denominated)
                                                                                       
  Average pay Rate
                            3.79 %     1.86 %                                                
  Average receive Rate
                            9.56 %     9.55 %                                                
 

(1)
Average interest rate” means, for variable rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2008 on Telefónica Chiles variable rate debt and, for fixed rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2008 on Telefónica Chiles fixed rate debt.
 
(2)
These figures were calculated based on the discounted value of future cash flows expected to be received or paid, considering current discount rates that reflect the different risks involved.
 
(3)
These figures were calculated based on the Observed Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2008, which was Ch$636.45 per US$1.00.
 

 
         
As of December 31, 2007
       
         
Expected Maturity Date
   
Fair Value (2)
 
   
Average interest rate (1)
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
There-after
   
Total Long Term Debt (incl. 2008 maturities)
   
Underlying Debt
   
Associated Derivatives
   
Total
 
Liabilities
 
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
 
                                                                   
Long-Term Interest Bearing
                                                                 
  Debt:
                                                                 
Fixed Rate
                                                                 
  (Ch$-denominated)
    4.14 %     1,591       1,404       1,404       1,404       58,761       4,949       69,513       69,501       -74       69,575  
  (US$-denominated)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -                  
Variable Rate
                                                                                       
  (Ch$-denominated)
    3.18 %     480       -       69,669       -       -       -       70,149       70,149       -       70,149  
  (US$-denominated) (3)
    5.23 %     75,845       99,074       -       74,304       -       -       249,223       249,223       -68,634       317,857  
  (EURO-denominated)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -                          
                                                                                         
Interest Rate Derivatives
         
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
                       
Cross-Currency Swaps
                                                                                       
Notional Amount of  Variable to Fixed
            74,534       49,689       -       59,627       -       -                                  
  (US$-denominated) (3)
                                                                                       
  Average pay Rate
            2.49 %     3.46 %     -       4.21 %             -                                  
  Average receive Rate
            5.25 %     5.31 %     -       5.25 %             -                                  
                                                                                         
Notional Amount of  Variable to Variable
                    49,689               14,907                                                  
  (US$-denominated)
                                                                                       
  Average pay Rate
                    6.95 %             7.28 %                                                
  Average receive Rate
                    5.26 %             5.23 %                                                
 

(1)
Average interest rate” means, for variable rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2007 on Telefónica Chiles variable rate debt and, for fixed rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2007 on Telefónica Chiles fixed rate debt.
 
(2)
These figures were calculated based on the discounted value of future cash flows expected to be received or paid, considering current discount rates that reflect the different risks involved.
 
(3)
These figures were calculated based on the Observed Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2007, which was Ch$496.89 per US$1.00.
 
Risk of Variations in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
 
As of December 31, 2008, 67.8% of the Companys interest-bearing debt (including current portion) was U.S. dollar-denominated and fully hedged against exchange rate variations between the peso-UF and the U.S. dollar through the instruments set forth in the tables below. The remaining 32.2% of the Companys interest-bearing debt was UF- or Chilean peso-denominated and, therefore, not subject to exchange rate risk. As of December 31, 2007, 64.1% of the Companys interest-bearing debt (including current portion) was dollar-denominated and fully hedged against exchange rate variations between the peso-UF and the U.S. dollar through the instruments set forth in the tables below. The remaining 35.9% of the Companys interest-bearing debt was UF- or Chilean peso-denominated and therefore not subject to exchange rate risk.
 
Telefónica Chile enters into forward contracts pursuant to which it agrees to purchase U.S. dollars for UF at an agreed exchange rate on a particular date. The maturities of the forward contracts match certain of Telefónica Chiles foreign exchange-denominated liabilities in order to hedge those liabilities. The purpose of the Companys foreign-currency hedging activities is to protect the Company from the risk of devaluation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar. Telefónica Chiles risk is the replacement cost, at current market value, of the transactions in the event of default by counterparties. Management believes that the risk of incurring such losses is remote and that any losses would be immaterial, although no assurance can be given to this effect.
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had the equivalent of Ch$318,471 million (US$500.4 million) in U.S. dollar-denominated, interest-bearing, long-term debt (including current portion) outstanding. Telefónica Chiles debt denominated in foreign currencies was in U.S. dollars. To reduce the impact of any depreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar, as of December 31, 2008, the Company had entered into, on a short-term basis, exchange
 
 
 
rate forward contracts for U.S. dollars in exchange for Chilean pesos or UF in the amount of Ch$2,759 million (US$4.3 million), and had entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap for the purchase of U.S. dollars in the equivalent amount of Ch$473,168 million (US$743.5 million).
 
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had the equivalent of Ch$249,102 million (US$391.4 million) in U.S. dollar-denominated, interest-bearing, long-term debt (including current portion) outstanding. Telefónica Chiles debt denominated in foreign currencies is in U.S. dollars. To reduce the impact of any depreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar, as of December 31, 2007, the Company had entered into, on a short-term basis, exchange rate forward contracts for U.S. dollars in exchange for Chilean pesos or UF in the amount of Ch$6,731 million (US$10.6 million), and had entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap for the purchase of U.S. dollars in the equivalent amount of Ch$316,602 million (US$497.4 million).
 
The tables below provide information about the Companys borrowings and derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to foreign currency exchange rates. For the U.S. dollar-denominated debt, the tables present principal cash flows by maturity date. For the forward contracts, the tables present the amount of foreign currency that Telefónica Chile has contracted to purchase and the average UF-US$ exchange rates by contractual dates.
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
Expected Maturity Date
 
   
Average interest rate(1)
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total Long Term Debt (incl. 2009 maturities)
   
Fair Value
 
 
 
   
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
 
On-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
                                                     
Liabilities Long-Term Interest Bearing Debt:
                                                     
Fixed Rate (US$)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Variable Rate (US$)
    2.67 %     127,965       -       95,429       -       95,077       -       318,471       318,471  
   
Expected transaction date
 
Anticipated Transactions and Related Derivatives
                                                                       
Forward Exchange Agreements
                             
(Receive US$/Pay Ch$): Liability
            2,759       -       -       -       -       -       2,759       2,759  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (Ch$/US$)
            0.9747       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
(Receive Real/Pay US$): Liability
            67       -       -       -       -       -       67       67  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (US$/Real)
            1.7697       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Cross-Currency Swaps(2)
                                                                       
(Receive US$/Pay UF): Liability
            34,838       -       71,748       -       -       -       106,586       106,586  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (UF/US$)
            0.0325       -       0.0304       -       -       -       -       -  
(Receive US$/Pay Ch$): Liability
            95,984       -       23,789       -       69,381       -       189,154       189,154  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (Ch$/US$)
            1.0054       -       0.9344       -       0.7268       -       -       -  
(Receive UF/Pay US$): Liability
            32,862       71,799       12,038       60,729       -       -       177,428       177,428  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (US$/UF)
            0.9364       0.9414       0.9420       0.9436       -       -       -       -  


(1)
Average interest rate” means, for variable rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2008 on Telefónica Chiles variable rate debt and, for fixed rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2008 on Telefónica Chiles fixed rate debt.
 
(2)
The UF-dollar exchange rate differs from the peso-dollar exchange rate in that the UF automatically adjusts in accordance with Chilean inflation and is tied in part to the peso-dollar exchange rate.
 

 
   
As of December 31, 2007
 
Expected Maturity Date
 
   
Average Interest Rate(1)
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
Thereafter
   
Total Long Term Debt (incl. 2008 maturities)
   
Fair Value
 
   
(Ch$ Equivalent in millions)
 
On-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
                                                     
Liabilities Long-Term Interest Bearing Debt:
                                                     
Fixed Rate (US$)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Variable Rate (US$)
    5.23 %     75,845       99,074       -       74,304       -       -       249,223       249,223  
   
Expected transaction date
 
Anticipated Transactions and Related Derivatives
                                                                       
Forward Exchange Agreements
                                                                       
(Receive US$/Pay Ch$): Liability
            6,731       -       -       -       -       -       6,731       6,731  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (Ch$/US$)
            1.0161       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
(Receive Real/Pay US$): Liability
            147       -       -       -       -       -       147       147  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (US$/Real)
            2.1743       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Cross-Currency Swaps(2)
                                                                       
(Receive US$/ Pay UF): Liability
            97,167       64,616       -       73,377       -       -       235,160       235,160  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate (UF/US$)
            0.0329       0.0329       -       0.0311       -       -       -       -  
(Receive US$/Pay Ch$): Liability
            63,719       -       -       17,723       -       -       81,442       81,442  
Average Contractual Exchange Rate ($/US$)
            1.2836       -       -       1.1948       -       -       -       -  
 

(1)
Average interest rate” means, for variable rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2007 on Telefónica Chiles variable rate debt and, for fixed rate debt, the average prevailing interest rate as of December 31, 2007 on Telefónica Chiles fixed rate debt.
 
(2)
The UF-dollar exchange rate differs from the peso-dollar exchange rate in that the UF automatically adjusts in accordance with Chilean inflation and is tied in part to the peso-dollar exchange rate.
 
In addition, during 2008, the Company held marketable securities such as Chilean peso-denominated debentures of the Chilean Central Bank (“BCP”) and Chilean Central Bank Discount Notes (“PDBC”). The total fair value of these securities as of December 31, 2008 was Ch$13,229 million (US$20.8 million).
 
During 2007, the Company held U.S. dollar-denominated marketable securities such as U.S. dollar- denominated debentures of the Chilean Central Bank (“BCU”), UF-denominated marketable securities issued by the Chilean Central Bank (“CERO”) and other time deposits with maturity over 90 days.  The total fair value of these securities as of December 31, 2007 was Ch$13,274 million (US$20.9 million).
 
The tables below provide information about the Companys U.S. dollar-denominated marketable securities that are sensitive to foreign currency exchange rates and present principal cash flows by maturity date.
 
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
Maturity Date(1)
 
   
Interest Rate
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
No Contractual Maturity
   
Fair Value
 
Marketable securities(2):
 
in millions of Ch$ as of December 31, 2008
 
BCP
    6.45 %     8,035       -       -       -       -       -       8,035  
PDBC
    7.89 %     5,194       -       -       -       -       -       5,194  
Total
    7.01 %     13,229       -       -       -       -       -       13,229  
 

(1)
These figures, calculated based on the Observed Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2008, which was Ch$636.45 per US$1.00, reflect the amount Telefónica Chile would receive if the U.S. dollar-denominated marketable securities were held to maturity.
 
(2)
Securities coupon. Effective average rates for BCP and PDBC are 6.45% and 7.89%, respectively.
 

 
   
As of December 31, 2007
 
Maturity Date(1)
 
   
Interest Rate
   
2008
   
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
No Contractual Maturity
   
Fair Value
 
 
Marketable securities (2):
 
in millions of Ch$ as of December 31, 2007
 
CERO
 
2.6% + UF
      3,563       -       -       -       -       -       3,563  
BCU
    5.00 %     1,800       -       -       -       -       -       1,800  
Time deposits over 90 days maturity
    2.59 %     7,911       -       -       -       -       -       7,911  
Total
    3.18 %     13,274       -       -       -       -       -       13,274  
 

 (1)
These figures, calculated based on the Observed Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2007, which was Ch$496.89 per US$1.00, reflect the amount Telefónica Chile would receive if the U.S. dollar-denominated marketable securities were held to maturity.
 
(2)
Securities coupon. Effective average rates for CERO, BCU and time deposits are 2.6%,  5.0%, and 2.59%, respectively.
 
ITEM 12.                      DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Not applicable.
 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 13.                      DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
None.
 
ITEM 14.                      MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 15.                      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed in this Annual Report has been made known to them in a timely fashion.
 
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer and effected by the Companys Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
 
·
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transaction and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
 
 
·
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
 
 
·
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
 
 
The Companys management assessed the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, the Companys management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
 
Based on its assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2008, the Companys internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
Ernst & Young Ltda., the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited the Companys financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.  This attestation report appears on page F-2 of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Changes in Internal Controls. There was no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 16.                      [RESERVED]
 
ITEM 16A.                   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
 
On July 21, 2005, an Audit Committee was created with a total of three independent members pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The members of this Committee are Mr. Andrés Concha, Mr. Alfonso Ferrari and Mr. Hernán Cheyre. Mr. Hernán Cheyre was appointed as Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is independent as that term is defined by the New York Stock Exchange.
 
ITEM 16B.                   CODE OF ETHICS
 
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller and other persons performing similar functions. The complete code of ethics is available on the Telefónica Chile website (www.telefonicachile.cl).
 
ITEM 16C.                   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
Ernst &Young Ltda. has served as the Companys independent public accountant for each of the financial years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008, for which audited financial statements appear in this annual report on Form 20-F.
 
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional services and other services rendered by Ernst & Young Ltda. (the “current audit firm”) to the Company in 2007 and 2008.
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands of Chilean pesos)
 
Audit fees(1)
    519,549       502,502  
Audit-related fees(2)
    -       107,337  
Tax fees(3)
    -       -  
All other fees(4)
    -       -  
Total
    519,549       609,839  
 

(1)
Audit fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit services engagement and other audit services, which are those services that only the external auditor reasonably can provide, and include the group audit, statutory audits, comfort letters and consents, attest services, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.
 
(2)
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Companys financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the external auditor, and include consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards, internal
 
 
 
  control reviews of new systems, programs and projects, review of security controls and operational effectiveness of systems, review of plans and controls for shared service centers, due diligence related to acquisitions, accounting assistance and audits in connection with proposed or completed acquisitions, and employee benefit plan audits.
 
(3)
Tax fees include fees billed for tax compliance services, including the preparation of original and amended tax returns and claims for refund, tax consultations, such as assistance and representation in connection with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, transfer pricing, and requests for rulings or technical advice from taxing authorities, tax-planning services, and expatriate tax-planning and services.
 
(4)
All other fees include fees billed for training, forensic accounting, data security reviews, treasury control reviews and process improvement and advice, and environmental, sustainability and corporate social responsibility advisory services.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
 
According to Article 52 of Chilean Corporations Law No. 18,046, the engagement of external auditors is approved by shareholders each year at the Companys General Annual Shareholders Meeting. As such, the Board of Directors of the Company does not have a policy for hiring external auditors. The Companys Directors Committee is responsible for the proposal of external auditors made by the Board to shareholders at the General Annual Shareholders Meeting in accordance with the Chilean Corporations Law. At the General Annual Shareholders Meeting held in April 2005, Company Shareholders approved the engagement of Ernst & Young Ltda. for the twelve-month period ending April 2006. At the General Annual Shareholders Meeting held on April 20, 2006, Company shareholders approved the engagement of Ernst & Young Ltda. for the twelve-month period ending April 2007, for the amounts of UF20,000 for the audit and between UF7,700 to UF12,000 for compliance work relating to the Sarbanes Oxley Act requirements. At the General Annual Shareholders Meeting held on April 13, 2007, Company shareholders approved the engagement of Ernst & Young Ltda. for the twelve-month period ending April 2008, for an amount of UF26,316 for the audit including the compliance work relating to the Sarbanes Oxley Act requirements. At the General Annual Shareholders Meeting held on April 14, 2008, Company shareholders approved the engagement of Ernst & Young Ltda. for the twelve-month period ending April 2009, for an amount of UF23,742 for the audit including the compliance work relating to the Sarbanes Oxley Act requirements.
 
During 2008, the Companys principal accountants did not render any non-audit services. The Company has not permitted the principal accountants to render any non-audit services. The Companys Directors Committee approves all audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by auditing firms. The Audit Committees main duties are related to independent audits, disclosure of financial statements and internal audits.
 
ITEM 16D.                   EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16E.           PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
 
The following table sets forth the purchases of equity securities by the Company and its affiliates.
 
Period
 
(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
 
(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Units)
 
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
November 1 – November 30, 2008
 
496,341,699(1)
 
· Ch$1,100 per Series A share (Ch$4,400 per ADS)
· Ch$990 per Series B share
 
 
January 1 – January 31, 2009
 
10,893,011(2)
 
· Ch$1,100 per Series A share (Ch$4,400 per ADS)
· Ch$990 per Series B share
 
 

 
 


(1)
All purchased shares were acquired pursuant to the terms of a tender offer announced on September 11, 2008 by Inversiones Telefónica for all 527,424,074 shares of the Company not owned by its affiliates. The tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, Santiago, Chile time, on October 30, 2008 and at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on October 31, 2008.
 
(2)
All purchased shares were acquired pursuant to the terms of a tender offer announced on December 2, 2008 by Inversiones Telefónica for all 31,082,375 shares of the Company not owned by its affiliates. The tender offer expired at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on January 6, 2009.
 

ITEM 16F.           CHANGE IN REGISTRANTS CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16G.                   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
The following is a comparison of corporate governance practices followed by U.S. companies listed with the NYSE and the Company’s practices:
 
According to the NYSE, listed U.S. companies must have a majority of independent directors who must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. According to Chilean law, the Company’s directors cannot serve as executives, accountants, auditors or CEO of the Company, though they need not be otherwise “independent” as defined by the NYSE. The Company’s directors may meet individually or collectively with those they deem necessary to inform themselves and to make decisions regarding the Company. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” for a list of the Company’s board members.
 
According to the NYSE, listed U.S. companies must adopt corporate guidelines that govern directors’ responsibilities, qualifications, compensation and education, management succession and an annual performance evaluation of the board. Chilean law, which the Company follows, dictates the composition, duration, duties and responsibilities of board members, as well as sanctions for non-compliance with these. Chilean law also requires that, at each General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, board remuneration must be approved, which was done on April 14, 2008. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Compensation of Directors and Officers.”
 
According to the NYSE, listed U.S. companies must have an internal audit function to provide management with ongoing assessments of the company’s risk management process and the system of internal controls. Although there is no local law requirement to do so, the Company does have an internal audit department that conducts the assessment.
 
According to the NYSE, listed U.S. companies, beginning the earlier of the first annual shareholders’ meeting after January 15, 2004 and October 31, 2004, must have an audit committee consisting of a minimum of three independent Board members who are financially literate and at least one who is a designated financial expert, while foreign companies, such as Telefónica Chile, have to meet this requirement starting on July 31, 2005. Listed U.S. companies must also have compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees composed entirely of independent directors. Chilean law does not require these committees. However, Chilean Law does require open stock companies with a market capitalization above UF1.5 million (approximately US$50.6 million) to have a Directors Committee, made up of three board members who are “independent,” as defined by Chilean law below, of the controlling shareholders and whose remuneration is determined by shareholders at the General Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, to perform the following functions:
 
a)      review and approve reports from account inspectors and external auditors, as well as the Company’s balance sheet and financial statements;
 
b)      propose external auditors and rating agencies to the board;
 
 
 
c)      review and inform the board of related party transactions;
 
d)      review compensation and compensation plans for company executives; and
 
e)      any other matters stipulated according to company bylaws, board, or shareholders’ meeting decisions.
 
Chilean law states that a director is independent when, excluding the votes from the controlling shareholder and their related parties, the director would have been elected. Accordingly, a director that is independent under Chilean law may not be independent under the NYSE’s corporate governance rules or under the SEC’s audit committee independence rules. The Company’s Directors Committee consists of three board members and their respective alternates, two of which are independent of the controlling shareholder, as defined by Chilean law. Chilean law has no requirement for members to be financial experts.
 
According to the NYSE, listed U.S. companies’ CEOs must certify to the NYSE each year that they are not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. According to Chilean law, there is no such requirement, and this provision of the NYSE does not apply to foreign private issuers, such as Telefónica Chile. However, according to the NYSE, all foreign private issuers, including Telefónica Chile, must report to the NYSE when they become aware of a violation of the corporate governance listing standards and must provide an annual written affirmation to the NYSE of its compliance with the applicable NYSE audit committee rules and disclosure of significant differences with NYSE corporate governance rules applicable to domestic companies.
 
