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VIA AURELIO SAFFI 18, 10138 TURIN, ITALY
(Address of principal executive offices)


	Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:


	Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]


	Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]


	Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


	If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or offer to acquire securities in the United States.

The New SEAT Pagine Gialle securities referred to herein have not been, and are not intended to be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, into the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption. New SEAT Pagine Gialle ordinary shares and New SEAT Pagine Gialle savings shares are intended to be made available within the United States in connection with the spin-off pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This Form 6-K contains certain forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution that a number of important factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

•		SEAT’s ability to implement its business plan with respect to its remaining businesses, including asset disposals, greater integration with Telecom Italia’s other businesses and synergies arising therefrom;

•		SEAT’s ability to make any profits from the remaining business for the next two years at least;

•		SEAT’s ability to achieve cost reduction targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of rationalization of its non-core business and the disposition of interests in certain non-core assets;

•		SEAT’s ability to implement successfully its Internet strategy;

•		New SEAT Pagine Gialle’s ability to continue the successful operation of the spun-off businesses and to successfully integrate businesses that were recently acquired by SEAT Pagine Gialle;

•		New SEAT Pagine Gialle’s ability to achieve the expected return on investments and capital expenditures SEAT Pagine Gialle has made that are now being spun-off to New SEAT Pagine Gialle;

•		New SEAT Pagine Gialle’s ability to implement successfully its strategic plan;

•		the continuing impact of increased competition, including the entry of new competitors;

•		the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment in Italy and elsewhere in Europe; and

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Neither SEAT and New SEAT Pagine Gialle undertake an obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

This Information Statement is being furnished to U.S. shareholders of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (“SEAT”) in connection with the proportional demerger (the “Spin-off”) of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments of SEAT into a company which will be incorporated upon effectiveness of the Spin-off and which will assume the name of “Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.” (hereinafter referred to, solely for purposes of this Information Statement, as “New SEAT”). SEAT’s other business segments will remain part of SEAT, which will be renamed “Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.” (“Telecom Italia Media”).

The Spin-off was approved by SEAT’s Board of Directors on April 1, 2003 and by holders of SEAT’s ordinary shares at the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on May 9, 2003. The Spin-off will become effective upon the registration of the Atto di Scissione (the “Spin-off Deed”) with the companies register of Milan, Italy, which is expected to occur on or about August 1, 2003 (the “Effective Date”).

The Spin-off plan provides for a proportional spin-off based on the proportion of SEAT’s shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2002 that is allocated to New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media, respectively. As a result of the Spin-off, the shareholders of SEAT on the Effective Date will receive, for every 40 ordinary or savings shares currently owned:


	•	29 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of New SEAT (the “Shares”), and

	•	11 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of Telecom Italia Media.

No consideration will be paid by SEAT’s shareholders for the Shares or for Telecom Italia Media shares. For the treatment of fractional shares, see “Description of the Spin-off — Spin-off Procedure — Fractional Shares” below.

There is no current trading market for the Shares. The Shares have been approved for listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario (“Telematico”), the screen-based trading system organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. (the “Italian Stock Exchange”). Trading in the Shares is expected to commence on the Telematico on August 4, 2003. The Shares will not be listed on any stock exchange outside Italy.

See “Risk Factors” below for a discussion of certain factors to be considered by prospective holders of the Shares.

The information contained in this Information Statement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or an offer to acquire securities in the United States. The Shares have not been (and are not intended to be) registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Shares are intended to be made available in the United States pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the securities act.

The Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any State securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any State securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Information Statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This Information Statement is for information purposes only and no action is required from SEAT shareholders.

In this Information Statement, the term “SEAT” refers to Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. before the Spin-off. The term “New SEAT” refers to the company which will be incorporated upon effectiveness of the Spin-off and to which the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments of SEAT will be transferred. Upon effectiveness of the Spin-off, New SEAT will assume the name “Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.” and SEAT will be renamed “Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.” The term “Telecom Italia” refers to Telecom Italia S.p.A., the majority shareholder of SEAT.

The Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT contained elsewhere in this Information Statement have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of the bases upon which the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT were prepared, see Note 1 thereto.

In this Information Statement, references to “U.S. dollars”, “dollars”, “U.S.$” or “$” are to United States dollars; references to “euro”, “euros”, “Euro” or “€” are to euro; and references to “lire” or “Lit.” are to Italian lire, the former Italian non-decimal denomination of the euro. On January 1, 1999, the Italian lira became a member currency of the euro at a fixed conversion rate of €1 = Lit. 1,936.27.

SEAT is subject to the informational requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to a foreign private issuer and files annual reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document SEAT files with the SEC at its public reference facilities at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facilities. Since November 4, 2002, SEAT has been required to file and furnish its documents to the SEC on EDGAR, the SEC’s electronic filing system. All such filings made since such date can be reviewed on EDGAR by going to the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov.

For a discussion of the expected future reporting obligations of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media, see “Description of the Spin-off — Reporting Obligations” below.

Shareholders with inquiries related to the Spin-off should contact SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A., Investor Relations, Via A. Saffi 18, Turin, Italy 10138, telephone +39-011-435-1.

We are incorporating by reference information into this Information Statement, which means that we may disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with or furnished separately to the SEC. This Information Statement incorporates by reference SEAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2003 (File No. 1-2334) (the “SEAT Annual Report”), an English translation of the “Plan for the proportional Spin-off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. to a Newly Incorporated Company” (the “Spin-off Plan”) and an English translation of the “Report of the Board of Directors on the Planned Proportional Spin-off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.” (the “Board of Directors Report”). Both the Spin-off Plan and the Board of Directors Report were furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K on April 9, 2003.

For your convenience, the SEAT Annual Report, the Spin-off Plan and the Board of Directors Report are attached to this Information Statement as Exhibits A, B and C, respectively.

New SEAT is a corporation organized under the laws of Italy. None of the directors or executive officers of New SEAT lives in the United States. All or a substantial portion of the assets of New SEAT and such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to file a lawsuit against New SEAT or such persons in the United States with respect to matters arising under the federal securities laws of the United States. It may also be difficult for you to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of such laws against New SEAT or such persons. Should a U.S. court issue a judgment against New SEAT or their directors or executive officers based on the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States, the enforceability of such judgment in Italy will be subject to the following requirements:


	(i) the court which rendered the U.S. judgment could hear the case under the Italian rules on jurisdiction;

	(ii) the writ of summons has been served upon the defendant in compliance with U.S. laws and the essential defense rights of the defendant have not been violated;

	(iii) the parties have appeared in the proceedings in compliance with U.S. laws or, in case of default of appearance, such default has been declared in compliance with U.S. laws;

	(iv) the U.S. judgment has become final and definitive (“passata in giudicato-res judicata”) in compliance with U.S. law;

	(v) the U.S. judgment is not contrary to and does not conflict with another final and definitive judgment rendered by an Italian court;

	(vi) court proceedings with the same object and the same parties are not pending before an Italian court, where such proceedings were commenced before the institution of U.S. proceedings; and

	(vii) the provisions contained in the U.S. judgment do not conflict with or contravene rules of Italian public policy.

The U.S. judgment would be enforceable and would constitute valid title for the commencement of enforcement proceedings in Italy provided that a decision of the competent Italian Court of Appeal has ascertained, as a result of the appropriate proceedings, compliance with above-mentioned requirements.

This Information Statement contains or incorporates by reference certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the discussion of the changing dynamics of the marketplace (including the opening to competition of directories services) and New SEAT’s outlook for growth in the directories and directory assistance sectors both within and outside of Italy (including sources of increasing revenues to offset the impact of increasing competition). Further certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties, which are outside New SEAT’s control, that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions.

The following important factors could cause New SEAT’s actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements:


	•	the impact of the proposed Spin-off of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information segments into New SEAT on the financial condition and prospects of New SEAT, including New SEAT’s potential joint liability with Telecom Italia Media for any liability of SEAT incurred prior to the Spin-off;

	•	the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which New SEAT operates;


	•	the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

	•	New SEAT’s ability to implement successfully its business strategy;

	•	the continuing impact of increased competition, including the entry of new competitors; and

	•	the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that New SEAT will achieve its projected results. New SEAT undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, including, without limitation, changes in New SEAT’s business strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

This summary is qualified by the more detailed information set forth elsewhere in this Information Statement which should be read in its entirety. Unless otherwise indicated, the information contained in this Information Statement gives effect to the transfer by SEAT to New SEAT of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain factors to be considered by prospective holders of the Shares.

New SEAT will be a telephone directory publisher with its principal revenue-generating activity being the sale of advertising in the telephone directory products that it publishes. This business includes targeted advertising and telephone directories, and providing answers to queries via printed, online and telephone directory products and services. Upon effectiveness of the Spin-off, New SEAT will operate through three main business segments: Directories, Directory Assistance, and Business Information.

The Directories business segment provides its services in the Italian market under the trade names of PAGINEGIALLE, PAGINEBIANCHE and TUTTOCITTÁ, and other specialized products such as Kompass. New SEAT’s Directories business in the United Kingdom is provided through its subsidiary TDL Infomedia Ltd. (“TDL Infomedia”) under the trademark Thomson Local and on an European level through Euredit S.A. (“Euredit”). Euredit is the publisher of a Business-to-Business European directory under the trademark EUROPAGES, which is translated into 16 languages and distributed in 33 countries. The directories business includes services such as on-line and operator-assisted key words search through which a customer can find the required information.

The Directory Assistance business segment provides on-line and operator-based directory assistance services for private and corporate customers through Telegate and the Directory Assistance Division. Telegate and its subsidiaries are the second largest operator of directory assistance services in Germany. The Directory Assistance division in Italy provides operator-assisted directory assistance services (89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle).

The Business Information segment furnishes direct marketing and database services consisting primarily of direct mail campaign management, demographically tailored mailing lists, data management and enhancement, and marketing database management. The Business Information segment provides its services through Consodata S.A., a French company, and Consodata Group Ltd. (UK), which also holds stakes in NewCreations and Pan Adress.

The Spin-off was prompted by management’s view that the two broad market sectors in which SEAT operates — targeted advertising and telephone directory services and products on the one hand (through the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments) and traditional advertising and the Internet and media on the other hand (through the Internet, Office Products and Services, TV, and Professional Publishing business segments) — have increasingly developed separate and distinct characteristics in terms of strategy, operations and competitive landscape. The strategic objective of the SEAT Spin-off is to allow the business segments in each of these two sectors to focus on their respective core businesses.

In addition, in light of Telecom Italia’s announcement in February 2003 that it no longer considered the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments to be strategic, the Spin-off was expected to facilitate the potential disposal of Telecom Italia’s interests in those businesses. See “— Sale of Telecom Italia’s Majority Stake in New SEAT” below.

On April 1, 2003, the Board of Directors of SEAT approved the proposed proportional Spin-off of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments into a company which will be incorporated upon effectiveness of the Spin-off and which will assume the name of “Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.” SEAT’s other business segments will remain part of SEAT, which will be renamed “Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.” On May 9, 2003, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved the Spin-off Plan, which is incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit B. The extraordinary shareholders’ meeting also approved New SEAT’s by-laws, elected the members of New SEAT’s Board of Directors and Board of Statutory Auditors, appointed New SEAT’s independent auditors and approved the decision to apply for the listing of the Shares on the Telematico.

The Spin-off Plan provides for a Spin-off on a proportional basis based on the proportion of SEAT’s shareholders’ equity (under Italian GAAP) calculated as of December 31, 2002 that was attributable to, respectively, the companies and other portions of SEAT that will be transferred to New SEAT and those that will remain with Telecom Italia Media. Because the assignment of shares in New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be proportional, under Paragraph 3 of Article 2504 novies of the Italian Civil Code no independent expert’s report on the adequacy of the share exchange ratio pursuant to article 2501 quinquies of the Italian Civil Code is required. The assignment of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media shares will be made in accordance with the following ratio:

For every 40 ordinary or savings shares currently owned, holders who are shareholders of SEAT on the Effective Date will receive


	•	29 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of New SEAT, and

	•	11 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of Telecom Italia Media.

No consideration will be paid by SEAT’s shareholders for the shares of New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media.

The shares of both companies will be listed on the Telematico: the admission of New SEAT shares for listing is a condition of the effectiveness of the Spin-off.

Under Italian law, the Spin-off Deed must be executed by a notary public and subsequently registered with the companies register of Milan, Italy, for the Spin-off to become effective. The Spin-off Deed could not be executed until two months after the registration of the shareholders’ resolution approving the Spin-off in the companies register. This waiting period is required by Italian law in order to allow the creditors of SEAT sufficient time to make any objection to the Spin-off. The resolution approving the Spin-off was registered in the companies register of Milan, Italy on May 19, 2003. The two-month creditor opposition period expired on July 19, 2003 without any objection having been made by any of SEAT’s creditors.

On July 21, 2003 SEAT received clearance from the Italian Stock Exchange for the listing of New SEAT shares on the Telematico and, on July 23, 2003, clearance from CONSOB (the “Nulla Osta”) to publish the related listing prospectus. The admission of New SEAT shares for listing on the Telematico and the receipt of the Nulla Osta were conditions to the execution of the Spin-off Deed by the notary public. The Spin-off Deed was executed on July 25, 2003 and is expected to be registered with the companies register of Milan, Italy on August 1, 2003. Upon registration of the Spin-off Deed in the companies register, the Spin-off will become effective for all legal, tax and accounting purposes.

Based on the assignment ratio set forth in “Description of the Spin-off — Spin-off Plan” below, the Shares will be assigned as of the opening of business on August 4, 2003 to holders who were shareholders of SEAT as of the close of business on August 1, 2003. Trading in the shares of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media is expected to commence on the Telematico on August 4, 2003.

Holders of SEAT ordinary and savings shares who have accounts with participants in Monte Titoli S.p.A. (“Monte Titoli”), the Italian centralized securities depositary owned by certain major Italian banks and financial institutions, are expected to be automatically credited with shares in New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media as of the opening of business on Thursday, August 7, 2003 in accordance with the Telematico’s T+3 settlement cycle. Pursuant to the Dematerialization Decree (as defined in “Market Information — Clearance and Settlement of New SEAT Shares” below), no physical share certificates will be issued.

As a result of the application of the assignment ratio to holdings of SEAT shares not evenly divisible by 40, the number of shares of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media to be assigned to a shareholder may include a fractional amount. To avoid this result, as part of the procedure for assigning the Shares (or the Telecom Italia Media shares, as applicable), a service will be provided to SEAT shareholders, through the Italian bank MCC S.p.A., to round the number of Shares or Telecom Italia Media ordinary or savings shares to be assigned to any holder up or down to the nearest whole number (at the holder’s discretion), at no cost to the holder in terms of expenses, stamp duty or commissions.

The details of the treatment of fractional shares will be published in a notice to shareholders in Italian newspapers as well as other major financial publications.

SEAT’s shareholders are not entitled to appraisal or withdrawal rights under Italian law, because the Spin-off will not entail any changes to New SEAT’s corporate purpose, as set forth in its by-laws, compared to SEAT’s corporate purpose.

The Spin-off will become effective for all purposes, including legal, accounting and tax purposes, on the Effective Date. As noted above, the Effective Date is expected to be August 1, 2003. The operating results and associated net cash flows of the businesses transferred to New SEAT will be attributed to New SEAT from and including August 1, 2003.

As described in more detail in “Description of the Spin-off — Effectiveness of the Spin-off and its Consequences” below, New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be jointly liable for the liabilities of SEAT incurred prior to the Spin-off.

New SEAT does not expect to be a reporting foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act. Consequently, information regarding New SEAT may be less easy to access by shareholders in the United States and will no longer be in the form (including the presentation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP) prescribed by the SEC. New SEAT will, however, continue posting important information in the English language on its website.

Telecom Italia Media currently expects to remain a reporting foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act.

New SEAT is expected to maintain an ongoing business relationship with Telecom Italia, which will cover such matters as database use and the continued effectiveness of certain contracts. For more detailed information about the relationship with Telecom Italia, see “Description of the Spin-off — Relationship with Telecom Italia” below.

As a consequence of Telecom Italia’s decision that New SEAT was no longer strategic, Telecom Italia put in place an auction process to sell its equity stake in New SEAT as well as the equity stake that its subsidiaries, Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and Telecom Italia Information Technology S.p.A., will own in New SEAT. On June 10, 2003, Telecom Italia entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Silver S.r.l., a company organized under the laws of Italy (“Silver”), which is directly or indirectly owned by a consortium of investors formed by various entities, including investment funds, belonging to the BC Partners, Permira/ Schroder, CVC/Citigroup and Investitori Associati groups, for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT (including shares resulting from the expected early exercise by Telecom Italia of the put/call options with J.P. Morgan for a notional amount of 710,777,200 SEAT shares, corresponding to approximately 6.2% of the share capital of SEAT). The agreed purchase price is €3.03 billion. Silver will also assume the estimated €708 million of debt of New SEAT at the closing. The completion of the sale is subject to the Spin-off becoming effective and the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities.

In addition, Telecom Italia has agreed with Silver to certain non-competition and non-solicitation of employee obligations, as described more fully in “Description of the Spin-off — Sale of Telecom Italia’s Majority Stake in New SEAT” below.

As a consequence of acquiring Telecom Italia’s majority stake in New SEAT, Silver will be required under Italian law to make a mandatory public tender offer at a price per share not lower than that paid by Silver for Telecom Italia’s majority stake to all other shareholders of New SEAT, within 30 days after the closing date as defined in the Purchase Agreement. As of the date of this Information Statement, no public announcement has been made concerning the timing, terms or conditions of the tender offer.

New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be jointly liable for the liabilities of SEAT which were incurred by SEAT prior to the Spin-off.

Italian corporate law provides for special rights for creditors and other contracting parties of companies that are parties to a spin-off. Under Italian law New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be jointly liable for the liabilities of SEAT that were incurred prior to the Spin-off and were outstanding as of the Effective Date. In the circumstances and subject to the applicable law described under “Description of the Spin-off — Effectiveness of the Spin-off and its Consequences” below, New SEAT could be held jointly liable with Telecom Italia Media for such liabilities. In the event that either New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media were held jointly liable with the other company for any material liability of SEAT, New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media, as applicable, could suffer a material adverse effect to its financial condition.

For example, Telecom Italia Media is currently engaged in litigation relating to the sale of an equity interest in Finanziaria WEB to SEAT by De Agostini and is also engaged in litigation relating to the acquisition of Cecchi Gori Communications. In the event of an adverse ruling in the De Agostini or the Cecchi Gori litigation, Telecom Italia Media’s obligation to pay the judgment is considered to relate to a liability incurred by SEAT prior to the Spin-off. In the event that Telecom Italia Media were unable to satisfy the judgment, New SEAT may be held liable for such obligation up to an aggregate amount equal to New SEAT’s shareholders’ equity (under Italian GAAP) on the Effective Date. Likewise, if New SEAT were unable to satisfy any liabilities incurred by SEAT prior to the Spin-off that were assumed by New SEAT as a result of the Spin-off, Telecom Italia Media might be held liable for such obligation up to an aggregate amount equal to Telecom Italia Media’s shareholders’ equity at the Effective Date. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media, as applicable.

For other risk factors relating to the Spin-off and the business of New SEAT, see “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors — Risks relating to the consequences of the proposed Spin-off” and “— Risks relating to the business of New SEAT”, respectively, in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The following selected financial information of New SEAT is provided to you to aid in the analysis of the financial aspects of the Spin-off. This information has been derived from the audited Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT for each of the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Financial Statements of New SEAT for the three months ended March 31, 2003, which were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are unaudited.

As is more fully discussed in Note 1 thereto, the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT presented in this Information Statement give effect to the transfer of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments to New SEAT as if the Spin-off had become effective on January 1, 2001.

The selected financial information set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Information Statement and “Operating and Financial Review” below. The selected financial information set forth below should also be read in conjunction with SEAT’s audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT represent the carved-out financial position, results of operations, cash flows and cumulative investment by parent company for the periods presented of New SEAT. The Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations or financial condition of New SEAT would have been for the periods or as of the dates indicated had New SEAT operated as a stand-alone entity, nor do they purport to represent the results of operations or financial condition New SEAT may have in the future.

In this Information Statement, all of the amounts are expressed in thousands of euro unless otherwise indicated.


(1)	In 2001 there were a number of material changes in the scope of consolidation. Certain companies were fully consolidated for the first time for the year ended December 31, 2001: Consodata S.A. (“Consodata”), PanAdress DirectMarketing GmbH (“Pan-Adress”), NetCreations Inc. (“NetCreations”), TDL Infomedia Ltd. (“TDL Infomedia”) and Telegate AG (“Telegate AG”).

Effective January 1, 1999, the following 11 member states of the European Union (“EU”) adopted the euro as a common currency: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. They also established fixed conversion rates between their respective sovereign currencies and the euro. On January 1, 2001, Greece (together with the 11 EU member states referred to in the previous sentence, the “Member States”) joined the European Economic and Monetary Union. The exchange rate at which the Italian Lira was irrevocably fixed against the euro is Lit.1,936.27 = €1.00. On January 1, 2002, the Member States began issuing new euro-denominated bills and coins for use in cash transactions. As of March 1, 2002, the Member States withdrew the bills and coins denominated in their respective currencies from circulation, and they are no longer legal tender for any transactions.

The following table sets forth, for the years 2001 and 2002 and through July 24, 2003 certain information regarding the Noon Buying Rate for U.S. dollars expressed in U.S. dollars per €1.


(1)	Average of the rates for the last business day of each month in the relevant period except for 2003 for which the date used is July 24, 2003.

The Spin-off was prompted by SEAT management’s view that the two broad market sectors in which SEAT operates — targeted advertising and telephone directory services and products on the one hand (through the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments) and traditional advertising and the Internet and media on the other hand (through the Internet, Office Products and Services, TV, and Professional Publishing business segments) — have increasingly developed separate and distinct characteristics in terms of strategy, operations and competitive landscape. The strategic objective of the Spin-off is to allow the business segments in each of these two sectors to focus on their respective core businesses. The Spin-off Plan contemplates the creation of two independent companies, each focused on its core businesses.

On April 1, 2003, the Board of Directors of SEAT approved the proposed proportional Spin-off of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments into a company which will be incorporated upon effectiveness of the Spin-off and will assume the name of “SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.”. SEAT’s other business segments will remain part of SEAT, which upon effectiveness of the Spin-off will be renamed “Telecom Italia Media S.p.A.”. The decision of the Board of Directors was based on the Spin-off Plan and the Board of Directors Report, both of which are incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibits B and C, respectively.

The following is a summary of the main terms and conditions of the Spin-off Plan.

The Spin-off Plan provides for the transfer to New SEAT of the following companies within SEAT’s Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments:

SEAT’s other companies and business segments will remain in SEAT, which, as noted above, will be renamed Telecom Italia Media.

The Spin-off plan provides for a Spin-off on a proportional basis based on the proportion of SEAT’s shareholders’ equity (under Italian GAAP) calculated as of December 31, 2002 that was attributable to, respectively, the companies and other portions of SEAT that will be transferred to New SEAT and those that will remain with Telecom Italia Media. Because the assignment of shares in New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be proportional, under Paragraph 3 of Article 2504 novies of the Italian Civil Code no independent expert’s report on the adequacy of the share exchange ratio pursuant to article 2501 quinquies of the Italian Civil Code is required. The assignment of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media shares will be made in accordance with the following ratio:

For every 40 ordinary or savings shares currently owned, holders who are shareholders of SEAT on the Effective Date will receive


	•	29 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of New SEAT, and

	•	11 ordinary or savings shares, as applicable, of Telecom Italia Media.

No consideration will be paid by SEAT’s shareholders for the shares of New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media.

The shares of both companies will be listed on the Telematico: the admission of New SEAT shares for listing is a condition of the effectiveness of the Spin-off.

For an English translation of the full text of the Spin-off Plan, see Exhibit B to this Information Statement.

On May 9, 2003, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved the Spin-off Plan. The extraordinary shareholders’ meeting also approved New SEAT’s by-laws, elected the members of New SEAT’s Board of Directors and Board of Statutory Auditors, appointed New SEAT’s independent auditors and approved the decision to apply for the listing of the Shares on the Telematico.

Prior to the shareholders’ meeting, an Italian informational document was filed with CONSOB and the Italian Stock Exchange and was made publicly available to shareholders. An English summary of the Italian informational document was furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K on April 29, 2003.

The following organization charts illustrate how New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be structured upon effectiveness of the Spin-off compared to SEAT’s structure as of December 31, 2002.

The chart below shows the organizational structure of SEAT as of December 31, 2002:

The chart below shows the organizational structure of New SEAT upon effectiveness of the Spin-off:

The chart below shows the organizational structure of Telecom Italia Media upon effectiveness of the Spin-off:

Under Italian law, the Spin-off Deed must be executed by a notary public and subsequently registered with the companies register of Milan, Italy for the Spin-off to become effective. The Spin-off Deed could not be executed until two months after the registration of the shareholders’ resolution approving the Spin-off in the companies register. This waiting period is required by Italian law in order to allow the creditors of SEAT sufficient time to make any objection to the Spin-off. The resolution approving the Spin-off was registered in the companies register of Milan, Italy, on May 19, 2003. The two-month creditor opposition period expired on July 19, 2003 without any objection having been made by any of SEAT’s creditors.

