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TELUS AND CLEARNET TO CREATE CANADA'S LARGEST WIRELESS COMPANY
TELUS has agreed to offer to acquire all of the shares of national digital
wireless company Clearnet Communications Inc., in what will be the largest
acquisition in Canadian telecommunications history.
The combined company will be a leader in the fast-growing market for national
wireless voice, data and Internet services. The combination of TELUS's and
Clearnet's wireless operations will produce the largest wireless company in
Canada in terms of annual revenue, customer growth and wireless spectrum
position.
The transaction, valued at $6.6 billion, will unite Western Canada's leading
wireless company with the country's most dynamic national wireless company. This
deal is a major advance in building TELUS into the leading Canadian provider of
advanced, integrated communications, with more than 1.8 million customers, a
licence to provide coverage to 30.7 million potential customers and existing
digital network coverage for more than 21 million potential customers from coast
to coast. George Cope, president and CEO of Clearnet, will assume leadership of
the combined wireless entity as its president and CEO.
"Wireless and IP applications are the two fastest-growing areas in
telecommunications and their convergence will be the most significant event of
the next decade for our industry. Our objective is to become the Canadian leader
of this market," said Darren Entwistle, TELUS president and CEO. "This
transaction will give us immediate national wireless coverage, which will serve
as the foundation for the data and Internet strategy we are about to unveil."
"This deal is significant not only in its scale, but, more importantly, it
signifies TELUS's strong commitment to becoming Canada's preeminent data and
wireless communications company," Entwistle added. "And it indicates how TELUS
will behave in the future. We will act quickly decisively and responsibly,
focusing on growth areas of our industry to add value for our shareholders."
George Cope called the deal an exciting and compelling opportunity for Clearnet
shareholders, clients and employees to be part of a bold new force in Canadian
telecommunications. "Together, we will be able to dramatically expand our
ability to fully exploit the opportunities in Canadian wireless," he said. "Our
clients will greatly benefit from this transaction through access to a
competitive and integrated mix of new and improved services, including bundled
services and new data and Internet options. Joining forces with TELUS means we
will have unparalleled human and financial resources to capitalize on the
wireless revolution in voice, Internet and data services."
Under the terms of the agreement, TELUS will offer to acquire all of the
outstanding shares of Clearnet for $70 per share. This offer price represents a
53 per cent premium to the closing price (C$45.80;US$31) of the Clearnet Class A
non-voting shares on Friday, August 18, 2000, the last trading day before the
transaction was announced.
Clearnet's board of directors has recommended the offer for approval by its
shareholders. It is anticipated that the offer will be mailed to Clearnet
shareholders in mid-September 2000.
"This transaction has been structured with the optimum mix of cash and equity,"
said Darren Entwistle. "We wanted to ensure that after the closing of the
transaction, TELUS would remain financially strong and would have the financial
flexibility to finance its data and Internet
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initiatives to fuel the company's growth. We are committed to maintaining an
investment grade credit rating."
"George and I are very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I
look forward to working with him in his position as leader of our combined
wireless operations," added Entwistle. "We believe these two companies are a
great fit. We share a common vision of our industry's future, we have compatible
wireless technology and together we are the leading national player - TELUS is
the wireless leader in Western Canada, while Clearnet has a powerful presence in
Eastern Canada."
Clearnet brings to TELUS more than 2,600 team members with an exceptionally
strong entrepreneurial culture. "Our national employee team is renowned for its
talent, motivation and commitment to leading the wireless industry," said George
Cope. "We look forward to joining with TELUS's experienced team of wireless
professionals in the implementation of the new wireless voice, data and Internet
strategy of our combined entity."
LEADING-EDGE DIGITAL WIRELESS SOLUTIONS
By operating its own national digital wireless network, TELUS will be able to
compete more aggressively for wireless customers across Canada. Clearnet's and
TELUS's wireless operations offer compatible digital PCS services based on the
same leading-edge CDMA digital wireless technology.
Clearnet also brings to the combined wireless entity the unique Mike network, a
multifunctional wireless tool aimed at the business market. Clearnet's
fast-growing Mike network boasts the highest average revenue per unit in the
Canadian wireless industry.
Both companies bring strategic partnerships with key U.S. wireless carriers to
their combined wireless operation. Clearnet's partner Nextel Communications,
Inc., provider of the largest guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the
United States, offers Mike clients seamless coverage in 98 of the top 100 U.S.
markets.
TELUS has a partnership with Verizon, through GTE Corporation, which is a member
in the Verizon Wireless joint venture, the largest wireless service provider in
the United States. Through this partnership, TELUS will be able to provide its
cellular and PCS customers seamless, single-rate roaming North America wide.
Through this transaction, TELUS avoids the expense and uncertainties involved in
building out its own cross-Canada wireless network and in developing its own
wireless organization in Eastern Canada. The combination of Clearnet and TELUS
networks will allow TELUS to compete in the wireless market on a national scale
approximately three years sooner than if it had decided to build its own
network.
The transaction is expected to be completed in October 2000.
More information
- TELUS/Clearnet Web site
- Transaction highlights
- Factsheet on Clearrnet
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SAFE HARBOUR NOTICE FOR FORWARD LOOKING DISCLOSURE AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY
Some statements in this presentation and accompanying commentary look forward in
time and deal with other than historical or current facts for TELUS Corporation
and Clearnet Communications. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by
the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations, including
but not limited to, the risks associated with: general business conditions in
Canada and the companies' service territories in Canada; competition on wireless
services (cellular), local and long distance services, data and internet
services and within the Canadian telecommunications industry generally; adverse
regulatory action; technological change; taxation; availability of sufficient
funding; and generation of operating cashflow sufficient to provide financial
viability. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other
factors, see the reports filed by TELUS and Clearnet with Canadian provincial
securities commissions and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
TELUS and Clearnet disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Investors and security holders are advised to read the offer to
exchange/prospectus, the solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9
and other offer documentation regarding the transaction to be filed with
Canadian provincial securities commissions and the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, as they will contain important information. Security
holders may obtain a free copy of the offer to exchange/prospectus (when
available) and other related documents filed by TELUS and Clearnet at the SEC's
website at www.sec.gov. When available, the offer to exchange/prospectus and the
other documents may also be obtained from TELUS Corporation, Attention: Investor
Relations [ADDRESS].
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
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99.1 Audiocast slides
99.2 Videocast slides
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