ITEM 19.                      EXHIBITS
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
 
Description
1.1
 
English translation of the bylaws (estatutos) of the Company, as amended, which includes its corporate charter.
2.1
 
The instruments defining the rights of holders of the outstanding long-term debt securities of the Company and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to Instruction 2(b)(i) of the Instructions to the Exhibits of Form 20-F. The Company hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
4.1
 
English translation of Contract for the Sale of Sonda Shares between Telefónica Empresas CTC Chile S.A. and Inversiones Pacífico II Limitada dated September 26, 2002.(1)
4.2
 
English translation of Contract for the Sale of Sonda Shares between Telefónica Empresas CTC Chile S.A. and Inversiones Santa Isabel Limitada dated September 26, 2002.(1)
4.3
 
English translation of the Option Agreement between Telefónica Empresas CTC Chile S.A. and Inversiones Santa Isabel Limitada dated September 26, 2002.(1)
4.4
 
English translation of Contract for the Sale of Sonda Shares between the seller Telefónica Empresas CTC Chile S.A. and the buyers Inversiones Pacífico II Limitada, Inversiones Atlántico Limitada and Santa Isabel Limitada dated August 27, 2003.(2)
4.5
 
English translation of Contract for the Sale of 9% ownership interest in Publiguías between the seller Telefónica Chile S.A. and the buyer Telefónica Publicidad e Información S.A. (TPI) dated April 26, 2004. (3)
4.6
 
English translation of Contract for the Sale of Telefónica Móvil de Chile S.A. shares between the seller Telefónica Chile S.A. and the buyer Telefónica Móviles S.A. (TEM) dated July 23, 2004. (3)
8.1
 
List of Subsidiaries of the Company.
11.1
 
Code of Ethics.(2)
12.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
12.2
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
12.3
 
Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.1
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
13.2
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
13.3
 
Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 

(1)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 and incorporated by reference hereto.
 
(2)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Companys annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated by reference hereto.
 
(3)
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and incorporated by reference hereto.
 
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile, S.A.
 
   
   
By:
/s/ Isabel Margarita Bravo
 
 
Name:
Isabel Margarita Bravo
 
 
Title:
Principal Financial Officer
 
       
 
Date: April 27, 2009

 
 
 
 



 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of
December 31, 2007 and 2008
together with the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(Translation of financial statements originally issued in Spanish)
 
 
 

 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
   
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-9

 
 
 

 

 
 
Ch$
:
Chilean pesos
ThCh$
:
Thousands of Chilean pesos
UF
:
The Unidad de Fomento, or UF, is an inflation-indexed peso-denominated monetary unit in Chile. The daily UF rate is fixed in advance based on the change in the Chilean Consumer Price Index of the previous month
US$
:
United States of American dollars
ThUS$
:
Thousands of United States of American dollars






 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated” balance sheets of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 23, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
 
 
             
ERNST & YOUNG LTDA.
 
 
Santiago, Chile
April 23, 2009.
 
 


 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.:
 
We have audited Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile SA. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended and our report dated April 23, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
 
 
             
ERNST & YOUNG LTDA.
 
 
Santiago, Chile
April 23, 2009.
 
 
 

  COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  As of December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
 
         
As of December 31,
 
   
Notes
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThUS$
 
ASSETS
                       
                         
CURRENT ASSETS
                       
                         
Cash and cash equivalents
    (16 )     73,084,451       71,555,375       112,428  
Financial assets at fair value with changes in
  income
    (17 )     13,273,715       13,228,981       20,786  
Other financial assets
            59,081       64,081       102  
Trade and other accounts receivable, net
    (12a )     192,537,092       172,159,162       270,499  
Accounts receivable from related entities
    (13a )     19,781,435       28,301,797       44,468  
Inventory
    (26 )     6,953,964       6,920,235       10,873  
Derivative financial instruments
    (15 )     131,288       3,365,982       5,289  
Prepayments
            4,831,472       4,522,589       7,106  
Prepaid taxes
    (22 )     18,498,736       26,907,759       42,278  
Non-current assets and surrendered units available for sale
    (10 )     -       2,206,275       3,466  
                                 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
            329,151,234       329,232,236       517,295  
                                 
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
                               
                                 
Other financial assets
            142,217       141,613       223  
Trade and other accounts receivable, net
    (12a )     13,054,409       14,559,192       22,876  
Investments in associates accounted for using the equity method
    (11a )     7,621,158       9,415,278       14,793  
Goodwill
    (8 )     16,704,516       16,704,516       26,246  
Intangible assets, net
    (7 )     40,314,006       32,343,927       50,819  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    (9 )     1,028,280,547       1,011,576,568       1,589,405  
Deferred tax assets
    (23b )     26,678,328       34,519,405       54,237  
Derivative financial instruments
    (15 )     -       36,963,243       58,077  
Prepayments
            1,597,921       -       -  
                                 
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS
            1,134,393,102       1,156,223,742       1,816,676  
                                 
TOTAL ASSETS
            1,463,544,336       1,485,455,978       2,333,971  

 
 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2007 and 2008
 

 
         
As of December 31,
 
   
Notes
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThUS$
 
LIABILITIES
                       
                         
CURRENT LIABILITIES
                       
                         
Interest bearing loans
    (18 )     77,916,022       130,058,223       204,350  
Trade and other accounts payable
    (19 )     166,450,285       196,722,872       309,094  
Accounts payable to related entities
    (13b )     33,448,644       40,276,614       63,283  
Provisions
    (20 )     16,230,842       7,072,336       11,112  
Taxes payable
            12,969,059       9,663,951       15,184  
Deferred revenue
    (27 )     6,523,421       5,712,886       8,976  
Post employment benefits obligations
    (21a )     1,996,786       2,898,105       4,554  
Derivative financial instruments
    (15 )     23,464,760       6,253,701       9,826  
                                 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
            338,999,819       398,658,688       626,379  
                                 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
                               
                                 
Interest bearing loans
    (18 )     310,968,960       339,944,454       534,126  
Deferred tax liabilities
    (23b )     112,060,323       95,247,850       149,655  
Deferred revenue
    (27 )     4,153,591       3,930,500       6,176  
Post employment benefits obligations
    (21a )     30,838,659       42,464,712       66,721  
Derivative financial instruments
    (15 )     45,373,745       470,129       738  
                                 
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
            503,395,278       482,057,645       757,416  
                                 
EQUITY
                               
                                 
Issued capital
    (14 )     737,179,111       697,935,671       1,096,607  
Other reserves
            (1,984,475 )     (974,362 )     (1,531 )
Accumulated deficit
            (114,299,735 )     (92,361,776 )     (145,120 )
                                 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
            620,894,901       604,599,533       949,956  
Minority interests
    (28 )     254,338       140,112       220  
                                 
TOTAL EQUITY
            621,149,239       604,739,645       950,176  
                                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
            1,463,544,336       1,485,455,978       2,333,971  
 
 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
 
  COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
 
         
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
Notes
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThUS$
 
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                       
                         
Revenues
    (24a )     696,299,994       738,730,748       1,160,705  
Other operating income
    (24b )     9,058,620       28,131,051       44,200  
Employee expenses
    (21b )     (86,268,253 )     (101,028,517 )     (158,737 )
Depreciation and amortization
            (181,590,936 )     (167,573,526 )     (263,294 )
Other miscellaneous operating expenses
    (24c )     (357,908,345 )     (411,078,189 )     (645,892 )
Financial expenses (net)
    (24d )     (11,044,665 )     (27,009,483 )     (42,438 )
Participation in profits of associates accounted for
  using the equity method
    (11a )     1,782,776       1,606,957       2,525  
Foreign currency exchange differences
            (29,792,788 )     (7,503,534 )     (11,790 )
                                 
Profit before taxes
            40,536,403       54,275,507       85,279  
                                 
Income taxes
    (23c )     (8,980,234 )     (6,368,935 )     (10,007 )
                                 
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
            31,556,169       47,906,572       75,272  
                                 
                                 
                                 
Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent
            31,646,817       47,975,468       75,380  
Loss attributable to minority interests
    (28 )     (90,648 )     (68,896 )     (108 )
                                 
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
            31,556,169       47,906,572       75,272  
                                 
PROFIT PER SHARE
                               
                                 
COMMON SHARES
                               
Basic and diluted profit per share attributable to equity holders of the parent (in thousands)
    (25 )     0.0331       0.0501       0.00007864  
 

 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
F - 5

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
 
   
Issued capital
   
Other reserves
                       
   
Ordinary shares
   
Currency translation difference
   
Other profit (loss) directly recognized in equity
 
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
   
Total equity attributable to holders of the parent
   
Minority interests
   
Total equity
 
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
                                         
Beginning balance
    785,994,122       (53,857 )     (419,649 )     (136,607,945 )     648,912,671       1,148,576       650,061,247  
                                                         
Profit (loss) for the period
    -       -       -       31,646,817       31,646,817       (90,648 )     31,556,169  
Dividends declared
    -       -       -       (10,856,131 )     (10,856,131 )     -       (10,856,131 )
Capital decrease
    (48,815,011 )     -       -       -       (48,815,011 )     -       (48,815,011 )
Other increases (decreases) in net equity (1)
    -       (501,366 )     (1,009,603 )     1,517,524       6,555       (803,590 )     (797,035 )
Changes for the period
    (48,815,011 )     (501,366 )     (1,009,603 )     22,308,210       (28,017,770 )     (894,238 )     (28,912,008 )
                                                         
Balance December 31, 2007
    737,179,111       (555,223 )     (1,429,252 )     (114,299,735 )     620,894,901       254,338       621,149,239  
                                                         
Profit (loss) for the period
    -       -       -       47,975,468       47,975,468       (68,896 )     47,906,572  
Dividends declared
    -       -       -       (17,611,683 )     (17,611,683 )     -       (17,611,683 )
Capital decrease
    (39,243,440 )     -       -       -       (39,243,440 )     -       (39,243,440 )
Other increases (decreases) in net equity (1)
    -       1,264,741       (254,628 )     (8,425,826 )     (7,415,713 )     (45,330 )     (7,461,043 )
Changes for the period
    (39,243,440 )     1,264,741       (254,628 )     21,937,959       (16,295,368 )     (114,226 )     (16,409,594 )
                                                         
Balance December 31, 2008
    697,935,671       709,518       (1,683,880 )     (92,361,776 )     604,599,533       140,112       604,739,645  
                                                         
                                                         
 
(1)
Includes effects on income and expenses not recognized in income for the year.
 

 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
 
 
COMPAÑÍA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008
 

         
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
Notes
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThUS$
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
                         
Profit for the year
          31,556,169       47,906,572       75,272  
                               
    Non-cash adjustments
                             
                               
Depreciation
    (9 )     163,675,505       148,942,657       234,020  
Amortization of intangible assets
    (7 )     17,915,431       18,630,869       29,273  
Net foreign currency exchange differences
            29,792,788       7,503,534       11,790  
Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment
            (1,905,371 )     (2,914,178 )     (4,579 )
Gain on sales of Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. assets
    (24b )     -       (15,487,114 )     (24,333 )
Equity in earnings of equity method investees
    (11 )     (1,782,776 )     (1,606,957 )     (2,525 )
Provisions and write offs
            (20,742,443 )     (36,450,839 )     (57,272 )
Deferred tax provision
            (21,392,240 )     (24,653,550 )     (38,736 )
Financial instruments designated at fair value with changes in income
            (3,130,684 )     (44,734 )     (70 )
Other debits to income that do not represent cash flow
            12,230,622       22,921,343       36,014  
                                 
Total non-cash adjustments
            174,660,832       116,841,031       183,582  
                                 
Total cash flows before changes in working capital
            206,217,001       164,747,603       258,854  
                                 
    Working capital increase (decrease)
                               
                                 
Changes in operating assets (increase) decrease
                               
Inventories
            3,070,747       663,231       1,042  
Trade and other accounts receivable
            9,120,037       18,873,147       29,654  
Prepayments
            (480,295 )     (308,883 )     (485 )
Other assets
            3,509,435       (9,651,117 )     (15,163 )
                                 
Changes in operating liabilities increase (decrease)
                               
Trade and other accounts payable
            12,110,740       17,770,802       27,921  
Deferred revenue
            (6,754,731 )     (810,536 )     (1,274 )
Taxes payable
            (4,756,957 )     (3,305,108 )     (5,193 )
Post-employment benefits obligations
            1,660,841       901,319       1,416  
Other liabilities
            5,261,470       (10,743,439 )     (16,880 )
                                 
Total decrease in working capital, net
            22,741,287       13,389,416       21,038  
                                 
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
            228,958,288       178,137,019       279,892  
 
 
 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 

 
 
COMPAÑÍA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008
 
             
         
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
Notes
   
2007
   
2008
   
2008
 
         
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThUS$
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
                           
                           
Sales of property, plant and equipment
            2,034,548       6,172,059       9,698  
Proceeds from sale of financial instruments
            16,284,344       42,925,248       67,445  
Sales of  Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. assets
            -       15,487,114       24,334  
Dividends received
            1,816,920       433,661       681  
Received of interest investments
            513,009       419,953       660  
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment
            (141,303,917 )     (147,989,087 )     (232,523 )
Purchases of financial instruments
            (7,581,418 )     (45,615,551 )     (71,672 )
                                 
NET CASH FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
            (128,236,514 )     (128,166,603 )     (201,377 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
                                 
Repayments of borrowings
            (1,345,320 )     (96,930,593 )     (152,299 )
Proceeds from borrowings
            -       95,467,500       150,000  
Dividends paid
            (18,609,376 )     (10,792,959 )     (16,958 )
Capital decrease
            (48,815,011 )     (39,243,440 )     (61,660 )
                                 
NET CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
            (68,769,707 )     (51,499,492 )     (80,917 )
                                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
            31,952,067       (1,529,076 )     (2,403 )
                                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
            41,132,384       73,084,451       114,831  
                                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
            73,084,451       71,555,375       112,428  
                                 
                                 
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH INFORMATION:
                               
Interest paid
            (19,103,755 )     (33,483,405 )     (52,609 )
 
 
 
The accompanying notes 1 to 33 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 
 

COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
 
1.
Corporate information:
 
Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and subsidiaries (“Telefónica Chile S.A” or “the Company”) provides telecommunications services in Chile, consisting of fixed telecommunications, television, long distance, corporate communications and other services. The Company is located in Santiago, Chile, at Avenida Providencia No. 111.

The Company is an open stock corporation that is registered with the Securities Registry under No. 009 and therefore is subject to supervision by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance (“SVS”) as well as by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) since the listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in United States (“ADRs”) in 1990.

Telefónica Chile S.A., is part of the Telefónica Group.  Its parent company is Telefónica Internacional S.A., which is headquartered in Spain.

The consolidated financial statements of Telefónica Chile S.A. for the year ended as of December 31, 2008 were approved and authorized for issuance at the Board of Directors Meeting held on April 23, 2009.

The subsidiary companies registered in the Securities Registry are:
 
 
Subsidiary
Taxpayer
number
Registration number
Participation percentage
(direct and indirect)
 
2007
%
2008
%
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
96.551.670-0
456
99.87
99.89
Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. (1)
96.971.150-8
863
99.99
-

(1) On December 31, 2008 Telefónica Chile S.A absorbed subsidiary Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A, through the acquisition of the participation of Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A. in that company, equivalent to 0.001%, resulting in ownership of all the shares of that company by Telefónica Chile S.A.
 
 
2.
Significant accounting principles:
 
(a)   Accounting period
 
These  consolidated  financial  statements (hereinafter, “financial statements”) cover the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008.
 
(b)    Basis of preparation
 
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The figures included in these financial statements are expressed in thousands of Chilean pesos, since the Chilean peso is the Company’s functional and reporting currency. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand, except when otherwise indicated.
 
(c)    Basis of presentation
 
The financial statements for December 31, 2007 and their corresponding notes are shown in a comparative manner to the financial statements for 2008.
 
For the convenience of the reader these financial statements have been translated from Spanish to English.
 
 
 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
(d)    Basis of consolidation:
 
These financial statements include the assets, liabilities, income and cash flows of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2008.  All intercompany balances, income and expenses and unrealized gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions have been eliminated in full and the participation of minority investors has been recognized under the heading Minority interests” (see Note 28).
 
Minority interests represent the portion of profit or loss and net assets of certain subsidiaries that is not held by the parent Company and are presented separately in the consolidated statement of income and within equity in the consolidated balance sheet, separately from parent shareholders' equity.
 
The financial statements of the consolidated companies cover the years ended on the same date as the individual financial statements of the parent company, and have been prepared applying uniform accounting policies.
 
The companies included in the consolidation are:
 
Taxpayer No.
Company Name
Participation percentage
2007
  2008
  Total
  Direct
Indirect
Total
96.551.670-0
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
99.87
99.89
-
99.89
96.961.230-5
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A.
99.99
99.99
-
99.99
74.944.200-k
Fundación Telefónica Chile
50.00
50.00
-
50.00
96.971.150-8
Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A.  (1)
99.99
-
-
-
90.430.000-4
Telefónica Empresas Chile S.A.
99.99
99.99
-
99.99
78.703.410-1
Telefónica Multimedia Chile S.A.
99.99
99.99
-
99.99
96.811.570-7
Instituto Telefónica Chile S.A.
99.99
-
99.99
99.99
 
(1) On December 31, 2008 Telefónica Chile S.A absorbed subsidiary Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A, through the acquisition of the participation of Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A. in that company, equivalent to 0.001%, resulting in ownership of all the shares of that company by Telefónica Chile S.A.
 
(e)    Foreign currency translation
 
Assets and liabilities in US$ (United States dollars), Euros, Brazilian Real, UF (Unidades de Fomento) and JPY (Japanese Yen), have been converted to Chilean pesos using the observed exchange rates as of December 31 of each year as follows:
 
YEAR
US$
EURO
REAL
JPY
UF
2007
496.89
730.94
280.32
4.41
19,622.66
2008
636.45
898.81
271.70
7.05
21,452.57
 
Foreign currency exchange differences are recognized in income for the year under “Foreign currency exchange differences”.
 
 
 
F - 10

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(e)    Foreign currency translation, continued
 
The closing exchange rates for the year have been used in the conversion of the financial statements of foreign companies, with the exception of: i) capital and reserves, which have been converted at the historical exchange rate; and ii) income statements and statements of cash flows, which have been converted at the average exchange rate for the year.
 
Foreign currency translation difference originated as a consequence of the application of these criteria is included in “Currency translation difference”, deducting the part corresponding to minority interests, which is presented under the heading “Minority interests”.
 
Convenience of converting to United States dollars
 
The financial statements are presented in Chilean pesos, the Company’s functional currency.  Conversion from Chilean pesos to United States dollars is only included for the convenience of the reader, using the exchange rate reported by the Banco Central de Chile as of December 31, 2008 of Ch$ 636.45 per US$ 1.00.  Convenience conversions should not be considered to be a representation that the amount in Chilean pesos has been or could now or in the future be converted to United States dollars at this or any other exchange rate.
 
(f)    Investment in related companies
 
The Company’s investment in the companies over which it exercises significant influence without exercising control, is recorded using the equity method.  The investment is recorded initially at cost and its book value is modified based on the participation in the income of the associated company at each year-end.  If it records net income or losses directly in its net shareholders’ equity, the Company also recognizes the participation corresponding to it in those items.
 
(g)   Goodwill
 
Goodwill represents the surplus of the acquisition cost in comparison to the fair value, as of the acquisition date, of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired.  After initial recognition, goodwill is recorded at cost less any accumulated impairment loss.
 
The Company tests goodwill impairment annually and when there are indicators that the net carrying amount might not be fully recoverable.  The impairment test which is based on fair value is performed for each cash generating unit for which the goodwill has been allocated.  If that fair value is less than the carrying amount, an irreversible impairment loss is recognized in the income statement.
 
 
(h)   Intangible assets
 
Intangible assets are recorded at their acquisition or production cost, less accumulated amortization and less any accumulated impairment loss.
 
All recognized intangibles assets have defined useful lives and are amortized over their estimated useful lives and as of the balance sheet date are analyzed for the existence of events or changes indicating that the net book value might not be recoverable, in which case they are tested for impairment.
 
 
 
F - 11

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(h)   Intangible assets, continued
 
The methods and periods of amortization applied are reviewed at each year-end and if necessary, are adjusted in a prospective manner.
 
The Company amortizes intangibles assets on a straight line basis over the follow estimated useful lives: software licenses 3 years and rights to underwater cable with a maximum of 15 years.
 
(i)    Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment items are valued at acquisition cost, less accumulated depreciation and less applicable impairment losses.  Land is not depreciated.
 
Acquisition cost includes external costs plus internal costs comprising consumption of warehouse materials, cost of direct labor used in the installation and imputation of indirect costs necessary for the intended use of the asset.
 