On July 21, 2003 SEAT received clearance from the Italian Stock Exchange for the listing of New SEAT shares on the Telematico and, on July 23, 2003, clearance (Nulla Osta) from CONSOB to publish the related listing prospectus. The admission of New SEAT shares for listing on the Telematico and the receipt of the Nulla Osta were conditions to the execution of the Spin-off Deed by the notary public. The Spin-off Deed was executed on July 25, 2003 and is expected to be registered with the companies register of Milan, Italy on August 1, 2003. Upon registration of the Spin-off Deed in the companies register, the Spin-off will become effective for all legal, tax and accounting purposes.

Based on the assignment ratio set forth in “— Spin-off Plan” above, the Shares will be assigned as of the opening of business on August 4, 2003 to holders who were shareholders of SEAT as of the close of business on August 1, 2003. Trading in the shares of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media is expected to commence on the Telematico on August 4, 2003.

Holders of SEAT ordinary and savings shares who have accounts with participants in Monte Titoli, the Italian centralized securities depositary owned by certain major Italian banks and financial institutions, are expected to be automatically credited with shares in New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media as of the opening of business on Thursday, August 7, 2003 in accordance with the Telematico’s T+3 settlement cycle. Pursuant to the Dematerialization Decree (as defined in “Market Information — Clearance and Settlement of New SEAT Shares” below), no physical share certificates will be issued.

As a result of the application of the assignment ratio described in “— Spin-off Plan” above to holdings of SEAT shares not evenly divisible by 40, the number of shares of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media to be assigned to a shareholder may include a fractional amount. To avoid this result, as part of the procedure for assigning the Shares (or the Telecom Italia Media shares, as applicable), a service will be provided to SEAT shareholders, through the Italian bank Mediocredito Centrale S.p.A., to round the number of Shares or Telecom Italia Media ordinary or savings shares to be assigned to any holder up or down to the nearest whole number (at the holder’s discretion), at no cost to the holder in terms of expenses, stamp duty or commissions. If the holder elects to round the fraction down, the holder will be paid cash in an amount equal to the corresponding fraction of the market price of the relevant shares for such fraction. The market price will be determined by the official price (as described in “Market Information — Securities Trading in Italy” below) of the relevant shares on the Telematico on August 4, 2003. The possibility to round up or round down fractional shares is available from August 4 through August 22, 2003.

The details of the treatment of fractional shares will be published in a notice to shareholders in Italian newspapers as well as other major financial publications.

No member of the Board of Directors of New SEAT has any special interests in or material transactions with New SEAT.

SEAT’s obligations in respect of outstanding stock options held but not yet exercised as of the Effective Date by employees of SEAT or its subsidiaries will be assumed, subject to the same terms and conditions of the relevant SEAT stock option plan, by New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media (depending on which company employs the relevant employee). For a description of SEAT’s stock option plans, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Compensation” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

In the event New SEAT will pay a dividend, holders of New SEAT ordinary shares will receive such dividends based on New SEAT’s earnings as calculated from the Effective Date onwards. The preferential rights holders of New SEAT savings shares have with respect to the distribution of dividends will be unaffected by the fact that New SEAT’s first fiscal year will be shorter than a calendar year.

The Spin-off will become effective for all purposes, including legal, accounting and tax purposes, on the Effective Date. As noted above, the Effective Date is expected to be August 1, 2003. The operating results and associated net cash flows of the business transferred to New SEAT will be attributed to New SEAT from and including August 1, 2003.

New SEAT will be incorporated on the Effective Date. It will acquire all the rights and obligations relating to the assets and liabilities transferred to it as a result of the Spin-off. All the necessary consents by parties to contracts with SEAT to their assignment to New SEAT or Telecom Italia Media, as applicable, have been obtained to the extent required by the relevant agreement.

The tax assets and tax liabilities of SEAT will be allocated proportionally to New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media in accordance with each company’s proportion of SEAT’s shareholders’ equity calculated as of December 31, 2002, unless a tax asset or tax liability is connected to a specific asset transferred to New SEAT or remaining with Telecom Italia Media, as applicable, in which case such tax asset or tax liability will be allocated to the company to which the specific asset is allocated.

Italian corporate law provides for special rights for creditors and other contracting parties of companies that are parties to a spin-off and distinguishes between the following two situations:

Liabilities of SEAT as of the Effective Date that were allocated or are attributable pursuant to the Spin-off Plan to a specific business segment transferred to New SEAT or remaining with Telecom Italia Media

In the first instance, the company with the business segment to which the relevant liability relates is liable under Italian law for such obligation. By operation of Italian law, in the event that such company does not meet its obligation, the other company will be jointly liable for such obligation. Each company’s liability for the other company’s obligations is subject to a maximum aggregate limit equal to the former’s shareholders’ equity (under Italian GAAP) as of the Effective Date.

For example, if Telecom Italia Media were unable to pay a debt incurred by SEAT prior to the Spin-off that was outstanding as of the Effective Date and that was allocated to one of its business segments, New SEAT will be jointly liable with Telecom Italia Media for such debt, up to a maximum aggregate limit equal to New SEAT’s shareholders’ equity as of the Effective Date. Telecom Italia has agreed to enter into an agreement with Telecom Italia Media to ensure that Telecom Italia Media will have the necessary means to meet its obligations.

Liabilities of SEAT as of the Effective Date that were not allocated or are not attributable to a specific business segment transferred to New SEAT or remaining with Telecom Italia Media

By operation of Italian law, New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media are jointly liable for the liabilities incurred by SEAT prior to the Spin-off that were outstanding as of the Effective Date that were not allocated or cannot be attributed to a specific business segment of either company pursuant to the Spin-off Plan or the Spin-off Deed.

New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will enter into an agreement which will provide that, as between themselves, the companies’ joint liability for any such liability will be allocated to each company based on the proportion of SEAT’s shareholders’ equity (under Italian GAAP) as of December 31, 2002 that is allocated to New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media, respectively.

New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will each be subject to the reporting obligations established by Italian law, CONSOB and the Italian Stock Exchange. Such reporting obligations include the filing of annual, semi-annual and periodic reports with CONSOB and the Italian Stock Exchange.

Telecom Italia Media currently expects to remain a reporting foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with Silver, described in “— Sale of Telecom Italia’s Majority Stake in New SEAT” below, Telecom Italia has agreed to the following terms with respect to its ongoing business relationship with New SEAT:


	•	Use of Telecom Italia’s database. New SEAT will be allowed to continue to use Telecom Italia’s database of telephone subscription customers free of charge.

	•	Telecom Italia’s Universal Service Obligation. New SEAT will continue to provide Telecom Italia with PAGINEBIANCHE (white pages) Directories. The contract with Telecom Italia regarding the publishing of advertising and information contents of PAGINEBIANCHE will remain in force. The agreement sets forth the times and conditions for the delivery of copies of PAGINEBIANCHE Directories to Telecom Italia pursuant to its universal service obligation.

	•	Advertising Space. The contract with Telecom Italia relating to advertising space on the PAGINEBIANCHE and PAGINEGIALLE (yellow pages) directories will remain in effect.

	•	Categorization of Customer. The contract with a company of the Telecom Italia Group to categorize business directories, which allows SEAT to assign to each business customer, irrespective of its telephone service provider, a specific sector for its listing in the PAGINEGIALLE directory and in other products and services with directory contents, will remain in effect.

	•	Telecom Italia’s Internet Portal. Telecom Italia will use its reasonable endeavors to cause Telecom Italia (with the exception of TIM) to include and maintain, for a period of five years from the closing date of the Purchase Agreement, with the homepages of www.virgilio.it or of any other portal which is or will be operated by Telecom Italia (other than TIM) hyperlinks to the websites www.paginegialle.it and www.paginebianche.it.

As a consequence of Telecom Italia’s decision that New SEAT was no longer strategic, Telecom Italia put in place an auction process to sell its equity stake in New SEAT as well as the equity stake that its subsidiaries, Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and Telecom Italia Information Technology S.p.A., will own in New SEAT. On June 10, 2003, Telecom Italia entered into a Purchase Agreement with Silver, which is directly or indirectly owned by a consortium of investors formed by various entities, including investment funds, belonging to the BC Partners, Permira/ Schroder, CVC/Citigroup and Investitori Associati groups, for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT (including shares resulting from the expected early exercise by Telecom Italia of the put/call options with J.P. Morgan for a notional amount of 710,777,200 SEAT shares, corresponding to approximately 6.2% of the share capital of SEAT). The agreed purchase price is €3.03 billion. Silver will also assume the estimated €708 million of debt of New SEAT at the closing. The completion of the sale is subject to the Spin-off becoming effective, and the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement with Silver, Telecom Italia has agreed to the following non-competition and non-solicitation terms with respect to New SEAT (New SEAT is not a party to the Purchase Agreement):


	•	Non-competition. Telecom Italia has agreed not to compete with the Directories and Business Information business segments transferred to New SEAT in Italy, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, France and Germany for a period of five years from the closing date of the Purchase Agreement, subject to certain exceptions relating to the ongoing directories and portal activities of Telecom Italia’s subsidiaries and ancillary activities related to Telecom Italia’s universal telecommunications service obligation or other activities mandated by law.

The duration of the non-competition obligation, as well as its content, may be limited depending on provisions of applicable laws or orders of any relevant authority.


	•	Non-solicitation of employees. For a period of two years from the closing date of the Purchase Agreement, Telecom Italia has undertaken not to solicit for employment any senior or key director, officer or key manager who is on the payroll of New SEAT.

For a chart showing the organizational structure of New SEAT upon effectiveness of the Spin-off, see “Description of the Spin-off — Current Structure and Structure after the Spin-off”.

For a description of the business of the Directories business segment and the parts of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments that will be spun off to New SEAT, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — New SEAT Business Segments — Directories”, “— Directory Assistance” and “— Business Information” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The following information about New SEAT’s sales channels, promotional activity and structure of production, sourcing and distribution is provided in addition to the information referred to above:

The commercial network, responsible for marketing the products and services provided by the Directories business segment in Italy, is headed by the Sales Division area and at March 31, 2003 consisted of 2,185 vendors, organized into four different sales channels. The four channels (Territorial Sales channel, Large Clients channel, Telephone Sales channel and Kompass channel) each cover a specific market sector, specific marketing strategies and each have a dedicated management structure. In order to ensure strategic consistency of their activities, all the channels have the following staff activities (Planning, Channel Management, Training & Recruiting, and Trade Marketing) in common.

This channel consists of 1,942 agents and 77 area managers. The organization is divided into eight territorial area headquarters, each of which is competent to preside over and organize the sales channel in a given part of Italy with registered offices in Turin, Milan, Brescia, Treviso, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples, respectively. The territorial organization also has five secondary offices in Bolzano, Cagliari, Ancona, Bari and Palermo.

The Territorial distribution agents sell the entire range of Italian products of New SEAT (with the exception of those under the Kompass trademark) to the market of economic operators (both clients and potential clients) in the average-high, average and average-low markets. All 1,942 agents operating in the channel are subject to an agency agreement, the main characteristics of which are: exclusive relationship with the company, indeterminate term, non-exclusive area, payment of a commission dependent on the outcome of the relationship with the client, and prohibition against any sub-agency relationship.

The load bearing structure of the sales force operating in this channel is represented by the zone office manager. There are 277 structures, distributed throughout Italy, each of which is headed by a zone manager, who manages the distribution agents (comprising a total of 720 senior agents, mainly with the task of managing clients and potential average clients, a total of 686 standard agents, responsible for selling to clients and potential average-low clients, and a total of 228 junior agents who are required to acquire new clients). The sales force (excluding the junior agents) is supported by a centralized computer system which processes and records all sales and post-sales activities.

This channel consists of 30 vendors (26 key account managers and four sales managers), who report to a channel manager. The channel has three offices (Milan, Bologna, Rome). The channel is responsible for sales of

Directories products. At present the channel manages approximately 1,850 clients. As with the Territorial Sales channel, the large clients channel is also supported by a centralized computer system which processes and records all sales and post-sales activities.

This channel consists of 72 vendors headed by three coordinators, in turn employed by a channel manager.

The channel operates with a mixed model (employees in Turin, Milan and Rome; agents in Varese and Milan). The channel manages clients through telephone contact. The considerable work load by employee is made possible by the fact that approximately 75% of the clients managed by the channel have a relationship with New SEAT based on tacit renewal policies, which require at the most maintenance work and not negotiations.

The sales organization includes 61 vendors (agents with a mandate) who operate in the Italian market by marketing exclusively annual products under the Kompass trademark.

Thomson Directories’ commercial structure consists entirely of employees. The sales force for the paper directory area and on-line area consists of approximately 400 employees. The business information area has its own sales structure of approximately 30 employees.

The sales force is organized into 10 sales departments which focus on client size. Its commercial structure includes 75 employees, responsible for managing, coordinating and controlling the sales force.

Euredit does not have its own commercial structure and operates in various markets through commercial agreements with the sales forces of local directory operators. In Italy, for example, Euredit sells the Europages product through the New SEAT network, while in France it uses the Wanadoo network, in Spain the TPI network and in Belgium the Promedia network.

In the context of the Directory Assistance business segment the only product to include revenues from the business of collecting advertising is 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle. Collecting advertising on the vocal portal is the responsibility of the Sales Division of New SEAT. Consistent with the business model used, the Telegate Group does not have its own sales force.

The sales channels in the Business Information business segment can be distinguished by the level of market maturity in which New SEAT operates: where companies are willing to invest in direct marketing services in order to know their clients’ requirements (approximately 30% of markets), sales activities are performed by brokers, advertising agencies and communications agencies. In less mature markets (approximately 70% of markets), such as Italy and France, sales activities are performed mainly through a specialized sales force operating in the territory. Consodata’s family Giallo Dat@ products, is marketed through the Sales Division of the New SEAT.

Editorial activities are structured into four distinct processes: management of data bases, management of advertising orders, editorial work and advertising graphics, and final paginations and electronic transfer of pages for advertising on various media.

The data bases include information relating to telephone subscribers and support files for editorial work (cities, roads, goods categories). As far as the telephone subscribers data is concerned, New SEAT receives an update every 10 days from Telecom Italia and from other main telecommunications operators. New SEAT also receives information from other operators with whom it enters into special arrangements. New SEAT organizes the information it uses for its business customers into categories set forth in the goods index which represents the classification base for SEAT.

The telephone subscribers archive is the main source of information for all New SEAT products and services and includes information on approximately 22 million telephone numbers, (4 million of whom are business users). There are approximately 4 million changes in the information New SEAT receives from telecommunications operators each year. The support archives — which include 8,200 cities, 700,000 streets and 6,000 descriptions of goods categories — provide the basis of all of New SEAT operating applications.

New SEAT agents sends all orders it receives by the sales force electronically to New SEAT’s central database. The present commercial information system, known as “CLIC”, was introduced in 1998 and allows agents to access all the available information on potential clients and management of commercial, administrative and editorial data. The system allows each agent to call up editorial contents as on line and on voice services by offering a selection of prearranged data made available on a central system. The original graphics and editorial graphics supplied by the client are mainly sent in paper form. It is expected that electronic transmission will increase. Electronic data sent by CLIC enters directly into the editorial information system which analyzes the data and attributes to the various elements the graphic form set down by advertising rules on the various products. New SEAT developed from scratch an editorial system which began its production phase in the early 1990’s. In 1996 the system was updated, to introduce the four color process to Yellow Pages and the new pagination lay-out of the directories. In 2002 the new PAGINEBIANCHE and the new PAGINEGIALLE were printed on paper form. Currently efforts are made to develop innovations for the online business.

Editorial processing and advertising graphics consists of the graphic processing of places, spaces outside the text and web pages. Most of these activities are outsourced, linked on line to New SEAT’s graphic advertising archives, and managed internally by a work-flow and monitoring system. The suppliers operate under a system of quality self-certification and with a supply contract which provides an incentive scheme.

Processing is developed with graphic applications on a MacIntosh platform, processing the originals supplied by clients or using logs and images already present in the advertising archives. An added value for New SEAT, correlated to the graphic processing stage, consists of selecting and indexing all graphic and text elements of advertising for the purposes of continually enriching the corporate data bases.

At the end of editing and graphic work, the advertising objects are sent in paper or electronic draft or are made available for New SEAT’s customers on the Internet.

In 2002, 260,000 advertising spaces are being entered graphically in directories, 110,000 logos for directories and cd-roms, and 240,000 web pages with images.

The final lay-out of pagination of editorial products is fully automated and is based on a program belonging to New SEAT, which extracts the data to be published such as information on free listing, advertising spaces and service information and paginates the information on the basis of the specificities of the individual products. The graphic elements are inserted automatically using software supplied by CCI Europe.

The pagination program, which is particularly sophisticated, makes up to 700 attempts per page, the objective being to reach the maximum lay-out quality and optimize space occupied. The system has the potential of being able to automatically paginate more than 2,500 pages for each nightly session. The pagination is printed on paper for a final check to eliminate anomalies and to allow changes to be made after the advertisement has been agreed upon. This proof is made available electronically for any online corrections to increase the ability to make corrections prior to printing. Once these controls are completed, the end version of the product to be printed is transmitted electronically to the ILTE printing house which engraves the plates using a computer-to-plate system and proceeds subsequently to print, bind and package the products.

To manage voice products and the pagination of online products, New SEAT uses fully automated programs belonging to New SEAT, which are constantly updated to meet the ever increasing service requirements. Free listing information is updated every two weeks, while advertising information is updated daily. Certain services are offered by other companies, in particular, Internet services are provided by Matrix S.p.A. (a company part of Telecom Italia Media) and voice services by companies belonging to New SEAT (IMR S.r.l. and Telegate Italia S.r.l.).

White Pages are distributed to Telecom Italia’s approximately 25 million telephone subscribers directly by Telecom Italia to comply with its universal telecommunications services obligations.

New SEAT distributes White Pages to subscribers of other telephone telecommunications companies and delivers Yellow Pages to approximately 18 million individual subscribers and 4 million companies. New SEAT uses two companies, on the basis of a two-year contract, for the distribution of the directories to subscribers. These companies collect the volumes of the previous edition for reuse as pulp paper. Telephone inquiries are performed to check the quality of the distribution process.

The results of the telephone inquiry, together with respect for the distribution times and the quantity of old volumes recovered, make up the base for applying fines or awarding the incentives provided for by the tender contracts.

Thomson’s production process does not differ significantly from that of Yellow Pages, described above.

In Italy (89.24.24) and in Germany (11.88.0) calls received mainly through the telephone networks of Telecom Italia and Deutsche Telekom, respectively, as well as other fixed and mobile telephony operators, are managed by two call centers in Turin and eight call centers in Germany (Neubrandenburg, Rostock, Wismar, Greifswald, Anklam, Gustrow, Stralsund and Schwedt). The technology used in Germany consists of software supplied by Varetis AG which allows access to own databases and those of national and international operators. Most of the hardware used was purchased from Siemens AG. In Germany the infrastructure can handle up to 500,000 calls a day.

In the context of individual call centers activities are organized into working groups with a team leader at their head who guarantees supervision of the quality of the service provided and prompt intervention in the case of unexpected occurrences.

Besides the call centers referred to above, call-centers are also active in Madrid (Spain) and the Dumfries (UK).

The cycle for data collection essentially consists of: database management, creativity, editing, printing, distribution, return information.

Database management consists of keeping and updating information on databases, or respecting the correct indicators of scale and updating the data base. It also ensures the correctness of the information stored. Another activity in the stage of implementation for the databases is to create or implement the possibilities of interrelation between the various types of data base and the sources feeding them.

This represents the process of creating the format, presentation, graphics and chrome of questionnaires.

This is the editorial stage of pagination, consisting of the layout of texts, images, spacing and page turning.

This is the final stage of developing questionnaires, where the printing is carried out in accordance with specific techniques identified as paper, binding and printing plant with respect for the requisite indicators of quality.

This consists of delivering the questionnaires to identified targets (families, communities, business activities and others) by individual posting or posting combined with other editorial products or other product types.

This manages the return to the sender of information, consisting of an analysis of the contents, reliability, completeness, statistics, validation and cataloguing.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the audited Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT for each of the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the notes thereto, and the unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and the notes thereto, which are contained elsewhere in this Information Statement. It should also be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

As is more fully explained in Note 1 thereto, the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT contained in this Information Statement give effect to the transfer of the Directories business segment and substantially all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments as if the Spin-off had become effective on January 1, 2001. Likewise, the discussion and analysis that follows is written as if New SEAT had operated as a stand-alone entity since January 1, 2001 and had obtained the financial results set forth in the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT. The Special Purpose Carve-out Financial Statements of New SEAT are not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations or financial condition of New SEAT would have been for the periods or as of the dates indicated had New SEAT operated as a stand-alone entity, nor do they purport to represent the results of operations or financial condition New SEAT may have in the future.

New SEAT Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2001 and 2002

The following table presents selected data derived from the New SEAT Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002.

Recent Developments — New SEAT Unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003

Revenues for New SEAT for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were €189.9 million. Revenues in the first quarter were adversely affected by the strong seasonal effect of the lower number of directories published both in Italy and abroad. The advertising market continued to show recessionary trends. Operating expenses for New SEAT totaled €274,812 in the first quarter of 2003, consisting of costs of materials in the amount of €10,761, costs of external services in the amount of €81,667, salaries, wages and employee benefits in the amount of €52,072, depreciation and amortization in the amount of €114,795 and other operating expenses of €15,517. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, New SEAT showed a net loss of €43,955.

For a discussion of the cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2003, see — “Special Purpose Carve-out Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

Revenues for 2002 were €1,419,519 compared to €1,375,718 in 2001, an increase of approximately 3%. In 2002 operating revenues were comprised of revenues of the various New SEAT business segments, as discussed below:


	•	€1,159,994 from the Directories segment, consisting of revenues from the sale of advertising in its Yellow Pages, White Pages and other directories, the distribution of printed and online products and the distribution of other communications products for small and medium-sized enterprises compared to €1,137,952 in 2001, an increase of 2%. In the Directories segment the overall decline in advertising revenues was offset by the introduction of new products, an increase of 7,000 customers to a total of 743,000 customers as of December 31, 2002, an increase of 10,000 advertisers to a total of 680,000 advertising clients as of December 31, 2002 and an increase of 3,000 units of printed directories as well as increased on-line activities and the development of promotional items. Revenues from TDL Infomedia remained stable despite the unfavorable sterling-euro exchange rate.

	•	€141,956 from the Directory Assistance segment, consisting of revenues from its Telegate voice portal and 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle services, compared to €142,266 in 2001, a decrease of 0.2%. In the Directory Assistance segment, net revenues increased primarily due to the revenues generated by 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle due to the increase in revenues from telephone traffic and the substantial increase in advertising revenues, partially offset by an approximate combined 15% decline in revenues from the


		Italian and foreign call-center operations. The decline in the Italian call-center business was caused by increased competition in the out-bound market and the decline in foreign call-center operations was caused by the poor performance of the German market.

	•	€117,569 from the Business Information segment, consisting of revenues from the direct marketing and database services provided by Consodata, NetCreations and Pan Adress, compared to €95,500 in 2001, an increase of 23%. The increase from revenues was primarily attributable to a full year of consolidation in 2002 for Consodata and NetCreations compared to only a partial year in 2001, the year of their acquisition by SEAT. The primary operating factors that affected the Business Information segment were the continued reduction of investments in direct marketing services by large companies that are the main purchasers of these services and the trend towards higher value products at the same prices compared to 2001 due to increased financial constraints of the customers of the Business Information segment.


	•	€79,553 for the Directories segment, compared to €73,734 in 2001, an increase of 8%, primarily due to the increase in sales volumes which were partially offset by reduced operating costs, including a decrease in paper consumption and advertising costs.

	•	€321 for the Directory Assistance segment, compared to €2,662 in 2001, a decrease of 112%, primarily due to the further development of proprietary databases.

	•	€16,238 for the Business Information segment, compared to €33,590 in 2001, a decrease of 52%, primarily due to a reduction in the use of paper and other operating costs which was partially offset by the purchase of mailing lists for use in the direct marketing of business information products.

The cost of external services was €462,244 in 2002 compared to €454,476 in 2001, an increase of approximately 2%.


	•	€341,557 for the Directories segment, compared to €355,605 in 2001, a decrease of 4%, primarily due to the marketing of new products that required more resources in the launch phase.

	•	€63,895 for the Directory Assistance segment, compared to €93,873 in 2001, a decrease of 32%, primarily due to a reorganization process aimed at rebalancing the cost structure which led to a strong reduction in advertising costs and a shift to a lower cost telecommunications provider.


	•	€56,792 for the Business Information segment, compared to €4,998 in 2001, an increase of 1,036%, primarily due to the inclusion of a full year of costs in 2002 related to the acquisition of Pan Adress, Consodata and NetCreations compared with the inclusion of these costs for only a portion of 2001 because the acquisitions occurred during the year.

Salaries, wages and employee benefit costs were €280,845 in 2002 compared to €297,715 in 2001, a decrease of approximately 6%.


	•	€175,029 for the Directories segment, compared to €187,548 in 2001, a decrease of 7%, primarily due to the reduction in headcount to 2,220 at December 31, 2002 compared to 2,281 at December 31, 2001, which was partially offset by the introduction of the new management incentive scheme in favor of the SEAT group executives and middle management and the recruitment of several executives from the Matrix subsidiaries.