Interest and other financial expenses incurred and directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of qualifying assets, may be capitalized. Qualifying assets, under the criteria of the Telefónica Group, are assets that require at least 18 months of preparation for their use or sale.  At year-end 2007 and 2008 there are no capitalized interests.
 
Costs for improvements that result in increased productivity, efficiency, or extension of the useful lives of assets, are capitalized as higher cost of such assets when they comply with the requirements to be recognized as an asset.
 
Repair and maintenance expenses are charged to the income statement account for the year in which they are incurred.
 
(j)    Depreciation of property, plant and equipment:
 
The Company depreciates property, plant and equipment from the moment in which the assets are in a condition to be used, distributing the cost of assets in a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives which are summarized in the following detail:
 
Assets
Range of years
Buildings and components
40
Plant and equipment:
 
   Central office telephone equipment
7 a 12
   External Plant
20
   Subscribers’ equipment
2 a 7
Information technology equipment
4
Fixed installations and accessories
7
Motor vehicles
7
Leasehold improvements
5

 
Estimated residual values, the depreciation methods and usefull lives applied, are reviewed at each year-end and, if applicable are adjusted in a prospective manner.
 
 
 
F - 12

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(k)   Non-current assets destined for sale
 
Non-current assets destined for sale are measured at the lower of the book and fair values, less the cost to sell.  Assets are included in this heading when the book value can be recovered through a sales transaction, which is highly likely to take place and when they are immediately available in their present condition.  Management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset and must have actively begun a program to find a buyer and complete the plan.  Likewise, it must be expected that the sale will qualify for full completion within a year following its classification date.
 
Property, plant and equipment classified as held for sale is not depreciated.
 
 
(l)    Impairment of non-current assets
 
At each year-end the existence of possible impairment of non-current assets other then goodwill is evaluated.  Should such indications exist, the Company estimates the recoverable value of the asset, which is the greater of fair value less cost to sell or value in use.  Such value in use is determined through discounting estimated future cash flows.  When an asset’s recoverable value is below its net book value, an impairment is considered to exist.
 
In order to calculate impairment, the Company estimates the profitability of assets assigned to the different cash generating units based on the expected cash flows.
 
The discount rates used are determined before taxes and are adjusted by the corresponding country risk and business risk.  Thus, in 2008 the rate used was 12%. No impairment adjustments were made in 2007 and 2008.
 
 
(m)  Leases
 
Leased assets for which the renter maintains a significant part of the risks and benefits inherent to the rented property, are considered operating leases.  Payments made under agreements of this nature are charged to the income statement account in a straight-line method over the term of the lease.
 
Leased assets for which the significant risks and benefits characteristic of the leased property are transferred to the Company, are considered financial leases and the asset and the associated debt is recorded at the beginning of the term of the lease for the amount of the fair value of the leased asset or the present value of the minimum agreed installments, if these are lower. Financial expenses are charged to the income statement account over the life of the agreement.  Depreciation of these assets is included in total depreciation of the property, plant and equipment heading.  The Company carries out procedures to determine whether an arrangement contains a lease. At 2007 and 2008 year-end; no embedded leases were identified.
 

 
F - 13

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
(n)   Income taxes
 
The income tax expense for each year comprises current and deferred income taxes.
 
Tax credits and liabilities for the current year and prior years are measured at the estimated amount recoverable or payable to the tax authorities.  The Company uses the tax rates and government regulations current as of each year-end to calculate those amounts, which for 2008 and 2007 is 17%.
 
The deferred tax amount is obtained from analyzing temporary differences that arise due to differences between the tax and book values of assets and liabilities, mainly allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, staff severance indemnities and tax losses. Under Chilean tax regulations tax loss carry forwards can be realized as future tax benefits with no time restrictions.
 
Temporary differences generally become taxable or deductible when the related asset is recovered or the related liability is settled.  A deferred tax liability or asset represents the amount of tax payable or refundable in future years under the currently enacted tax laws and rates as a result of temporary differences at the end of the current year.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted at their current value and are classified as non-current.
 
(o)    Financial assets and liabilities
 
All purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized at fair value on the negotiation date, which is the date on which the commitment to purchase or sell the asset occurs.
 
 
i)
Financial investments
 
Marketable financial assets, i.e. investments made in order to obtain short-term yields due to changes in prices, are classified within the category of “at fair value with changes in income” and are presented as current assets.  This category is used for financial assets for which an investment and de-investment strategy is established.  All financial assets included in this category are recorded at fair value, which is obtained from observable market data. The resulting gains or losses from variations in their fair value at each year-end is recognized in the income statement whether they are realized or not.
 
 
ii)
Accounts receivable
 
Accounts receivable correspond to financial assets with fixed and determinable payments that are not traded in an active market.  Trade accounts receivable are recognized for the amount of the invoice and adjusted with an allowance for doubtful accounts.
 
The allowance is calculated by applying different percentages based on age factors until 100% is reached for debts exceeding 120 days and other specific account analyses.
 

 
F - 14

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(o)
Financial assets and liabilities, continued
 
 
ii)
Accounts receivable, continued
 
Short-term trade accounts receivable are not discounted.  The Company has determined that the calculation of the amortized cost is the same as the invoiced amount since the transaction has no significant associated costs.
 
 
iii)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents recognized in the financial statements comprise cash and bank checking accounts, time deposits and other very liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.  These items are recorded at their historical cost, which does not significantly differ from their realization value.
 
 
iv)
Interest bearing loans
 
Financial liabilities are valued at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.  Any difference between the cash received and the reimbursement value is imputed directly to income over the term of the agreement.  Financial obligations are presented as non-current liabilities when their expiry term exceeds twelve months.
 
 
v)
Derivative financial instruments
 
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to exchange rate and interest rate risks.  The Company’s objective in maintaining derivatives is to minimize these risks using the most effective method to eliminate or reduce the impact of these exposures.
 
Derivative financial instruments are carried at fair value, presenting them as financial assets or as financial liabilities depending on whether the fair value is positive or negative, respectively.  They are classified as current or non-current depending on whether they mature in less or more than twelve months.  Likewise, derivative financial instruments that meet all requirements to be treated as hedge instruments for long-term items, are presented as non-current assets or liabilities, according to their terms.
 
Hedging of the risk associated to the variation of the exchange rate of a firm committed transaction can receive the treatment of a fair value hedge or of a cash flow hedge.
 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that have been assigned as and fulfill the requirements to be treated as fair value hedge instruments, are recognized in the income statement.
 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that meet the requirements of and have been assigned as cash flow hedges, that are highly effective, are recognized in shareholders’ equity.  The part considered ineffective is imputed directly to income.  When the forecast transaction or the firm commitment are recognized in the accounting records of a non-financial asset or liability, net income or losses accumulated in shareholders’ equity become part of the initial cost of the corresponding asset or liability.  On the other hand, net income  or losses previously recognized in shareholders’ equity are recognized to income in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects net income.
 

 
F - 15

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(o)
Financial assets and liabilities, continued
 
 
v)
Derivative financial instruments, continued
 
Initially the Company formally documents the hedge relationship between the derivative and the hedged item, as well as the risk management objectives and strategies pursued when establishing the hedge.  This documentation includes identification of the hedge instrument, the hedged item or operation and the nature of the hedged risk. Likewise, it states the manner for evaluating its level of effectiveness in compensating the exposure of the hedged element to changes, whether in its fair value or cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged.  Evaluation of the effectiveness is prospective and retroactive, both at the beginning of the hedge relationship as well as systematically throughout the period for which it was designated.
 
The fair value of the derivatives portfolio reflects estimations that are based on calculations made using observable market data, and specific tools for valuation and management of the risk of derivatives widely used by various financial entities.
 
(p)
Inventory
 
Materials stored for installation in investment projects, as well as inventory for consumption and replacement are valued at cost or net realization value, whichever is lower.  Inventory movements are controlled for using the FIFO method.
 
When cash flows related to inventory purchases are the object of an effective hedge, the corresponding net income or loss accumulated in shareholders’ equity becomes part of the cost of the inventory acquired.
 
The value of products that are obsolete, defective or have a slow turnover has been reduced to their possible net realization value, which has been determined on the basis of a study of materials with slow turnover.
 
 
(q)
Provisions
 
 
 
(i)
Post-employment benefits
 
The Company is obligated to pay staff severance indemnities in respect of collective negotiation agreements, which are provisioned using the method of actuarial value of the accrued cost of the benefit, using an annual discount rate of 6% and 4.8% in 2007 and 2008, respectively, as detailed in Note 3, considering estimations such as future permanence, employee mortality rate and future salary increases determined on the basis of actuarial calculations. Discount rates are determined by reference to market interest curves.
 
 
 
(ii)
Other Provisions
 
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation, as a consequence of a past event, whose settlement requires an output of resources that is considered probable and can be reliably estimated.  That obligation can be legal or implied, derived from, among other factors, regulations, contracts, habitual practices or public commitments that create valid third-party expectations that the Company will assume certain liabilities.
 
 
 
F - 16

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(r)
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenues and expenses are recognized in the income statement based on the accrual criteria, i.e. when the real flow of goods and services that they represent is produced, regardless of the moment at which the cash flows.
 
The Company’s revenues are produced mainly by providing the following telecommunications services: traffic, connection charges, monthly fees for the use of the network, interconnection, network and equipment rental, sale of equipment and other services, such as value added services (data or text messaging, among others) or maintenance.  Products and services can be sold separately or jointly, in commercial packages.
 
Income from traffic is based on the call initiation establishment tariff, plus tariffs per call, which vary depending on the time consumed by the user, the distance of the call and type of service.  Traffic is recorded as income as income as it is used.  The amount corresponding to traffic that has been pre-paid and use is pending generates deferred income which is recorded in liabilities.  Prepaid cards usually have an expiry period of up to twelve months, and any unused prepaid traffic is recognized directly in income when the card expires, since as of that moment the Company has no remaining obligations to provide the service.
 
In the case of sale of traffic, as well as of other services, through a fixed tariff for a certain period of time (flat rate), income is recognized using the straight-line method over the period of time covered by the rate paid by the customer.
 
Income from connection charges originated when customers connect to the Company’s network are deferred and recognized in income over the average estimated term of the duration of the relationship with the customer, and vary depending on the type of service.  All associated costs, except those related to extension of the network, and administrative and commercial expenses, are recognized in the income statement when they are incurred.
 
Monthly fees are recognized to income using the straight-line method in the corresponding period.  Rentals and other services are recognized to income as the service is provided.
 
Income from interconnection of fixed-mobile and mobile-fixed calls, as well as from other services used by customers, are recognized in the period in which those calls are made.
 
Commercial package offers that combine different elements, in the activities of telephone service, Internet and television, are analyzed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the different elements identified, applying in each case the appropriate revenue recognition criteria.  Total income from the package is distributed among its identified elements by function of their respective fair values (i.e. the fair value of each individual component in relation to the total fair value of the package).
 
All expenses related to these mixed commercial offers are recognized in the income statement as they are incurred.
 
 
 
F - 17

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
(s)
Significant estimates, judgments and assumptions
 
Below we show the main assumptions, judgments and other relevant sources of uncertainty in the estimations made as of the closing date, which could have a significant effect on the financial statements in the future:
 
 
 
(i)
Property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets
 
The accounting treatment of investment in property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets considers estimations made to determine the useful lives used to calculate depreciation and amortization.
 
Determination of useful lives requires estimations regarding expected technological evolution and alternate uses of the assets.  The hypothesis regarding the technological framework and its future development imply a significant degree of judgment as the moment and nature of future technological changes are hard to foresee.
 
 
 
(ii)
Deferred taxes
 
The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets based on estimations of future income.  That realizability depends in last instance on the Company’s capacity to generate taxable income throughout the period in which the deferred tax assets are deductible. The analysis takes into consideration the foreseen schedule for reversal of deferred tax liabilities, as well as estimated taxable profits on the basis of internal projections which are updated to reflect the most recent operating trends.
 
Determination of the adequate classification of tax items depends on various factors, including estimation of the time and realization of deferred tax assets and the expected amount of tax payments.  Actual income tax collection and payment flows could result in amount different than the estimations made by the Company, as a consequence of changes in government legislation or unforeseen future transactions that could affect tax balances.
 
 
 
(iii)
Provisions
 
Due to the uncertainties inherent to the estimations necessary to determine the amount of provisions, real disbursements could differ from the amounts originally recognized on the basis of the estimations made.
 
Determination of the amount of the provision is based on the best estimation of the disbursement that will be necessary to settle the corresponding obligation, taking into consideration all the information available at the closing date, including the opinion of independent experts such as legal advisors or consultants.
 
 
 
F - 18

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
(s)
Significant estimates, judgments and assumptions, continued
 
 
iv)
Recognition of revenues
 
Agreements that combine more than one element
 
Commercial package offers that combine different elements are analyzed to determine whether it is necessary to separate the different elements identified, applying the appropriate revenue recognition criteria in each case.  Total income from the package is distributed among its identified elements based upon their respective fair values.
 
Determination of the fair values of each of the elements identified implies the need to perform complex estimations due to the nature of the business.
 
A change in the estimation of the relative fair value could affect the distribution of revenues among the components and as a consequence of this, revenues for future years.
 
 
 
v)
Post-employment benefits
 
The cost of defined benefit post retirement plans as well as the present value of the obligation is determined using actuarial valuations. The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions about discount rates, future salary increases, mortality rates and future pension increases. All assumptions are reviewed at each reporting date. In determining the appropriate discount rate management considers the interest rates of corporate bonds in the country with an AA rating. The mortality rate is based on publicly available mortality tables for the specific country.
 
Future salary increase and pension increases are based on expected future inflation rates for the specific country.
 
Further details about the assumptions used are given in Note 21.
 
 
 
vi)
Financial assets and liabilities
 
Where the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the balance sheet cannot be derived from active markets, they are determined using valuation techniques including the discounted cash flows model. The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required in establishing fair values. The judgments include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instrument.
 

 
F - 19

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
2.
Significant accounting principles, continued
 
 
(t)
Methods of consolidation
 
Consolidation has been carried out by applying the following methods of consolidation:
 
Global integration method for companies over which control is exerted, whether through effective dominion or due to the existence of agreements with the rest of the shareholders.
 
All balances and transactions between consolidated companies have been eliminated in the consolidation process.  Likewise the margins included in the transactions performed by companies that are dependent on other Company companies for goods or services that can be capitalized, have been eliminated in the consolidation process.
 
The income statement account and the consolidated statement of cash flows gather, respectively, the revenues and expenses and cash flows of the companies that stop forming part of the Company up to the date on which the participation has been sold or the company has been liquidated.
 
The value of the participation of minority shareholders in the shareholders’ equity and income of the dependent companies consolidated through global integration is presented under “Minority Participations” and “Income Attributable to Minority Participations”, respectively.
 
(u)
New IFRS and interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC)
 
The following published IFRS and interpretations of the IFRIC have been issued are still not effective to the Company.

Standard and Standard Amendments
Date of mandatory application
Amendment of IFRS 1
First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IFRS 2
Share based payments
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IFRS 3R
Business Combinations
July 1, 2009
IFRS 8
Operating Segments
January 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 1R
Presentation of financial statements – reviewed presentation
January 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 23
Borrowing costs
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IAS 27R
Consolidated and Individual Financial Statements
July 1, 2009
Amendment of  IAS 32 y IAS 1
Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation - puttable financial instruments and obligations arising on liquidation
January 1, 2009
Amendment of IAS 39
Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
July 1, 2009
Interpretations
Date of mandatory application
IFRIC 13
Customer fidelity programs
July 1, 2008
IFRIC 16
Hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation
October  1, 2008

 
The Company has chosen the option of early adoption of IFRS 8 Operating Segments.
 
 
 
F - 20

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
3.
First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
 
Telefónica Chile has prepared financial statements in accordance with accounting principles applied locally in Chile until the year ended as of December 31, 2007, which for the purpose of reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), were presented with a note of reconciliation from Chile GAAP to US GAAP.  These financial statements, as of December 31, 2008, are the first financial statements the Company has presented in accordance with IFRS. In addition, the 2007 financial statements are presented under the same standard for comparison purposes.
 
The Company has presented financial information to its parent company in Spain under IFRS, for consolidation purposes, since the year ended as of December 31, 2005, considering January 1, 2004 as the transition date.
 
Transition of the consolidated financial statements of Telefónica Chile to IFRS has been carried out through the application of IFRS 1: First-time adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards, applying the exemption provided in paragraph 24 a), and considering first-time application adjustments retroactively from the date adopted by the parent company, Telefónica S.A., i.e. January 1, 2004.
 
IFRS 1 allows first-time adopters certain exemptions from general requirements.  The main exceptions applied by Telefónica Chile are as follows:
 
 
-
IFRS 3: Business Combinations has not been applied to the acquisition of subsidiaries or interest in associates that occurred prior to January 1, 2004.
 
 
-
IAS 16:  Property, plant and equipment and IAS 38: Intangibles assets, were continued to be carried at their respective carrying amounts (deemed cost) under former Chile GAAP without restating them to fair value at January 1, 2004.
 
 
-
IAS 19: Actuarial gains and losses accumulated from pensions and other benefits have been recognized directly in retained earnings as of January 1, 2004.
 
 
-
IAS 21: Accumulated foreign currency translation from all foreign operations are considered to be zero as of January 1, 2004.
 
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements under IFRS required a series of modifications in the presentation and valuation of the standards applied by the Company until December 31, 2007, since certain IFRS principles and requirements are substantially different from equivalent local accounting principles.
 

 
F - 21

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
3.
First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), continued
 
The following is a detailed description of the main differences between Chilean GAAP and IFRS applied by the Company and the impact on equity as of December 31, and January 1, 2007 and on profit for the year ended December 31, 2007, the date of transition to IFRS with adjustments retroactively as of January 1, 2004.
 
 
a)
Reconciliation of Shareholders’ Equity under Chilean GAAP and IFRS as of January 1 and December 31, 2007:
 
Thousands of Chilean pesos
 
Equity
As of 1/01/07
   
Equity
As of 12/31/07
 
             
Shareholders’ equity according to CH GAAP
    900,760,875       906,533,598  
Price-level restatement
    (103,944,708 )     (186,946,628 )
Deferred taxes, complementary accounts
    (92,134,324 )     (73,576,581 )
Capitalization of interest
    (54,898,253 )     (47,156,181 )
Minimum dividend
    (12,824,318 )     (5,113,188 )
Post-employment benefits
    (8,433,637 )     (7,611,038 )
Deferred taxes effects of IFRS adjustments
    26,600,262       37,172,471  
Goodwill
    4,375,033       5,944,523  
Other minor items
    (9,480,544 )     (8,118,917 )
Minority interest
    40,861       21,180  
Equity according to IFRS
    650,061,247       621,149,239  

 
 
b)
Reconciliation of profit for the year ended  December 31, 2007 under Chilean GAAP and IFRS:

 
Thousands of Chilean pesos
 
Profit
year ended 12/31/07
 
       
Net income according to CH GAAP
    10,856,131  
Price-level restatement
    (15,746,064 )
Deferred taxes, complementary accounts
    14,134,785  
Capitalization of interest
    7,742,072  
Post-employment benefits
    822,599  
Deferred taxes effects of IFRS adjustments
    10,098,703  
Goodwill
    1,569,490  
Other minor items
    2,098,134  
Minority interest
    (19,681 )
Profit according to IFRS
    31,556,169  


 
F - 22

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued


3.
First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), continued
 
 
 
a)
Price-level restatement
 
Chilean GAAP requires that the financial statements be adjusted to reflect the effect of the loss in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso in the financial position and operating income of the reporting entities.  The method described below is based on a model that requires calculation of net income or loss due to net inflation attributed to the monetary assets and liabilities exposed to variations in the purchasing power of the local currency.  Historical costs of non-monetary assets and liabilities, shareholders’ equity accounts and income statement accounts have been restated to reflect the variation in the CPI from the date of acquisition up to year-end.  The gain or loss in the purchasing power included in net income or losses reflects the effects of the Chilean inflation on the monetary assets and liabilities maintained by the Company.
 
IFRS does not consider indexation due to inflation, in countries that are not hyperinflationary, such as Chile.  Therefore, income statement and balance sheet accounts are not restated for inflation purposes and variations are nominal.  The effect of price-level restatement mainly affects assets, depreciation and shareholders’ equity items.  The effect of the application of price-level restatement described above, are included in the reconciliation.
 
 
b)
Deferred taxes
 
 
i)
Complementary accounts
 
As of January 1, 2000, the company recorded income tax in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 60 issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants and their corresponding modifications, recognizing (using the liabilities method) the deferred tax effects of temporary differences between the financial and tax base of assets and liabilities.  The effect of deferred tax assets and liabilities not recorded before January 1, 2000 has been recorded as a transition provision.  Those complementary assets or liabilities are amortized against income during the estimated periods of reversal corresponding to the underlying temporary differences to which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are related.  The effects of these previously described complementary accounts, which have been eliminated under IFRS, are included in the reconciliation.
 
 
ii)
Effect of deferred taxes due to IFRS adjustments
 
Under IFRS, companies must record deferred taxes in accordance with IAS 12 “Income Taxes”, which requires a focus on assets and liabilities for the accounting and reporting of income tax, under the following basic principles: (a) a deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for estimated tax purposes attributable to temporary differences and tax loss carry forwards; (b) measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on the provisions of the enacted tax law and the effect of future changes in laws or tax rates are not anticipated; and (c) the measurement of deferred tax assets is only recognized, if on the basis of the weight of the available evidence, it is probable it will be realized. The effects of deferred tax assets and liabilities adjustments due to conversion are included in the reconciliation.
 

 
F - 23

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
3.
First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), continued
 
 
 
c)
Capitalization of interest
 
Under Chilean GAAP, all interest on debt directly associated to construction projects is capitalized, including interest, price-level restatement, and related foreign currency results.  Up to the end of 2002, all the Company’s debts were considered to be directly associated to construction projects.  Capitalization of interest costs associated to projects under construction is optional when they are incurred on debt that is not directly related to such projects.  In 2003 under Chile GAAP, the Company has discontinued capitalization of interest on its construction in progress since it has not incurred new debts that could be associated to such construction and the short-term nature of the items that are currently being included in the category of construction in progress.  Under IFRS, capitalization of interest is necessary for interest that could have been avoided if the expense for the associated asset had not been realized.  Qualifying assets, under the criteria of the Telefónica Group, are assets that require at least 18 months of preparation for their use or sale. The effects of the previously described recognized income are included in the reconciliation.
 
The effects of the application of price-level restatement described in the following paragraph on property, plant and equipment and their accumulated depreciation, are included in the reconciliation.
 
 
d)
Minimum Dividend
 
According to the requirements of Law No. 18,046, the Company must distribute a minimum dividend in cash equivalent to 30% of net income.  Considering the cash situation, levels of projected investments and solid financial indicators for 2005 and the following years, on April 14, 2005, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting modified the dividend distribution policy informed at the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of April 2004 and agreed to distribute 100% of net income generated during the respective year under Chilean GAAP.  Since the payment of these dividends agree by Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting is a legal requirement in Chile, it must be accrued for IFRS purposes to recognize the corresponding decrease in shareholders’ equity as of each balance sheet date.  Under Chilean GAAP, these dividends are not recorded until they have received final approval from the Shareholders’ Meeting generally held in April of the following year.  The effects of the adjustment of these dividends on consolidated shareholders’ equity are shown in the reconciliation.
 
 
e)
Post-employment benefits
 
According to the Company’s employment contracts and collective negotiation agreements, it has a commitment to pay a lump sum to each employee upon termination of their employment, whether due to death, termination, resignation or retirement.  Up to November 31, 2004 the Company determined these obligations using the present value method, on the basis of current salaries and an average estimation of the permanence of each employee at the end of the year, applying a discount rate of 7%.
 
Since December 2004 the Company changed its estimation of staff severance indemnities by means of incorporating certain additional variables through an actuarial valuation.  This method uses variables such as personnel turnover rates, average salary increases, labor force mortality and average life of service as underlying estimations.  For CH GAAP the costs resulting from these changes in estimations were recognized as deferred expenses and amortized over the period of future permanence of employees.  The effects of amortization of deferred charges described above are included in the reconciliation.  For IFRS purposes, those costs were recognized directly in retained earnings on that date.
 

 
F - 24

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
3.
First-time Application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), continued
 
 
e)
Post-employment benefits, continued
 
During 2006, the Company evaluated the interest rate used for actuarial calculations, resulting in a reduction of the discount rate from 7% to 6%.  The cost, resulting from this additional assumption change, was deferred and amortized over the period of future permanence of employees for CH GAAP.  For IFRS purposes, those costs have been recognized in Other Reserves under Shareholders’ Equity.  These adjustments, as well as the effects of amortization of the deferred charges described above, are included in the reconciliation.
 
 
f)
Goodwill
 
Under CH GAAP, as of January 1, 2004 the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and the excess of the purchase price of the investments over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.  Under this regulation goodwill resulting from business combinations is amortized using the straight-line method over a maximum period of 20 years.  As goodwill is not amortized under IFRS, the adjustments presented in the reconciliation reverses the effects of amortization of goodwill recorded under Chilean GAAP.
 
4.
Accounting Changes
 
 
a)
Accounting Changes:
 
During the years covered by these consolidated financial statements, accounting principles have been applied consistently.
 
 
b)
Changes in estimations:
 
 
i)
Turnover rate
 
During the first half of 2008 the turnover rate used to calculate staff severance indemnities was evaluated.  After completing this evaluation, the Company decided to increase the turnover rate from 2.3% to 5.5%.  As a result of this modification, in 2008 the Company recorded a charge to shareholders’ equity in the amount of ThCh$5,356,385, in “Other miscellaneous reserves”.
 
 
ii)
Discount rate
 
The interest rate used to calculate the current value of staff severance indemnities was evaluated in December 2008.  After completing this analysis the Company decided to reduce the discount rate from 6% to 4.8%.  As a result of this modification, the company recorded a charge to shareholders’ equity in the amount of ThCh$4,004,377, in “Other miscellaneous reserves”.
 

 
F - 25

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
5.
Financial information by segments
 
Telefónica Chile discloses segment information in accordance with IFRS 8, “Operating Segments” which establishes the standards for reporting operating segments and related disclosures for products and services and geographical areas.  Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which there is separate financial information that is regularly used by the main decision maker to decide how to assign resources and to evaluate performance.  The Company presents segment information that is used by management for internal decision making purposes.
 
The Company manages and measures the performance of its operations by business segment.  The operating segments reported internally are as follows:
 
 
a)
Fixed Telecommunications
 
Fixed telephony services include basic services, line connections and installations, value added services, handset commercialization marketing and dedicated lines, and broadband services.  Consistent with the financial statements, revenues are recorded as the services are provided.
 
 
b)
Television
 
Multimedia services include development, installation, maintenance, marketing and operations cable, satellite and regular television using any physical or technical means, including individual paid services or multiple basic channels, special or paid, videos on demand and interactive or multimedia television services.  Consistent with the financial statements, revenue is recognized as the services are delivered.  The Multimedia segment began operating in 2006.
 
 
c)
Long Distance
 
The Company provides national and international long distance services.  The long distance business segment also rents its long distance network to other telecommunications operators, such as long distance carriers, mobile telephony operators and Internet service suppliers.  Consistently with the financial statements, revenue is recognized as the services are provided.
 
 
d)
Corporate Communications and Data
 
The corporate communications service includes sale and rental of telecommunications equipment and sale of networks to corporate customers, rental of networks associated to private corporate customer network projects, and data transmission services.  Revenue is recognized as the services are provided or at the point of sale.
 
 
e)
Others
 
Other services mainly include public telephony services and interconnection services provided to other local networks.  Revenue is recognized as the services are provided.
 
 
 
F - 26

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
5.
Financial information by segments, continued
 
Relevant information regarding Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. and its main subsidiaries, which represent different segments, together with information regarding other subsidiaries is as follows:
 
For 2007:
 
 
For the year ended as of December 31, 2007
 
Fixed Telecommunications
   
Long Distance
   
Corporate Communication and Data
   
Television
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
                                           
Revenue from external customers
    533,271,399       56,044,545       79,389,896       25,273,785       2,320,369       -       696,299,994  
Revenue between segments
    55,240,907       35,227,203       11,546,661       78,163       11,064,435       (113,157,369 )     -  
Other operating income
    10,659,887       117,523       432,547       281,068       7,390       (2,439,795 )     9,058,620  
Employee expenses
    (69,234,927 )     (1,056,395 )     (10,947,487 )     (305,853 )     (4,723,591 )     -       (86,268,253 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (145,561,815 )     (10,838,011 )     (17,915,854 )     (7,272,395 )     (2,861 )     -       (181,590,936 )
Other operating expenses
    (335,307,689 )     (52,638,281 )     (54,425,957 )     (22,635,748 )     (8,497,834 )     115,597,164       (357,908,345 )
                                                         
Interest income
    8,784,713       3,346,095       1,073,385       136,910       30,744       (6,367,748 )     7,004,099  
Interest expenses
    (22,274,318 )     -       (2,288 )     (1,805,432 )     (334,474 )     6,367,748       (18,048,764 )
Financial expenses, net
    (13,489,605 )     3,346,095       1,071,097       (1,668,522 )     (303,730 )     -       (11,044,665 )
                                                         
Participation in profit of associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    30,416,564       30,526       62,352       -       15       (28,726,681 )     1,782,776  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (30,203,860 )     (128,805 )     190,120       323,600       26,157       -       (29,792,788 )
                                                         
Profit before taxes
    35,790,861       30,104,400       9,403,375       (5,925,902 )     (109,650 )     (28,726,681 )     40,536,403  
Income tax expense
    (5,513,727 )     (3,970,017 )     (939,748 )     1,254,628       188,630       -       (8,980,234 )
Profit for the year
    30,277,134       26,134,383       8,463,627       (4,671,274 )     78,980       (28,726,681 )     31,556,169  
                                                         
Segment assets
    1,553,067,931       201,164,625       111,248,488       57,795,489       7,236,182       (466,968,379 )     1,463,544,336  
Investment  in associated companies  accounted for using the equity method
    260,778,488       72,808       148,405       155       -       (253,378,698 )     7,621,158  
Capital expenditures
    94,309,306       4,057,119       9,509,574       33,388,505       39,413       -       141,303,917  
                                                         
Segment liabilities
    904,591,112       46,439,207       37,475,916       46,361,849       6,006,425       (198,479,412 )     842,395,097  
 
 
 
F - 27

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

5.
Financial information by segment, continued
 
For 2008:
 
For the year ended as of December 31, 2008
 
Fixed Telecommunications
   
Long Distance
   
Corporate Communication and Data
   
Television
   
Other
   
Eliminations
   
Total
 
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
                                           
Revenue from external customers
    553,530,249       55,697,408       88,479,708       39,234,870       1,788,513       -       738,730,748  
Revenue between segments
    68,838,306       46,126,912       11,984,786       11,025       12,775,281       (139,736,310 )     -  
Other operating income
    26,618,572       26,179       1,888,055       9,191       75       (411,021 )     28,131,051  
Employee expenses
    (85,718,332 )     (941,408 )     (9,044,699 )     (307,868 )     (5,016,210 )     -       (101,028,517 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (130,152,306 )     (10,455,669 )     (16,177,350 )     (10,783,683 )     (4,518 )     -       (167,573,526 )
Other operating expenses
    (379,693,991 )     (60,303,802 )     (66,707,230 )     (33,733,612 )     (10,786,885 )     140,147,331       (411,078,189 )
                                                         
Interest income
    10,111,216       5,783,764       446,973       26,025       10,300       (11,048,137 )     5,330,141  
Interest expenses
    (38,400,778 )     -       (821,794 )     (4,066,921 )     (98,268 )     11,048,137       (32,339,624 )
Financial expenses, net
    (28,289,562 )     5,783,764       (374,821 )     (4,040,896 )     (87,968 )     -       (27,009,483 )
                                                         
Participation in profit of associated companies accounted for using the equity method
    33,893,397       25,296       51,668       -       241       (32,363,645 )     1,606,957  
Foreign currency exchange differences
    (7,594,025 )     1,358,947       (278,147 )     (1,090,503 )     100,194       -       (7,503,534 )
                                                         
Profit before taxes
    51,432,308       37,317,627       9,821,970       (10,701,476 )     (1,231,277 )     (32,363,645 )     54,275,507  
Income tax expense
    (3,648,275 )     (4,514,753 )     (309,863 )     2,149,529       (45,573 )     -       (6,368,935 )
Profit for the year
    47,784,033       32,802,874       9,512,107       (8,551,947 )     (1,276,850 )     (32,363,645 )     47,906,572  
                                                         
Segment assets
    1,573,219,794       233,730,250       110,425,109       89,098,702       8,014,499       (529,032,376 )     1,485,455,978  
Investment  in associated companies  accounted for using the equity method
    266,472,815       79,225       205,378       -       12       (257,342,152 )     9,415,278  
Capital expenditures
    100,213,694       9,256,961       18,302,502       20,215,930       -       -       147,989,087  
                                                         
Segment liabilities
    939,895,525       52,414,709       43,215,545       86,146,707       7,180,239       (248,136,392 )     880,716,333  

 
 
F - 28

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
6.
Business combinations
 
During 2007 and 2008 there have been no business combinations, and there are no significant variations in the consolidation perimeter.
 
7.
Intangibles
 
The detail of intangible assets for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

   
2007
   
2008
 
Description
 
Gross intangible
ThCh$
   
Accumulated amortization
ThCh$
   
Net
intangible
ThCh$
   
Gross intangible ThCh$
   
Accumulated amortization
ThCh$
   
Net intangible
ThCh$
 
Licenses (software)
    107,358,267       (81,351,128 )     26,007,139       118,019,057       (98,869,654 )     19,149,403  
Underwater cable rights
    17,041,652       (2,734,785 )     14,306,867       17,041,652       (3,847,128 )     13,194,524  
Total
    124,399,919       (84,085,913 )     40,314,006       135,060,709       (102,716,782 )     32,343,927  


Movement of intangible assets for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

   
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Movements
 
       
Beginning balance
    44,326,334       40,314,006  
Additions
    13,903,103       10,660,790  
Amortization
    (17,915,431 )     (18,630,869 )
Ending balance
    40,314,006       32,343,927  

 
Licenses correspond to software licenses, which are obtained through non-renewable contracts therefore the Company has defined that they have definite useful lives of 3 years.
 
Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.  Amortization for each period is recognized in the statement of income under “Depreciation and Amortization”.  Intangible assets are subjected to impairment each time there are indications of a potential loss of value.  In the financial statements for 2007 and 2008 no impairment has been recognized.
 
In the “Additions” column, the main additions for 2007 and 2008 correspond to investments in information applications.
 
 
 
F - 29

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
8.
Goodwill
 
Goodwill movement for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Taxpayer
 number
 
Company
 
2006 balance
ThCh$
   
Additions
 ThCh$
   
Eliminations
ThCh$
   
2007 balance
ThCh$
 
  96.551.670-0  
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
    16,045,361       -       -       16,045,361  
  96.811.570-7  
Instituto Telefónica Chile S.A.
    38,923       -       -       38,923  
  96.834.320-3  
Telefónica Internet Empresas S.A.
    620,232       -       -       620,232  
Total
    16,704,516       -       -       16,704,516  

Taxpayer
 number
 
Company
 
2007 balance ThCh$
   
Additions
 ThCh$
   
Eliminations
 ThCh$
   
2008 balance
ThCh$
 
  96.551.670-0  
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
    16,045,361       -       -       16,045,361  
  96.811.570-7  
Instituto Telefónica Chile S.A.
    38,923       -       -       38,923  
  96.834.320-3  
Telefónica Internet Empresas S.A.
    620,232       -       -       620,232  
Total
    16,704,516       -       -       16,704,516  
 
 
Impairment tests have been determined using the recoverable value of the assets. The calculation is made considering internal and external source factors. Internal factors considered include budgets and average term of asset performance, plus the experience of the Company on its business environment. External factors considered include a constant growth rate of the cash flows generated throughout the terms over 5 years, and discount rates deemed appropriate for the business and the assets under analysis (see note 31 for more details about market conditions)
 
9.
Property, plant and equipment
 
The detail of property, plant and equipment items for 2007 and 2008 and their corresponding accumulated depreciation is as follows:
 
   
2007
   
2008
 
Description
 
Gross property, plant & equipment
ThCh$
   
Accumulated depreciation
ThCh$
   
Net property, plant & equipment
ThCh$
   
Gross property, plant & equipment
ThCh$
   
Accumulated depreciation
ThCh$
   
Net property, plant & equipment
ThCh$
 
Construction in progress
    83,157,667       -       83,157,667       89,191,982       -       89,191,982  
Land
    24,355,712       -       24,355,712       23,150,505       -       23,150,505  
Buildings
    700,193,694       (337,079,728 )     363,113,966       702,347,554       (348,691,682 )     353,655,872  
Plant and equipment
    2,537,817,647       (1,985,219,970 )     552,597,677       2,610,651,306       (2,073,352,304 )     537,299,002  
Information technology equipment
    68,459,539       (64,655,519 )     3,804,020       71,370,615       (66,349,059 )     5,021,556  
Fixed installations and accessories
    26,962,493       (25,997,842 )     964,651       29,076,625       (26,460,955 )     2,615,670  
Motor vehicles
    545,592       (378,815 )     166,777       598,678       (407,213 )     191,465  
Leasehold improvements
    7,556,895       (7,436,818 )     120,077       1,512,586       (1,062,070 )     450,516  
Total
    3,449,049,239       (2,420,768,692 )     1,028,280,547       3,527,899,851       (2,516,323,283 )     1,011,576,568  
 

 
F - 30

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
9.
Property, plant and equipment, continued
 
Movements of property, plant and equipment items for 2007 are as follows:

Movement
 
Construction in progress
ThCh$
   
Land
ThCh$
   
Buildings, net
ThCh$
   
Plant and equipment, net
ThCh$
   
Information technology equipment, net
ThCh$
   
Fixed installations and accessories, net
ThCh$
   
Motor vehicles, net
ThCh$
   
Leasehold improvements, net
ThCh$
   
Property, plant and equipment, net
ThCh$
 
Beginning balance
    88,968,046       24,480,728       374,844,302       561,418,380       8,344,756       1,495,587       115,287       388,037       1,060,055,123  
Additions
    141,303,917       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       141,303,917  
Withdrawals
    -       (156,270 )     (714,719 )     (7,683,291 )     (629,486 )     (6,630 )     (1,631 )     (210,961 )     (9,402,988 )
Depreciation expense
    -       -       (18,354,365 )     (136,873,942 )     (7,718,819 )     (649,861 )     (21,519 )     (56,999 )     (163,675,505 )
Other increases (decreases)
    (147,114,296 )     31,254       7,338,748       135,736,530       3,807,569       125,555       74,640       -       -  
Movement subtotal
    (5,810,379 )     (125,016 )     (11,730,336 )     (8,820,703 )     (4,540,736 )     (530,936 )     51,490       (267,960 )     (31,774,576 )
Balance December 31, 2007
    83,157,667       24,355,712       363,113,966       552,597,677       3,804,020       964,651       166,777       120,077       1,028,280,547  


Movements of property, plant and equipment items for 2008 are as follows:

Movements
 
Construction in progress
ThCh$
   
Land
ThCh$
   
Buildings, net
ThCh$
   
Plant and equipment, net
ThCh$
   
Information technology equipment, net
ThCh$
   
Fixed installations and accessories, net
ThCh$
   
Motor vehicles, net
ThCh$
   
Leasehold improvements, net
ThCh$
   
Property, plant and equipment, net
ThCh$
 
Beginning balance
    83,157,667       24,355,712       363,113,966       552,597,677       3,804,020       964,651       166,777       120,077       1,028,280,547  
Additions
    147,989,087       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       147,989,087  
Transfers to non-current assets and surrendered units held for sale (1)
    -       (1,429,874 )     (776,401 )     -       -       -       -       -       (2,206,275 )
Withdrawals
    -       (292,710 )     (3,637,903 )     (8,641,453 )     (877,361 )     (94,707 )     -       -       (13,544,134 )
Depreciation expense
    -       -       (18,181,364 )     (126,840,706 )     (3,385,722 )     (420,740 )     (28,339 )     (85,786 )     (148,942,657 )
Other increases (decreases)
    (141,954,772 )     517,377       13,137,574       120,183,484       5,480,619       2,166,466       53,027       416,225       -  
Movement subtotal
    6,034,315       (1,205,207 )     (9,458,094 )     (15,298,675 )     1,217,536       1,651,019       24,688       330,439       (16,703,979 )
Balance December 31, 2008
    89,191,982       23,150,505       353,655,872       537,299,002       5,021,556       2,615,670       191,465       450,516       1,011,576,568  
 
(1) See Note 10.
 