	•	€57,989 for the Directory Assistance segment, compared to €70,496 in 2001, a decrease of 18%, primarily due to the reduction in headcount to 2,712 at December 31, 2002 from 3,775 at December 31, 2001. The reduction in the headcount was mainly in the German call-center unit.

	•	€47,827 for the Business Information segment, compared to €39,671 in 2001 primarily due to a full year of consolidation in 2002 for Consodata and NetCreations compared to only a partial year in 2001, the year of their acquisition by SEAT. This increase was offset by the reduction in headcount to 812 at December 31, 2002 compared to 912 at December 31, 2001.

Depreciation and amortization was €530,194 in 2002 compared to €1,577,700 in 2001, a decrease of 66%, and consisted primarily in the amortization of intangible assets.


	•	€444,483 for the Directories segment, compared to €1,352,410 in 2001, a decrease of 67%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

	•	€40,151 for the Directory Assistance segment, compared to €164,379 in 2001, a decrease of 76%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

	•	€45,560 for the Business Information segment, compared to €60,911 in 2001, a decrease of 25%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

SEAT conducts an annual review for indicators of impairment of long-lived assets and, based on its review of the businesses and related cash flows, SEAT determined that a potential impairment existed regarding the goodwill arising from many of its acquisitions. SEAT performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy and, as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge of €2,930,707 in 2001 for the fair value of the New SEAT’s reporting units. The most significant writedowns were for the Directories segment in the amount of €1,506,014, Telegate in the amount of €907,385 and Consodata in the amount of €457,437.

In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 142, the annual impairment test of goodwill was conducted as of December 31, 2002. As part of that assessment, it was determined that certain reporting units contained goodwill that was potentially impaired. The 2002 review incorporated into the analysis all of the known facts and management strategies at the time, including the possibility that the ownership levels of certain businesses might change in the future. In particular, Telecom Italia, SEAT’s majority owner, had been assessing the structure and benefits of maintaining its majority stake in the business segments constituting New SEAT. Although Telecom Italia management had not committed to a plan regarding the sale of its majority stake in the business segments constituting New SEAT until after December 31, 2002, the possible disposal valuations of the New SEAT business segments were considered. The 2001 valuation approach was based on a discounted cash flow model, using the best estimates of management at that time. In 2002 the fair value of the affected reporting units was derived based on an assessment of recent trading multiples for other similar assets. This approach was used as, given the increasing likelihood that Telecom Italia would sell these assets, the use of multiples for recent transactions for similar assets was considered more indicative of fair value than a discounted cash flow analysis. Using the comparables approach to the valuation, SEAT identified that the fair value of the New SEAT reporting units’ implied goodwill, after performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, including intangibles, was €5,330,936 less than the carrying value of these assets, which led to a writedown in the Directories business segment in this amount.

Other operating expenses decreased by €19,179 to €66,978 in 2002, compared to €86,157 in 2001, a decrease of approximately 22%.


	•	€61,093 in the Directories segment, compared to €76,673 in 2001, a decrease of 20%, primarily due to lower write-offs of trade receivables due to better collection and to lower provisions made for contract risks and other charges, as there were no particular risks at the end of the year that would have required a level of provisions similar to that in 2001.

	•	€3,258 in the Directory Assistance segment, compared to €8,090 in 2001, a decrease of 60%, primarily due to increased provisions recorded for the Telegate Group.

	•	€2,627 in the Business Information segment, compared to €1,394 in 2001, an increase of 88%, primarily due to increased provisions for NetCreations and an increase in excise tax applicable to the Consodata Group.

Operating loss was €5,347,790 in 2002 compared to €4,075,699 in 2001, an increase of 31%, primarily due to the increase in the writedown of impaired assets in the Directories segment in 2002 compared to 2001.

Net interest expense was €71,454 in 2002, compared to €42,165 in 2001, an increase of approximately 69%.


	•	€62,043 in the Directories segment compared to €38,979 in 2001, an increase of 59%, primarily due to the higher expense for the medium/long-term debt of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. due to an interest rate collar contract entered into to hedge against the effects of changes in the Euribor for a €700 million credit facility, which has since been repaid. SEAT had an interest rate swap with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of July 1, 2003, under which SEAT received 3-month Euribor plus 0.70% and paid 3-month Euribor plus 0.017%. Additionally, SEAT had an interest rate collar with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which SEAT paid the difference between 5.8% and EURIBOR if the EURIBOR was below 3.99%. SEAT received the difference between EURIBOR and 5.8% if EURIBOR exceeded 5.8%.

	•	€6,513 in the Directory Assistance segment compared to €1,975 in 2001, an increase of 230%, primarily due to the exchange rate charges recorded by Telegate Group in 2002 for a total amount of €10,452 related to the loans granted to the Telegate Inc. subsidiary.

	•	€2,898 in the Business Information segment compared to €1,211 in 2001, an increase of 139%, primarily due to the exchange rate charges recorded by NetCreations (€145) and Consodata Group Ltd. (€301).

Equity in losses of affiliated companies was €7,739 in 2002, compared to €28,798 in 2001, a decrease of approximately 73%.

The tax benefit was €84,343 and €122,314 for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, the tax benefits for the respective years differ from applying the Italian statutory tax rate of 40.25% to pretax losses primarily due to the non-deductibility of goodwill amortization and write-down, the non-deductibility of other expenses and the increase in valuation reserves which will decrease to 38.25% for 2003 due to the reduction of the Italian corporate income tax rate from 36% to 34% effective from January 1, 2003.

Net loss was €5,263,358 in 2002, compared to €4,052,100 in 2001, an increase of approximately 30%. The increased net loss was due to the individual factors described above.

Net debt decreased from €1,148,824 at December 31, 2001 to €1,265,581 at December 31, 2002 due to the cash generated by the Directories business in Italy, net of the investments incurred.

New SEAT’s primary source of liquidity is cash generated from operations and its principal uses of funds are the payment of operating expenses, capital expenditures and investments, the servicing of debt and, for the year ended December 31, 2001, strategic investments such as international acquisitions.

The following table summarizes New SEAT’s Special Purpose Carve-out Statement of Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 and New SEAT’s unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Statement of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2003.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2002 was €319,663 compared to €216,357 in 2001. In 2001, the cash flow was related to the acquisitions in 2001 along with a full year’s consolidation of businesses purchased in 2000. In 2002, the strong increase in cash flow was related to the strong operational cash generated by the Directories business segment and was partially related to the more successful collection of, and a resulting decrease in, accounts receivable, increased sales at a lower cost caused by a reduction in the cost of salaries, wages and employee benefits, and the disposal of loss-making assets.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003 was €59,212 which was in line with the seasonality of revenues related to the Directories business, which are generally stronger in the second half of the year in accordance with the publishing schedule for directories.

Net cash used in investing activities was €56,797 in 2002 compared to €55,746 in 2001. The main item in 2002 consisted of proceeds from disposals in the amount of €58,995 compared to €12,206 in 2001. Capital expenditures decreased to €13,182 in 2002 compared to €40,418 in 2001, while investments in intangible assets increased to €26,905 in 2002 compared to €10,943 in 2001. The disposal of operating assets and the reduction in the acquisition of new operating assets were a result of management’s decision to focus on the core business of the business segments constituting New SEAT and to reduce capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003 amounted to €19,340, consisting primarily of investments in intangible assets in the amount of €18,849.

Net cash used in financing activities was €278,749 in 2002 compared to €165,801 in 2001. In addition to the investment by parent company, 2001 cash flows from financing activities also included proceeds from long-term debt of €194,862, partially offset by repayments of long-term debt of €176,023. The main change in the net cash provided by financing activities was the reduction in short-term borrowings.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003 was €42,134, consisting mainly in net changes in short-term advances to Telecom Italia of €34,253.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the investments in long-lived assets attributable to the business segments constituting New SEAT.

Capital expenditures related primarily to hardware and operating software in 2001 and 2002.

Additions to intangible assets related primarily to application software for online activities. The €16,591 and €75,706 of financial investments in 2001 and 2002, respectively, reflect the cash portion of business acquisitions and various minority interest investments.

The following table shows New SEAT’s Special Purpose Carve-out contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2002.

New SEAT’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2002, including the current portion of such long-term debt, amounted to €1,133,729.

A significant portion of the debt was represented by SEAT’s €700 million floating rate notes due July 1, 2003, which bear interest at the variable rate of 3 months Euribor plus 0.70% and by SEAT’s €303,040 fixed rate notes due July 1, 2005 bearing interest at a rate of 6.5%. These notes represent unsecured obligations of New SEAT and are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Interest payments on the variable rate notes were due quarterly each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Interest payments on the fixed rate notes are due annually each July 1. Other components of New SEAT’s long-term debt include €119,995 senior subordinated notes due

New SEAT has a number of interest rate swap and collar agreements, which partially modify the interest rate characteristics of New SEAT’s fixed and floating rate notes described above and partially limit New SEAT’s exposure to variable interest rate risks by providing an interest rate cap and floor.

With respect to the fixed rate notes due July 1, 2005, New SEAT has two interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of €200 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which SEAT receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.07%. New SEAT has an additional interest rate swap with a notional amount of €100 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which New SEAT receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.11%. New SEAT also has two interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of €300 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which New SEAT receives EURIBOR flat and pays fixed rates of 5.255% and 5.1575%, respectively.

At December 31, 2002, New SEAT had unsecured short-term lines of credit with banks, including bank overdraft facilities, providing borrowings up to approximately €28,000 of which €15,095 was advanced at December 31, 2002. The lines of credit bear various interest rates including both fixed and variable interest rates. At December 31, 2002, the weighted-average interest rate was approximately 3.8% per annum. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit are payable upon demand.

New SEAT enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion of the risk related to fixed sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of SEAT’s foreign currency risk management activities is to protect SEAT from the risk that future cash flows resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.


	•	two forward exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars with a notional amount of $16.5 million to hedge against exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate AG denominated in U.S. dollars.

	•	three forward exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars with a net notional amount of $35.5 million to hedge against exchange risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate Inc. denominated in U.S. dollars.

	•	one forward exchange contract to sell pound sterling with a net notional amount of $3.3 million to hedge against exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate Ltd. denominated in pound sterling.

	•	one forward exchange contract to buy U.S. dollars with a net notional amount of $9.2 million to hedge against exchange rate risks related to bonds denominated in U.S. dollars.

New SEAT does not, as of the date of this Information Statement, have plans for substantial capital expenditures. For a description of SEAT’s capital expenditure commitments as of December 31, 2002, see note 17 to the Special Purpose Carve-Out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT contained elsewhere in this Information Statement. New SEAT’s capital expenditure commitments relate primarily to additional software and hardware. New SEAT believes that cash flow from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its anticipated capital expenditure and long-term debt requirements.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, Notes 2 and 18 to the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements of New SEAT, which respectively summarize New SEAT’s significant accounting policies with respect to, among other things, derivative financial instruments and credit risk, and provide certain information with respect to derivative financial instruments held by New SEAT. It should also be read in conjunction with “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in the SEAT Annual Report which is incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

In the normal course of business, the financial position of New SEAT is routinely subjected to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risks. These market risks principally relate to New SEAT’s outstanding debt and assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the euro. New SEAT does not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes. The following discussion is based on the amounts of indebtedness derived from the Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2001 and 2002.

New SEAT’s debt is used to support the financing of its domestic and international business and contains an element of market risk from changes in interest and currency rates. With respect to interest rates applicable to medium-and long-term debt, New SEAT’s policy is to utilize both floating rate and fixed rate debt with different ranges of maturity. New SEAT’s policy is intended to optimize the mix of cost of funding and risk exposure.

The table below sets forth, as of the periods indicated, the aggregate principal amount of New SEAT’s long-term debt, including the current portion of such debt, payable in each year through 2007 and thereafter.


(1)	Bonds are callable on October 15, 2004 at a price, respectively, of 106.0625% for the bond denominated in British pounds sterling and 107.75% for the bond denominated in U.S. dollars. The original maturity dates are 2009 and 2010.

The table below sets forth, as of the periods indicated, the aggregate principal amount of New SEAT’s long-term debt (in accordance with Italian GAAP) outstanding at year-end, excluding the current portion of such debt, and the average interest rate, broken down by type of loan. As of December 31, 2002, the fair value of such outstanding debt amounted to approximately €1,182 million. The financial debt’s market value is estimated on the basis of the present value of the future cash flows.


(1)	Bonds are callable on at October 15, 2004 at a price, respectively, of 106.0625% for bond denominated in British pounds sterling and 107.75% for the bond denominated in U.S. dollars. The original maturity dates are 2009 and 2010.

As of December 31, 2002, approximately 90% of New SEAT’s long-term debt was denominated in Euro, while approximately 10% was denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars and British pounds sterling. After taking into account New SEAT’s derivative financial instruments, management believes that New SEAT’s long-term debt is not materially exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. At December 31, 2002, approximately 90% of the long-term debt carried a floating rate.


	•	New SEAT monitors on a regular basis the activities and the level and value of the current market risk exposures, and determines the maximum level of interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk to which New SEAT should be exposed.

	•	New SEAT uses derivative financial instruments to manage these risks as discussed below and does not, in the ordinary course, enter into such instruments on a speculative basis. It is New SEAT’s policy to retain any such instruments until maturity.

	•	New SEAT continually evaluates the credit quality of counterparties to minimize the risk of non-performance. Any derivative financial instruments are entered into with major banks or financial institutions.

New SEAT seeks to minimize market risk of its operating and financing activities and, depending on the evaluation of its exposures, selectively enters into derivative financial instruments. New SEAT defines the optimal mixture of fixed- and floating-rate debt in each currency, and enters into financial derivatives to adjust their risk profile accordingly. Interest rate swaps (“IRSs”) are used to reduce the interest rate exposure on fixed-rate and floating-rate bank loans and bonds. As a result of these hedging activities, management believes that New SEAT as of December 31, 2002 was not subject to any material foreign exchange risk in its financial indebtedness or in its commercial operations.

To determine the market value of the financial derivatives, New SEAT uses its own pricing models. The market value of IRSs reflects the present value difference between the fixed rate to be paid/received and the interest rate assessed on the basis of the market trend having the same expiry date as the swap. IRSs involve or can involve the exchange of flows of interest calculated on the applicable notional principal amount at the agreed fixed or variable rates at the specified maturity date with the counterparties. The notional principal amount does not represent the amount exchanged between the parties and therefore does not constitute a measure of exposure to credit risk, which is instead limited to the amount of interest or interest differentials to be received at the interest payment date.

The counterparties to derivative contracts are generally highly rated banks and financial institutions and such counterparties are continually monitored by New SEAT in order to minimize the risk of non-performance.

The following tables give a description of New SEAT’s financial derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2002 to hedge its debt positions.

The following table lists the SEAT shareholders who are expected to own more than 2% of New SEAT ordinary shares upon effectiveness of the Spin-off.


(1)	The number of shares was calculated by applying the assignment ratio to the share ownership as of July 23, 2003 taking into account the waiver by Telecom Italia of the right to receive a small number of New SEAT shares for rounding purposes.

(2)	The percent of class was calculated on the basis of the share capital of New SEAT as of the Effective Date equal to €247,538,714.46 divided into 8,251,290,482 shares of which 8,115,215,696 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 savings shares with a par value of €0.03 each, taking into account the waiver by Telecom Italia of the right to receive a small number of New SEAT shares for rounding purposes.

(3)	Includes the shares held by Telecom Italia directly and indirectly through Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and TI.IT Telecom Italia Information Technology S.p.A., which own 4,387,345,396 shares corresponding to 54.063%, 167,732,570 shares corresponding to 2.067% and 1,386,455 shares corresponding to 0.017%, respectively.

(4)	Upon the expected early exercise by Telecom Italia of the put/call option with respect to 710,777,200 SEAT shares held by J.P. Morgan Whitefriars Inc. on or about August 1, 2003, J.P. Morgan Whitefriars Inc.’s equity interest in New SEAT is expected to fall below 2%.

There is no person known to SEAT who is expected to own more than 2% of New SEAT’s ordinary shares upon effectiveness of the Spin-off other than as set forth above.

The following table shows the number of New SEAT ordinary shares that are expected to be owned by directors and members of the Board of Statutory Auditors of New SEAT upon effectiveness of the Spin-off.


(1)	For each director, the expected number of New SEAT shares was calculated by applying the assignment ratio to the number of SEAT shares held by such director as of July 23, 2003 and rounding up any fractions.

As of July 23, 2003, none of SEAT’s directors or member of SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors owned any SEAT savings shares.

As of July 23, 2003, the total ownership of SEAT ordinary shares by senior managers of SEAT was 1,453,360 ordinary shares, representing less than 0.02% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital. As of July 23, 2003, SEAT’s senior managers did not own any Savings Shares.

As set forth in “Section 6. Consequences of the Spin Off on Any Shareholders’ Agreements” in the Board of Directors Report attached as Exhibit C to this Information Statement, the Spin-off is not expected to have any effect on the shareholders’ agreements described in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” of the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

At the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on May 9, 2003, SEAT’s ordinary shareholders approved the Spin-off Plan, which among other things provided that SEAT’s Board of Directors would become New SEAT’s Board of Directors upon effectiveness of the Spin-off. The New SEAT Board of Directors’ term will expire upon the approval by the annual general meeting of New SEAT’s ordinary shareholders of New SEAT’s financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2003. New SEAT’s Board of Directors will have the same powers as SEAT’s current Board of Directors in that New SEAT’s by-laws will be identical (except for the indicated amount of share capital and number of shares) to SEAT’s current by-laws.

For a discussion of the function and members of the Board of Directors of New SEAT, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The aggregate annual compensation that will be paid to New SEAT’s Board of Directors will be €1,162,018.

It is expected that the composition of the Boards of Directors of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be identical (except that Mr. Giliberti is not a director of Telecom Italia Media and Guido Roberto Vitale is a director of Telecom Italia Media) at least until the closing of Silver’s acquisition of Telecom Italia’s majority stake in New SEAT.

Until the appointment of the management of New SEAT, New SEAT will be managed by the current management of SEAT and the business segments constituting New SEAT, as set forth below.

The management of New SEAT will be appointed by the Board of Directors of New SEAT at its first meeting, which is scheduled to take place on or about August 8, 2003.

The Spin-off Plan approved by the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of SEAT on May 9, 2003 also provided that the members of SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors would become New SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors upon effectiveness of the Spin-off. The New SEAT Board of Statutory Auditors’ term will expire upon the approval by the annual general meeting of New SEAT’s ordinary shareholders of New SEAT’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005.

The Board of Statutory Auditors of New SEAT will be comprised of three statutory members (sindaci effettivi) and two alternates (sindaci supplenti) as follows:

For a discussion of the function and members of the Board of Statutory Auditors of New SEAT, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — Board of Statutory Auditors” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

The annual compensation of the Chairman of the Statutory Board of Auditors will be €61,975 and the other members will each receive an annual compensation of €41,317.

It is expected that the composition of the Boards of Statutory Auditors of New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media will be identical at least until the closing of Silver’s acquisition of Telecom Italia’s majority stake in New SEAT.

Pursuant to Article 159 of Italian Legislative Decree No. 58/98 and to the resolution of SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting which approved the Spin-off, Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. will be New SEAT’s independent external auditors for the three year period 2003 – 2005.

It is New SEAT’s intention to establish effective committees to be in line with international best practices and the Italian Preda Code. The Preda Code is a voluntary corporate Governance Code drawn up by the Italian Committee for the Corporate Governance Committee of Listed Companies.

As of March 31, 2003, the business segments constituting New SEAT had 5,349 employees, broken down into the following categories:

All of New SEAT’s employees are covered by national collective bargaining agreements and company specific collective bargaining agreements. New SEAT believes that its relationship with its employees will continue to be good.

New SEAT, like SEAT before it and other companies in the telephone directories business, expects to be frequently named as a defendant in routine litigation relating to printing and pricing mistakes occurring in the publishing of client advertisements in its directories and other products.

For a discussion of the material legal proceedings related to the Directories business segment and the parts of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments that will be spun off to New SEAT, see “Item 8. Financial Information — Legal Proceedings — General” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

For a discussion of the regulatory aspects of the Directories business segment and the parts of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments that will be spun off to New SEAT, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — Regulation” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached here to as Exhibit A.

The following are the properties (owned and leased) relating to the Directories business segment and the parts of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments that will be spun off to New SEAT:

At the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on May 9, 2003, SEAT’s ordinary shareholders approved the Spin-off Plan, which among other things provided that the by-laws of New SEAT will be identical to SEAT’s current by-laws except for the issued and outstanding share capital, which for New SEAT will amount to €247,538,714.46 divided into 8,251,290,482 shares with a nominal value of €0.03 each, of which 8,115,215,696 will be ordinary shares and 136,074,786 will be savings shares. All of the ordinary shares and savings shares will be validly issued and fully paid. The ordinary shares will be in registered form, while the savings shares may be either in registered or bearer form.

The New SEAT ordinary and savings shares will have identical rights to those of existing SEAT ordinary and savings shares.

For a description of the current by-laws of SEAT, which as noted above will be virtually identical to New SEAT’s by-laws, and a description of the SEAT ordinary and savings shares, see “Item 10. Additional Information — Memorandum and Articles of Association” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

For a copy of the by-laws of New SEAT, see Exhibit D attached to this Information Statement.

New SEAT has no current plans to have a dividend policy different from that of SEAT. For a discussion of SEAT’s dividend policy, see “Item 8. Financial Information — Dividends” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Upon consummation of the Spin-off, the Shares will be listed on the Telematico which will be the principal trading market for the Shares. The Shares will not be listed on any exchange outside of Italy.

Since July 1994, all Italian equity securities have been traded on the Telematico except for those of certain smaller companies and cooperative banks traded on the Mercato Ristretto under certain specific rules concerning trading hours and procedures and for those of high growth companies traded on the Nuovo Mercato.

The Telematico is organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A., a joint stock company.

Securities transactions on the Telematico are settled on a cash basis. Cash transactions are settled on the third business day following the trading date. The Italian Stock Exchange issues a daily official list with certain information on transactions in each listed security, including the volume traded and the high and low prices of the day. No “closing price” is reported, but an “official price” calculated as a weighted average price of all trades effected during the trading day and a “reference price”⁽¹⁾ are reported. The Bank of Italy clearing system assists with the settlement of transactions and the delivery of securities traded.

Residents of Italy and non-residents through their authorized agents may purchase or sell shares on the Telematico, subject to satisfying (i) in case of sales, either the Margin (defined below) or the Deposit (defined below), and (ii) in case of purchases, the Margin. “Margin” means a deposit equal to 100% of the agreed price, and “Deposit” means a deposit of an equal number of the same shares as those sold. If in the course of a trading day the maximum price variation between two consecutive contracts is ±5%, or the maximum price variation of the contracts with respect to the control price⁽²⁾ is ±10% an automatic five-minute suspension is declared. In the event of such a suspension, effect is not given to trades agreed but not confirmed before the suspension. In addition, the Italian Stock Exchange has the authority to suspend trading in any security in response to extreme price fluctuations or for other reasons.

From May 15, 2000, the most liquid shares traded on the Telematico,including SEAT’s ordinary and savings shares, have been traded on the Mercato After Hours, an automated screen trading system managed by the Italian Stock Exchange. The Mercato After Hours operates from 6.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on every trading day, substantially under the same rules as the Telematico except that the price of any security may not fluctuate by more than 3.5% from the reference price of such securities on the Telematico on the same day.

Effective July 1, 1998, the Italian financial markets have been regulated by the Legislative Degree No. 58 of February 24, 1998 (the “Draghi Law)”. With the Draghi Law, the Italian Government introduced new laws and regulations governing certain aspects of the financial sector, in particular: (i) brokers and firms managing financial instruments; (ii) the Italian regulated stock exchanges; (iii) public offerings of financial instruments; (iv) public tender offers; (v) certain aspects of corporate governance of listed companies; and (vi) insider trading. The Draghi Law contains framework provisions which have been implemented by specific regulations.

Legislative Decree No. 213 of June 24, 1998 (the “Dematerialization Decree”) provided for the dematerialization of financial instruments publicly traded on regulated markets, including treasury bonds. From July 9, 1998, all companies that issue financial instruments that are publicly traded on regulated markets must inform Monte Titoli, which will open an account in the name of each company in its register.

Beneficial owners of ordinary or savings shares of New SEAT must hold their interests through specific deposit accounts with any participant having an account with Monte Titoli. The beneficial owners of Shares and Savings Shares held with Monte Titoli may transfer their shares, collect dividends, create liens and exercise other rights with respect to those Shares and Savings Shares through such accounts and may no longer obtain physical delivery of share certificates in respect of their Shares and Savings Shares. All new issues of Shares and Savings Shares and all other transactions involving Shares and Savings Shares must settle electronically in book-entry form.

Ordinary shares and savings shares of New SEAT will also be accepted for clearance and settlement through Euroclear and Clearstream. Shareholders may elect to hold such ordinary shares and savings shares through Euroclear or Clearstream.

The information set forth below is a summary only, and Italian and other tax laws may change from time to time. Prospective investors should consult with their professional advisors as to the tax consequences of their purchase, ownership and disposition of the Shares, including, in particular, the effect of tax laws of any jurisdiction other than Italy.

The following summary of certain Italian tax consequences of the acquisition of Shares in the Spin-off and the ownership and disposition of Shares as at the date of this Information Statement is based on the advice of SEAT. It does not purport to address all material tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of Shares.

As noted above, the Spin-off will be carried out through the proportional distribution to New SEAT of the share capital, reserves and the distributable profits of SEAT.

Under Article 123 bis of the Income Tax Code, approved by Presidential Decree No. 917 of December 22, 1986 (“ITC”), neither Telecom Italia Media nor New SEAT should be subject to income tax as a result of the Spin-off. This position is primarily based on the fact that (i) the Spin-off does not contribute to the realization or distribution of capital gains or losses on assets belonging to SEAT and transferred to New SEAT in the Spin-off and (ii) the specific ratio of SEAT shares to Shares to be distributed in the Spin-off is irrelevant for the purposes of the taxable income of Telecom Italia Media and New SEAT. Pursuant to Article 123 bis of the ITC and Article 2504 decies of the Italian Civil Code, the Spin-off will be effective for tax purposes as of the same date on which it will be effective for civil law purposes, expected to be August 1, 2003.

The Spin-off is not subject to Italian Value Added Tax (VAT) pursuant to Article 2, 3rd paragraph, letter f) of Presidential Decree no. 633/1972. The transfer of real estate as an effect of the Spin-off will trigger the payment of registration, cadastral and mortgage taxes in fixed amounts.

The receipt of the Shares in the Spin-off by a holder of SEAT shares should not be subject to income tax under Italian law because the Spin-off of the assets of SEAT to New SEAT and the distribution of the Shares to SEAT shareholders does not constitute under Italian law a realization or distribution of capital gains or losses or receipt of dividends.

For the purposes of capital gains tax, the exchange of shares pursuant to a demerger of an Italian company does not constitute the disposition of shares. The tax basis and the holding period of the exchanged shares is rolled over to the shares received in exchange, on a pro-rata basis.

For a discussion of the tax consequences resulting from the holding of the Shares of New SEAT under Italian and U.S. federal income tax laws, see “Item 10. Additional Information — Taxation” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

SEAT has not sought to qualify the Spin-off as a tax-free transaction to shareholders under the rules of any jurisdiction other than Italy and it is therefore unclear whether the Spin-off will qualify as a tax-free transaction in any such jurisdiction. Furthermore, SEAT has not determined if any special taxation regimes will apply to non-Italian shareholders. Non-Italian shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the treatment of (i) the Spin-off and (ii) the ownership of the Shares in their own jurisdictions.

For a discussion of foreign investment and exchange control regulation in Italy, see “Item 10. Additional Information — Exchange Controls” in the SEAT Annual Report incorporated by reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A.

We have audited the accompanying special purpose carve-out consolidated balance sheets of the “New SEAT” business activities of SEAT Pagine Gialle Group (“the Group”), as described in Note 1, as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and the related special purpose carve-out consolidated statement of operations and cash flows and cumulative investment by Parent Company for the years then ended. These special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the special purpose carve-out consolidated 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 special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Directories business activities of SEAT Pagine Gialle Group, as described in Note 1, as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the consolidated result of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

As discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements, the Group adopted new accounting standards to account for the goodwill to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142.

SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS — (Continued)

On May 9, 2003 the Extraordinary Shareholders’ meeting of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (“Seat” or “the Parent Company”) an Italian company controlled by Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia”), approved the plan to spin-off its Directories business segment and substantially all of its Directories Assistance and Business Information business segments (together “the New SEAT business activities” or “the Group”) into a newly constituted separate legal entity that will be renamed “Seat Pagine Gialle”. The spin-off is to be made to existing shareholders of Seat on the basis of 29 shares of the Group’s stock for every 40 shares of Seat stock. The Plan further envisions the listing of the Group’s shares on the Italian stock exchange. The spun-off activities consist mainly of the following:


	•	the Directories division, consisting of Seat Telephone Directories Italy, Thomson Directories Limited (“TDL”) and Euredit. Telephone Directory publishing and advertising represents the Group’s principal revenue generating segment. The Group’s most significant products within this division include nationally distributed Italian Yellow Pages and White Pages directories. Additionally the Group publishes certain Yellow Pages directories with regional coverage, national subscriber-only directories and various industry specific directories. TDL is the second largest directories publisher in the United Kingdom while Euredit publishes and distributes “Europages”.

	•	the Directories Assistance division, which consists of Seat Directories Assistance, Telegate, and IMR. Seat Directories Assistance includes the operations of the Group’s on-line telephone directories including its online Yellow Pages service and online White Pages service. Telegate and its subsidiaries are the second largest operator of directory assistance services in Germany. IMR operates in the directory assistance services in Italy.

	•	the Business Information division, which includes the subsidiaries Consodata, NetCreations and PanAdress. This division performs direct marketing and database services consisting primarily of direct mail campaign management, demographically tailored mailing lists, data management and enhancement, and marketing database management.

Prior to the carve out of the Group described above, the Group was included as part of Seat. In 2000, Seat, which was primarily composed of the Italian directories business, which is being spun off, purchased Tin.it. For accounting purposes this transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition in which Tin.it purchased Seat in a cash and stock deal. Based upon the fair value of Seat stock at the date of announcement of the deal in February 2000, a significant amount of goodwill was generated and recorded. Seat during 2000 and 2001 continued to purchase a significant number of companies mainly with stock generating significant goodwill, including many of the companies that are part of the carved-out Group. The goodwill and intangible assets related to the respective carved-out companies, after any impairment during 2001, has been allocated to these statements.

In connection with the above mentioned spin-off, for information purposes, management has prepared these accompanying financial statements, which represent the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Group’s business on a stand alone basis plus allocations of revenues and expenses prepared by management. These amounts may differ from the actual assets and liabilities, which will be transferred to the spun-off Group.

The Group’s consolidated financial statements for each of the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 have been prepared on the basis set out below.

Consequently, certain revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities have been allocated to reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities attributable to the spun-off activities.

The carved-out New SEAT business activities were already segregated in the subsidiaries of Seat because each subsidiary carried out specific identifiable businesses, while corporate costs were not segregated in Seat.

Accordingly the allocation of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities to the carved-out Group’s business has been made on a specific basis for revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities specifically identified. The cost center structure existing within Seat was utilized, while the allocations have been made applying certain criteria that management believes reasonable for the items common to the different businesses of Seat. More specifically the costs of the corporate structure have been allocated among the different businesses on the basis of certain drivers identified by management, such as number of personnel. As a result of this allocation, the consolidated cumulative investment by the parent company of the carved-out Group has been separately identified. With respect to the net financial position (represented by “cash and cash equivalents”, “financial receivables and payables”, “short term bank borrowings” and “long term debt”) and the resulting net assets (presented herewith as “Cumulative investment by parent company”), management identified such items related to the carved-out New SEAT business activities at the beginning of the year 2000, since at that date Seat consisted of the carved-out New SEAT business only. Subsequently management identified all changes attributable to the carved-out New SEAT business through December 31, 2002 (taking into consideration principally income and losses realized, cash generated and used, capital increases made and acquisitions made). Management allocated a “distribution to parent company” at the end of each period by recording a change in the Cumulative investment by parent company of the carved-out New SEAT business which records the amounts from the Group that were used by other companies with Seat which are not included in the carved-out Group.

Revenues and Costs and Assets and Liabilities — All of the spun-off activities’ revenues and costs and assets and liabilities were identified. Interest income and expenses of the New SEAT business have been computed on the actual cash generated or used by the Directories’ business, net of the “distributions to parent company” made at the end of each period. Income taxes have been computed as if the New SEAT business of the parent company operated as a stand alone entity and the resulting payable, net of the available taxes receivables, has been considered by management as paid at the end of the period.

Stock options — At the date of the financial statements, Seat had several stock option plans. The compensation expense for those plans were calculated in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Certain of the employees that were awarded options are included in the Group. The expense that is related to those employees that will be part of the Group has been carved out and attributed to these special purpose carve-out financial statements.

Loss for the year 2001 and 2002 and Cumulative investment by parent company — The losses for each of the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 have been classified as a change to the “Cumulative investment by parent company” which is also presented net of the “distribution to parent company” described above.

The special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements represent the carved-out financial position, results of operations, cash flows and cumulative investment by parent company for the period presented of the Directories business activities, and does not necessarily reflect what the financial position and results of operations of the carved-out entity would have been had it operated as a stand alone entity during the period covered and may not be indicative of future operations or financial position.

This summary of significant accounting policies is presented to assist the reader in understanding and evaluating the accompanying financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Principles of consolidation — The special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Group. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates — The preparation of the special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign currency translation — The functional currency of the Group’s foreign subsidiaries is the subsidiaries’ local currency. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are translated to Euro using year-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for the year for revenues, costs, and expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents — The Group considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of all cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Inventories — Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined using the weighted average method, or market.

Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. Repairs and maintenance are expensed in the period incurred. Plant and equipment leased under capital lease arrangements are capitalized and depreciated. Depreciation of these assets is at rates equal to the term of the lease or the useful life used for similar owned assets and is included in depreciation expense.

Depreciation is computed on the historical cost of the assets using principally the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, as follows:

In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 144 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Statement applies to certain long-lived assets, including those reported as discontinued operations, and develops one accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale. SFAS 144 supersedes SFAS 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, and APB 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations — Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions”, for the disposal of a segment. The Group adopted the provisions of SFAS 144 effective January 1, 2002. Prior to 2002, the Group applied SFAS 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, to all long-lived assets, including goodwill.

Under both SFAS 121 and 144, the Group assesses potential impairments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or if the price of the asset has had considerable market depreciation. The recoverability of an asset’s carrying value is initially determined by comparing the undiscounted cash flows of the asset to its carrying value. If, after the initial assessment, impairment is deemed to exist, then the Group estimates the fair value of the asset based on discounted cash flows, independent appraisals or quoted market prices, if available. Any excess of carrying value over estimated fair value is written off and recorded as an expense in current period earnings. No impairment charges were taken under SFAS 144 in 2002. During 2001, under SFAS 121, the Group recorded a pretax impairment charge of €2,930,707 to adjust the carrying values of certain of its long-lived assets to fair value.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid for business acquisitions over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. As of January 1, 2002, upon the adoption of SFAS 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized. Prior to adoption of SFAS 142, amortization was provided on a straight-line basis over 5 to 15 1/2 years, the estimated period to be benefited.

The Group periodically reviews the carrying value of goodwill to determine if impairment may exist. The requirements of SFAS 142 include that goodwill be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques, and, specifically, a two-step process must be utilized. The first step is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second part of the test is not considered necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the loss, if any. The second part of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied value of the operating unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The excess of the carrying value over the implied value is then written-off in the period. Implied value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the asset and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The determination of impairment of goodwill requires significant judgment and estimates. During 2002 Seat recorded a total pretax impairment charge of €5,330,936 to adjust the carrying values of the Group’s goodwill to fair value.

Other intangible assets — Other intangible assets represent primarily the fair value of customer lists, brand names, trademarks and other intangible assets purchased in business acquisitions, costs incurred for software, and costs incurred to obtain patents and licenses. Such intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Software costs capitalized represent only those costs associated with the development of new software or the enhancement of software when additional functionality is provided. The Group applies the same policy in accounting for web site development costs as for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. All costs of maintaining existing software, costs for the enhancement of software that does not provide for additional functionality, and costs pertaining to the preliminary stage of software development are expensed as incurred. The Company reviews these items for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144, as described above.

Investments — Investments in which the Group has significant influence, which generally represents common stock ownership of at least 20% and not more than 50%, are accounted for under the equity method.

Other investments, which represent less than 20% ownership of non-marketable securities, are carried at cost, adjusted when necessary to reflect an other than temporary decline in value of the investment.

Effective January 1, 2001, Seat adopted the provisions of SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. SFAS 133 requires the Group to recognize all of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Group must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, the gain or loss is reported in other comprehensive income/(loss) as part of the cumulative translation adjustment to the extent it is effective. Any ineffective portions of net investment hedges are recognized in current earnings during the period of change. For derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. In 2001 and 2002, the Group’s hedging instruments did not meet the criteria to qualify for hedge accounting.

The adoption of SFAS 133 on January 1, 2001 resulted in the cumulative effect of an accounting change of €2,296, net of tax of €1,292, being recognized as income in the statement of operations and a charge of € 6,885 net of tax of € 3,873 in other comprehensive income. The charge to other comprehensive income will be amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining useful lives of the related derivative instruments. A charge of €1,919 net of tax of € 1,079 and €1,979 net of tax of €1,019 has been included in the statement of operations representing the amortization for 2001 and 2002, respectively. Of the remaining € 4,756 charge in accumulated other comprehensive income, € 1,979 net of tax of € 1,019 will be amortized in 2003.

The Group enters into interest rate swap and collar agreements as part of the management of its interest rate exposures. These interest rate swaps and collar agreements are not accounted for as hedges and, as such, the gain or loss based upon the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations. The total income recognized during the year ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002 was expense of €17,756 and income of €10,967, respectively, and is included in other expenses in the statement of operations.

The Group enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts as part of the management of its foreign currency exchange rate exposures related to financing through April 2003. These foreign currency forward exchange contracts are not accounted for as hedges and, as such, the gain or loss based upon the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations. The total expense recognized during the year ended

December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002 was €214 and € 1,903, respectively, and is included in other expenses in the statement of operations.

Income taxes — The Group accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method and accordingly deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted.

Revenue recognition — The Group’s revenues are primarily derived from advertising and publishing of directories, directories assistance and business information services. Revenues from the sale of advertising and publishing are recognized in the statement of operations according to the date of publication, which corresponds to the time at which the directories are printed and delivered. Advertising revenue from on-line and telephone services is recorded over the period the advertising service is delivered.

Revenues from directories assistance services are recognized based on the number and duration of calls received from end customers at the date of service provision. Revenues from directories assistance services are recognized on the number of calls processed at agreed rates per call and charged to the telecommunications companies under contracts.

Deferred income is primarily related to payments received for advertising services to be rendered in future periods and are reported on the balance sheet as deferred income.

Shipping and handling costs — Shipping and handling costs on product sales are classified as Costs of External Services and were not significant during the year ended December 31, 2002.

Research and development costs — Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed when the advertisement is run. Advertising expense was €52,493 and €40,549 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

Credit risk — Financial instruments which potentially subject the Group to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and derivative financial instruments. The Group places its funds into high credit quality financial institutions and, at times, may be in excess of insured limits. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large and diversified nature of the Group’s customer base. With respect to its derivative contracts, the Group is also subject to credit risk of non-performance by counter-parties and its maximum potential loss may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. The Group controls its exposure to credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures.

New accounting standards — In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS 150”), the new accounting standard for certain types of freestanding financial instruments and disclosure regarding possible alternatives to settling financial instruments. The Group has started to evaluate what impact, if any, adoption of the Statement will have on the Group’s consolidated financial condition and results of operation. The Statement is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period after June 15, 2003.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46”). The Interpretation clarifies the application of Accounting Research Bulletin 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”, to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the

characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from other parties. FIN 46 requires existing, unconsolidated variable interest entities (“VIE”) to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among parties involved. All companies with variable interest in VIE’s created after January 31, 2003 shall apply the provisions of this Interpretation to those entities immediately. A public Group with a VIE created before February 1, 2003, shall apply the provisions of this Interpretation to that entity no later than the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period after June 15, 2003. For VIE’s for which an enterprise holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003, FIN 46 may be applied by either restating previously issued financial statements or prospectively from the date of adoption. The Group will begin applying the provisions of this new announcement effective July 1, 2003. The Group will adopt the Interpretation on a prospective basis.

As the Group’s current VIE’s are currently accounted for in the financial statements, management does not believe that the adoption of FIN 46 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Group.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”), which is an amendment to SFAS 123 “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation”. The new Statement is applicable to those entities that decide to adopt the fair value stock based compensation as their primary accounting policy, as opposed to APB 25.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). The Interpretation requires expanded disclosure to be made in the guarantor’s financial statements in regards to the guarantees and obligations under certain agreements. It also requires that a guarantor recognize, as of the inception of the guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 are effective for financial statements issued after December 31, 2002 and have therefore been applied in the accompanying financial statements. The recognition requirements of FIN 45 are applicable for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Group does not believe that the adoption of FIN 45 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Group.

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of the FASB reached a consensus on EITF 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Element Deliverables”. The EITF addresses how to account for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet certain criteria. Arrangement consideration should be divided into separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values. The Issue also supersedes certain guidance set forth in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 101. The final consensus is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003, with early adoption permitted. Additionally, companies are permitted to apply the consensus guidance to all existing arrangements as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The Group will adopt this new pronouncement as of July 1, 2003. The Group is currently evaluating the impact of the Issue on results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS 146”), which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, which effectively nullifies EITF 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit Activity Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring” (“EITF 94-3”). The principal differences between SFAS 146 and EITF 94-3 relate to SFAS 146’s requirements for recognition of a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF 94-

3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. A fundamental conclusion reached by the FASB in this new Statement is that an entity’s commitment to a plan, in and of itself, does not create an obligation that meets the definition of a liability. Therefore, this statement eliminates the definition and requirements for recognition of exit costs in EITF 94-3. This Statement also establishes that fair value is the objective for initial measurement of the liability. The effective date for the new Statement is January 1, 2003, with earlier adoption allowed.

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”). SFAS 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred and to capitalize that amount as part of the carrying value of the long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, an entity either settles the obligation for its recorded amount or incurs a gain or loss upon settlement. This Statement is effective for financial statements of fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2002 (the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 in the case of the Group). The Group does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 143 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Group.

Fair value of financial instruments — The following methods and assumptions were used by the Group in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:


	Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is assumed to approximate fair value as cash equivalents include all highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

	Accounts receivable: The carrying amount of accounts receivable is assumed to approximate fair value as a valuation allowance is recorded to adjust the nominal value of accounts receivable to the expected recoverable value.

	Trade payables: The carrying amount of trade accounts payable is assumed to approximate fair value as trade accounts payable includes short-term payables, which will be due within three months or less.

	Short and long-term debt: The carrying amount of the Group’s variable rate debt is assumed to approximate fair value based upon periodic adjustments of the interest rate to the current market rate in accordance with the terms of the debt agreements. The fair value of the Group’s fixed rate debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Group’s estimated current borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

	Foreign currency forward contracts: The fair values of the Group’s foreign currency contracts were estimated based on differences between the exchange rate inherent in the contracts and the related exchange rate at the end of the period.

	Interest rate swap and collar agreements: The fair values of interest rate swap and collar agreements is based upon quotes received from the related counter-parties and represents the cash requirement if the existing agreements had been terminated at the end of the period.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial instruments at December 31, 2001 and 2002 are as follows:

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. The Statement requires the use of the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, thereby eliminating the use of the pooling of interest method of accounting for business combinations. In addition, SFAS 141 requires that intangible assets be recorded apart from goodwill if they meet certain criteria. This new standard did not have an impact on the Group’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows upon adoption. In addition, on January 1, 2002, the Group ceased amortizing goodwill for all business combinations initiated before June 30, 2001.

On February 9, 2001, Seat gained a controlling stake (54.5%) of Consodata SA (“Consodata”), a company listed on the Paris Nouveau Marché in the business of information marketing. The acquisition occurred in the following manner: (i) Seat, the Group’s parent company, issued 63,789,104 ordinary shares of Seat to the Consoldata shareholders for 3,986,819 Consodata shares, corresponding to 39.27% of the French company’s share capital; (ii) Seat contributed its entire stake (100%) in Giallo Dat@ to Consodata in return for 3,383,520 new ordinary shares (25% of the new post-increase capital of Consodata). On May 30, 2001, SEAT announced a public tender offer in which sixteen new ordinary Seat shares were offered for each Consodata share. The holders of 5,981,625 Consodata shares, equivalent to approximately 44.19% of the share capital, participated in the offer in which 95,706,000 new ordinary Seat shares were issued on August 8, 2001. SEAT, therefore, gained a total interest of 90.735% in the new combined entity Consodata-Giallo Dat@. The contribution of Giallo Dat@ was recorded at historical cost for the portion retained and at fair value for the portion attributed to the remaining minority shareholders of Consodata, resulting in a gain of € 14,924. The Company’s cumulative purchase price of its investment in Consodata totaled €553,526, including €5,362 of transaction costs. The operations of Consodata have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase, using step-acquisition accounting, and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €513,514 was recorded as goodwill, which was being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. During 2002, the Group recorded an additional purchase of 8.19% of Consodata for €48,783 in cash. This purchase completed SEAT’s obligations under previously signed put and call options. The entire €48,783 was recorded as goodwill. The Group performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 2, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to the goodwill related to Consodata of €457,437 in 2001 while there was no impairment charge recorded in 2002.

On May 29, 2001, Seat purchased 100% of Pan-Adress Direktmarketing GmbH and of General Partner GmbH (collectively “Pan-Adress”), companies incorporated under German law in the business of direct marketing. Under the terms of the agreement Seat initially exchanged 1,084,912 of Consodata shares which it held for 100% of the share capital of Pan-Adress. These Consodata shares were then contributed back to Seat in exchange for 17,358,952 Seat shares via the public tender offer for Consodata described above. The Group’s purchase price of its investment in Pan-Adress totaled €20,578, including €622 of transaction costs. The operations of Pan-Adress have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €18,922 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 7 years computed on the straight line method.

On June 15, 2001 Seat acquired 100% of the share capital of NetCreations Inc (“NetCreations”) via Sogerim, a 100% owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia. Telecom Italia loaned 76,310,000 of its Seat shares to its subsidiary Sogerim. Sogerim then sold the Seat shares in the open market for U.S.$109,000 cash, which it then used to purchase NetCreations. On June 15, 2001, SEAT issued a total of 76,310,000 new ordinary SEAT shares to Sogerim in exchange for 100% of NetCreations. The shares issued to Sogerim were ultimately returned to Telecom Italia to repay the loaned shares. The Company’s purchase price for its investment in NetCreations totaled €124,946, including €7,896 of transaction costs. The operations of NetCreations have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €14,059 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. The Group performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 2, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to the goodwill related to NetCreations of € 13,055 in 2001.

As of October 1, 2000, Seat owned 2.2% of Telegate AG, a publicly traded company in Germany, with a fair value of € 36,834. During November 2000, the Company acquired an additional 11.34% of Telegate AG and 51.37% of Telegate GmbH, a German holding company. Telegate GmbH directly owns 50.99% of Telegate AG. The acquisition was accomplished through the issuance of 147,446,627 Seat ordinary shares for a total purchase price of € 758,269, including € 41,531 of acquisition costs. On April 5, 2001, the Group purchased the remaining 48.63% of Telegate GmbH through the issuance of 150,579,625 new Seat ordinary shares for a purchase price of €308,869 including €9,667 of acquisition costs. Including the fair value of the 2.2% of Telegate AG previously owned by Seat, the Group’s cumulative purchase price for its investment in Telegate GmbH and Telegate AG totaled €1,103,972. The operations of Telegate GmbH and Telegate AG have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase, using step-acquisition accounting, and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €1,047,516 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 7 years computed on the straight line method. During 2002, the Group purchased an additional 13.9% of Telegate AG for €30,311 via a capital increase. The capital increase was only subscribed by Seat and Telegate GmbH and, as such, the Group now owns 78.44% of Telegate AG. An additional €9,005 of goodwill was recorded as part of this purchase. The Group performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 2, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill related to Telegate of € 907,385 in 2001.

In addition, the Group acquired various percentages of other businesses through the payment of cash, each of which have been consolidated or included in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method from the date of acquisition. The acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting with the aggregate purchase price of approximately € 19,437 in 2001, allocated to the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, aggregating approximately €470 in 2001, has been recorded and is being amortized over 5 to 10 years computed using the straight line method until the adoption of SFAS 142.

The following pro forma unaudited results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2001, assume the purchases of Telegate, TDL, and Consodata had been consummated as of January 1, 2001.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at December 31:

Over the next five successive years the amortization of intangibles by asset class is expected to be the following:

SFAS 142 was adopted by Seat as of January 1, 2002 (except for acquisitions made subsequent to June 20, 2002), and required that goodwill no longer be amortized. As a result, a significant portion of Seat’s total intangibles, essentially related to goodwill, ceased allocating costs to the statement of operations on a periodic basis. Total amortization expense was €1,552,357 and €506,824 in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Accumulated amortization of goodwill and intangible assets was €2,171,721 and €2,613,158 at December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

The Group’s 2001 results of operations do not reflect the provisions of SFAS 142. Had Seat adopted SFAS 142 as of January 1, 2001, the net loss of the Group would have been the adjusted pro forma amount indicated below:

Seat completed the SFAS 142 transitional impairment test before June 30, 2002 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill at that time, as the fair value of its reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts as of January 1, 2002. Therefore, the second step of the transitional impairment test required under SFAS 142 was not necessary.