 
 
F - 31

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
 
9.
Property, plant and equipment, continued
 
Material real property originating from net financial leases amounts to ThCh$396.508 y ThCh$388,775 and is recorded in the buildings category for 2007 and 2008, respectively.
 
Other decreases correspond to transfers from assets under construction to property, plant and equipment.
 
The net amount of Property, Plant and Equipment items which are temporarily out of service as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 is not significant.
 
The Company does not keep assets that are not in use other than those classified as held for sale.
 
During the normal course of its operations the Company monitors both new and existing assets, and their depreciation rates, aligning them to technological evolution and development of the markets in which it competes.
 
10.
Non-current assets and surrendered items held for sale
 
Non-current assets and surrendered items held for sale correspond to land and buildings that have been destined for sale in accordance with the Company’s rationalization program for 2009, the detail of which for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Non-current assets and surrendered sets items for sale
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Land
    -       1,429,874  
Buildings
    -       776,401  
Total
    -       2,206,275  

 
 
F - 32

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
11.
Investment in associates
 

 
a)
The detail of associated companies as well as the Company’ shares of their summary financial information for 2007 and 2008  is as follows:

RUT
Name
Investment balance
Participation percentage
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Ordinary revenues
Ordinary expenses
Profit
Foreign
TBS Celular Participación S.A.
3,171,941
2.61
285,038
3,539,920
126,988
3,697,969
85,220
87,525
20,660
96.895.220-k
Atento Chile S.A.
4,449,217
28.84   
5,680,354
1,793,406
3,003,670
4,470,090
14,039,885
12,166,742
1,762,116
 
 Total
 7,621,158
             
 1,782,776

RUT
Name
Investment balance
Participation percentage
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Ordinary revenues
Ordinary expenses
Profit
Foreign
TBS Celular Participación S.A.
3,675,447
  2.61
454,403
4,534,166
344,581
4,643,988
55,773
56,539
54,763
96.895.220-k
Atento Chile S.A.
5,739,831
28.84
6,945,614
1,431,814
2,603,462
5,773,966
14,979,872
13,427,677
1,552,194
 
 Total
 9,415,278
             
 1,606,957

For 2007 and 2008 the Company has investments in two associated companies, the first is TBS Celular Participación S.A. with 2.61% participation.  The country of origin is Brazil, its functional currency is the real and the main activity is “Telecommunications”.

The second is Atento Chile S.A. with 28.84% participation.  The country of origin is Chile, its functional currency is the Chilean peso and its main activity is “Call Center Services”.
 
 
 
F - 33

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

11.
Investment in associates, continued:
 
 
b)
The movement of participations in associated companies during 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

 
 
2007
   
2008
 
Movement
 
TBS Celular Participación S.A.
   
Atento Chile S.A.
   
Total
   
TBS Celular Participación S.A.
   
Atento Chile S.A.
   
Total
 
 
 
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
Beginning balance
    3,566,516       3,836,918       7,403,434       3,171,941       4,449,217       7,621,158  
Participation in common profits
    20,660       1,762,116       1,782,776       54,763       1,552,194       1,606,957  
Dividends received
    -       (1,816,920 )     (1,816,920 )     (147,382 )     (433,661 )     (581,043 )
Increase (decrease) in foreign currency translation
    (555,223 )     -       (555,223 )     709,518       -       709,518  
Other increase (decrease)
    139,988       667,103       807,091       (113,393 )     172,081       58,688  
Movement  subtotal
    (394,575 )     612,299       217,724       503,506       1,290,614       1,794,120  
Ending balance
    3,171,941       4,449,217       7,621,158       3,675,447       5,739,831       9,415,278  
 
 
12.
Trade accounts receivable and other accounts receivable
 
 
a)
The detail of current and non-current receivables is as follows:
 
 
   
2007
ThCh$
   
$2008
ThCh$
 
Description
 
Current
   
Non-current
   
Current
   
Non-current
 
Trade accounts receivable
    266,197,278       3,650,874       268,943,152       6,046,424  
Miscellaneous receivables
    5,835,933       9,403,535       10,459,421       8,512,768  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (79,496,119 )     -       (107,243,411 )     -  
Total
    192,537,092       13,054,409       172,159,162       14,559,192  
 

 
 
b)
Movements of allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:
 
   
2007
   
2008
 
Movements
 
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
Beginning balance
    66,746,428       79,496,119  
Provision
    19,631,252       35,753,879  
Write-off
    (6,881,561 )     (8,006,587 )
Movement subtotals
    12,749,691       27,747,292  
Ending balance
    79,496,119       107,243,411  
 
 
 
F - 34

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
13.
Accounts receivable from and payable to related entities
 
 
 
a)
Receivables for transactions of sales from related parties are as follows:
 
 
Name
Taxpayer No.
Nature of the relationship
2007
2008
ThCh$
ThCh$
Current
Current
Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad S.A.
59.083.900-0
Relationship w/parent co.
18,657
42,806
Telefónica Móviles Chile S.A.
87.845.500-2
Relationship w/parent co.
7,077,478
8,111,836
Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A.
96.527.390-5
Parent company
-
22,136
Telefónica Móviles Chile Inversiones S.A.
96.672.150-2
Relationship w/parent co.
17,140
22,136
Telefónica Móviles Chile Larga Distancia S.A.
96.672.160-k
Relationship w/parent co.
363,601
396,609
Terra Networks Chile S.A.
96.834.230-4
Relationship w/parent co.
422,520
353,783
Atento Chile S.A.
96.895.220-k
Associate
508,724
527,937
Telefónica International Wholesale Services Chile S.A.
96.910.730-9
Relationship w/parent co.
695,087
923,581
Telefónica Móviles Soluciones y Aplicaciones S.A.
96.990.810-7
Relationship w/parent co.
120,104
146,837
Atento Colombia S.A.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
5,090
35,930
Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A.E.S.P.(Telecom.)
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
149,515
338,853
Fundación Telefónica Brasil
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
-
Fundación Telefónica Perú
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
-
Media Networks Perú S.A.C.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
-
Otecel S.A.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
75,848
103,341
Telefónica Argentina
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,692,563
3,653,283
Telefónica Data Corp
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
33,629
33,629
Telefónica Data Corp USA Inc.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
24,242
56,231
Telefónica de España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
1,953,904
2,531,621
T. Moviles España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
81,607
-
T. Perú
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
551,127
3,292,271
T.Gestiona Perú
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
-
T.Internacional S.A.U. - España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
427,305
408,212
T.Moviles de Argentina
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
43,088
43,088
T.Moviles de Colombia
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
47,397
852
T.Moviles de Panamá
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
10,772
-
T.Moviles El Salvador
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
840
T.Moviles Guatemala
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
19,390
13,375
T.Moviles Perú
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
32,316
-
T.Sol.Inf.Com.España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
1,522,632
1,522,632
Telcel Venezuela
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,278,654
5,191,572
Telefónica Celular De Nicaragua
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
1,140
-
Telefónica I + D - España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
103,341
115,369
Telefónica Multimedia S.A.C. Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
77,829
90,065
Telefónica S.A.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
102,231
124,039
Telefónica Serv.Comerciales S.A.C.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
2,154
-
Telecomunicaciones Sao Paulo
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
187,435
88,323
Terra Brasil
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
17,236
17,236
TIWS España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
83,210
83,210
TLD Puerto Rico
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
-
10,164
Vivo Brasil
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
23,699
-
TOTAL
   
19,781,435
28,301,797
 

 
F - 35

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
13.
Accounts receivable from and payable to related entities, continued
 
 
 
b)
Payables for transactions of purchase from related parties are as follows:
 

Company
Taxpayer No.
Nature of the relationship
2007
2008
ThCh$
ThCh$
current
current
T.Ingeniería Seguridad
59083900-0
Relationship w/parent co.
1,584
            112,000
T. Moviles Chile S.A.
87845500-2
Relationship w/parent co.
14,005,859
       10,956,223
Terra Netwoorks Chile
93834230-4
Relationship w/parent co.
         2,407,010
         3,152,262
T. Internacional Chile
96527390-5
Relationship w/parent co.
            612,227
            439,956
T.Moviles Chile Inv.
96672150-2
Relationship w/parent co.
                      -
              94,590
T. Moviles Chile LD
96672160-k
Relationship w/parent co.
              43,766
            189,570
Atento Chile
96895220-k
Associate
         3,243,700
         3,912,051
TIWS Chile
96910730-9
Relationship w/parent co.
         7,702,499
         8,834,478
Colombia Telecomunicaciones
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
            145,963
            296,803
Media Networks Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
              15,910
                7,489
Otecel S.A. - Ecuador
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                       -
              18,372
T. Argentina
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
         1,016,503
         2,599,853
T. España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                6,986
         1,125,292
T. Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
            188,173
         2,105,468
T.Gestiona España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
              68,201
                   137
T.Moviles El Salvador
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                7,643
              64,990
T.Moviles Guatemala
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                1,970
              38,444
Telcel Venezuela
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                       -
              76,814
Telefónica Data Usa Inc
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                       -
                3,829
Telefónica Federal Telefe - Argentina
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                9,084
              14,260
Telefónica Gestión Servicios Compartidos Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
                  927
             2,068
Telefónica I + D - España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
         1,270,040
         2,016,069
Telefónica Internacional
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
-
            178,772
Telefónica Multimedia S.A.C. Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
         1,331,185
            708,939
Telefónica S.A.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
            482,788
            597,576
Telefónica Serv. De Música -España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
              33,546
            113,510
Telecomunicaciones Sao Paulo
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
            832,846
         2,580,330
Tevefe
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
-
              18,360
TLD Puerto Rico
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
              20,234
              18,109
Total
   
33,448,644
40,276,614
 

 
F - 36

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
13.
Accounts receivable from and payable to related entities, continued
 
 
c)
Transactions:
 
 
Company
RUT
Nature of the relationship
Transaction description
2007
2008
ThCh$
ThCh$
   
Atento Chile
96895220-k
Associate
Sale
             1,542,156
         1,627,679
     
Costs
         (22,485,981)
     (23,355,730)
Atento Colombia
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                    5,980
              30,415
Otecel
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                180,586
            263,275
     
Costs
                (73,289)
            (34,632)
Sao Paulo Telecom.Part
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  69,994
                     -
     
Costs
                (72,763)
                     -
Telefónica Argentina
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             2,105,054
         2,285,725
     
Costs
           (2,710,768)
       (3,624,216)
Telefónica Centroam. Guat.Hold
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  16,819
              15,258
     
Costs
                (82,034)
            (50,247)
Telefónica El Salvador Hold
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  11,612
                4,340
     
Costs
                (72,675)
          (147,483)
Telefónica España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             1,696,939
         1,284,590
     
Costs
              (531,315)
          (611,686)
Telefónica I+D España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  11,731
                     -
Telefónica. Ingeniería Seguridad
59083900-0
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  85,451
              20,017
     
Costs
              (186,191)
          (134,035)
Telefónica Internacional
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                205,400
                     -
     
Costs
                          -
          (306,374)
Telefónica Internacional Chile
96527390-5
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                          -
              11,141
     
Costs
              (555,266)
          (526,241)
Telefónica Moviles Chile
87845500-2
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
           16,944,206
       21,786,162
     
Costs
         (42,893,952)
     (45,036,521)
Telefónica Moviles Chile Inversio
96672150-2
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  73,400
              83,242
     
Costs
                          -
          (636,655)
Telefónica. Moviles Chile Larga D.
96672160-k
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                942,963
         1,363,848
     
Costs
                  (1,201)
                     -
Telefónica Peru
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             1,444,564
         2,250,563
     
Costs
           (1,382,680)
       (1,114,007)
Telefónica. Telecom, Colombia
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  84,554
            271,518
     
Costs
              (199,244)
          (293,447)
Telefónica USA
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                    8,627
              26,886
     
Costs
                          -
              (4,032)
Telcel Venezuela
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             1,947,477
         5,198,488
     
Costs
              (101,406)
            (24,388)
Telefónica S.A.
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                          -
              26,114
     
Costs
              (482,788)
          (668,512)
Telesp Fija
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                104,430
            145,168
     
Costs
              (965,607)
       (1,964,664)
Terra Chile
93834230-4
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             1,829,465
         1,029,135
     
Costs
         (10,606,583)
       (7,834,867)
TIWS Chile
96910730-9
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
             1,326,566
         1,311,363
     
Costs
           (7,828,079)
     (13,117,590)
TIWS España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  66,510
                     -
     
Costs
                          -
              (6,641)
TLD Puerto Rico
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                  10,298
              30,354
     
Costs
                (35,090)
            (56,618)
TmAS
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Sale
                217,519
            160,086
     
Costs
-
              (1,579)
Media Network Latam SAC
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
                          -
            (32,370)
Telefónica Gestión SS Compartidos España
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
              (234,608)
                     -
Telefónica Multimedia SAC
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
           (1,669,700)
       (2,230,535)
T.Servicios de Música
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
                (33,546)
          (410,846)
Telefe
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
                  (7,018)
            (32,662)
Tevefe Comercialización
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
                          -
            (18,360)
TWIS América
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
           (1,276,450)
          (790,906)
TWIS USA
Foreign
Relationship w/parent co.
Costs
                (22,980)
                     -
 
Article 89 of the Corporations Law requires that a company’s transactions with related companies (defined as entities belonging to the same group of companies) be on similar terms as those normally prevailing in the market.
 
 
 
F - 37

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
13.
Accounts receivable from and payable to related entities, continued
 
 
 
d)
 Transactions, continued:
 
There have been charges and credits to current accounts in the accounts receivable of companies due to billing for sale of materials, equipment and services.

The conditions of the Mercantile Current Account and Mandate are current and non-current respectively, accruing interest at a variable interest rate that adjusts to market conditions.

Sales and service rendering expire in the short-term (less than one year) and the expiry conditions for each case vary by virtue of the transaction that generates them.
 
 
e)
Remuneration and benefits received by the Company’s key employees:
 
Remunerations received by key management employees
2007
2008
ThCh$
ThCh$
Salaries
6,929,350
8,043,008
Post employment benefits
2,729,072
562,936
Total
 9,658,422
 8,605,944
 

“Salaries” correspond to gross remunerations and incentives paid to the Executives of the Company and its subsidiaries, the General Manager and first-line Managers, including subsidiaries.  “Post employment benefits” correspond to indemnities paid.
 
14.
Equity
 
(a)    Capital:

As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, the Company’s paid-in capital is composed as follows:

Number of shares:

Series
 
Number  of shares subscribed
 
Number of shares paid
 
Number  of shares  with voting rights
A
873,995,447
873,995,447
873,995,447
B
83,161,638
83,161,638
83,161,638
Total
957,157,085
957,157,085
957,157,085
 
The shares do not have a nominal value. There were no issuance and purchase of shares
 
Capital:

 
2007
2008
Series
Subscribed
capital
Paid-in capital
Subscribed
capital
Paid-in capital
ThCh$
ThCh$
ThCh$
ThCh$
A
673,130,040
673,130,040
637,296,227
637,296,227
B
64,049,071
64,049,071
60,639,444
60,639,444
Total
737,179,111
737,179,111
697,935,671
697,935,671

 
 
F - 38

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued


 
14.
Equity, continued
 
 
(b)    Distribution of shareholders:
 
As established in Circular No. 792 issued by the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance of Chile, the distribution of shareholders based on their participation in the Company as of December 31, 2008 is as follows:
 
 
 
Type of Shareholder
 
Participation percentage %
 
Number of shareholders
Participation of 10% or more
97.685097
3
Less than 10% participation:
-
-
Investment equal to or exceeding UF 200
1.723737
558
Investment under UF 200
0.591166
9,455
Total
100
10,016
Company’s parent
97.68
3

The Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on October 7, 2008, in relation to the Takeover Bid (OPA) (“Oferta Pública de Adquisición de Acciones”) of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A., rejected modification of the Company’s bylaws, requested to eliminate the restrictions and references in accordance with Title XII of Decree Law No. 3,500, which refers among other things to maximum permitted concentration of 45%.
 
On October 11, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors, accepting the petition of shareholders AFP Capital S.A., AFP Cuprum S.A. and AFP Provida, holders of over 10% of the shares, and within the process of the Takeover Bid (OPA) made by Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda., subsidiary of Telefónica S.A. (Spain), agreed to call an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting.
 
On October 28, 2008, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved modification of the Company bylaws with the restrictions and references mentioned in the first paragraph, with this allowing Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda. to acquire 51.85% of the shares of Telefónica Chile S.A.
 
As of December 31, 2008, Telefónica S.A (Spain), through its subsidiaries Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Ltda. and Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A., holders of 51.85% and 44.9%, respectively, have indirectly become owners of 96.75% of the Company’s shareholders’ equity.
 
 
(c)    Dividends:
 
 
 
i)
Dividends policy:
 
In accordance with Law No. 18,046, unless a different agreement is adopted unanimously at the Shareholders’ Meeting, when there is net income, at least 30% of it must be distributed as dividends.
 
The Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 14, 2005 considering the cash situation, the projected investment levels and solid financial indicators, modified the dividends policy, informed at the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of April 2004, and agreed to distribute 100% of net income generated during the respective year, through an interim dividend in November of each year and a final dividend in May of the following year.
 
 
 
F - 39

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
14.
Equity, continued
 
 
(c)    Dividends, continued
 
 
 
ii)
Capital decrease and dividends distributed:
 
On April 13, 2007, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved payment of final dividend No. 173 in the amount of ThCh$ 12,866,433, equivalent to Ch$ 13.44234 per share, in respect of profit 2006.  The dividend was paid on May 15, 2007.
 
Additionally, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 13, 2007, approved modification of the Company’s bylaws in order to perform a capital decrease of ThCh$ 48,815,011 for the purpose of distributing additional cash to shareholders in 2007.  The capital distribution was equivalent to Ch$51 per share.
 
On October 24, 2007, the Board of Directors agreed to pay interim dividend No. 174 of Ch$6 per share, equivalent to ThCh$ 5,742,943 in respect of profit generated by the Company through September 30, 2007.
 
On April 14, 2008, the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting approved payment of final dividend No. 175, in the amount of ThCh$ 5,050,016, equivalent to Ch$ 5.276058 per share, in respect of profit for 2007.  The dividend was paid in May 2008.
 
Additionally, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting held on April 14, 2008 approved modification of the Company’s bylaws in order to decrease capital in the amount of ThCh$ 39,243,440, for the purpose of distributing additional cash to the shareholders in 2008.  The capital distribution was equivalent to Ch$ 41 per share.  The dividend was paid in June 2008.
 
On November 19, 2008, the Board of Directors agreed to pay interim dividend No. 176 of Ch$6 per share, equivalent to ThCh$ 5,742,943, in respect of profit for 2008.  The dividend was paid in December 2008.
 
(d)    Other reserves:
 
The detail of Other in “Other reserves” for 2007 and 2008 corresponds to the effective portion of the change in fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedge instruments of forecasted transactions.
 