As required under SFAS 142, Seat performed its annual impairment test of goodwill at the end of 2002 at the reporting unit level. At December 31, 2002, the fair value of the reporting units within the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments were derived based on an assessment of recent trading multiples for other similar assets. This approach was used as, given the intent of Seat’s parent company, Telecom Italia, to sell its interest in these assets, the use of multiples for recent transactions for similar assets was considered more indicative of fair value than a discounted cash flow analysis. The Group identified that the fair value of the reporting units’ implied goodwill, after performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, including intangibles, was €5,330,936, less than the carrying value.

A summary of the changes in the Group goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2002, by business segment is as follows:

The Group has investments in unconsolidated affiliates as follows as of December 31:

The Group’s equity in net losses of its equity affiliates was € (7,739) in 2002, of which € (6,347) relates to the write-down of the investment in ICOM Inc. The Group’s equity in net losses of its equity affiliates was €28,798 in 2001.

At December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively, Seat had unsecured short-term lines of credit with banks, including bank overdraft facilities, providing borrowings up to approximately € 28,000 and €28,000 of which €15,995 and €15,095 was advanced, respectively. The lines of credit bear various rates of interest, including both fixed and variable interest rates. The weighted-average interest rate was approximately 5.15% and 3.80% per annum at December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit are payable upon demand. These lines of credit are expected to be spun-off to the Group.

The maturities of long-term debt over the next five years as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

The floating and fixed rate notes represent unsecured obligations of the Group and are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Interest payments on the variable rate notes are due quarterly each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Interest payments on the fixed rate notes are due annually each July 1. Upon adoption of SFAS 133, the debt was marked to fair market value. The difference between book value and fair value of € 6,514 was recorded as a liability and is being amortized over the life of the debt. The balance of the fair value adjustment at December 31, 2002 was € 3,908.

The senior subordinated notes represent obligations of TDL. The notes have a nominal value of £ 70,000, which is equivalent to € 107,609 at December 31, 2002. The senior subordinated notes require semi-annual interest payments each April 15 and October 15. £ 69,250 (€ 106,457 at December 31, 2002) of the senior subordinated notes are registered in the United States under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes may be repaid in advance beginning in 2004 at a price equal to 106.0625% of their nominal value.

The zero coupon notes represent obligations of TDL, which was acquired by the Group in December 2000. The notes have a nominal outstanding value of $ 13,150, which is equivalent to € 13,785 at December 31, 2002 and were originally issued at 47.366% of their nominal value. The notes are zero coupon notes through October 15, 2004, at which time they convert to interest bearing at an annual rate of 15.50%. Subsequent to

October 15, 2004, the notes require semi-annual interest payments each April 15 and October 15. During 2002, TDL extinguished early 86% of the original notes and recognized a gain of €21,856.

The Group has a number of interest rate swap and collar agreements, which partially modify the interest rate characteristics of the Notes and partially limit the Group’s exposure to variable interest rate risks by providing an interest rate cap and floor. With respect to the € 700,000 variable rate notes, the Group has an interest rate swap with a notional amount of € 700,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which the Group receives 3 month Euribor plus 0.70% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 0.017%. Additionally, the Group has an interest rate collar with a notional amount of € 700,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which the Group pays the difference between 5.8% and EURIBOR if the EURIBOR is below 3.99%. It receives the difference between EURIBOR and 5.8% if EURIBOR exceeds 5.8%.

With respect to the fixed rate notes, the Group has two interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of € 200,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which the Group receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.07%. The Group has an additional interest rate swap with a notional amount of € 100,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which the Group receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.11%. Additionally, the Group has two interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of € 300,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005, under which the Group receives Euribor flat and pays fixed rates of 5.255% and 5.1575% respectively.

The difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the interest rate swaps and collars at the date of adoption of FAS 133 was recorded as a charge to other comprehensive income of € 6,885, net of € 3,873 tax and is being amortized over the life of the related derivative instrument. The gross fair value of these swaps and collars at December 31, 2002 is recorded in either other non-current assets or other non-current liabilities, with the current year change in fair value of € 8,854 recorded in other income.

For the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, the Group was not a separate legal entity. During these periods, the results of the businesses of the already existing legal entities within the Group were included in the tax returns of those separate legal entities, while the results of the businesses of the divisions operating within the SEAT legal entity were included in the tax returns of SEAT. However, taxes for the years presented have been computed as if these divisions operating within the SEAT legal entity were a stand-alone entity.

The Group’s income tax benefit consisted of the following for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002:

The reconciliation between the Italian statutory tax rate and the effective consolidated tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 is as follows:

The Italian statutory tax rate for 2002 was 40.25% consisting of a 36% national corporate income tax rate (“IRPEG”) and a 4.25% Regional Tax on Productive Activities (“IRAP”). A new tax law was enacted in December 2002 that will have the effect of reducing the IRPEG tax rate from 36% to 34% from January 1, 2003.

Principal items comprising the deferred income tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 were as follows:

The valuation allowance at December 31, 2001 and 2002 relates mainly to net operating loss carryforwards of approximately €97,043 and €116,600 respectively, of which approximately €97,043 and €93,365 pertain to foreign subsidiaries.

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2001 and 2002:

The liability for termination indemnities relates to the employees of the Group’s Italian operations. In accordance with Italian severance pay statutes, an employee benefit is accrued for service to date and is payable immediately upon separation. The termination indemnity liability is calculated in accordance with local civil and labor laws based on each employee’s length of service, employment category and remuneration. The termination liability is adjusted annually by a cost-of-living index provided by the Italian Government. There is no vesting period or funding requirement associated with the liability. The liability recorded in the balance sheet is the amount that the employee would be entitled to, immediately upon separation. The related charge to earnings was €4,625 and €5,273 for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively.

A wholly owned subsidiary of TDL sponsors a contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees of the related subsidiary. Benefits under the plan are based on participants’ years of service and level of compensation.

As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 the funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet for the plan were as follows:

The changes in the projected benefit obligation for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 were as follows:

The changes in the fair value of the plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 were as follows:

The funded status and the net pension liability of the plan for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 were as follows:

The net periodic cost for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 is as follows:

The net pension liabilities of €3,638 and €18,141 at December 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively, are included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The assumptions used to determine pension obligation for the defined benefit plan were:

Salaries, wages and employee benefits as of December 31, 2002 include a non-recurring charge of €12,306 related to the reorganization of certain businesses, mainly Consodata and Telegate, and a charge of €21,172 related to the “Deferred Compensation” under agreements with TDL managers and shareholders.

Seat, the Group’s parent company, has issued stock options for Seat stock to the employees of the Group under various stock options plans including the 1999 Stock Option Plan, 2001 Stock Option Plan and the Top Plan and Key People Stock Option Plans. The Telegate subsidiary also has a Telegate stock option plan. Seat granted stock options to employees under and accounted for these stock option grants in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Accordingly, the Group, for those options that effected the carved out financial statements as described in Note 1, (i) recognizes compensation expense over the period the employee performs the service measured by the difference between the fair value of the shares on the measurement date and the stock option exercise price and (ii) records the sum of the compensation accrued in addition to the cash paid by the employees as consideration for the stock issued in connection with the exercise of the stock option. As discussed in Note 1, this expense was allocated to the Group for those employees that will be included in Group companies.

The fair value of outstanding options issued by Seat prior to the purchase of Seat by Tin.it in 2000, accounted for as a reverse acquisition, have been included in the determination of the purchase price. For unvested options outstanding at the effective date of the purchase transaction, the excess of the quoted market

price of the underlying shares over the option price at the date of acquisition of €56,123 has been recorded as unearned compensation and is being amortized to compensation expense over the remaining service period.

Under the terms of Seat’s incentive stock option plan, certain key employees identified by the Board of Directors and executive management are eligible to participate in the plan. Options granted under the plan have an exercise price determined by the Board of Directors and executive management in accordance with the plan. The duration of the plan is five years. Options granted under the plan vest only upon the achievement of certain financial objectives as established by the Board of Directors and executive management, and the date for final subscription and payment is established at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As the vesting of the options is dependent on the achievement of defined financial objectives, the plan is considered to be variable. Accordingly, changes in the quoted market price of the underlying stock from the grant date to the date at which the final number of shares to be granted is determined is recorded as an adjustment to compensation expense over the related service period.

As of December 31, 2002, no granted options were vested and exercisable, while there were 10,725,132 shares outstanding. Options for 29,995,881 ordinary shares were available for future grant under the plan at December 31, 2002. The weighted average estimated fair value of options outstanding amounted to € 2.73.

In January 2001, the Company approved the 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Plan”) authorizing the issuance of stock options up to 127,000,000 ordinary shares to certain employees of the Company. The 2001 Plan provides for the allocation of options in three annual installments following attainment of company and personal objectives according to the guidelines as defined in the 2001 Plan. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2001 Plan will approximate the fair market value on the grant date. The 2001 Plan expires on December 31, 2008.

No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 or 2001 for options granted related to the 2001 Plan as the Company’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2001.

As of December 31, 2002, options granted which were vested and exercisable were 32,456,451 ordinary shares while there were 44,669,976 shares outstanding. Options for 82,330,034 ordinary shares were available for future grant under the plan at December 31, 2002. The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during 2001 amounted to € 0.55.

The Board of Directors on May 17, 2002 approved the implementation of two new stock option plans, offered to directors and employees who hold “key” positions in the group due to their particular responsibility and/or skills.

The Top Plan and the Key People Plan provide for the allocation of options in three annual installments. The exercise price of stock options granted under the new Plans will approximate the fair market value on the grant date. Both plans expire on May 31, 2008.

All the options of the aforementioned new stock option plans are exercisable at a price of Euro 0.8532 (equal to the market value of the share at the date of May 17, 2002).

The Top Plan resulted in the allocation of 1,500,000 options, reserved for the Managing Director of Seat, as a result of which on May 17, 2002 the Board of Directors resolved to increase the share capital, by payment of a maximum total of €45,000.00, through the issue of a maximum of 1,500,000 ordinary shares with a par value of €0.03 each, cum coupon. No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 for options granted related to the Top Plan as the Company’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2002.

The Key People Plan on the other hand led to the allocation of 46,400,000 options, of which 2,500,000 were reserved for “B” Beneficiaries and 43,900,000 were reserved for “C” Beneficiaries.

No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 for options granted related to the Key People Plan as Seat’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2002. The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during 2002 amounted to € 0.46.

As described in Note 3, during November 2000, Seat acquired 51.37% of Telegate GmbH and the remaining 48.63% in April 2001. Telegate AG, a majority owned subsidiary of Telegate GmbH had, at the date of each acquisition, 200,000 shares of its common stock reserved under its 1999 stock option plan. Under the terms of the plan, options are awarded to selected executives and other key employees at exercise prices not less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. The stock options vest over a two year period, contingent upon increases in the quoted share price of Telegate AG compared to various industry indices. As the vesting of the options is dependent on the achievement of defined objectives, the plan is considered to be variable. Accordingly, changes in the quoted market price of the underlying stock from the acquisition date to the date at which the final number of shares to be granted is recorded as an adjustment to compensation expense over the related service period.

At December 31, 2001, there are no stock options exercisable, while there were 39,835 shares outstanding. The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were €1.51 and €19.62, respectively.

Transactions with related parties are as follows for the year ended December 31:

During 2002, the Group recorded revenue from Telecom Italia of € 13,557, of which € 2,195 for advertising on yellow pages and € 9,369 for advertising on “Pronto Pagine Gialle”. During 2001, the Group recorded revenue from Telecom Italia of € 6,222 of which € 1,967 for advertising on “Pronto Pagine Gialle” and € 4,213 for dataservices.

Costs related to services provided by Telecom Italia were € 19,831 during 2002: they include costs for employees (€ 4,369), telephone subscriptions (€ 6,137) and rental costs (€ 1,978). Costs related to services provided by Telecom Italia were € 5,792 during 2001: they include costs telephone subscription (€ 2,193), network costs (€ 1,986) and other costs (€ 1,411). Costs related to other services provided by other subsidiaries of parent company and other related parties were € 8,369 in 2002: they include € 1,520 for services rendered by TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A.), € 2,422 for products sold by Olivetti Tecnost and € 1,112 for services rendered by In.Tel.Audit S.c.a.r.l.). Costs related to other services provided by other subsidiaries of parent company and other related parties were € 4,118 in 2001: they mainly include € 2,807 for services rendered by Atesia, € 674 for services rendered by Saritel.

At December 31, 2001 and 2002 short term advances to related parties of €563,938 and €566,705, respectively, include short-term advances to Telecom Italia S.p.A., with due dates between seven days and six months, bearing interest at variable rates. Furthermore the Group has trade receivables from Telecom Italia for € 12,696 (€ 3,838 in 2001). Accounts receivable from related parties amount to € 20,201 in 2002 including € 17,071 of long term receivable from SOFTE and € 2,888 of receivable from TIM. Accounts receivable from related parties amount to € 22,013 in 2001 and they mainly relate to SOFTE for € 3,800 and Viasat for € 5,623.

Accounts payable to parent company at December 31, 2002 are related to services provided by Telecom Italia to the Group for € 11,624 (€ 5,178 in 2001).

Accounts payable to affiliated companies at December 31, 2002 are primarily related to various services provided by Netsiel to Seat for € 3,695, by TIM for € 3,335 and by Telesoft for € 2,364. Accounts payable to affiliated companies at December 31, 2001 are primarily related to various services provided by Atesia for € 1,161, by Netikos for € 4,207 and by Tilab for € 1,389.

Short-term borrowing from affiliated companies at December 31, 2002 consists of financial payables to Telecom Italia Finance S.A. due from TDL and Consodata for € 161,018. Short-term borrowing from affiliated

companies at December 31, 2001 consists of a revolving credit facility from Sogerim, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia, to TDL for € 80,108 and to Consodata of € 25,949.

Seat leases buildings, automobiles, and other minor fixed assets including office equipment under various operating lease agreements. Commitments for minimum rentals under non-cancellable operating leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

Rent expense for operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 amounted to approximately €29,119 and €21,102. Seat has entered into operating leases for buildings that Seat had previously owned as part of the Tiglio transaction. The leases are with a company in which Seat’s controlling shareholder is a significant owner.

As of December 31, 2002, Seat has purchase commitments for paper and distribution of directories through 2003, of approximately € 118,150 of which approximately € 63,781 and € 40,399 are expected to be expensed in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Additionally, the Group has an agreement with ILTE, under which ILTE provides printing services to the Group for inflation indexed prices through 2003 of approximately € 104,900 of which € 52,600 and € 53,300 are expected to be expended in 2003 and 2004, respectively. The price terms under the printing services agreements will be renegotiated from 2003 to 2007.

The Group also has commitments outstanding for capital expenditures under purchase orders and contracts amounting to € 8,685 at December 31, 2002, of which €4,328 and €4,250, are expected to be expended in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

The Group has entered into contracts for marketing and EDP services with total future minimum payments under non-cancellable contracts with initial terms of one year of more totaling € 5,446 at December 31, 2002. Approximately € 4,897 and € 519 of the future minimum payments are due in 2003 and 2004, respectively, with the remaining commitment due thereafter.

As of December 31, 2002, the Group has given guarantees on behalf of affiliated companies and other third parties for their borrowings and other obligations, of € 11,661.

During December 2000, the Group acquired 99.6% of TDL Infomedia Ltd. (“TDL”) and has an option to acquire the remaining 0.4% of TDL beginning in 2002 at a price to be determined based on a multiple of the operating results of TDL during 2001 through 2003, up to a maximum purchase price of €120,172. During 2002, the Group purchased 0.1% of TDL for a total of €7,417 as called for in the afore-mentioned agreements and has one-third of the original 0.4% still to purchase.

The Group is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Group provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. It is the opinion of the Group’s management that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Group’s financial position or results of operations.

The Group is exposed to foreign currency risks, interest rate risks and equity price risks arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and quoted share prices. Seat’s risk policy generally only takes into account matters affecting the Group’s cash flow and foreign exchange risks. Therefore, fair value risks arising from changes in fluctuations in quoted share prices of investments are normally not hedged. The Group does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes or other speculative purposes.

The Group enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion of the risk related to fixed sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of the Group’s foreign currency risk management activities is to protect the Group from the risk that future cash flows resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

As of December 31, 2002, the Group had two forward exchange contract to sell US dollars with a net notional amount of $ 16.5 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate AG denominated in US dollars.

The Group enters into interest rate swap and collar agreements as part of the management of its interest rate exposures. Under these agreements the Group agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between specified interest amounts calculated on an agreed notional principal amount. A description of the Group’s interest rate swap and collar agreements as of December 31, 2002 is included in Note 10.

The Group’s accounting policies related to derivative financial statements, the fair values of its derivatives as of December 31, 2002 and the impact of adopting SFAS 133 are disclosed in Note 2.

On February 12, 2003, Seat acquired 1,108,695 ordinary shares in the French subsidiary Consodata S.A., listed on the Paris Nouveau Marché stock exchange, after the founding shareholders exercised their option to sell, which was extended to them under an agreement made in the original acquisition by the preceding Seat Pagine Gialle management on July 31, 2000. This transaction, undertaken at an agreed consideration of Euro 44 per share, for a total of approximately €48,782, has enabled Seat to acquire a further 8.17% of the company’s share capital and voting rights, thereby raising its stake in Consodata S.A. to 98.60%.

On June 11, 2003 Telecom Italia and a consortium of investors formed by BC Partners, CVC Capital Partner, Investitori Associati and Permira entered into a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of the spun-off New SEAT business activities held by Telecom Italia. The completion of the sale will be subject to the spin-off becoming effective, the admission to listing of the Group’s shares that is expected to occur by the beginning of August and the approval of the relevant Italian Antitrust Authority.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	•	the Directories division, consisting of Seat Telephone Directories Italy, Thomson Directories Limited (“TDL”) and Euredit. Telephone Directory publishing and advertising represents the Group’s principal revenue generating segment. The Group’s most significant products within this division include nationally distributed Italian Yellow Pages and White Pages directories. Additionally the Group publishes certain Yellow Pages directories with regional coverage, national subscriber-only directories and various industry specific directories. TDL is the second largest directories publisher in the United Kingdom while Euredit publishes and distributes “Europages”.

	•	the Directories Assistance division, which consists of Seat Directories Assistance, Telegate, and IMR. Seat Directories Assistance includes the operations of the Group’s on-line telephone directories including its online Yellow Pages service and online White Pages service. Telegate and its subsidiaries are the second largest operator of directory assistance services in Germany. IMR operates in the directory assistance services in Italy.

	•	the Business Information division, which includes the subsidiaries Consodata, NetCreations and PanAdress. This division performs direct marketing and database services consisting primarily of direct mail campaign management, demographically tailored mailing lists, data management and enhancement, and marketing database management.

The Group’s Interim consolidated financial statements for the three month period ending March 31, 2003 have been prepared on the basis set out below.

The spun-off activities of the Group were carried out as a part of the consolidated Seat group and, as such, the operations comprising the spun-off activities have been carved out from the financial statements of Seat. Consequently, certain revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities have been allocated to reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities attributable to the spun-off activities.

Cumulative investment by parent company — The loss for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 has been classified as a change to the “Cumulative investment by parent company” which is also presented net of the “distribution to parent company” described above.

operations of the carved-out entity would have been had it operated as a stand alone entity during the period covered and may not be indicative of future operations or financial position.

The accompanying unaudited condensed special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the principles stated above and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2003.

For further information, refer to the special purpose carve-out consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Seat U.S. Information Statement for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Total other comprehensive income was €8,003 for the three months ended March 31, 2003.

SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2002, is incorporated by reference herein. You should read the Annual Report in its entirety.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

The number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the Registrant has elected to follow.

SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (“SEAT” or the “Company”) publishes consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere in this annual report (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “SEAT Group” or the “Group”) in euro, the lawful currency of Italy and 11 other member states of the European Union (“EU”).

In this annual report, references to “U.S. dollars”, “dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars; references to “euro”, “euros”, “Euro” or “€” are to euro; and references to “lire” or “Lit.” are to Italian lire, the former Italian non-decimal denomination of the euro. On January 1, 1999, the Italian lira became a member currency of the euro at a fixed conversion rate of €1 = Lit. 1,936.27. For purposes of this annual report, “billion” means a thousand million.

This annual report contains translations of certain euro amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. Unless otherwise specified, the translations of euro into U.S. dollars have been made using the noon buying rate in the city of New York for cable transfers in foreign currencies as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes (the “Noon Buying Rate”) for the euro in effect on December 31, 2002, which was €1.0485 = $1.00. That rate may differ from the actual rates during the year used in the preparation of SEAT’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and dollar amounts in this annual report may differ from the actual dollar amounts that were translated into euro in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. This annual report contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the discussion of the changing dynamics of the marketplace, including liberalization of the telecommunications and Internet industry, the opening to competition of directory services, the Company’s outlook for growth in the Internet, directory and directories assistance industries both within and outside of Italy, including sources of increasing revenues to offset the impact of increasing competition. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements under the following headings: (i) “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors”, (ii) “Item 4. Information on the Company — Business Overview — Recent Developments”, (iii) “Item 4. Information on the Company — Regulation”, (iv) “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, (v) “Item 8. Financial Information — Legal Proceedings” and (vi) “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, including statements regarding the likely effect of matters discussed therein. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties, which are outside the Company’s control, that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions.

The following important factors could cause the Group’s actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements:


	•	the impact of the proposed Spin-off of the Directories business and almost all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information segments into a separate company to be known as SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (“New SEAT”) on the financial condition and prospects of New SEAT and the separate company consisting of the remaining business segments, to be known as Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia Media”);

	•	the impact of any disposition by Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia”) of its majority stake in New SEAT on the financial condition and prospects of New SEAT;

	•	the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which the Group operates;


	•	the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

	•	New SEAT’s ability to implement successfully its business strategy;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow and otherwise obtain sufficient financing to support its activities;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to continue the process of rationalizing its non-core assets and to dispose its non-core business;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to benefit from an increased collaboration of its Internet business with Telecom Italia;

	•	the continuing impact of increased competition, including the entry of new competitors; and

	•	the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SEAT undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, including, without limitation, changes in our business or acquisition strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See the related cautionary statement under “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”.

Effective October 1, 2000, SEAT acquired Tin.it S.p.A. (“Tin.it”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia”), in a two-step transaction through the exchange of newly-issued SEAT ordinary shares for 100% of the outstanding shares of Tin.it. Upon consummation of the transaction, the company continued to operate under the name “SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A”. After the acquisition, which is described in more detail below, Telecom Italia owned a majority interest in SEAT. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the transaction has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition in which SEAT is considered the acquiree, even though under Italian law it was the acquiror. As a result, the selected financial data set forth below presents historical financial data of Tin.it from January 1, 1998 to October 1, 2000, the effective date of the acquisition, and the consolidated financial data of SEAT and Tin.it since that date.

The selected financial data set forth in the table below should be read in conjunction with SEAT’s audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 including the notes thereto included in this Annual Report and the information included under the headings “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Background-Results of Operations”.

The selected statement of operations data for 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 set forth below, have been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP included in this Annual Report. The historical balance sheet data set forth below as of December 31, 1998 and 1999 have been derived from SEAT’s unaudited financial statements and have been prepared in a manner consistent with SEAT’s audited consolidated financial statements as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2000.

In this annual report, all of the amounts are expressed in thousands of euro unless otherwise indicated.


(1)	In 1998, “net loss” includes the gain on the sale of 50% of VIASAT S.p.A. (“VIASAT”) to Magneti Marelli S.p.A. amounting to €9,520.

(2)	SEAT’s statement of operations and balance sheet data as at, and for the period ended, December 31, 2000 include the effects of the reverse acquisition, effective October 1, 2000, and certain other acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2000.

(3)	In 2001 there were a number of changes in the scope of consolidation. Certain companies were fully consolidated for the first time for the year ended December 31, 2001 (Holding Media e Comunicazione H.M.C. S.p.A. (“HMC”), Consodata S.A. (“Consodata”), PanAdress DirectMarketing GmbH (“Pan-Adress”), Data House S.p.A. (“Datahouse”), NetCreations Inc. (“NetCreations”) and the companies included in the Professional Publishing business segment), TDL Infomedia Ltd. (“TDL Infomedia”) and Telegate AG (“Telegate AG”). Moreover, Cipi S.p.A (“Cipi”) which was acquired in the first half of 2001, was fully consolidated from July 1, 2001.

(4)	In 2002 there were changes in the scope of consolidation. Beginning from the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002, Datahouse operating in the Business Information segment and several small companies in the Internet Business segment with impacts, particularly in terms of operating revenues is not significant and therefore does not substantially effect the comparison to the previous year. The following companies in the internet segment are no longer consolidated as of December 31, 2002: Mondus Ltd, Viasat S.p.A., Giallo Lavoro S.p.A., Olà S.r.l. (51%), Mediolanum Tourist Service S.r.l. (100%), Expert System S.p.A. (35%), BFinance ltd (17.95%) and other minor companies have been transferred, Sapendi S.p.A. (25%) and Ticketone S.p.A.; the following companies have been put into liquidation: Giallo Viaggi.it S.p.A., Giallo Market S.p.A., Tin Web S.p.A., Link S.p.A., Webnext S.r.l.

(5)	For the convenience of the reader, Euro amounts for 2002 have been translated into U.S. dollars using the Euro/Dollar Exchange Rate in effect on December 31, 2002 of €0.9537 = U.S.$1.00.

(6)	As described above, the SEAT/Tin.it transaction has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition of SEAT by Tin.it under U.S. GAAP. In accordance with reverse acquisition accounting, 5,091,326,196 ordinary shares of SEAT issued in the reverse acquisition have been treated as if they were outstanding for all periods presented. Tin.it had not issued or declared any dividends prior to the combination with SEAT, and the combined company did not issue or declare any dividends on its ordinary shares for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

Effective January 1, 1999, the following 11 EU member states adopted the euro as a common currency: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. They also established fixed conversion rates between their respective sovereign currencies and the euro. On January 1, 2001, Greece (together, with the 11 EU member states referred to in the previous sentence, the “Member States”) joined the European Economic and Monetary Union. The exchange rate at which the lira was irrevocably fixed against the euro is Lit.1,936.27 = €1.00. On January 1, 2002, the Member States began issuing new euro-denominated bills and coins for use in cash transactions. As of March 1, 2002, the Member States

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York no longer quotes a Noon Buying Rate for the legacy currencies of any of the Member States.

At the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on December 11, 2001, SEAT’s share capital was converted from lire into euros by rounding up the par value of the ordinary and savings shares, from Lit. 50 to €0.03 using approximately €48 million from available reserves.

The following table sets forth, for the year 1998, certain information regarding the Noon Buying Rate for dollars expressed in lire per U.S.$1.

The following table sets forth, for the years 2000 to 2002 and for the beginning of 2003 certain information regarding the Noon Buying Rate for Dollars expressed in euros per U.S.$1.


(1)	Average of the rates for the last business day of each month in the relevant period except for 2003 for which the date used is June 13, 2003.

The business of Telecom Italia Media is the result of rapid growth through acquisition in the years 2000 and 2001, followed by a year of contraction in 2002. The business has incurred losses for the last two years and has a significant restructuring plan. (See Item 4.a “Information on the Company — Recent Developments”). Although Telecom Italia Media is expecting a significant improvement of its operating result as a consequence, among other factors, of the planned greater degree of the collaboration of its Internet business with the Internet and media segment of Telecom Italia, it is unlikely that Telecom Italia Media will return to profitability in the near future and this may have a material adverse effect on Telecom Italia Media’s financial conditions and prospects.

Telecom Italia Media to date has been unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to fund its activities. In 2003 Telecom Italia Media expects that its cash flow from operations are only sufficient to funds its capital expenditure and working capital requirements because it benefits from the cash flow from operations of SEAT for the year 2003 until the effectiveness of the Spin-off. In case of an

On a stand alone basis, Telecom Italia Media’s cash flow used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2002 would have been approximately a negative €31 million. In 2002 funding needs of Telecom Italia Media were met by the central treasury function of Telecom Italia and the cash flow generated by New SEAT. Telecom Italia Media is expecting to have, after the carve out of New Seat, enough cash on hand to fund its ordinary business operations and that it will not need any additional funding prior to 2005. However the cash available would be insufficient in case of an extraordinary event such as a significant adverse ruling in the De Agostini litigation was to occur. Please see “Item 8. Financial Information — Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings”. In any case Telecom Italia Media expects that it will continue to be financially supported by Telecom Italia through the centralized treasury function based on Telecom Italia’s policy to support its group companies. However, if such support were not provided, Telecom Italia Media would have insufficient cash flow to fund its activities unless it could obtain financing from a third party on acceptable terms.

On June 10, 2003 Telecom Italia entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with a consortium of investors formed by BC Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Investitori Associati and Permira (the “Investors”) for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT (including shares resulting from the exercise by Telecom Italia for a notional amount of 710,777,200 shares — corresponding to about 6.2% of the share — resulting from put/call options with JP Morgan). The completion of the sale will be subject to the Spin-off becoming effective, the admission to listing of New SEAT that is expected to occur by the beginning of August 2003 and the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities. This will lead to a change of control. A change of control as defined in the Italian Takeover Act would require the Investors to make a compulsory offer to the remaining ordinary shareholders of New SEAT at a price equal to the price agreed to the Investors for the purchase of the ordinary shares the Investors acquired. In the event the stake acquired by the Investors were to pass the threshold of 90% of the ordinary share capital they would be required to make a public offer to buy all the shares with voting rights at the price set by CONSOB unless within four months the Investors restore a free float sufficient to ensure regular trading. Under Italian law a majority shareholder who holds more than 98% may squeeze out the remaining shareholders at a purchase price set by an expert appointed by the president of the commercial court of having jurisdiction over the company which in case of New SEAT will be Milan, taking into consideration the offer price and the market price in the last six months. Any of the compulsory offers could lead to reduced liquidity of SEAT’s shares in the public markets and could eventually lead to their delisting from the automated screen-based trading system (Mercato Telematico Azionario) of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. (“Telematico”).

Subsequent to the Spin-off, SEAT shares will be split into the shares of two different companies. Prior to the Spin-off, there has been no market for New SEAT shares on a stand alone basis. The absence of any such trading history may have a material adverse effect on the share price and liquidity of New SEAT shares compared to SEAT shares.

Although the Telecom Italia Media shares have been listed on the Telematico as SEAT shares, after the Spin-off they will represent shares in a company considerably smaller than SEAT and its market capitalization is consequently expected to decrease. Moreover, subsequent to the Spin-off Telecom Italia Media will become a more specialized company with a significantly narrower business. Therefore current SEAT investors may decide

to sell the Shares after the Spin-off if they consider Telecom Italia Media no longer appropriate for their investment portfolios. All these facts may have a material adverse effect on the liquidity and share price of Telecom Italia Media shares compared to compared to SEAT shares.

On April 1, 2003 the Board of Directors of SEAT decided to Spin-off the Directories business and almost all of Directory Assistance and Business Information activities as a result of the reorganization of its business. SEAT currently operates in two broad market sectors.

The first sector is that of targeted advertising and telephone services, in which SEAT operates through its Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information segments, providing answers to queries via printed, online and telephone products and services.

The second sector is that of traditional advertising and the Internet, in which SEAT operates through its Internet, TV and other business segments, primarily providing access and content services. Both sectors present interesting development prospects (including broadband access and digital TV).

Following the Spin-off and the restructuring of Telecom Italia Media, Telecom Italia Media’s business plan envisages a greater degree of collaboration with the Media and Internet business segment of its parent company, Telecom Italia.

Factors beyond Telecom Italia Media’s control that could affect the implementation and completion of the strategic plan include:


	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain financing to support its business activities;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to manage costs;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to attract and retain highly-skilled and qualified personnel;

	•	Telecom Italia Media’s ability to divest non-core businesses and the adequacy of the returns of such divestitures;

	•	the need to establish and maintain strategic relationships;

	•	declining prices for some of Telecom Italia Media’s services and the risks from decreasing margins caused by the demand for higher value products at the same prices; and

	•	the effect of adverse economic trends on Telecom Italia Media’s principal markets.

SEAT is currently involved in litigation relating to the sale of Finanziaria WEB to SEAT by De Agostini. De Agostini claims enforcement of a clause providing for the purchase by SEAT of the remaining 40% of Finanziaria WEB for an originally agreed purchase price of €700 million, with payment beginning June 30, 2003, plus unspecified damages. SEAT believes that it has a meritorious defense to the De Agostini’s claims. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to predict the outcome of the arbitration proceeding. Should the arbitration panel rule against SEAT on the merits, SEAT’s operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. Please see “Item 8. Financial Information — Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings”.

SEAT is currently involved in litigation relating to the acquisition of the TeleMonteCarlo television network. The seller of the network, Cecchi Gori group, filed suits relating to certain corporate actions and commenced an arbitration proceeding against SEAT claiming rescission, invalidity or termination of the purchase and sale agreement of the TeleMonteCarlo television network and also claiming damages. SEAT is defending the legitimacy of the acquisition and believes the Cecchi Gori group’s claims are meritless. Nevertheless it is very difficult to predict the outcome of the proceedings. Should the court or the arbitration panel rule against SEAT on the merits, SEAT’s operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

In 2002, the Internet businesses of SEAT incurred net losses. The Internet market in Italy is still in an early stage of development and, if Internet usage in Italy grows more slowly than anticipated, the Internet businesses of SEAT may not achieve net profits. The following is a list of factors that could inhibit Internet growth in Italy:


	•	As in many European countries, the Internet is not yet a widely accepted medium for advertising in Italy: in 2002 total online advertising spending in Italy represented 1.5% of the total advertising market, in line with the average European rate (1.5%), and the rates in the UK (1.6%), France (1.6%) and Germany (1.3%) (source: Jupiter 2002).

	•	the Internet is not generally used to make purchases in Italy because of, among other things, the lack of on-line payment methods and low levels of credit card use.

Should the Internet market in Italy continue to experience a slow growth rate Telecom Italia Media’s operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Telecom Italia Media’s constituent businesses grew in past years through both internal expansion and acquisitions. Due to the negative economic conditions in general and the slowdown of the Internet market in particular, the demand for Internet services and web advertising has sharply declined. Due to the changed economic conditions, Telecom Italia Media’s financial condition and results of operation could be adversely affected by the loss of value (and the consequential write-down of goodwill or other assets) of its investments.

Factors beyond New SEAT’s control that could affect the implementation and completion of the strategic plan include:


	•	New SEAT’s ability to manage costs;

	•	New SEAT’s ability to attract and retain highly-skilled and qualified personnel;

	•	difficulties in developing and introducing new directories products;

	•	reduced interest of customers in advertising on paper directories;

	•	declining prices for some of New SEAT’s services and the risks from decreasing margins caused by the demand for higher value products at the same prices;

	•	the effect of adverse changes in the regulatory environment;

	•	the effect of adverse economic trends on New SEAT’s principal markets; and

	•	the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on New SEAT’s results of operations.

SEAT, like other companies involved in the telephone directories business, is frequently named as a defendant in routine litigation relating to printing and pricing mistakes occurring in SEAT’s publishing of client advertisements in its directories (including on-line directories such as Pagine Gialle on-line) and other products. SEAT believes, based on its historical experience, that it will settle such claims for significantly less than the aggregate damages claimed. However, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these claims, and the award of substantially all the amounts claimed by clients would have a material adverse effect on New SEAT’s operating results and financial condition.

SEAT continues to rely on one printer, Industria Libraria Tipografica Editrice S.p.A. (“ILTE”), for nearly all of its printing, binding and print publication services. This reliance could potentially expose New SEAT to extra costs. SEAT entered into a nine-year arrangement with ILTE which expires in 2007 and contains price adjustment mechanisms in order to align ILTE’s services to market conditions. There are only a limited number of other printers that would be able to provide SEAT with similar services. Thus, in the event that ILTE fails to provide some or all of its services to SEAT, New SEAT is likely to incur significant additional costs in procuring a replacement for ILTE. In addition, New SEAT may not be able to obtain the services of such third party at terms and conditions as favorable to New SEAT as those of the current contracts with ILTE.

SEAT selects its paper suppliers through a competitive procedure based on pricing and delivery. Although SEAT receives its supply of directory paper from at least six paper suppliers, four of them account for a significant portion of its total paper supply. In the event that one or more current suppliers were to fail to provide some or all of the required paper to New SEAT (including for changes affecting the paper-supply market), New SEAT may not be able to locate readily a substitute supplier or provide an alternative supply on equally favorable terms, which would have a material adverse effect on New SEAT’s operating results and financial condition.

The Telecom Italia Group currently controls a majority of the outstanding ordinary shares of SEAT. Telecom Italia has the power to elect a majority of the members of SEAT’s board of directors, who have substantial


	•	corporate reorganizations including the sale of SEAT’s assets;

	•	mergers;

	•	certain amendments to the Company’s bylaws; and

	•	the payment of dividends.

Telecom Italia’s interest in SEAT would also allow it to prevent the acquisition of SEAT by any third party without Telecom Italia’s approval.

The principal trading market for SEAT’s shares is the Telematico. SEAT’s shares are not listed on a U.S. stock exchange and SEAT does not plan to establish an American Depositary Receipt program for SEAT shares. As a result, there may be little or no liquidity for SEAT shares in the United States.

SEAT is incorporated in Italy as a joint stock company under the name “SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A”. and is registered under the Italian Civil Code with the Milan Company Register under no. 12213600153. The address of its registered office is: Via Grosio 10/8, 20151 Milan, Italy. The telephone number of the Company’s headquarters is 0039 02 334 431. The duration of the Company extends until December 31, 2100.

The SEAT Group is part of the Telecom Italia Group and operates in the media sector through traditional printed products, the Internet, telephone and television.

SEAT is the principal seller in Italy of advertising in the Yellow Pages directory (“Yellow Pages” or “Pagine Gialle”) and in the White Pages directory (“White Pages” or “Elenchi Telefonici”) and the principal publisher of the Yellow Pages and White Pages directories in Italy and through its subsidiary TDL Infomedia, of the Thomson Directory in the United Kingdom. In addition, SEAT offers a variety of other directory products and services in Italy.

SEAT is also a leading Internet services provider in Italy (through Tin.it) and operates one of Italy’s most frequently visited portals (Virgilio). Through Gruppo Buffetti, SEAT is a leading distributor of office products and business solutions in Italy.

Through HMC, its communications holding company, SEAT provides television services in Italy with an all-news channel (La7) and an all-music channel (MTV Italia).

On April 1, 2003 the Board of Directors of SEAT decided to Spin-off the Directories business and almost all of Directory Assistance and Business Information into a newly incorporated company which will assume the current name of SEAT. On June 10, 2003 Telecom Italia, SEAT’s majority shareholder entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with BC Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Investitori Associati and Permira, which are referred to as the Investors for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT (including shares resulting from the exercise by Telecom Italia of the put/call options with J.P.Morgan for a notional amount of 710,777,200 shares, corresponding to about 6.2% of the share capital of SEAT). Please see “— Recent Developments-Spin-off of the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information Business Segments”.

SEAT was incorporated under the name “Società Elenchi Ufficiali degli Abbonati al Telefono S.p.A.” in Turin, Italy in 1925 with the purpose of publishing White Pages for northern Italy’s telephone service provider. SEAT gradually increased the geographical coverage of the White Pages until 1953 when it completed its expansion and was publishing the White Pages throughout Italy for most of the major telephone service providers. In 1966, SEAT introduced Pagine Gialle, its Yellow Pages business directory product.

In 1987, SEAT was merged into STET, a company that the Italian Treasury had indirectly controlled since 1933. Until 1997, STET also owned a controlling interest in Telecom Italia, SEAT’s principal supplier of telephone listing information and the main provider of fixed-line public telecommunications services in Italy. On December 31, 1996, STET reorganized SEAT as a separate corporate entity and spun-off SEAT’s shares to STET’s shareholders on a pro rata basis through a partial de-merger. As a result, 38.73% of the voting control of SEAT was held by the public and the remaining 61.27% by the Italian Treasury. On January 2, 1997, SEAT’s ordinary and savings shares began trading on the Telematico. In November 1997, the Italian Treasury sold its entire stake in SEAT, 61.27% of the ordinary shares and 0.93% of the savings shares.

SEAT subsequently grew through various acquisitions and investments completed prior to the merger between SEAT and Tin.it.

Telecom Italia started its Internet operations in 1996 under the name TOL (Telecom Online). In mid-1996, Telecom Italia acquired VOL (Video Online), a company primarily engaged in Internet dial-up access. Telecom Italia then merged VOL into TOL, which it reorganized as an internal division named Tin.it. The Tin.it division initially focused on the development of its Internet dial-up access, and subsequently began to supplement its Internet access business with the introduction of general Internet portals.

Effective May 1, 2000, Telecom Italia contributed the following assets into a joint stock company, which was renamed Tin.it S.p.A.:


	•	the Tin.it division, including other Internet business-related assets;

	•	ownership of the White Pages;

	•	Telecom Italia’s 49% interest in ESRI Italia, which distributes and customizes environmental software applications in Italy; and

	•	Telecom Italia’s 50% interest in the joint venture Excite Italia B.V.

In March 2000, Telecom Italia and SEAT entered into a framework agreement for the combination of SEAT and Tin.it, Telecom Italia’s Internet division, and related transactions. For more information, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions — The Framework Agreement Relating to the Combination of SEAT and Tin.it”. The combination was effected through the de-merger of Telecom Italia by way of transfer to SEAT of approximately 8.1% of the share capital of Tin.it owned by Telecom Italia and the subsequent merger of Tin.it with SEAT. In connection with the de-merger and merger, SEAT ordinary shares were respectively issued to Telecom Italia’s shareholders and to Telecom Italia. Currently, Telecom Italia owns, directly and indirectly, approximately 56.147% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital. Under U.S. GAAP, the de-merger and merger of SEAT and Tin.it have been accounted for as a reverse acquisition, where SEAT is considered the acquiree for financial statement purposes even though under Italian law it was the acquiror. You should read “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of the principal shareholders of SEAT.

The integration of SEAT and Tin.it was subject to approval by the Italian Antitrust Authority. On July 27, 2000, the Italian Antitrust Authority issued its authorization subject to compliance with certain conditions.

The de-merger deed was signed on November 8, 2000 and had legal effect as of November 10, 2000. SEAT issued 415,864,739 new ordinary shares in the de-merger to shareholders of Telecom Italia, based on the share exchange ratio of 56 new SEAT shares for every 1,000 Telecom Italia shares held.

The merger deed was signed on November 10, 2000 with legal effect from November 15, 2000. As a result, SEAT issued to Telecom Italia 4,675,461,657 new ordinary shares based on the share exchange ratio of 124.1787 ordinary SEAT shares for each ordinary Tin.it share.

Under U.S. GAAP, the transaction was recorded as of October 1, 2000, the date SEAT assumed effective control of the operations of Tin.it. As described above, subsequent to the transaction, Telecom Italia owns a majority interest in the combined company. U.S. GAAP required that SEAT be considered the acquiree for financial statement purposes (a reverse acquisition) even though under Italian law it was the acquiror. Therefore, the transaction has been recorded as the acquisition of SEAT by Tin.it in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP presented under Item 18 of this annual report. The financial statements, selected financial data and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report present the historical operating results and financial position of Tin.it to October 1, 2000 and the consolidated operations and financial position of SEAT and Tin.it since that date.

As a result of the merger and related transactions, Telecom Italia currently owns, either directly and indirectly, 56.147% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital. Telecom Italia, which was fully privatized in November 1997, is the incumbent Italian telecommunications operator. The company is Italy’s leading operator in both the

wireline and wireless sectors. Telecom Italia’s wireless operations are conducted through its majority-controlled subsidiary, Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A. (“TIM”). Both Telecom Italia and TIM are listed on Telematico.

In 2000, SEAT continued its expansion through various acquisitions in the office products and business services, directory publication, directory services, business information and television sectors.

In the course of 2001, Olimpia S.p.A. (a subsidiary of Pirelli S.p.A.) (“Olimpia”), acquired a 28.736% stake in Olivetti S.p.A. (“Olivetti”) which holds 54.96% of Telecom Italia’s ordinary share capital. Subsequent to the completion of the acquisition, the majority of the members of Telecom Italia’s Board of Directors resigned. In October 2001, the majority of the members of SEAT’s Board of Directors resigned. In accordance with Article 15 of SEAT’s bylaws, a new Board of Directors was elected on December 11, 2001. On December 19, 2002 Hopa S.p.A. and two of its affiliates accepted an offer by Olimpia to retire its bonds in exchange for a 16% interest in Olimpia. Then, on February 21, 2003, Hopa entered into an agreement with the former shareholders of Olimpia that gives Hopa the right to appoint one director. Please see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees”.

Until June 30, 2001, SEAT’s business activities were organized into six main segments: Directories, Internet, Office Products and Services, Business Information, Professional Publishing and Other Activities. In the second half of 2001, in an effort to reduce costs and rationalize the allocation of SEAT’s subsidiaries within the Group’s structure, the SEAT Group’s organizational structure was reviewed and reorganized. The principal change made was the creation of two new business segments, Directories Assistance and Television.

On February 14, 2002, SEAT announced the guidelines of its strategic business and financial plan. The strategic plan was introduced to rationalize the Group’s structure and portfolio through the divestment of non-strategic assets in order to maximizing profitability.

Such disposals were aimed at focusing SEAT’s activities on its core businesses, with the objective of further enhancing its market position, and to develop synergies through a multiplatform approach among print, telephone and online directories.


	•	capitalizing on its multiplatform media company leadership;

	•	exploiting brand distinctiveness and strength;

	•	enhancing the connectivity business model;

	•	strengthening SEAT’s position in the United Kingdom directories market;

	•	tightening the cooperation among the Group business units;

	•	developing synergies among the portal, television and directory business segments; and

	•	maintaining operational efficiency through capital expenditure and cost control.

On February 14, 2003, SEAT announced the achievements of its strategic business and financial plan for the year 2002 and highlighted the strategy and guidelines for the year 2003.

In terms of reorganization and rationalization of the Group’s structure, SEAT reduced the number of its affiliates from a total of 190 at the beginning of 2002 to 100 companies at the end of 2002, as a result of the following transactions: 46 affiliates were sold, 43 affiliates were put in liquidation 5 affiliates were merged with other affiliated companies. SEAT also acquired 4 new equity stakes: Intel.Audit Scarl (18.18% owned by SEAT), which is a consortium owned by Olivetti S.p.A., Telecom Italia S.p.A. and TIM S.p.A. for the centralization of internal auditing services for Telecom Italia Group companies; Tiglio I S.r.l. (2.10% owned by SEAT), a real estate company established in the context of the so-called “Project Tiglio” following the disposal of certain real

estate properties (for more information see Item 4 — Business Overview — Project Tiglio); GIS Italia S.r.l. (40% owned by Esri Italia S.pA. which is 49% owned by SEAT), a software company; and QMT (70% owned by Consodata Espana), a newly established Spanish company.


	•	the sale in April 2002 of SEAT’s stake (46.4%) in Mondus Limited (a company belonging to the Internet business segment) to Mondus Limited for a sale price of €19.1 million;

	•	the sale in July 2002 of SEAT’s stake (25.0%) in Roncadin Restaurants (a company belonging to the Internet business segment) to Fin.Eco Investimenti SGR S.p.A. for a sale price of €2.1 million;

	•	the sale in July 2002 of SEAT’s stake (49.0%) in Wisequity S.p.A. (a closed-end mutual investment fund) for a sale price of €11.0 million;

	•	the sale in August 2002 of SEAT’s stake (100.0%) in Datahouse (a company belonging to the Business Information segment) to Dun & Bradstreet S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of the American parent, for a sale price of €15.9 million;

	•	the sale in November 2002 of SEAT’s stake (50.0%) in VIASAT to EXE Fin S.p.A. for a sale price of €2.5 million;

In terms of cost reduction, the Group’s headcount was reduced from 9,264 in 2001 to 7,715 in 2002 at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

The information contained in the following paragraphs does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States or an offer to acquire securities in the United States. The securities to be issued by New SEAT have not been (and are not intended to be) registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act. Ordinary and savings shares issued by New SEAT Pagine Gialle as a result of the Spin-off are intended to be made available in or into the United States pursuant to an exemption from registration requirements by the Securities Act.

On April 1, 2003, the Board of Directors of SEAT approved the proposed proportional Spin-off of the Directories business and almost all of the Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments into a newly incorporated company which will assume the name of SEAT. Effective as of the date of the Spin-off, the corporate name of SEAT shall become Telecom Italia Media S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia Media”). On May 9, 2003, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved the plan.

The Spin-off plan contemplates the creation of two independent companies, each focused on its core businesses. In management’s view, SEAT operates in two broad market sectors that have increasingly developed separate and distinct characteristics in terms of strategy, operations and competitive landscape. The first sector is that of targeted advertising and telephone services, in which SEAT operates through its Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information segments, providing answers to queries via printed, online and telephone products and services.

The Spin-off plan provides for a Spin-off on a proportional basis. The allocation of the shares of, respectively, New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media is based on the net assets of each company as of December 31,


	•	11 new ordinary (or savings, as applicable) shares of Telecom Italia Media, and

	•	29 new ordinary (or savings, as applicable) shares of New SEAT.

The shares of both companies will be listed on the Telematico: the effectiveness of the Spin-off is conditioned upon the shares of New SEAT being accepted for listing. The shares of Telecom Italia Media are expected to remain registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and therefore Telecom Italia Media will remain a reporting issuer under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and therefore will continue to file periodic reports under the 1934 Act. New SEAT has applied for an exemption from registration under the 1934 Act of its newly issued shares or savings shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the 1934 Act.

The Spin-off plan provides for the transfer to New SEAT, of the following companies within the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information business segments:


	•	Directories. Directories Italia Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. division, Annuari Italia S.p.A., Euredit S.A., TDL Group, Euro directory S.A.;

	•	Directory Assistance. Directories Assistance Seat Pagine Gialle division, Telegate Group, Telegate Holding GmbH, IMR S.r.l.;

	•	Business Information. Consodata S.A., Consodata Group Ltd (including NetCreations Inc. and Pan Adress).

SEAT’s other companies and business segments will remain in SEAT, which, as noted above, will be known as Telecom Italia Media. The strategic objective of the Spin-off plan is to allow SEAT’s businesses in each of the two sectors to focus on their core business.