 
F - 40

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
15.
Derivative financial instruments
 
The composition of derivative financial instruments for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 

Description
2007
2008
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Hedge, cash flows derivatives
        3,835
                -
    1,433,087
                -
     66,928
               -
 2,658,139
              -
Hedge, interest rate derivatives
94,228
                -
       570,947
                 -
               -
              -
2,663,505
              -
Hedge, foreign currency derivatives
       33,225
               -
  21,460,726
45,373,745
3,299,054
36,963,243
    932,057
  470,129
Total
     131,288
                 -
  23,464,760
45,373,745
3,365,982
36,963,243
 6,253,701
  470,129
 
 
 
F - 41

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

15.
Derivative financial instruments, continued
 
 
The detail of derivatives for 2007 is as follows:
 

 
Type of derivative
 
Type of contract
 
CONTRACT DESCRIPTION
Value of the hedged item ThCh$
Affected accounting accounts
         
Asset / Liability
Effect on income
Contract value
Maturity or expiry term 
Specific
Item
Purchase/
sale position
Hedged item or transaction
 
Name
Amount
Name
Amount
ThCh$
Realized
ThCh$
Unrealized
ThCh$
                         
S
CCPE
150,000,000
III Q 2008
Cross Currency Swap
P
Obligation in US$
150,000,000
74,533,500
Asset
74,172,949
(10,288,340)
                       -
                 
Liability
(97,167,238)
   
S
CCPE
100,000,000
II Q 2009
Cross Currency Swap
P
Obligation in US$
100,000,000
49,689,000
Asset
49,669,022
(6,456,140)
                       -
                 
Liability
(64,615,995)
   
S
CCPE
120,000,000
II Q 2011
Cross Currency Swap
P
Obligation in US$
120,000,000
59,626,800
Asset
59,653,568
(9,382,483)
                       -
                 
Liability
(73,377,129)
   
S
CCPE
100,000,000
IV Q 2009
Cross Currency Swap
P
Obligation in US$
100,000,000
49,689,000
Asset
49,639,748
(4,259,237)
(201,837)
                 
Liability
(63,718,533)
   
S
CCPE
30,000,000
II Q 2011
Cross Currency Swap
P
Obligation in US$
  30,000,000
14,906,700
Asset
14,832,944
(5,917,546)
  (242,767)
                 
Liability
(17,722,570)
   
FR
CI
13,331,151
 I Q 2008
Exchange Rate
P
-
-
-
Asset
6,624,114
(7,856)
 -
                 
Liability
(6,731,323)
   
FR
CI
641,546
I Q 2008
Exchange Rate
P
-
-
-
Asset
179,838
33,227
 -
                 
Liability
(146,612)
   
                         
    Exchange insurance expired during the period (net)
       
1,352,024
 
                 
Asset
254,772,183
   
                 
Liability
(323,479,400)
   
                 
TOTAL 
 
(34,926,351)
(444,604) 

 
Types of derivatives:
Types of contract:
   
FR: Forward
CCPE: Existing items hedge contract (“contrato de cobertura de partidas existents”)
S : Swap
CCTE: Expected transactions hedge contract (“Contrato de cobertura para transacciones esperadas”)
 
CI  : Investment contract (“Contrato de inversion”)
 
 
 
F - 42

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
15.
Derivative financial instruments, continued
 
 
The detail of derivatives for 2008 is as follows:
 

Type of derivative
Type of contract
 
CONTRACT DESCRIPTION
Value of the hedged Item ThCh$
Affected accounting accounts
  Contract value
  Maturity or expiry term
  Specific
Item
  Purchase/ sale position    
Asset / Liability
Effect on income
Hedged item or transaction
 
Name
Amount
Name
Amount
Realized
Unrealized
 
ThCh$
ThCh$
ThCh$
                         
S
CCPE
90,000,000
 II Q 2011
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
90,000,000
57,280,500
Asset
57,280,500
8,310,742
-
                 
Liability
(58,890,139)
   
S
CCTE
50,000,000
 II Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
50,000,000
31,822,500
Asset
31,822,500
4,008,263
53,097
                 
Liability
(34,838,128)
   
S
CCTE
150,000,000
 IV Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
150,000,000
95,467,500
Asset
95,467,500
16,726,495
(624,722)
                 
Liability
(95,983,900)
   
S
CCTE
60,000,000
 II Q 2011
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
60,000,000
38,187,000
Asset
38,187,000
6,924,409
(772,371)
                 
Liability
(36,647,111)
   
S
CCTE
150,000,000
 II Q 2013
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
150,000,000
95,467,500
Asset
95,467,500
16,770,262
113,766
                 
Liability
(69,381,040)
   
S
CCTE
1,635,880
 II Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
1,635,880
35,093,835
Asset
35,093,835
1,390,798
(476,007)
                 
Liability
(32,862,612)
   
S
CCTE
3,555,000
 II Q 2010
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
3,555,000
76,263,886
Asset
76,263,886
2,594,842
(1,009,603)
                 
Liability
(71,798,629)
   
S
CCTE
595,690
 II Q 2011
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
595,690
12,779,088
Asset
12,779,088
509,914
(160,366)
                 
Liability
(12,038,430)
   
S
CCTE
3,000,000
 IV Q 2012
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
3,000,000
64,357,710
Asset
64,357,710
1,954,656
-
                 
Liability
(60,728,625)
   
FR
CI
4,342,148
I Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
4,342,148
2,763,560
Asset
2,763,560
46,678
-
                 
Liability
(2,713,048)
   
FR
CCPE
104,548
I Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
104,548
66,539
Asset
66,539
-
20,250
                 
Liability
(46,289)
   
FR
CCTE
185,018
 II Q 2009
Exchange Rate
P
Obligation in US$
185,018
50,267
Asset
50,267
-
(16,271)
                 
Liability
(66,539)
   
                         
 Exchange insurance expired during the year (net)
             
(2,329,175)
 
                 
Asset
509,599,885
   
                 
Liability
(475,994,490)
   
                 
TOTAL 
-
56,907,884
(2,872,227)
 

Type of derivatives:
Types of contract:
   
FR: Forward
CCPE: Existing items hedge contract (“contrato de cobertura de partidas existents”)
S : Swap
CCTE: Expected transactions hedge contract (“Contrato de cobertura para transacciones esperadas”)
 
CI  : Investment contract (“Contrato de inversion”)
 
 
 
F - 43

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

16.
Cash and cash equivalents
 
The composition of cash and cash equivalents for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Description
            2007
            ThCh$
            2008
          ThCh$
Cash (a)
    5,386,166
  11,089,444
Time deposits (b)
  67,698,285
  50,928,621
Public offer promissory notes (c)
-
    9,537,310
Total
73,084,451
71,555,375
 
 
a)
Cash
 
Cash corresponds to money held in cash and bank accounts; the book value is the same as the fair value.
 
 
b)
Time deposits
 
Time deposits, with original expiry in less than three months, are recorded at fair value and detailed, for 2007 and 2008, as follows:
 
Placement
Entity
Currency
Original currency principal (thousands)
Annual rate %
Maturity
Local currency principals ThCh$
Accrued interest local currency ThCh$
 
2007
Total
ThCh$
12-Nov-07
BBVA
CLP
600,000
6.12
03-Jan-08
600,000
4,998
604,998
12-Nov-07
BCO SANTANDER
CLP
1,900,000
6.24
03-Jan-08
1,900,000
16,137
1,916,137
13-Nov-07
BBVA
CLP
900,000
6.12
03-Jan-08
900,000
7,344
907,344
13-Nov-07
BANK BOSTON
CLP
700,000
6.00
03-Jan-08
700,000
5,600
705,600
21-Nov-07
CORP BANCA
CLP
6,100,000
6.24
21-Jan-08
6,100,000
42,293
6,142,293
21-Nov-07
BCO SANTANDER
CLP
600,000
6.36
21-Jan-08
600,000
4,240
604,240
21-Nov-07
BCO SANTANDER
CLP
1,600,000
6.36
14-Jan-08
1,600,000
11,307
1,611,307
22-Nov-07
BBVA
CLP
2,300,000
6.18
09-Jan-08
2,300,000
15,399
2,315,399
23-Nov-07
BBVA
CLP
1,900,000
6.18
10-Jan-08
1,900,000
12,394
1,912,394
27-Nov-07
BBVA
CLP
2,700,000
6.18
11-Jan-08
2,700,000
15,759
2,715,759
28-Nov-07
BCO CHILE
CLP
3,400,000
6.36
14-Jan-08
3,400,000
19,296
3,419,296
29-Nov-07
BCO CHILE
CLP
3,100,000
6.36
02-Jan-08
3,100,000
17,526
3,117,526
30-Nov-07
BCO CHILE
CLP
3,400,000
6.36
25-Jan-08
3,400,000
18,620
3,418,620
30-Nov-07
BCI
CLP
1,300,000
6.12
21-Jan-08
1,300,000
6,851
1,306,851
07-Dec-07
BCO FALABELLA
CLP
2,100,000
6.06
24-Jan-08
2,100,000
8,484
2,108,484
07-Dec-07
BCO SECURITY
CLP
900,000
6.36
24-Jan-08
900,000
3,816
903,816
10-Dec-07
BCO SECURITY
CLP
1,500,000
6.36
21-Jan-08
1,500,000
5,565
1,505,565
11-Dec-07
CITIBANK NA
CLP
5,100,000
5.88
11-Jan-08
5,100,000
16,660
5,116,660
14-Dec-07
BANK BOSTON
CLP
2,600,000
6.96
14-Jan-08
2,600,000
8,545
2,608,545
14-Dec-07
CORP BANCA
CLP
1,400,000
6.84
14-Jan-08
1,400,000
4,522
1,404,522
14-Dec-07
BCO SECURITY
CLP
600,000
6.72
14-Jan-08
600,000
1,904
601,904
14-Dec-07
BCI
CLP
4,900,000
6.6
14-Jan-08
4,900,000
15,272
4,915,272
18-Dec-07
BCI
CLP
4,100,000
7.2
20-Feb-08
4,100,000
10,660
4,110,660
26-Dec-07
BCO SANTANDER
CLP
1,900,000
7.32
20-Feb-08
1,900,000
1,932
1,901,932
27-Dec-07
BCO SANTANDER
CLP
4,500,000
7.2
20-Mar-08
4,500,000
3,600
4,503,600
27-Dec-07
BCO FALABELLA
CLP
1,400,000
6.96
20-Mar-08
1,400,000
1,083
1,401,083
27-Dec-07
BCI
CLP
100,000
6.72
20-Mar-08
100,000
75
100,075
28-Dec-07
BANK BOSTON
CLP
3,000,000
7.08
01-Feb-08
3,000,000
1,770
3,001,770
28-Dec-07
BANK BOSTON
CLP
2,000,000
7.08
12-Feb-08
2,000,000
1,180
2,001,180
26-Dec-07
CITIBANK NY
USD
700
3.85
04-Jan-08
347,823
186
348,009
04-Dec-07
BCI
UF
17
1.2
04-Mar-08
331,731
299
332,030
10-Dec-07
BCI
USD
159
5.23
09-Jan-08
78,990
241
79,231
10-Dec-07
BCI
USD
113
5.23
09-Jan-08
56,013
170
56,183
 
Total
       
67,414,557
283,728
67,698,285
 
 
 
F - 44

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
16.
Cash and cash equivalents, continued
 
 
 
b)
Time deposits, continued
 
 

Placement
Entity
Currency
Original currency principal (thousands)
Annual rate %
Maturity
Local currency principal ThCh$
Accrued interest local currency
ThCh$
2008
 
Total
ThCh$
01-Dec-08
BANCO SANTANDER
CLP
6,200,000
8.88
20-Jan-09
6,200,000
45,879
6,245,879
02-Dec-08
BANCO SANTANDER
CLP
3,500,000
8.88
20-Feb-09
3,500,000
25,037
3,525,037
02-Dec-08
BANCO SANTANDER
CLP
2,000,000
8.88
20-Feb-09
2,000,000
14,307
2,014,307
03-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
3,000,000
8.88
16-Feb-09
3,000,000
20,720
3,020,720
03-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
2,300,000
8.88
18-Feb-09
2,300,000
15,885
2,315,885
04-Dec-08
BBVA
CLP
3,900,000
8.82
12-Feb-09
3,900,000
25,799
3,925,799
05-Dec-08
BANCO CHILE
CLP
2,450,000
8.4
05-Jan-09
2,450,000
14,863
2,464,863
09-Dec-08
BBVA
CLP
2,500,000
8.34
07-Jan-09
2,500,000
12,742
2,512,742
15-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
3,600,000
8.64
14-Jan-09
3,600,000
13,824
3,613,824
15-Dec-08
BANCO CHILE
CLP
600,000
8.52
14-Jan-09
600,000
2,272
602,272
16-Dec-08
BANK BOSTON
CLP
3,500,000
8.52
26-Jan-09
3,500,000
12,425
3,512,425
23-Dec-08
BANCO SANTANDER
CLP
4,500,000
8.88
23-Mar-09
4,500,000
8,880
4,508,880
24-Dec-08
BBVA
CLP
2,900,000
8.88
12-Jan-09
2,900,000
5,007
2,905,007
24-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
3,000,000
7.2
12-Jan-09
3,000,000
4,200
3,004,200
24-Dec-08
BANCO SANTANDER
CLP
1,300,000
7.8
12-Jan-09
1,300,000
1,972
1,301,972
30-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
600,000
7.2
06-Jan-09
600,000
120
600,120
30-Dec-08
BBVA
CLP
3,200,000
8.64
09-Feb-09
3,200,000
768
3,200,768
30-Dec-08
BANCO CHILE
CLP
700,000
8.4
29-Jan-09
700,000
163
700,163
02-Dec-08
BCI
UF
17
2.5
03-Mar-09
363,858
733
364,591
10-Dec-08
BCI
CLP
101,511
0.72
09-Jan-09
101,511
512
102,023
10-Dec-08
BCI
USD
71
2.43
09-Jan-09
44,927
64
44,991
31-Dec-08
CITIBANK NY
USD
695
-
02-Jan-09
442,153
-
442,153
 
Total
       
50,702,449
226,172
50,928,621
 

 
 
c)
Public offer promissory notes
 
Public offer promissory notes, corresponding to financial instruments issued by the State, are recorded at fair value and for 2008 are as follows:
 
Code
Dates
Counterpart
Original currency
Subscription
value
ThCh$
Annual rate
Final value
Instrument identification
Accounting value 2008
 
Beginning
Ending
 %
ThCh$
 
ThCh$
CRV
22-Dec-08
05-Jan-09
HSBC
CLP
3,400,000
7.56%
3,406,426
BCU0300510
3,406,426
CRV
30-Dec-08
06-Jan-09
HSBC
USD
3,455,924
0.40%
3,455,962
BCU0500910
3,455,962
BCP0600109
05-Dec-08
02-Jan-09
Banco Central
CLP
2,674,922
6.00%
2,674,922
BCP0600109
2,674,922
     
Total
 
9,530,846
 
9,537,310
 
9,537,310
 

As of December, 31, 2007 the Company has not registered balance for this transactions.
 
 
 
F - 45

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
17.
Marketable financial investments
 
The composition of marketable financial investments for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Financial assets at fair value with changes in incomes
2007
2008
ThCh$
ThCh$
Financial assets at fair value with changes in incomes
13,273,715
13,228,981
Total
       13,273,715
       13,228,981

Marketable financial investments correspond to time deposits due in over three months and Central Bank promissory notes, these investments are valued at fair value with an effect on income.
 
The detail for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Instrument
Date
Par value
Accounting value
Market value
  Purchase
   Maturity
ThCh$
      ThCh$
Rate
ThCh$
CERO010508
04-Sept-07
01-May-08
2,703,102
2,723,704
2.6% + UF
2,723,704
CERO010508
04-Sept-07
01-May-08
242,294
244,187
2.6% + UF
244,187
CERO010708
04-Sept-07
01-Jul-08
590,877
595,418
2.6% + UF
595,418
BCU0500308
17-Oct-07
01-Mar-08
1,766,039
1,799,643
5.00%
1,799,643
BBVA
24-Oct-07
21-Feb-08
2,130,236
2,141,503
2.80%
2,141,503
HSBC
26-Oct-07
25-Feb-08
1,824,613
1,832,139
2.25%
1,832,139
HSBC
02-Nov-07
12-Mar-08
1,516,774
1,522,615
2.35%
1,522,615
CITIBANK NA
13-Dec-07
10-Jun-08
2,411,130
2,414,506
2.80%
2,414,506
Total 31/12/2007
13,185,065
13,273,715
 
13,273,715


Instrument
Date
Par value
Accounting value
Market value
  Purchase
   Maturity
ThCh$
      ThCh$
Rate
ThCh$
BCP0600109
03-Sept-08
02-Jan-09
2,500,000
2,574,183
6.00%
2,574,183
BCP0600109
26-Sept-08
02-Jan-09
72,100
72,077
6.00%
72,077
BCP0800709
14-Jul-08
01-Jul-09
1,000,000
1,044,021
8.00%
1,044,021
BCP0800709
25-Sept-08
01-Jul-09
769,600
772,575
8.00%
772,575
BCP0600809
26-Sept-08
03-Aug-09
1,040,000
1,019,967
6.00%
1,019,967
BCP0600809
03-Dec-08
03-Aug-09
2,500,000
2,552,145
6.00%
2,552,145
PDBC020209
09-Oct-08
02-Feb-09
2,734,108
2,781,255
7.48%
2,781,255
PDBC080609
24-Sept-08
08-Jun-09
2,358,986
2,412,758
8.37%
2,412,758
Total 31/12/2008
12,974,794
13,228,981
 
13,228,981

For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 the effect on income is ThCh$ 335,793 and ThCh$ 85,781, respectively.

 
 
F - 46

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
18.
Interest bearing loans
 
The composition of interest bearing loans for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Interest bearing loans
2007
2008
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Current
ThCh$
Non-current
ThCh$
Bank loans
76,325,196
243,046,267
128,357,903
266,756,643
Obligations without guarantees
1,573,268
67,717,704
1,681,627
72,981,753
Subtotal of interest bearing loans
77,898,464
310,763,971
130,039,530
339,738,396
Financial leases
17,558
204,989
18,693
206,058
Financial lease subtotal
17,558
204,989
18,693
206,058
Total
      77,916,022
       310,968,960
       130,058,223
    339,944,454
 
Financial leases are included in the buildings category (see note on property, plant and equipment).  The present value of minimum net long-term lease payments is ThCh$ 222,018 and ThCh$ 224,751 as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.  Total imputable interest is ThCh$ 143,037.
 
Financing
 
In 2008, the Company continued its strategy of strengthening its financial structure. During the last six years, the Company achieved a significant decrease in its total financial debt through increased cash flow, which enabled the Company to reduce its debt through several debt repayments.
 
During 2008, the Company’s main source of financing was operating cash flow. These resources allowed investments of Ch$147,989 million (US$232.5 million) for capital expenditures and the payment of dividends and return of capital equivalent to Ch$50,036 million (US$78.6 million).
 
Debt refinancing
 
On June 12, 2008, the Company renegotiated an international loan in the amount of US$ 150 million. The international bank loan has been structured as a “club deal”, with the participation of the following banks: Banco Santander, Banesto, Bank of Tokyo, BBVA, Caja Madrid, EDC and Rabobank. The funds were used to refinance a syndicated loan  that was to mature in December 2008.
 
Outstanding indebtedness
 
Following its privatization in 1988, the Company pursued an aggressive development plan to expand its fixed line network and develop other telecommunications services, such as LD service, mobile telephony and data transmission services. To fund the capital expenditures associated with this expansion, the Company has raised capital by issuing debt through domestic and international offerings, including the issuance of Yankee and Euro Bonds, and has borrowed funds from commercial banks in the form of syndicated and bilateral loans. The Company has also accessed the local Chilean capital markets through the issuance of medium and long-term bonds, primarily sold to pension funds, insurance companies and other institutional investors, commercial paper, and through borrowing from commercial banks.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company’s financial debt amount to Ch$ 436.388 million, which decreased as compared with 2007, due to the amortization of US$ 150 million of credit derivatives in August 2008 and the amortization of Series F bonds in April and October 2008. The repayment of Series F bonds amounted to US$ 2.3 million.
 