The following organization charts illustrate how Telecom Italia Media and New SEAT will be structured compared to SEAT’s structure as of December 31, 2002.

The chart below shows the organizational structure of the SEAT Group as of December 31, 2002:


(1)	Effective from June 2002, SEAT reduced its stake in Italbiz.com from 72.46% to 19.50%.

(2)	Of which 16.46% held directly and 61.98% indirectly through Telegate Holding GmbH, in which SEAT holds a 100% stake.

(3)	Of which 99.996% held directly and 0.004% indirectly through Cal Ltd, in which Consodata S.A. holds a 100% stake.

(4)	Of which 0.7% held directly and 66% indirectly through Finanziaria WEB S.p.A. in which SEAT holds a 60% stake.

The following is a chart of the organizational structure of Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off:

The company aims to strengthen its presence and visibility in such markets in co-ordination with the strategy of the Telecom Italia Group. The business units remaining with Telecom Italia Media to date showed a net loss from operations and had negative cash flow. Management believes that thanks to the better use of resources, both in financial and management terms, Telecom Italia Media will be able to complete the turnaround process recently started by SEAT and achieve a net profit within the next two years.

The restructuring of the Internet business of Telecom Italia Media focuses largely on the development of multimedia production, content distribution business, the portal business and internet access services. Simultaneously Telecom Italia Media is working on ways to benefit from synergies between the two TV networks (LA7 and MTV), the Virgilio web portal and Tin.it’s Internet access services.


(1)	Of which 16.45% held directly and 61.95% indirectly through Telegate Holding GmbH, in which SEAT holds a 100% stake.

(2)	Of which 99.996% held directly and 0.004% indirectly through Cal Ltd, in which Consodata S.A. holds a 100% stake.

Effective as of the date of the Spin-off, the spun-off company will be called SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A..

New SEAT intends to become one of the main telephone directories publishers in Europe, with a significant market share in Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. New SEAT will seek to benefit from an increased focus on directories publication and further develop the key word search services market, particularly in the online sector. In addition, almost all of the Directory Assistance segment, providing telephone information and call center services, and the Business Information segment (excluding the stake in Databank S.p.A.) will be spun-off to New SEAT.

The Spin-off plan was approved by the Board of Directors on April 1, 2003 and the Shareholders Meeting on May 9, 2003. With the Spin-off plan, the Shareholders Meeting approved New SEAT’s articles of association, elected the members of New SEAT’s Board of Directors and Board of Statutory Auditors, appointed the independent auditors and the decision was taken to request the admission of listing for the ordinary shares and savings shares on the Telematico.

As a consequence of Telecom Italia’s decision that New SEAT was no longer strategic, Telecom Italia put in place an auction process to sell its majority stake in New SEAT. On June 10, 2003 Telecom Italia entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with a consortium of investors formed by BC Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Investitori Associati and Permira for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT (including shares resulting from the exercise by Telecom Italia of the put/call options with J.P.Morgan for a

notional amount of 710,777,200 shares, corresponding to about 6.2% of the share capital of SEAT). The agreed price for Telecom Italia’s direct and indirect stake is €3.033 million. The completion of the sale will be subject to the Spin-off becoming effective, the admission to listing of New SEAT that is expected to occur by the beginning of August 2003, and the approval of the relevant anti-trust authorities.

New SEAT is expected to maintain an ongoing business relationship with Telecom Italia, in particular with respect to the following business:


	•	New SEAT will be allowed to continue to use Telecom Italia’s database of telephone subscription customers free of charge.

	•	The contract with Telecom Italia regarding the publishing of advertising and information contents of PAGINEBIANCHE will remain in force. The agreement sets forth the times and conditions for the delivery of copies of PAGINEBIANCHE directories to Telecom Italia pursuant to its universal service obligation.

	•	The contract with Telecom Italia relating to advertising space on the PAGINEBIANCHE and PAGINEGIALLE.

	•	The contract with a company of the Telecom Italia Group to categorize business directories, which allows SEAT to assign to each business customer, irrespective of its telephone service provider, a specific sector for its listing in the PAGINEGIALLE directory and in other products and services with directory content.

The SEAT Group is part of the Internet and Media business area of the Telecom Italia Group, as shown in the following chart of the Telecom Italia Group’s organizational structure:


(1)	Mobile South America.

(2)	Previously included in the International Operations Business Unit.

The chart below shows how the organizational structure of the SEAT Group was re-organized during the course of 2002. For organizational structure of the SEAT Group after the Spin-off, (Please see “Recent Developments”).


(1)	Effective from June 6, 2002, SEAT reduced its stake in Italbiz.com from 72.46% to 19.50%.

(2)	In August 2002, Kompass Italia transferred its operating activities and personnel to SEAT. Kompass changed its name to Annuari Italiani S.p.A. and is no longer operative.

(3)	Following a capital increase authorized by Telegate AG’s shareholders extraordinary meeting on November 18, 2002, SEAT’s direct and indirect participation in Telegate’s share capital increased to 78.44%.

(4)	On December 28, 2002, the operations and personnel of NetCreations, Inc.; Pan-Adress Direktmarketing Verwaltung GmbH and Pan-Adress Direktmarketing GmbH were transferred to Consodata Group Ltd. (UK).

(5)	On August 13, 2002, SEAT sold its stake in Data House to Dun & Bradstreet S.p.A, the Italian subsidiary of the American parent, for €15.9 million.

(6)	On August 2002, SEAT Capital Investments was put into liquidation

(7)	On November 22, 2002, SEAT sold its stake in VIASAT to ExeFin S.p.A for €2.5 million.

In light of the proposed Spin-off discussed above, this section is divided into two parts: the first part provides an overview of the business segments that will remain with Telecom Italia Media; the second part provides an overview of the business segments that will be spun-off into New SEAT.

Through the Internet services business segment, SEAT offers a full range of Internet services, comprising Internet access services, portal services, on-line advertising services; and web services. SEAT’s Internet services are provided through Tin.it and Matrix. Please see “Item 4. Information on the Company — History — The SEAT — Tin.it Combination”.

In May 1999, SEAT acquired a 60% interest in a newly-formed joint venture, Finanziaria WEB S.p.A., (“WEB”), with the remaining equity interest being held by De Agostini Invest S.A. (“De Agostini Invest”) In September 1999, WEB purchased a 66% interest in Matrix S.p.A. for a cash consideration of €8.5 million.

The following is a brief overview of SEAT’s acquisition of Matrix: In June 2000, SEAT acquired a 0.7% direct stake in Matrix for a cash consideration of €16.9 million. On September 20, 2000, SEAT signed an agreement to increase its investment in WEB to 100%, which would involve the acquisition of shares from De Agostini Invest. Pursuant to the agreement, SEAT was to acquire the remaining 40% of WEB from De Agostini Invest for a purchase price of €700 million on June 30, 2003. De Agostini Invest also had an option to subscribe by April 15, 2003 for 166,666,667 newly-issued SEAT ordinary shares by paying €4.20 per share for a total of €700 million. This option was not exercised. On September 20, 2000, SEAT also entered into an agreement with N.V. Vertico S.A. (“Vertico”), a Belgian company at that time owned by Matrix’s promoters, Paolo Ainio and Carlo Gualandri and controlled by ISM, pursuant to which SEAT was to acquire the remaining 33.3% of Matrix held by Vertico, concurrently issuing approximately 191 million SEAT ordinary shares in exchange for this stake, subject to an unavailability clause until December 31, 2003.

On July 30, 2001, the Shareholders’ Meeting of SEAT adopted a resolution to terminate the clause of the agreement which provided for the acquisition by SEAT of the remaining 40% of WEB and to postpone from July 31, 2001 to December 31, 2003 the capital increase for the acquisition of the remaining 33.3% of Matrix. See “Item 8. Financial Information — Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings” below for a description of the related litigation.

On August 3, 2001, Telecom Italia acquired through its subsidiary Huit II, 100% of ISM from its founders in exchange for 186,000,000 SEAT ordinary shares of which 42,802,272 ordinary shares were originally locked up until December 31, 2003. On June 27, 2002 the number of locked-up shares decreased to 26,802,272 shares held by Paolo Ainio and Carlo Gualandri were removed. Therefore these shares in SEAT are now freely tradeable. ISM currently holds, through Vertico, a 33.3% stake in Matrix. As a result of this transaction, the Telecom Italia Group now holds 100% of Matrix. On March 31, 2003 Vertico (now a company of the Telecom Italia Group) waived its right to the capital increase in exchange for the 33.3% stake in Matrix.

On April 12, 2001, Matrix acquired 24.88% of FreeFinance S.p.A. (“FreeFinance”), an on-line brokerage company, from its major shareholders for €1 million. On July 18, 2001, Matrix acquired an additional 64.5% of FreeFinance for a consideration of €1.7 million. During the first half of 2001, Matrix acquired minority stakes in

a variety of companies for a total consideration of €5 million. As of June 20, 2002, Matrix had placed certain of these companies into liquidation, and had already sold or was in the process of negotiating a sale of its stake back to the companies’ other shareholders. Matrix had sold Free Finance on February 20, 2003.

Through Tin.it, SEAT provides Internet access services to predominantly residential users and to a lesser extent to small office/home office category of customers (“SOHO”) and SMEs Internet users. The SOHO market consists of businesses that use telephone lines to connect to the Internet, as opposed to dedicated lines, and is made up of small businesses, generally with one to two employees, and businesses conducted out of the home. The SME market consists of businesses having between three and 50 employees. While residential customers have made up the majority of Tin.it’s revenues historically, the SOHO/SME business is growing.

Tin.it’s Internet access products generate revenue from the following sources:


	•	Subscription Fees. All customers, other than subscribers to the tin.it Free product, pay subscription fees for basic Internet access. Customers also pay additional fees for features that can be added to their premium access service; and

	•	Revenue Sharing Fees. Since the last quarter of 1999, pursuant to an agreement between the Association of Internet Service Providers and Telecom Italia, Internet Service Providers, including Tin.it, have been entitled to share in Telecom Italia’s revenues from the provision of metered Internet access services. Accordingly, in 2002, Tin.it received on average approximately €4.40 from Telecom Italia for each thousand minutes that its subscribers spent on-line, in line with the revenue stream in 2001.


	•	free dial-up access (tin.it Free);

	•	premium dial-up access; and

	•	ADSL access.

At December 31, 2002, Tin.it’s subscriber base amounted to approximately 6.6 million registered users and 2.2 million active users (defined as users who connect to the Internet at least once every 45 days).

During 2002, SEAT re-launched the Tin.it brand and completely reviewed its product range. The most important products are the following:

Free Dial-up Access — Virgilio ClubNet. Tin.it launched free access services in September 1999 under the “ClubNet” brand. In the second half of 2000, the integration of Tin.it’s operations within those of the SEAT group resulted in the launch of the renewed free access service, Virgilio ClubNet,which was intended to maximize marketing synergies between Tin.it’s subscriber base and the Virgilio portal operated by Matrix. This product does not require the payment of a subscription fee but does require the payment of a local telephone call for the duration of the connection.

At year-end 2002, Tin.it Free totaled approximately 1.45 million active users with an average daily connection time of 19 seconds.

Premium Dial-up Access. Premium access is provided to both residential and business users. These products require the payment of a subscription fee and provide a wide range of value-added services, depending on the Premium plan selected. Premium plans offer different combinations of on-line time and value-added services, such as multiple e-mail addresses and 24-hour customer support. In addition, a number of value-added services can be packaged with Premium plans, including services allowing customers to listen to and send e-mail

messages by phone, receive faxes and voice messages by e-mail and to subscribe to news services by e-mail. In particular, in the second part of 2002 a new offer was launched for Premium Access customers by providing them access to the premium content of the Virgilio portal (Virgilio Piú).

At year-end 2002, SEAT had 300,000 active subscribers to Premium Dial-up Access services.

ADSL Access. ADSL based on consumption (“pay-as-you-go”) was launched by SEAT (ADSL Tin.it) and by Telecom Italia (Alice ADSL) with a positive effect on the customer base for both. The revenues for Tin.it ADSL are the subscription fees paid by its customers. Based on a commercial agreement, Telecom Italia pays to SEAT a €20 activation fee and a €50 annual subscription fee for each Alice user (Telecom Italia customers), because Seat is providing services such as authentication, second level customer care for technical matters and Virgilio Più services (e-mail, web space, video call, virus protection and exclusive contents).

ADSL based on consumption consists of two alternative product packages: “ADSL Tempo” and “ADSL Giornaliero”. The ADSL Tin.it customer pays a monthly fee of €9,71 (Tempo) or €18,71 (Giornaliero) plus the Internet dial-up fee of €0,015 per minute (Tempo) or €0,05 per each day of connection (Giornaliero). At the end of 2002 the users of ADSL Tin.it based on consumption are almost 27% of the total ADSL Tin.it users.

At year-end 2002, SEAT had 53,000 active subscribers to the ADSL Access services.

SEAT provides portal services through Matrix, which operates the Virgilio portal.

Virgilio is a leading Italian portal, with approximately 5.3 billion web page views in 2002, that caters to the Italian-speaking community on the Internet. Management believes that Virgilio, which has been on-line since July 1996, is one of the most complete Italian portals. It contains a search engine and a website index, and it centralizes services in various interest areas such as stock quotes, weather forecasts, TV guides, games, chats, advertisements and shopping. In order to simplify the use of information, Virgilio offers personalized, interactive services that correspond to the requirements of individual customers. Virgilio derives its revenues principally from advertising, which consists of both displaying advertising banners in its web pages and directing Internet traffic to websites designed, maintained or promoted on its network. In 2002, Virgilio received a yield per thousand pages of €2.50 which represents the advertising revenue per thousand pages for the year 2002.

Virgilio acts as a traffic and visibility aggregator for its advertisers, clients and partners on the Internet where the portal is a real distribution platform to be used to reach Italian consumers. Its objective is to maintain its leading position through a publishing approach favoring an “open” platform policy: users logging on to Virgilio have access to selected content and services while they have complete visibility and access to all the content available on the Internet, including those outside the portal, thanks to a comprehensive directory of sites available in Italy and to the navigation paths prepared by Virgilio’s staff.

During the course of 2002, new features were added and a range of new products was launched. A new format was provided to the home page, interaction with content such as news and resources (such as journalists and artists) from the Television business segment was implemented, news management services were introduced for mobile users, and premium content sections (containing games, news, music, cartoons, real time stock quotes) were developed in a new section of the portal (Virgilio Piú) restricted to paying subscribers of the Internet Access Services offers to increase customer loyalty.

Moreover, a new priority search engine (PG Net) was launched in June 2002. For this service Matrix receives from SEAT a fee for each subscriber present on the priority search engine.

On April 30, 2002, Virgilio.it began distributing an on-line version of Corriere della Sera, a leading Italian newspaper.

Matrix’s Active Advertising division is a leading on-line advertising agency in Italy and, as of June 13, 2003 had arrangements with approximately 18 Italian websites to provide advertising services. In 2002, Active Advertising sold approximately 162 million impressions (excluding Virgilio’s impressions).

SEAT provides web services through Tin.it and Matrix’s Matrix Communication division.

Tin.it provides different packages that enable SME and SOHO customers to establish a presence on the Internet or provide e-commerce services. In particular, Tin.it’s Easy and Village packages provide SME and SOHO customers with the ability to buy web links, template websites (including design and hosting), domain names, and to establish and manage e-commerce capabilities on the Internet.

Matrix Communication provides a wide range of web services, including communication consultancy, website construction and maintenance, and technical assistance.

Pursuant to its strategic plan (which included a change in SEAT Group’s strategy for the business-to-business market) in the first half of 2002, SEAT sold its 46.4% stake in Mondus, a business-to-business service provider which operates a European marketplace on the Internet for SMEs to the founders for €19 million.

In connection with the Spin-off of Tin.it and the SEAT/Tin.it merger, Telecom Italia and its subsidiaries contributed the following businesses to SEAT:


	•	49% Interest in ESRI Italia. The principal business of ESRI Italia is the distribution and customization throughout Italy of territorial and environmental software applications and information systems that utilize Geographic Information System, or GSI technology.

	•	VIASAT S.p.A. VIASAT S.p.A. was formed in 1998 as a 50%-50% joint venture between Telespazio, at which point in time was Telecom Italia’s wholly-owned satellite telecommunications subsidiary, and Magneti Marelli S.p.A. VIASAT is a provider in Italy of satellite automotive telecommunications services in Italy, including:


	•	an anti-theft satellite system to track a missing vehicle and notify authorities of the theft;

	•	security and medical assistance in the event of an emergency; and

	•	infomobility services which allow users, through the GSM network, to determine the route to their destinations.

On November 22, 2002 SEAT sold its 50% stake (33.54% directly owned and 16.46% owned through its subsidiary Finsatel) in VIASAT to ExeFin S.p.A for €2.5 million.

On May 24, 2002, the Telecom Italia Group and the Olivetti Group reached an agreement with Pirelli & C. Real Estate S.p.A., Pirelli S.p.A., MSMC Italy Holding B.V. and Popoy Holding B.V. with regard to the so called “Project Tiglio”, aimed at integrating real estate assets and entities of the various groups’ companies involved in real estate services and subsequently maximizing their value.

According to the terms of the agreement, the Telecom Italia Group in October 2002 transferred property and staff in charge of real estate asset management activities to two newly founded companies. In particular, SEAT Group’s contribution through the disposal of real estate assets amounted to €53 million, offset by its purchase of 2% of Tiglio I s.r.l. for €10,613 and its loan to Tiglio I s.r.l. of €2,663. Please see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for more information.

The Italian markets for Internet access, portal services and on-line advertising are highly competitive. In addition, these markets are still in an early stage of development and grows slower than anticipated although the barriers to entry are relatively insubstantial. SEAT expects that intense competition in these areas will increase as:


	•	the number of strategic alliances among its competitors continues to grow;

	•	Internet use in Italy continues to grow slowly and the Internet is generally not used to make purchases in Italy, although 31% of Italian households have access to Internet;

	•	technological developments introduce new platforms for Internet access; and

	•	an increased number of global and local companies enter these markets.

With respect to SEAT’s Internet access services, Tin.it’s principal competitors are Infostrada-Wind and Tiscali. Tin.it’s market share in the dial-up and ADSL segment as of December 31, 2002 was 22% to the total market share comprising both the business and consumer market of dial-up, ADSL and fiber markets and 27% in the consumer segment.

In the market for portal services, based on the number of page views, Virgilio’s principal competitor is IOL-Libero, a subsidiary of Infostrada-Wind. Other competitors include MSN, Supereva, Tiscali and Yahoo!.

SEAT and Active Advertising compete for Internet advertising with advertising agencies representing competitive portals and vertical sites.

The principal competitors of Tin.it and Matrix Communication for web services include Datanord, Inferentia and E-Tree-Etnoteam.

The number of employees in the Internet business segment decreased from 981 at December 31, 2001 to 569 at December 31, 2002.

Through Gruppo Buffetti and Cipi, SEAT distributes office products and services in Italy and operates in the sector of promotional articles and gifts for businesses.

Gruppo Buffetti is a distributor of office products and services in Italy. The primary target groups are professionals, retailers, SOHO and SME. The Buffetti brand name has been present in the Italian market for over 150 years and enjoys of a 93% brand awareness. A large portion of the products and services offered are designed and sold under Gruppo Buffetti’s own brands, while their actual production is mostly outsourced to third parties. Products are distributed mostly through Gruppo Buffetti’s nationwide franchise network and its new direct-to-business agency network, independent retailers and through the Internet.

At the beginning of 2002, Gruppo Buffetti underwent a significant internal reorganization. The Group was restructured into three internal operating divisions (Sales, Marketing and Consumer Products). During the course of 2002, Buffetti completed the reorganization of its corporate computer system, restructured the entire system of the supply chain and further developed the interface with the network of Buffetti franchise outlets.

In accordance with the 2002-2005 plan announced in February 2002, SEAT enhanced Gruppo Buffetti’s strategic role as a key distribution platform for products and services for both the SEAT Group and the Telecom Italia Group. Pursuant to this strategy, Buffetti’s management made efforts to develop Buffetti as a one-stop shop for its customers. This was made possible as Buffetti focused on higher margin services, such as software, print-on-demand services, promotional items and digital signature software packages. Buffetti increased its interaction with other business segments of SEAT and Telecom Italia and thus offers, communication and business solutions such as mobile telephone connections, provided by and marketed under the brand name of Telecom Italia Mobile and Internet services (through Tin.it), professional software, Yellow Pages products and services, professional publishing and electronic gadgets.

In 2002, Gruppo Buffetti opened in Italy two cash-and-carry stores one in Rome and the other in Altopascio (Lucca) and in December its first megastore in Padua. Gruppo Buffetti intends to open additional stores of this kind. These stores have the advantage to offer customers (especially SOHO and SME) a whole variety of business solutions together with a “show room” and the products of Gruppo Buffetti’s most important suppliers. At the end of 2002, the number of sale outlets of Gruppo Buffetti was 1,011 of which 324 operated under the name of Buffetti Business and 687 under Buffetti. Gruppo Buffetti’s main products are:


	•	Business Solutions. Gruppo Buffetti’s business solutions products include printed business forms, professional publishing and professional software. Gruppo Buffetti publishes a big variety of books and magazines covering a wide range of business topics under the Gruppo Buffetti Editore brand. In order to satisfy all business topics and their needs these products are supported by databases on CD-ROM and Internet pages. At the beginning of 2003 Gruppo Buffetti is setting up a commercial partnership with a strategic publishing company. Gruppo Buffetti’s specialized software products include professional packages with features for tax planning, accounting, inventory, sales and personnel management;

	•	Traditional Office Products. Gruppo Buffetti offers traditional office products such as filing and organizing products, presentation materials, stationery, writing instruments, gifts and leather accessories;

	•	Consumer IT Products. Gruppo Buffetti offers a wide range of standard consumer and professional information technology products such as software, personal computers, printers, fax machines and various computer accessories; and

	•	Telecommunications Products. Gruppo Buffetti distributes TIM mobile telecommunications products, including handsets, accessories, subscriptions and rechargeable SIM cards. Gruppo Buffetti also distributes Telecom Italia fixed telecommunications products, such as voice and data services, Internet connections and e-commerce solutions for small businesses.

Gruppo Buffetti plans to keep approaching the market as a full service provider for small- and medium-sized companies by offering a wider range of products through its franchise shops. Gruppo Buffetti is also implementing its plan to increase its sales on the Internet. Gruppo Buffetti is investing in web technology to provide customers online custom catalogues and information services through the three sales channels: the nationwide franchise network, independent retailers and the internet.

Cipi produces and distributes clothing, stationery, address books, diaries, and bags for offices and professionals. Cipi also offers its products through its website. Cipi represents approximately 9% of the total Office Products and Services net revenue.

During 2002, the products and office services market was subject to strong competition due to the growing presence of large national and multinational operators (selling directly to the end-customers), a high level of fragmentation of the points of sale (about 12,000 in the Italian domestic market), an increase in sales through specialized channels and a weakening demand from retail customers. The market did not have a uniform trend in its various product segments. As of December 31, 2002, Gruppo Buffetti’s market share was approximately 19%

Gruppo Buffetti’s main competitors are Corporate Express, Karnak, Errebian, Data Ufficio and Office Depot. In particular, Office Depot operates in the Italian market through the Viking Office products (direct marketing catalogs). In addition Office Depot has contract business operations under its own brand name (Office Depot) which targets medium to large-sized corporate accounts through a specialized sales force.

Additional competitors are SEAT’s suppliers such as 3M, and Bic with which SEAT has no exclusive contract and specialized software companies such as Team System, Zucchetti and Dialog.

The number of employees in the Office Products and Services business segment increased from 495 at December 31, 2001 to 503 at December 31, 2002.

The Television business segment was formed in 2001 and consists of the La7 and MTV Italia television channels. SEAT’s management decided to form a separate segment for television services in order to rationalize costs and allow a better interaction with the other business segments for its news oriented and all-music channels.

Pursuant to an agreement dated August 7, 2000, SEAT agreed to purchase TMC (now HMC) the owner of the TeleMonteCarlo television network, from the Cecchi Gori Group for an aggregate amount of €516 million. TMC is the third-largest television network in Italy, broadcasting two television channels, TMC (recently renamed La7) and TMC2 (recently renamed MTV Italia). The acquisition of Cecchi Gori Communications added a new distribution platform for SEAT’s services and allowed SEAT to explore potential synergies with its Internet services. The Internet portal Virgilio broadcasts via Internet La7 and some contents produced by MTV can also be obtained on Virgilio Piú. It is also possible to participate in an on-line discussion forum, regarding the various topics analyzed and discussed in a talk-show called the otto e mezzo show broadcasted on La7.

On April 27, 2001, the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Cecchi Gori Communications approved the company’s annual report for the fiscal year 2000 and resolved to reduce the share capital to zero and then to increase it up to the original amount in order to cover its losses shown on the financial statements for the fiscal year 2000. SEAT subscribed to the portion of the capital increase necessary to maintain its 25% interest by paying approximately €21,175 and also advanced approximately €64,506 for Cecchi Gori Media Holding’s 75% portion.