 
 
F - 47

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
18.
Interest bearing loans, continued
 
 
The detail of interest bearing loans for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
 
Total
Short-term
portion
Long-term portion
Type of debt
Amount of original principal lent
Interest rate
Expiry
     
Long-term
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014 & thereon
       
   
 
           
 
       
Long-term obligations including current expiries 2007:
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Long-term obligations with banks:
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
CALYON, New York and others
99,221,370
145,202
99,076,168
99,076,168
-
-
-
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 200 million
Libor + 0.35
2009
BBVA Bancomer and others
74,907,681
606,111
74,301,570
-
-
74,301,570
-
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 150 million
Libor + 0.334
2011
CITIBANK NY
75,094,002
75,094,002
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 150 million
Libor + 0.60
2008
Banco Santander
70,148,410
479,881
69,668,529
-
69,668,529
-
-
-
-
Bilateral loan
UF 3,555,000
TAB 360 + 0.325
2010
Total long-term obligations with banks
319,371,463
76,325,196
243,046,267
  99,076,168
69,668,529
   74,301,570
-
-
-
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series F
11,920,151
1,554,724
10,365,427
1,382,056
1,382,056
1,382,056
1,382,056
1,382,056
3,455,147
Local bond
UF    500,000
6.00%
2016
Series L
57,370,821
18,544
57,352,277
-
-
-
57,352,277
-
-
Local bond
UF  3,000,000
3.75%
2012
Total Bonds
69,290,972
1,573,268
67,717,704
1,382,056
1,382,056
1,382,056
58,734,333
1,382,056
3,455,147
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease obligations
222,547
17,558
204,989
19,586
21,848
24,372
27,187
30,328
81,668
Leasing
-
8.10%
2016
                           
Total
388,884,982
77,916,022
310,968,960
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
F - 48

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
18.
Interest bearing loans, continued
 
 

 
Total
Short-term portion
Long-term portion
Type of debt
Original amount of principal lent
Interest rate
Maturity
     
Long-term
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 and thereon
       
   
 
                     
Long-term obligations including current expiries 2008:
 
 
                     
   
 
   
 
               
Long-term obligations with banks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
CALYON, New York and others
127,228,913
127,228,913
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 200 million
Libor + 0.35
2009
BBVA Bancomer and others
95,904,683
476,141
95,428,542
-
95,428,542
-
-
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 150 million
Libor + 0.334
2011
BBVA Bancomer and others
95,338,062
260,986
95,077,076
-
-
-
95,077,076
-
-
Syndicated loan
US$ 150 million
Libor + 0.60
2013
Banco Santander
76,642,888
391,863
76,251,025
76,251,025
-
-
-
-
-
Bilateral loan
UF 3,555,000
TAB360 + 0.325
2010
Total long-term obligations with banks
395,114,546
128,357,903
266,756,643
76,251,025
95,428,542
-
95,077,076
-
-
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bonds :
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series F
11,475,504
1,640,913
9,834,591
1,513,014
1,513,014
1,513,014
1,513,014
1,513,014
2,269,521
Local bond
UF     500,000
6.00%
2016
Series L
63,187,876
40,714
63,147,162
-
-
63,147,162
-
-
-
Local bond
UF  3,000,000
3.75%
2012
Total Bonds
74,663,380
1,681,627
72,981,753
1,513,014
1,513,014
64,660,176
1,513,014
1,513,014
2,269,521
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Lease obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Lease obligations
224,751
18,693
206,058
21,656
25,088
29,065
33,672
39,009
57,568
Leasing
-
8.10%
2016
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Total
470,002,677
130,058,223
339,944,454
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
F - 49

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
19.
Trade and other accounts payable
 
The composition of creditors and other accounts payable for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Description
2007
ThCh$
Current
2008
ThCh$
Current
Debts due to purchases or services provided
119,057,099
102,029,176
Real property providers
26,841,124
59,144,482
Dividends pending payment
6,771,524
13,470,974
Accounts payable to employees
8,473,852
14,487,260
Others
5,306,686
7,590,980
Total
166,450,285
196,722,872
 
The detail of debts due to purchases or services provided corresponding to foreign and domestic suppliers for 2007 and 2008 are as follows:
 
Debts due to purchases or services provided
2007
ThCh$
2008
ThCh$
Domestic
       109,764,352
       93,039,321
Foreign
           9,292,747
         8,989,855
Total
       119,057,099
     102,029,176
 
 
20.
Provisions
 
The composition of provision for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Description 
2007
2008
 
ThCh$
ThCh$
Legal and Regulatory
10,622,554
2,303,708
Other (1)
5,608,288
4,768,628
Total
16,230,842
7,072,336
 
(1) The Other provision covers all labor and administrative aspects with a probable possibility of occurrence.
 
Provision movements for 2008 are as follows:
 
Movements
2007
ThCh$
2008
ThCh$
Beginning balance
8,854,274
16,230,842
Increase in existing provisions
8,876,568
1,337,684
Provision used
(1,500,000)
(10,496,190)
Movement subtotal
7,376,568
(9,158,506)
Ending balance
16,230,842
7,072,336

The movement (increase and use) in provisions corresponds mainly to legal claims.

 
F - 50

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
21.
Employee benefits and expenses
 
 
a)
Post employment benefits
 
Post employment benefits for 2007 and 2008 are as follows:
 
Post employment benefits
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Current amount of liability recognized for termination benefits
    1,996,786       2,898,105  
Non-current amount of liability recognized for termination benefits
    30,838,659       42,464,712  
Total
    32,835,445       45,362,817  
 
There are no assets associated to the plan.
 
Post employment provision movements for 2007 and 2008 are as follows:
 
Movements
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Beginning balance
    30,929,501       32,835,445  
Service costs
    2,862,257       4,991,085  
Interest costs
    1,855,770       1,579,385  
Actuarial (profits)/losses
    -       9,360,762  
Benefits paid
    (2,812,083 )     (3,403,860 )
Movement subtotal
    1,905,944       12,527,372  
Ending balance
    32,835,445       45,362,817  
 
Actuarial assumptions used for 2007 and 2008 are as follows:
 
Actuarial hypotheses used
2007
 2008
Discount rate
6.00%
4.81%
Expected salary increase rate
1.50%
1.50%
Mortality table
RV-85
RV-2004
Turnover rate
2.34%
5.46%

“Post employment benefits” are calculated by an external qualified actuary, using market variables and estimations in accordance with actuarial calculation methodology.

 
 
b)
Employee expenses
 
 
The detail of these expenses for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Employee expenses
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Wages and salaries
    81,550,226       94,458,047  
Post employment benefit obligations expense
    4,718,027       6,570,470  
                         Total employee benefits
    86,268,253       101,028,517  


 
F - 51

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued




 
22.
Prepaid taxes
 
 
The detail of prepaid taxes for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 
Description
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Value added tax
    8,741,157       9,415,618  
Income tax
    (30,510,355 )     (29,476,371 )
Prepaid income tax and other credits
    40,267,934       46,968,512  
                         Total
    18,498,736       26,907,759  
 
23.
Income tax
 
 
a)    General information:
 
As of December 31, 2007 and 2008 the parent company has established a first category (corporate) income tax provision, since it has a positive taxable base of ThCh$ 139,296,346 and ThCh$ 118,074,188, respectively.
 
In addition, as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 a provision was established for first category income tax originated  by  subsidiaries, whose   taxable   income   base   amounted   to  ThCh$ 40,176,330  and   ThCh$ 55,316,230, respectively.
 
As  of  December  31,  2007  and  2008  the  tax  losses  accumulated   by   subsidiaries   amount   to  ThCh$ 12,268,988 and ThCh$ 24,534,879 respectively.
 
According to current legislation, tax years subject to possible review by the fiscal authority, contemplate for most of the taxes to which the Company’s operations are subject to, transactions generated from 2006 to date.
 
During the course of its normal operations, the Company is subject to the regulations and supervision of the Chilean Internal Revenue Service, which could cause differences to arise in the application of tax determination criteria.  Management estimates, on the basis of information available to date, that there are no significant additional liabilities that have not been recorded for this concept in the financial statements.
 
The Companies of the group with a positive balance in the Retained Taxable Earnings Registry and their associated credits are as follows:
 
 
Taxable net income with 15% credit ThCh$
Taxable net income with 15% credit ThCh$
Taxable net income with 16% credit
ThCh$
Taxable net income with 16.5% credit ThCh$
Taxable net income with 17% credit
ThCh$
Taxable net income without credit ThCh$
  Amount of Credit ThCh$
Subsidiaries
 
 
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
2,563,759
                  -
     971,330
      695,362
124,233,536
   7,046,625
 26,220,237
Telefónica Empresas Chile S.A.
         -
                  -
                  -
              54
  35,439,982
   2,257,039
   7,258,793
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A.
                        -
                        -
                        -
                        -
            693,620
           85,272
            142,067
Telefónica Chile S.A.
          114
               -
                        -
   6,675,243
250,990,983
20,817,977
 52,726,798
Total
            2,563,873
                        -
               971,330
            7,370,659
        411,358,121
          30,206,913
          86,347,895


 
F - 52

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
 
23.
Income tax, continued
 
 
b)
Deferred taxes:
 
As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, accumulated balances of temporary differences originated net deferred tax liabilities in the amount of ThCh$ 85,381,995 and ThCh$ 60,728,445, respectively and their detail is as follows:

Description
2007
2008
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
ThCh$
ThCh$
ThCh$
ThCh$
Allowance for doubtful accounts
11,425,854
-
19,428,286
-
Vacation provision
1,215,427
-
1,493,407
-
Property, plant and equipment depreciation
-
104,001,485
-
92,822,682
Staff severance indemnities
-
3,648,950
-
2,425,168
Tax loss carryforward
2,085,728
-
4,170,929
-
Other events
11,951,319
4,409,888
9,426,783
-
Total
26,678,328
112,060,323
34,519,405
95,247,850
 
c)    Income tax reconciliation:
 
For years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 the reconciliation of taxes starting with profit before taxes is as follows:
 
 
2007
2008
Description
Tax Base
ThCh$
Tax Rate 17%
ThCh$
Tax Base
ThCh$
Tax Rate 17%
ThCh$
Profit before taxes
      40,536,403
6,891,189
      54,275,507
9,226,836
         
Permanent differences
12,288,497
2,089,045
(16,811,182)
(2,857,901)
Price-level restatement of equity
(18,242,028)
(3,101,145)
(30,694,056)
(5.217,989)
Price-level restatement of investments
8,054,426
1,369,252
17,103,408
2,907,579
Income from investments in related companies
(1,698,359)
(288,721)
(2,492,245)
(423,682)
Resolution of prior year uncertainties (1)
9,362,417
1,591,611
-
-
Prior year income tax deficit/(surplus)
2,095,703
356,270
            282,381
48,004
Adjustment dissolution investments
7,230,214
1,229,136
-
-
A/R write-off rejected for tax purposes
4,053,993
689,179
-
-
Others (2)
1,432,131
243,463
(1,010,670)
(171,813)
Total tax expense of companies
 
         8,980,234
 
            6,368,935
Breakdown of current/deferred expense
       
Income Tax 17%
 
30,510,355
 
29,476,371
35% Single Tax
 
110,023
 
26,502
Prior current year deficit/(surplus)
 
356,272
 
1,076,639
Total income tax expense
 
30,976,650
 
30,579,512
Total deferred income tax expense/(revenue)
 
(21,996,416)
 
(24,210,577)
Effective rate
 
11,7%
 
22,2%
 
 
(1)
During 2007 certain uncertainties related to unrecognized tax benefits have been resolved. The tax benefit recognized was offset by deferred tax expense related to the increase of the deferred tax liability arising also from recognition of the tax benefit.
 
 
(2)
Include  adjustments for  the  accrued  and/or  paid  expenses  rejected  for  tax  purposes, 6%  property, plant and equipment credit, among others.
 
During 2007 and 2008 adjustments were recorded to the beginning balance of deferred taxes due to differences between the recorded and real bases.
 
 
F - 53

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
24.
Revenue and expenses

 
a)
The detail of revenue for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Classes of ordinary income
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Sale of goods
    16,195,587       16,188,353  
Services rendered
    680,104,407       722,542,395  
Total
    696,299,994       738,730,748  


 
b)
The detail of other operating income for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Other revenues
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Work performed for real property
    7,862,781       9,362,763  
Revenue from disposal of material real property
    482,244       3,029,202  
Subsidies
    221,026       215,058  
Gain on sales of Telefónica Asistencia y Seguridad S.A. assets and suscribed portfolio
    -       15,487,114  
Other current management revenues
    492,569       36,914  
Total
    9,058,620       28,131,051  



 
c)
The detail of other miscellaneous operating expenses for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Other expenses
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Interconnections
    120,610,244       118,703,867  
Other exterior services
    46,507,962       55,384,255  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    19,631,252       35,753,879  
Media rental
    23,882,345       33,688,404  
Sales commissions
    27,112,139       25,934,685  
Plant maintenance
    18,907,014       25,702,929  
Customer service
    19,427,522       25,205,712  
Computer services
    19,505,348       20,141,274  
Cost of utilities
    11,837,240       16,324,861  
Cost of sale of equipment and cards
    10,100,833       12,106,108  
Fines, sanctions, contingencies
    13,939,859       9,848,077  
Advertising
    7,431,638       8,629,058  
External administrative services
    2,469,586       4,136,212  
Cost prepaid expenses
    1,295,247       1,410,524  
Others
    15,250,116       18,108,344  
Total
    357,908,345       411,078,189  
 
 
 
F - 54

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
 
24.      Revenue and expenses, continued
 
 
d)
The detail of financial expenses, net, for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Financial expenses, net
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Financial income
           
Interest on financial instruments
    3,565,008       5,177,927  
Other financial revenues
    3,439,091       152,214  
Total financial revenues
    7,004,099       5,330,141  
Financial expenses
               
Interest on bank loans
    (17,297,284 )     (12,130,948 )
Interest on obligations and bonds
    (3,234,043 )     (3,443,473 )
Financial lease
    (26,580 )     (26,603 )
Interest rate hedges (Cross Currency Swap)
    3,308,052       (16,182,548 )
Other financial expenses
    (798,909 )     (556,052 )
Total financial expenses
    (18,048,764 )     (32,339,624 )
Total, net
    (11,044,665 )     (27,009,483 )

 
25.       Profit per share
 
The detail of profits per share for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Basic profit per share
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Earning attributable to holders of instruments of participation in the net shareholders’ equity of the parent
    31,646,817       47,975,468  
Income available for common shareholders, basic
    31,646,817       47,975,468  
   
Number of shares
   
Number of shares
 
Weighted average number of shares, basic
    957,157,085       957,157,085  
Basic profit (loss) per share in thousands
    0.0331       0.0501  
 
Earning per share figures have been calculated dividing the respective income amount by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.  The Company has not issued convertible debt or other equity securities.  Consequently, there are no potentially diluting effects on income per share.
 
 
26.       Inventory
 
The detail of inventory for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:

Description
 
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Merchandise
    8,976,644       9,639,875  
Allowance for obsolescence
    (2,022,680 )     (2,719,640 )
    Total
    6,953,964       6,920,235  
 

 
F - 55

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
27.
Deferred revenue
 
The detail of deferred revenue for 2007 and 2008 is as follows:
 

   
2007
ThCh$
   
2008
ThCh$
 
Deferred income
 
Current
   
Non-current
   
Current
   
Non-current
 
Beginning balance
    (13,278,153 )     (4,361,390 )     (6,523,422 )     (4,153,591 )
Endowments
    (19,471,710 )     (40,211 )     (37,243,382 )     (51,242 )
Eliminations/applications
    26,226,442       248,010       38,053,918       274,333  
Movement subtotal
    6,754,732       207,799       810,536       223,091  
Ending balance
    (6,523,421 )     (4,153,591 )     (5,712,886 )     (3,930,500 )
 
28.
Minority interest
 
Minority interest corresponds to recognition of the portion of shareholders’ equity and income of subsidiaries belonging to third parties.  The detail for the years ended as of December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively, is as follows:
 
Subsidiaries
 
Minority interest
percentage
   
Shareholders’ equity
minority interest
   
Participation in profit
revenue (loss)
 
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
 
   
%
   
%
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.
    0.13       0.10       201,261       188,922       32,599       32,986  
Fundación Telefónica
    50       50       53,066       (48,818 )     (123,250 )     (101,884 )
Telefónica Gestión de Servicios Compartidos Chile S.A.
    0.001       0.001       11       8       3       2  
Total
                    254,338       140,112       (90,648 )     (68,896 )
 
 
29.
Contingencies and restrictions
 
 
a)
Lawsuit against the State of Chile:
 
 
(i)
Having exhausted all administrative remedies aimed at correcting the illegal actions taken in the tariff setting process of 1999, in 2002 the Company filed a lawsuit for damages against the Government in the amount of ThCh$ 181,038,411, plus readjustments and interest, covering past and future damages incurred up to May 2004.
 
The judicial process is currently at the stage of dictating sentence.
 
 
(ii)
Telefónica Chile and Telefónica Larga Distancia filed a damage indemnity complaint against the Government of Chile in ordinary treasury lawsuit, claiming damages caused due to modification of telecommunications networks in respect to the works carried out by highway concessionaries from 1996 to 2000.
 

 
F - 56

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
29.
Contingencies and restrictions, continued
 
 
a)
Lawsuit against the State of Chile, continued:
 
 
iii)
The amount of damages claimed, consisting in both companies having been forced to pay to transfer their telecommunications networks due to the construction of public works concessions protected by the Concessions Law, is as follows:
 
 
a.-  Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.: ThCh$ 1,929,207
 
b.-  Telefónica Larga Distancia S.A.: ThCh$ 2,865,209
 
On March 24, 2008, final first instance sentence was notified rejecting the complaint without costs. This sentence has been appealed.
 
 
b)
Lawsuits:
 
 
(i)
Voissnet S.A.:

 
On July 12, 2007 Voissnet filed a complaint before the Antitrust Commission (TDLC) against Telefónica Chile for alleged cross subsidy in the joint commercialization of its broadband and fixed telephone services, taking advantage of its dominant position in those markets.

 
Telefónica Chile, in its answer requested that the complaint be rejected, with costs, since the voice and broadband package offers are due to a competitive dynamic, and that it has not incurred in practices that attempt against free competition.  The evidence stage has been completed.

 
On August 29, 2008, Voissnet filed a second complaint against Telefónica Chile before the Antitrust Commission, this time for alleged bundled sale in the commercialization of broadband with telephone services.

 
Telefónica Chile answered the complaint and requested full rejection, with costs.  The TDLC decided both processes should be combined.

 
(ii)
Complaint filed by VTR Telefónica S.A.:
 
 
On May 8, 2008, Telefónica Chile and VTR signed a transaction ending all judicial and administrative conflicts related to reciprocal access charges payable between the companies and 800-type services. Both companies perform reciprocal discounts and legal compensation is given for  the amounts  owed,  which  resulted  in  Telefónica  Chile paying  to VTR  the  sum  of  ThCh$ 12,036,787.  Likewise, on the basis that the Transaction produces the indefectible termination of the judicial process which has an incidence on the procedure filed with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the parties filed a writ requesting termination of the procedures without sanction requesting that that it be filed away.
 
 
 
F - 57

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
29.
Contingencies and restrictions, continued:
 
 
b)
Lawsuits, continued:
 
 
(iii)
Manquehue Net:
 
On June 24, 2003, Telefónica Chile filed a forced contract compliance with damage indemnity complaint against Manquehue Net in the amount of Ch$ 3,647 million, in addition to the sums accrued during substantiation of the proceeding, before the mixed arbitration court of Mr. Victor Vial del Río.  On the same date, Manquehue Net filed a complaint regarding compliance with discounts (in the amount of Ch$ 2,295 million), in addition to a complaint regarding the obligation to perform (signing of 700 service contract).
 
On April 11, 2005, the Arbitrator notified the fist instance sentence accepting the complaint made by Telefónica Chile condemning Manquehue Net to pay approximately Ch$ 452 million, and at the same time  accepted  the complaint of Manquehue Net condemning Telefónica Chile to pay Ch$ 1,021 million.
 
Telefónica Chile filed appeals against both sentences, currently pending before the Santiago court of Appeals.
 
 
(iv)
Chilectra and CGE:
 
In June 2006, Telefónica Chile filed complaints against Chilectra S.A. and Río Maipo (currently CGE Distribución), requesting readjusted refund of the Reimbursable Financial Contributions (AFR) (“Aportes Financieros Reembolsables”) that the company paid between 1992 and 1998, in virtue of the Electricity Law.  The amounts requested for restitution amount to Ch$ 899 million and Ch$ 117 million, respectively.
 
 
(v)
Labor lawsuits:
 
During the ordinary course of operations, labor lawsuits have been filed against the Company, which do not represent significant contingencies to date.
 
 
(vi)
Lawsuit filed by Telmex Servicios Empresariales S.A.:
 
During the first quarter of  2008, Telmex Servicios Empresariales S.A. filed a complaint before the Antitrust Commission against Telefónica Chile, for alleged violation of free competition related to the tender process for the local public wireless 3,400 – 3,600 MHz band concession, requesting payment of a government fine in the amount of  Ch$ 8,132 million.
 
The Company answered the complaint within the deadline, requesting rejection of all its parts.  The process is at the hearing stage.
 
Telefónica Chile and TLD were sued by Telmex Servicios Empresariales S.A., before the Antitrust Commission (Case No. C 181-2008), for the execution of acts contrary to free competition in providing long-distance services through the Telefónica Chile prepayment card denominated “Tarjeta Línea Propia” (TLP), requesting a fine of  Ch$ 9,036 million for each of the companies.
 
The complaint was answered, requesting full rejection, with costs.
 
 
 
F - 58

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
29.
Contingencies and restrictions, continued:
 
 
b)
Lawsuits, continued:
 
(vii)
Empresa Ferrocarriles del Estado de Chile:
 
Ordinary lawsuit regarding forced compliance with agreed upon or consented obligations derived from the Regulation on Railroad Line Crossing, Parallelism, and Support, in which in addition payment of a sum of no less than Ch$ 1,818 million was claimed, for the construction or annual passage, relating to railroad crossings plus indemnity for material damages and pain and suffering that are claimed to have been suffered, with readjustments, interest and costs and without prejudice of the sums accrued during the proceeding process .
 
Final first instance sentence was dictated on March 25, 2008, fully rejecting the complaint which is being appealed by Empresa Ferrocarriles del Estado.
 
(viii)
Theoduloz Slier and Ochoa Soriano versus Zalaquett Zalaquett and Telefónica Chile:
 
Ms. Rodemilia Theoduloz Slier and Matilde Ochoa Soriano filed a  complaint against Armando Zalaquett Zalaquett and Telefónica Chile, claimingan executive obligation to deliver 14,468,895 Series A shares of Telefónica Chile owned by Armando Zalaquett Zalaquett. Telefónica Chile opposed the execution, since Mr. Zalaquett is not a Company shareholder. Currently underway.
 
(ix) 
Other complaints:
 
During the last quarter of 2007 there was a notification of the resolutions dictated by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication which applied fines for non-compliance with the previous resolutions, which altogether amount to Ch$ 1,268 million.  Telefónica Chile filed appeals for each of them which are currently in process and pending sentencing.  It should be noted that the resolutions consider daily fines, which as of December 31, 2007 are estimated to amount to a figure of close to Ch$ 45 million.
 
Management and its internal and external legal advisors, periodically monitor the evolution of the lawsuits and contingencies that affect the Company in the normal course of its operations, analyzing in each case the possible effect on the financial statements.  Based on this analysis and on the information available to date, management and their legal counsel believe that it is improbable that the income and equity of the Company will be significantly affected by loss contingencies that could possibly represent significant additional liabilities not already recorded in the financial statements.
 
 
c)
Financial restrictions:
 
In order to be able to develop its investment plans, the Company has obtained financing both in the local and foreign market (note18), which establish, among other things, clauses on the maximum indebtedness that the Company can incur.  The maximum debt to equity ratio established is 1.60.
 
Non-compliance with this clause implies that all obligations assumed in these financing contracts are considered to have expired.
 
As of December 31, 2008 the Company complied with the financial restriction.
 
 
 
F - 59

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
29.
Contingencies and restrictions, continued:
 
 
d)
Guarantee deposits:
 
The detail of guarantee deposits is as follows:
 
 
Debtor
Type of
Current guarantee deposits
 
Liberated guarantees
 
 
Name
Relationship
guarantee
ThCh$
 
2009
ThCh$
   
2010
ThCh$
   
2011 & thereon ThCh$
 
             
Emp. De los Ferrocarriles del Estado.
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  3,218     3,218       -       -  
Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  1,598,563     -       34,647       1,563,916  
Director Reg de Vialidad V Región
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  4,396     4,396       -       -  
Serviu Región Metropolitana
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  75,704     70,915       4,789       -  
Serviu V Región
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  2,465     2,465       -       -  
Director Regional de Vialidad de Tarapacá
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  2,918     2,918       -       -  
SCL Terminal Aéreo de Santiago
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  32,179     -       -       32,179  
Rentas e Inversiones Los Andes Ltda.
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  4,991     4,991       -       -  
Rentas e Inversiones Viña del Mar Ltda.
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  6,064     6,064       -       -  
Metro S.A.
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  182,073     180,142       -       1,931  
S.A. Inmobiliaria Land y Establecimientos
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  4,658     -       2,294       2,364  
Servio Región de Atacama
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  1,137     1,137       -       -  
Serviu Región del Bío Bío
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  2,878     42       2,114       722  
Telefónica Móviles de Chile
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  10,726     10,726       -       -  
Rentas e Inversiones Las Rejas Ltda..
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  4,409     -       4,409       -  
Félix Aparicio Hortal
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  2,038     2,038       -       -  
Distribuidora y Servicios D&S S.A.
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  2,685     -       2,685       -  
Constructora San Francisco
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  19,046     19,046       -       -  
Otras garantías
Telefónica Chile S.A.
Parent company
Deposit
  3,653     2,662       191       800  
Cámara de Diputados de Chile
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  17,000     17,000       -       -  
Servicio Nacional de Pesca
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  405     405       -       -  
Ministerio de Bienes Nacionales
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  3,540     3,540       -       -  
Dirección de Compras y Contratación Pública
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  5,000     5,000       -       -  
Dirección Regional de Vialidad XII Región
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  118,590     118,590       -       -  
Comité de Empresas Sep
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  73     -       73       -  
Consejo de Defensa del Estado
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  1,285     -       -       1,285  
SCL Terminal Aéreo de Santiago S.A.
Telefónica Larga Distancia
Filial
Deposit
  32,179     -       -       32,179  
Dirección Nacional de Logística de Carabineros Chile
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  409,829     -       -       409,829  
Ministerio del Interior
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  302,022     302,022       -       -  
Tesorería del Ejercito
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  112,000     112,000       -       -  
Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Oriente
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  111,992     111,992       -       -  
Subsecretaria de Redes Asistenciales
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  90,048     90,048       -       -  
Dirección Nacional de Gendarmería de Chile
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  88,577     -       88,577       -  
Pontificia Universidad Católica Valparaíso
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  80,000     80,000       -       -  
Subsecretaria de Educación
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  80,000     -       80,000       -  
Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Occidental
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  79,066     79,066       -       -  
Servicio de Salud Viña del Mar Quillota
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  68,711     68,711       -       -  
Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Central
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  68,541     68,541       -       -  
Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  43,827     43,827       -       -  
Servicio de Salud de Concepción
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  42,637     42,637       -       -  
Policía de Investigaciones deChile
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  40,522     40,522       -       -  
Policía de Investigaciones de Chile
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  40,000     40,000       -       -  
Servicio de Salud Valparaíso San Antonio
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  39,550     39,550       -       -  
Servicio de Salud del Maule
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  36,689     36,689       -       -  
Servicio de Salud de Ñuble
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  34,442     34,442       -       -  
Servicio de Salud de Bío Bío
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  34,370     34,370       -       -  
Servicio de Salud de Llanquihue Chile
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  33,899     33,899       -       -  
Otras Garantías
Telefónica Empresas
Filial
Deposit
  2,133,167     1,330,181       295,477       507,509  
Subsecretaría de Transporte
Telefónica Gestión Ss.Compartidos
Filial
Deposit
  91     -       91       -  
Subsecretaría de Transporte
Telefónica Gestión Ss.Compartidos
Filial
Deposit
  91     -       91       -  
Subsecretaría de Transporte
Telefónica Gestión Ss.Compartidos
Filial
Deposit
  91     -       91       -  
Subsecretaría de Transporte
Telefónica Gestión Ss.Compartidos
Filial
Deposit
  91     -       91       -  
Atento Chile S.A.
Telefónica Gestión Ss.Compartidos
Filial
Deposit
  57,922     57,922       -       -  
Centro Español Intermediario de Capacitación
Instituto Telefónica
Filial
Deposit
  15,718     15,718       -       -  
Total
        6,185,766     3,117,432       515,620       2,552,714  
 
 
F - 60

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
30.
Environment:
 
In the opinion of management and its legal counsel and since the nature of the operations of the Company does not directly or indirectly affect the environment, as of the closing date of these financial statements, the Company has not committed resources or made payments derived from non-compliance with municipal ordinances or those of other supervising organizations.
 
The Company reviewed its real estate lease agreements with private entities and government agencies involving locations where certain of the Company’s assets are installed, such as digital switchboards, radio stations, antennas and other equipment regarding potential obligations at the end of the term or expiry of the lease contract considering the term of the contracts and renewal conditions.  No significant obligations were identified on the basis of these contracts since:
 
 
-
The Telecommunications Law in Chile states that the Company, as a public service supplier, has a right to maintain its assets on third party property and cannot be forced to remove then without its consent.

 
-
On the basis of historical evidence, most of the lease agreements are renewed.  For the leases that were not renewed significant withdrawal costs were incurred.

 
31.
Financial risk management
 
 
a)
Competence
 
Telefónica Chile faces strong competition in all its business areas and believes that this high level of competitiveness will be maintained.  In order to confront this situation, the Company permanently adapts its business strategies and products, seeking to satisfy the demands of its current and potential customers, innovating and developing excellence in its attention.
 
 
b)
New Tariff Decree
 
Approximately 19% of the Company’s income for 2008 is subject to tariff regulation.  Tariff setting for the new 5 year period, beginning in May 2009, could affect its income and level of market competitiveness.
 
The effect of a change in the tariff decree could affect the portion of the Company’s operating income and costs that are regulated.
 
 
c)
Technological changes
 
The telecommunications industry is a sector that is subject to quick and important technological progress and the introduction of new products and services.  It is not possible to assure what will be the effect of such technological changes on the market or on Telefónica Chile, or that the disbursement of significant financial resources will not be required to develop or implement new and competitive technologies, nor can the Company anticipate whether those technologies or services will be substitutive or complementary to the products and services it currently offers. Telefónica Chile is constantly evaluating the incorporation of new technologies to the business, taking into consideration both the costs and benefits.
 

 
F - 61

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
31.
Financial risk management, continued
 
 
d)
Level of Chilean economic activity
 
Since the Company’s operations are located in Chile, these are sensitive to and dependent on the country’s level of economic activity.  In periods of low economic growth, high unemployment rates and reduced internal demand, there has been a negative impact on the local and long distance telephone traffic, as well as on the level of customer default.
 
The effect on the financial cost of a possible increase in the country risk could be softened because the Company is part of a consolidated group at a worldwide level.
 
 
e)
Financial risk management objectives and polices
 
The Company’s main financial liabilities, in addition to derivatives, comprise bank loans and bond obligations, accounts payable and other accounts payable.  The main purpose of those financial liabilities is to obtain financing for the Company’s operations.  The Company has trade accounts receivable, cash and short-term deposits, which arise directly from its operations.  The Company also has derivative transactions.
 
The Company is exposed to market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.
 
The Company’s Management supervises that financial risks are identified, measured and managed in accordance with defined policies.  All activities derived from risk management are carried out by specialist teams with adequate skills, experience and supervision.  It is the Company’s policy that there is no commercialization of derivatives for speculative purposes.
 
The policies for managing such risks, which are reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors, are summarized below:
 
Market Risk
 
Market risk is the risk of fluctuation in the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument due to changes in market prices.  Market prices comprise three types of risks:  interest rate risk, exchange rate risk and other price risks, such as equity risk.  Financial instruments affected by market risk include loans, deposits, investments held for sale and derivative financial instruments.
 
Interest rate risk
 
Interest rate risk is the risk of fluctuation in the fair value of future cash flows of a financial derivative due to changes in market interest rates.  The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates is mainly related to the Company’s long-term debt obligations with variable interest rates.
 
The policy for hedging interest rates seeks long-term efficiency in financial expenses.  This considers fixing interest rates to the extent that these are low and allowing floating rates when the levels are high.
 
As of December 31, 2008 the Company ended with an exposure of 86% local floating interest rate exposure.
 
The Company manages its interest rate risk maintaining a balanced portfolio of loans and debts at variable and fixed interest rates.  The Company has interest rate swaps in which it agrees to interchange, at certain intervals, the difference between the amounts of fixed and variable interest rates, calculated in reference to a notional agreed upon capital amount.  These swaps are designated to hedge underlying debt obligations.
 
 
F - 62

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
31.
Financial risk management, continued
 
 
 
a)
Financial risk management objectives and polices, continued
 
 
Interest rate risk, continued
 
Market expectations are that these rates will tend to decrease in 2009, which could mean lower financial costs for the Company.
 
Foreign currency risk
 
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the future fair values or cash flows of a financial instrument may fluctuate due to exchange rate.  The Company’s exposure to exchange variation risks is related mainly to its operating activities (when income or expenses are denominated in a currency other than the Company’s functional currency).  The Company’s main risk lies in its obligations and these are 100% hedged.
 
It is the Company’s policy to negotiate the terms of hedge derivatives to match the terms of the hedged items in order to maximize the effectiveness of the hedge.
 
Credit risk
 
Credit risk is the risk that a counterpart may not fulfill its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, which leads to a financial loss.  The Company is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (mainly due to accounts receivable and credit notes) and from its financial activities, including bank deposits, transactions in foreign currency and other financial instruments.
 
Credit risks related to customer loans is managed in accordance with the policies, procedures and controls established by the Company to manage customer credit risk.  Customer credit quality is evaluated in an ongoing manner.  Outstanding customer charges are supervised.  The maximum exposure to credit risk as of the report presentation date is the value of each class of financial asset.
 
Credit risk related to balances with banks, financial instruments and negotiable values is managed by the Finance Management Department in conformity with the Company’s policies.  Surplus funds are only invested with an approved counterpart and within the credit limits assigned to each entity.  Counterpart limits are reviewed annually, and can be updated during the year.  The limits are established to reduce counterpart risk concentration to a minimum.
 
Liquidity risk
 
The Company manages its commitments so that beginning cash plus the generation of cash for the next twelve months must be capable of covering its financial obligations during the same term.
 
The Company monitors its risk of lack of funds using a recurrent liquidity planning tool. The Company’s objective is to maintain a short-term investment profile that minimizes the need to obtain external short-term financing.
 

 
F - 63

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
31.
Financial risk management, continued
 
 
 
d)
Financial risk management objectives and polices, continued
 
Capital management
 
Capital includes shares and equity attributable to the parent company less unrealized net income reserves.
 
The Company’s main objective in respect to capital management is to ensure that it has a strong credit rating and prosperous capital ratios to support its business and maximize shareholder value.
 
The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in response to changes in economic conditions.
 
There were no changes in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
 
32.
Disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments and derivative financial instruments
 
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities is included in the amount for which the instrument can be exchanged in an actual transaction between willing parties that is not a forced sale or liquidation.  The following methods and hypotheses are used to estimate fair value.
 
Cash and short-term deposits, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current assets approximate their amounts largely due to the short-term expiry of these instruments.
 
The fixed and variable rate of long-term loans are evaluated by the Company on the basis of parameters such as interest rates, specific country risk factors, the individual solvency of customers and the risk characteristics of the project’s financing.  Based on this evaluation, subsidies are taken into account for expected loan losses.  As of December 31, 2008, the amounts of those loans, net of issuance rights, approximate their fair values.
 
The fair value of the mentioned notes and bonds is based on their trading price as of the balance sheet date.  The fair value of instruments that are not traded, bank loans and other financial debt, obligations in a financial lease regime and other non-current financial liabilities are estimated discounted by future cash flows using currently available rates for the debt or similar terms and remaining expiry terms.
 
The fair value of financial assets held for sale is derived from market prices traded on active markets, if available.  In certain cases fair value is estimated using a valuation technique.
 
 The Company enters into financial derivative instruments with various counterparty entities, mainly financial institutions with qualification of degree of credit investments.  The calculation of fair value for derivative financial instruments depends on the types of instruments: interest rates derived from contracts – fair value of interest rates derived from contracts (for example, swap interest rates) are estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using current market interest rates and a performance curve during the remaining term of the instrument; foreign currency agreement derivative – the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is based on the forward exchange rates.
 

 
F - 64

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued

 
32.
Disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments and derivative financial instruments, continued
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments compared to the carrying values are as follows:
 
   
As of December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
 
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
 
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
   
ThCh$
 
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    73,084,451       73,084,451       71,555,375       71,555,375  
Financial assets at fair value with changes in income
    13,273,715       13,273,715       13,228,981       13,228,981  
Trade and other accounts receivable, net
    192,537,092       192,537,092       172,159,162       172,159,162  
Other current assets
    50,255,976       50,255,976       72,288,718       72,288,718  
Liabilities:
                               
Interest bearing loans
    77,916,022       77,915,967       130,058,223       130,058,169  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    59,743,299       59,743,299       62,078,539       62,078,539  
Interest bearing loans (long term)
    310,968,960       310,956,960       339,944,454       339,934,508  
Derivatives
    68,838,505       68,838,505       6,723,830       6,723,830  

 
 
33.
Subsequent events
 
 
a)
Result of second takeover bid
 
On January 9, 2009, Inversiones Telefónica Internacional Holding Limitada, communicated the results of the Takeover Bid made on December 1, 2008 and completed on December 16, 2008, which achieved direct and indirect ownership through its controller Telefónica Internacional Chile S.A., of approximately 97.86% of the shares issued by Telefónica Chile.
 
 
b)
Closing of the ADR program
 
On January 29, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors agreed to begin the process of closing the ADR Program currently in the United States of America (Code CTC), by delisting CTC from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), delisting CTC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and terminating the convention signed between Telefónica Chile, Banco Central de Chile and Banco Depositario, under Chapter XXVI of the Compendium of International Exchange Standards.
 
The process contemplates a period of four months to obtain the corresponding authorizations.
 
 
c)
Registration of lines of local bonds
 
On January 29, 2009, the Board of Directors agreed to the following:
 
 
-
Issue two lines of bonds:  one with a 10-year term and another with a 30-year term.  Each line will be for 8 million unidades de fomento.
 
 
-
Limit the amount of the first placement with a charge to each line of bonds to a maximum of 8 million unidades de fomento, altogether.
 
 
 
F - 65

 
 
COMPAÑIA DE TELECOMUNICACIONES DE CHILE S.A. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to the consolidated financial statements, continued
 
 
33.
Subsequent events, continued
 
 
c)
Registration of lines of local bonds, continued
 
Likewise, the Board of Directors empowered the General Manager, Mr. Oliver Flogel and the Finance Manager, Ms. Isabel Margarita Bravo Collao, in order for either of them, indistinctly to establish the conditions, terms and timeliness of the issuance, as well as sign the contracts and undertake all processes and acts necessary for the issuance and sale of the bonds.
 
On April 15, 2009 Telefónica Chile carried out a placement of Series N, 5-year bullet bonds on the Santiago Stock Exchange in the amount of UF 5 million (equivalent to Ch$ 106,000 million).  The debt titles were auctioned at a rate of UF + 3.23% annually.
 
Likewise, on April 22, 2009 there was a placement of Series M, 5-year Bullet Bonds in the amount of ThCh$ 20,500,000 on the same stock exchange, at a rate of 5.99% annually.
 
The rating for both series is “AA-” and “AA” by Fitch Ratings and ICR respectively.  Both operations were led by BBVA.
 
With these placements Telefónica Chile refinances the main obligations for 2009, keeping its current debt level constant.
 
 
 
d)
Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting
 
At Board meeting held on March 31, 2009, the Board of Directors of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. agreed to call an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting for Thursday, April 23, 2009, following the Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, in order to inform the following matters and submit them to the decision of the shareholders:
 
 
-
Reform the first article of the bylaws, in the sense of changing the name of Compañía de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A. to TELEFONICA CHILE S.A., and modify its fantasy names;
 
 
-
Decrease stock capital in the approximate and estimated amount of ThCh$ 326,862,636 due to capitalization of the accumulated loss reserve account recognized in the process of adoption of IFRS.  The duly audited final amount will be informed at the Meeting;
 
 
-
Reform article five of the company bylaws in reference to capital and incorporate the applicable adjustments, corrections and modifications; and
 
 
-
Adopt the rest of the agreements necessary to implement the previously mentioned modifications and bylaws reforms.
 
 
In the period from January 1 to April 23, 2009, there have been no other significant subsequent events that affect these financial statements.
 
 

F - 66