As of June 4, 2001, the prescribed deadline for subscribing to the capital increase, Cecchi Gori Media Holding Group had failed to make a payment with respect to its share capital or provide notification of its intent

As described below under “Item 8. Financial Information — Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings,” the Cecchi Gori Group and its controlling company have filed claims challenging the shareholder resolutions approving the financial statements for the year 2000 and the recapitalization and commenced an arbitration proceeding claiming rescission, invalidity or termination of the purchase and sale agreement of Cecchi Gori Communications and also claiming damages.

In February 2001, Cecchi Gori Communications reached an agreement with Viacom Networks Europe Inc. (the “Viacom Group”) providing for the acquisition of MTV’s Italian business by Beta Television (now MTV Italia) from the Viacom Group for a consideration of approximately €6,000 and for the acquisition by the Viacom group of 49% of Beta Television’s share capital through the subscription to a capital increase.

Pursuant to the 2002-2005 business plan, the reorganization of the companies belonging to the Telecom business segment was completed at the end of 2002. The two subsidiaries H.M.C. Broadcasting S.r.l. and H.M.C. Produzioni S.r.l. were merged with and into TV Internazionale S.p.A., the company controlled by HMC, that holds the broadcasting license for La7, which now acts as the holding company for MTV Italia S.r.l.. Moreover, the programming format was completely reviewed and rationalization measures were taken to reduce costs.

More recently, in March 2003, TV Internazionale S.p.A. was awarded by the ICA a license for the testing of the digital terrestrial television, or DTV. DTV is a recently introduced means of transmitting pictures and sound which comprise a television program, together with other services like text and Internet interactivity. DTV offers many advantages over the “analog” television transmission system. Because the information needed to construct a television program is “coded” into a digital stream of ones and zeroes — similar to the way a computer works — the technical quality can be improved and made more consistent. The digital stream takes up much less capacity in the airwaves, so that the space needed in the past for just one analogue channel can now carry up to seven different programs. This allows for a larger selection of programs for a digital television customer. DTV also allows for access to a wider range of information: digital text is much clearer than the old teletext system. Some digital services also provide access to Internet pages through the television set.

SEAT’s current plans are to test-preview service among a pool of selected users. No decision has yet been made regarding the beginning of the roll-out. DTV services are currently regulated at the European Union level. Please see under “Regulation-Television.”

After its acquisition in 2000, the La7 television channel was providing generic content in competition with the other national television networks (mainly the state-owned RAI television channels and the channels of Mediaset S.p.A., a company that is part of the Fininvest Group). Following a decline in advertising revenues and after an evaluation by SEAT of the costs of competing against other generic-content television channels, in September 2001 SEAT decided to implement a different strategy for its television services by changing the editorial content of La7.

Pursuant to its strategic plan, La7 has become a focused television channel, providing news-oriented programming with prime time entertainment programming in the evenings targeting young professionals, and is currently interacting with the Internet Services business segment in order to provide on-line news information through the use of video-streaming technology. La7 started broadcasting under the new format on March 18, 2002.

The change in format of La7 forced SEAT to rescind contracts and agreements with employees and professionals hired under the pre-existing plan. Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2000 — Operating Loss” for a discussion of the economical consequences of such rescissions.

MTV is a television channel providing music programs and programming for young people (11-35 years segment) on a 24-hour basis. The brand MTV is a well known brand in the music industry and in the television network business. MTV Italia started broadcasting its programs on Beta Television frequency on May 1, 2001. MTV Italia’s strategy is to increase brand awareness and customer loyalty in the specific market segment in which it operates.

MTV continues to have its own advertising agency acting through its subsidiary MTV Pubblicità S.r.l.

On November 9, 2002, SEAT reached an agreement for the outsourcing of its advertising agency services to Cairo Communication S.p.A.. The agreement provides for Cairo Communication to place La7 advertising space among potential clients for the next three years. The outsourcing contract allowed for the ending of the operations of the internal advertising agency, H.M.C. Pubblicità S.r.l., which has been put into liquidation.

MTV continues to have its own advertising agency acting through its subsidiary MTV Pubblicità S.r.l.

The total market share measured by audience in Italy in 2002 for La7 and MTV Italia is approximately 3%. As per the year 2001, the reduction in advertising spending in 2002 reflects the impact of the economic downturn on investments and expectations by the companies and customers. According to market research conducted by AC Nielsen, the television advertising market in 2002 generated a total of approximately €3.900 million in revenues compared to €3,392 million in 2001.

In recent years, the use of satellite receivers and the presence in the Italian market of pay-per-view program providers has increased. Consequently, La7 faces competition from all-news channels broadcast by Italian competitors, as well as foreign competitors, who have access to the Italian market. Such channels include Italian channel RAI, RAINews (owned by state-owned Italian television RAI), Mediaset and the U.S. networks CNN and Fox News.

MTV Italia competes with established Italian and foreign music channels broadcast on both digital satellite and analog terrestrial technology, such as ReteA-All Music, MatchMusic, VIVA, and Magic TV.

The number of employees in the Television business segment increased from 559 at December 31, 2001, to 591 at December 31, 2002.

The Giallo Professional Publishing Group, which was established during the course of 2000, has specific responsibility in this business area with interests in companies publishing specialized information in the following sectors:


	—	through Mark up, an Italian monthly publication providing specialized information on the economics, strategies and policies of goods and services; and


	—	Fuoricasa, an Italian monthly publication providing specialized information on entertainment.


	•	in electronics, information technology and audiovisual communication through Gruppo Editoriale JCE S.p.A., the publisher of magazines which specialize in telecommunications, electronics and computers;

	•	in ceramics, architecture and urban design; through Gruppo Faenza Editrice, the publisher of a magazine and books specializing in architecture and house décor which has operations in Italy and Spain; and

	•	in tourism with reference to in- and outgoing tourism activities, where the offer of each country and regional area is matched with a tour operator’s request through TTG Italia S.p.A., the publisher of magazines specializing in business travel and tourism and in the organization and promotion of events such as exhibitions and road shows.

Meanwhile the Giallo Professional Publishing Group also offers services and expertise in the Stands & Exhibitions business.

The Professional Publishing business segment has been among the worst-hit segments of Telecom Italia Mobile. SEAT is evaluating the possibility of disposing of its Professional Publishing-activities because of the severe contraction of investments by advertisers during all of 2002.

In 2002, the volume of the Italian publishing market remained unchanged compared to 2001 with a total of €500 million in revenues. The market share of the companies in the Professional Publishing group was approximately 7.5%, followed by Agepe and Tecniche Nuove with 5.5% each, and Reed Elsevier with 5%. The other competitors all have less than a 5% market share.

The number of employees in the Professional Publishing business segment decreased from 163, at December 31, 2001 to 155 at December 31, 2002.

SEAT provides call center services through four call-centers (IMR S.r.l., Teleprofessional S.r.l, OPS S.r.l and Call Center Services S.r.l.). Teleprofessional S.r.l., OPS S.r.l. and Call Center Services S.r.l. will remain with Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off. Giallo Voice provides services for the Directories business segment. Giallo Voice acquired a majority stake in each of the four call-centers during the course of 2001 for a total consideration of €12,700. Pursuant to contractual provisions of the purchase agreements of the four call-centers in June and July 2002, Giallo Voice increased its stake in IMR from 51% to 100%, in Call Center Services from 66% to 100% and in OPS from 51% to 66%. Call Center Services S.r.l. was subsequently merged with and into Giallo Voice in December 2002.

Teleprofessional S.r.l. is based in Monza and, for the past 15 years, it has offered mainly telemarketing services; OPS S.r.l. is based in Milan and specializes in technological innovation for call center services; Call Center Services S.r.l., now part of Giallo Voice, is located in Cernusco sul Naviglio, Milan, and focuses on call center services for the business-to-business market.

On January 20, 2003 Giallo Voice S.p.A. entered into a purchase agreement to purchase the remaining 34% of the share capital of Teleprofessional S.r.l. (for a purchase price of €1,450,000). On May 26, 2003 the merger agreement was entered into and both companies merged.

With these three companies, Giallo Voice can rely on approximately 450 call-center stations that already offer services aimed particularly toward companies in information technology and in the telecommunications, manufacture, publishing, non-profit and financial industry.

Giallo Voice offers such telemarketing services to small-and medium-sized enterprises (“SME”) and to large companies that outsource their customer relations management services.

SEAT provides business information services. After the spin-off the services provided by Databank would remain with Telecom Italia Media. Databank is an Italian company which specializes in customer asset improvement and industry forecasts by providing information, surveys, research and analyses related to 350 economic sectors, 1,500 markets and 10,000 companies and their clients. It is also involved in competitive intelligence, analyzing and evaluating the services on markets and distribution channels. Similarly to Consodata for the French market, Databank provides intelligence and data in relation to the Italian Internet market (especially Internet sites, rankings).

Through the companies of the Directories business segment SEAT publishes printed dual on-line consumer classified directories in Italy and the United Kingdom and provides other services such as special editions by topic and operator-assisted or on-line research services.

SEAT sells advertising with multicolor formatting in its three Yellow Pages products principally to small and medium-sized businesses, operating on a local or regional, rather than a national basis. In 2002, SEAT published 202 editions plus 5 Pagine Gialle Professional editions of its Yellow Pages for a total of 296,000 paying advertisers. The three Yellow Pages products are as follows:

Business-to-Business Yellow Pages — (Pagine Gialle Lavoro). Pagine Gialle Lavoro is a Yellow Pages directory that lists the name, address and telephone number of each business customer of Telecom Italia. The listings are organized in approximately 2,200 headings. In 2002, SEAT published and distributed 87 annual editions of Pagine Gialle Lavoro covering various cities and provinces within Italy. Each Italian business customer receives one copy of Pagine Gialle Lavoro per telephone line at no cost.

Business-to-Consumer Yellow Pages — (Pagine Gialle Casa). Pagine Gialle Casa is a Yellow Pages directory that lists the name, address and telephone number of those Italian businesses that SEAT characterizes as businesses providing goods and services to residential consumers. The listings are organized into approximately 1,000 categories. In 2002, SEAT published and distributed 202 editions of Pagine Gialle Casa covering various neighborhoods, towns, cities and geographic regions.

Business-to-Business Regional Yellow Pages — (Pagine Gialle Professional). Pagine Gialle Professional is a Yellow Pages directory that lists the name, address and telephone and facsimile numbers of businesses selected by size and type of company. In 2002, SEAT published and distributed 5 editions of Pagine Gialle Professional, one for each of the following regions: Northwestern Italy comprising Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta Lombardia Ligura, Northeastern Italy comprising (Friuli, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto), Emilia Romagna, Lazio and Umbria. Pagine Gialle Professional is provided in print and CD-ROM versions at no cost to approximately 900,000 major Italian businesses.

Starting with the 2002 edition for the listings in the city of Rome, SEAT launched a new format and a new graphic design for the Yellow Pages. The directories are printed in a new font (Nomina), which was first used for the White Pages in 2001. A new four-color process on white paper (White Spot Light) permits better visibility of the advertisements. The “Home” and “Office” volumes have been redesigned: new logo, new covers, new graphics and the use of the White Spot Light technique. The printing is done on white paper that is then colored yellow, ensuring greater visibility for advertisers. The advertisements have a lighter print compared to the background of the page which in connection with a recently created typeface makes research on this database easier.

Greater specialization and more detailed information were added by introducing over 200 new categories that respond to the most recent market requirements (for example, e-commerce, online banks, Internet cafes and cyberpubs, health, etc.). In addition, to make it easier to locate nationally known brands, the “Trovamarche,” or brand-finder index, has been overhauled and optimized.

Based on the high use and enjoyment levels of several sections found in the old editions, new sections have been added, such as the Restaurant Guide, with information on venues categorized by specialties and cuisine, and the section on Bars & Nightspots, following the model of some of the most famous and widely circulated national guides. The new format and the enhanced features of all the editions of the Yellow Pages (amounting to 202 editions) will be available by September 2003. A new advertising campaign was launched in October 2002.

Talking Yellow Pages — (Pronto Pagine Gialle). 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle: your personal assistant “with you 24 hours a day.” 89.24.24 is the phone voice portal that operates 24 hours a day. Through 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle, consumers can find information about economic subjects, flight and train schedule, chemist shops, cinemas, weather, traffic, airlines, airports, museums, theatre shows and live music concerts. All information is retrieved and delivered by a member of the service staff who is able to better understand consumer needs and looking for the most suitable match closes to the caller, or other information, properly matching that need.

The members of the service staff are professionally trained to respond to caller’s needs. They interact with the consumer and take care of the search and try to find the best solution working on a complete and updated data base.

Advertisers describe their activity through keywords such as: product and services, brands, time schedules, etc. Each keyword accomplishes two things: On the one hand it can be used as input for the search engine to find the information, on the other hand it is the most precise way to describe consumer needs. Finally each advertiser has the choice of either being freely listed or ask for a priority listing.

89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle gives callers a range of additional services such as: maps via sms, call completion, information delivery via sms, e-mail and fax.

89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle business model is based on a double revenue stream: on the one hand revenues from advertisers and on the other hand from phone calls.

SEAT also applies technology to the development of value-added services for its existing telephone directory products. For example, SEAT uses a digital map database to support delivery businesses in areas already covered by an electronic map.

On-Line Yellow Pages — (Pagine Gialle.it). Pagine Gialle.it is an Internet-based product through which users can search an on-line directory for descriptions and information on approximately 150,000 advertisers and also limited listing information for approximately 3 million Italian businesses. Similar to Pagine Gialle, the database is accessible through subject areas within categories such as “restaurants” or “hotels”. Pagine Gialle.it allows a subscribing business advertiser to include information on its products and services as well as links to its web page. Following the upgrade of Pagine Gialle.it through the introduction of an enhanced search-engine and a link to the search engine of the Virgilio portal (“Virgilio.it”), in October 2002 the website underwent significant restyling with the introduction of a new format and layout, enhanced search engine features and more areas divided by topic.

Pursuing a closer integration with the internet platform, in June 2002 SEAT launched PG Net, a new product which offers to Pagine Gialle.it customers the possibility to gain greater visibility with respect to other advertisers in the Virgilio.it database.

PagineBianche is a directory containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of Telecom Italia’s and other main Italian telecommunications operators’ business and residential customers. It is published with two-color formatting available for advertisements. SEAT publishes a total of 103 editions of PagineBianche covering each city, town and geographic region of Italy. SEAT owns PagineBianche, sells advertising in PagineBianche, retains 100% of the advertising revenues, and bears all production costs. In accordance with Italian law, Telecom Italia continues to distribute PagineBianche and pays for the distribution. As part of the conditions to the SEAT-Tin.it combination, SEAT will have to put out for tender the sale of advertising for PagineBianche telephone directories beginning January 1, 2008.

PagineBianche is provided to Telecom Italia’s and other main Italian telecommunications operators’ residential and business customers and contains approximately 600,000 advertisers. The total circulation of PagineBianche in 2002 was approximately 27 million copies.

In accordance with a European Union directive and the related Italian decree, Italian telecom operators must provide access to their telephone subscriber databases to independent telephone directory operators and Italian telephone subscribers must be provided with at least one “universal directory” containing the complete telephone listings of residential and mobile subscribers within their local geographic area. SEAT launched its first edition of the universal directory in October 2002 starting with the Rome edition. In the Rome edition, the new directories include subscribers to the services of Telecom Italia, as well as those working through Infostrada, Albacom, Atlanet, Colt and Fastweb. In the 2003 editions the White Pages contained the information of 16 different telecom operators. The directories will be distributed by Telecom Italia with the usual procedures.

The cover features brand new graphics, plus a new logo. One of the most important innovations of the new printed directories is that, in addition to the new graphic layout of the advertisements and a new font to make the directories easier to read, there is also a section where the telephone carriers can publish their subscription terms and a list of services. In the middle of the volume, there are two new sections: “PAGINEBIANCHEINFORMA”, listing emergency and public service numbers, and “GESTORINFORMANO”, with more commercial information about the services and offers of the various carriers.

Thanks to an innovative integrated multiplatform system, Pagine Bianche will be available to everyone anywhere — on paper (with the new telephone books), on the Web (at PagineBianche.it, also in the WAP and PDA versions), on CD (in two versions, one for businesses and one for private customers) and through the voice service at 89.24.24. The advantages of the system are constantly updated information and easy use. As of June 13, 2003, SEAT publishes 103 editions of the White Pages.

On-Line White Pages — (Pagine Bianche.it). Pagine Bianche.it is an Internet directory assistance service. It contains the complete and updated telephone directory of all Italian subscribers, 19 million residential customers and 4 million businesses, and performs rapid searches by name or by telephone number at the national, provincial and local levels. The service is free of charge and was launched in September 1999. SEAT offers advertising space on PagineBianche.it. For a fee, the subscriber can add to the already available information contained in the White Pages listing additional information such as e-mail addresses, mobile phone numbers and other information of the listed business or activity. Starting in June 2003, PagineBianche.it is sold in bundling with the printed version of PagineBianche; the same advertisement will appear on paper, on-line and on CD Rom.

TDL Infomedia, through its subsidiary, Thomson Directories, is the second largest directory publisher in the United Kingdom, with a market share of approximately 14%. Thomson Directories distributes 173 editions of the Thomson Local Directory and one new WebFinder directory, which have a combined circulation of over 22 million copies covering approximately 85% of the United Kingdom’s population. Thomson Directories,

In addition to printed directories, Thomson Directories also offers on-line directory advertising through the Internet sites ThomsonLocal.com and ThomWeb.co.uk and business information products. Thomson Directories’ Internet sites offers comprehensive directory services and provides access to a database of approximately 2 to 3 million businesses in the United Kingdom.

Internet advertising packages sold on ThomWeb.co.uk and ThomsonLocal.com comprise online business listing with a more prominent position and an “enhanced listing” section and links to the advertiser’s website, an online version of the customer’s printed advertisement and guaranteed placement in the “preferred listings” section.

Business Information products consist of the sale of information from Thomson proprietary database relating to U.K. businesses to both wholesale and retail customers. In the wholesale category, sales are relatively concentrated to a small number of large companies which basically pay license fees to have access to Thomson proprietary database. Products for retail customers consist in tools such as Business Search Pro, which is a CD-ROM providing detailed information on 2.1 million business listings in the U.K. and enabling customers to download data on a “pay-as-you-go” basis and new connections.

As of December 31, 2002, Thomson Directories had approximately 93,000 print directory customers, approximately 23,000 on-line directory customers (fully overlapping the print directory customers) and approximately 5,500 business information products customers.

TDL Infomedia continually seeks to introduce new products and features in order to create incentives for customers to renew their prior year’s advertising subscription and increase their expenditure on TDL’s products. Typically these product innovations are rolled out over a two to three year period. In 2000 TDL launched color advertisements in the classified section of 39 directories. The roll-out of such color advertisements was extended to an additional seven directories in 2002 and it is intended to be rolled out across eleven more directories in 2003.

In December 2002, TDL published a new directory of web addresses, WebFinder, which was distributed throughout Central London. This product supported the launch of the new WebFinder.com online search engine, which took place in January 2003.

Regarding the Internet strategy, in April 2002, TDL launched a new proprietary Internet site, ThomsonLocal.Com, complementing the existing Thomweb.co.uk. This local information portal features an enhanced business finder, the “WebFinder” search engine and a “search nearby” facility, as well as local area information.

During 2002, TDL entered into separate paper and printing agreements with 3 paper suppliers based in Sweden and Finland and 2 printers based in Italy and Sweden. Each agreement is due to expire in 2004 (except for the paper agreement with one of the Swedish suppliers (Holmen A.B.), which is due to expire in 2005) with fixed rates.

The U.K. classified directories market has been subject to review by the U.K. Office of Fair Trading. Following the most recent review, on May 11, 2001 the Office of Fair Trading announced that the price cap limiting annual price increases in advertising rates by Yell Group Limited, which is viewed as the incumbent market leader, should be tightened from Retail Price Index minus 2% to Retail Price Index minus 6% for directories published from January 2002. Although TDL was not required to offer any similar undertaking, the cap imposed on Yell Group Limited has the indirect effect of constraining TDL’s ability to increase advertising rates.

In October 2002, SEAT increased its stake in TDL Infomedia from 99.6% to 99.73% following the acquisition of “A Investment Shares” from the Management of TDL Infomedia in accordance with the Share Purchase Agreement entered into among SEAT and Apax, 3i, Advent and participating management and employees.

SEAT is the exclusive Italian licensee for the sale of advertising in Europages, a European business directory containing information on approximately 120,000 exporters of goods and services for the printed version and 500,000 suppliers for the on-line and CD-ROM versions. Businesses are classified among more than 600 headings. Europages is published in six languages in either print version or on CD-ROM and distributed at no cost to each listed company and selected exporters in 33 countries.

Euredit offers advertising space on Europages through both sales agents in 26 countries and a telephone marketing program from Euredit headquarters in Paris, France. SEAT, earns commissions for the sale of advertising space in Europages.

Euredit also sells on-line advertising space in its proprietary site, Europages.com, in which the Euredit database consisting of approximately 500,000 business addresses is available for consultation. The site, available in 16 different languages, provides visitors with enhanced search tools as well as with links to the corporate sites of the main European Yellow Pages operators throughout Europe.

PagineBianche CD Italia is the retail edition of PagineBianche in CD-ROM format. This product is sold directly by the customer service branch of SEAT.

Pagine Bianche Office. Pagine Bianche Office together with Pagine Gialle Lavoro is a database of about 4 million businesses in CD-ROM format distributed free of charge. The available information includes fixed telephone line numbers, fax numbers, e-mails, URL and companies’ telephone numbers. Pagine Bianche Office had 120,000 customers in 2002.

Business-to-Business Industry Sector Listings — (Annuario SEAT Neoexpo). Annuario SEAT is a multi-volume business-to-business directory. It contains selected Italian businesses grouped by industry and services offered.

City Maps — (TuttoCittà). TuttoCittà is available in all editions of PagineGialle Lavoro and in 65 editions of PagineGialle Casa; there are 35 editions of TuttoCittà available in a separate volume. TuttoCittà provides a city map and information about local public services, including transportation, leisure activities and local attractions. Starting from July 2002, TuttoCittà made Italian city maps available on-line.

Annuario Kompass (formerly known as Kompass Italia) — Information on over 60,000 Italian companies: names, activities, products and services, decision-makers and their functions, key figures. It is part of a worldwide network of 66 publishers of industry annuals and provides on-line, on-disc and printed services relating to specialist economic information for the business-to-business market. Until August 2002 this service was provided by Kompass Italia which in August 2002 transferred its operating activities and personnel to Annuari Italiani S.p.A. and therefore is no longer an operating subsidiary.

Business-to-Business directories: Guida agli acquisti per gli Enti Pubblici, a sale guide for shopping in hotels and a comprehensive guide to Italian hotels (both on paper and on line).

Through the brand-name Giallo Promo, SEAT also sells direct marketing services and provides merchandising services.

Distribution and Sales. In December 1998, SEAT began subcontracting the distribution of all Pagine Gialle products in response to a ruling from the Italian Antitrust Authority that the previous co-packaging and distribution system with Telecom Italia restricted competition. SEAT uses two independent distributors to deliver its Pagine Gialle products throughout Italy. Telecom Italia distributes all White Pages directories published by SEAT.

SEAT’s directories sales force is divided into three groups: territorial sales, large customer and telephone sales, each of which covers a specific type of customer. At the end of 2001, SEAT completed the reorganization of SEAT’s sales channels and the commissions structure for SEAT’s sales agents; SEAT now deals directly with its sales agents through an agency contract without the use of sub-agents.

Paper Supply Arrangements. The market for directory paper is controlled by a limited number of specialized paper mills that are being further reduced, as a result of ongoing consolidation in the paper sector. SEAT seeks to diversify its use of paper suppliers in an effort to reduce printing paper expenses and increase the stability and quality of its paper supply.

Accordingly, SEAT reduced the quantity of paper purchased from the Italian supplier Cartiere Burgo S.p.A. from 45% of its requirements in 2000, to 7% in 2002. As of June 13, 2003, SEAT’s purchases from Cartiere Burgo S.p.A. are being maintained at the same percentage of paper supply requirements. Cartiere Burgo S.p.A. is also backed up by further potential local suppliers. In 2002, SEAT entered into a three-year supply contract with the Swedish paper supplier Holmen Paper A.B., and into a two-year contract with the Finnish paper suppliers UPM-Kymmene OY, Stora Enso Publication Papers OY Ltd. and Stromsdal Corporation. These contracts obligate the supplier to sell, and SEAT to purchase, a target amount of paper at a fixed price for their duration. SEAT received approximately 93% of its printing paper from these suppliers in 2002, and does not expect this to change. SEAT also maintains commercial relations with certain paper suppliers in the United States and Canada, in order to obtain access to the North American paper market and evaluate the prospects for long-term supply agreements with those suppliers.

Printing — Relationship with ILTE. Since SEAT’s sale in August 1998 of ILTE, its former printing subsidiary, SEAT has continued to use ILTE as its exclusive provider of printing, binding and cellophane wrapping services for its directory-publishing activities. In 1998, SEAT entered into an exclusive supply contract with ILTE, that expires on December 31, 2007. The prices were renegotiated in 2002, based on benchmarking against major European directory printers. A future price increase will be based upon a maximum of 50% of Istat, the Italian cost of living index. The contract also stipulates timing and qualitative performances criteria, with penalties if they are not met. SEAT provides paper that meets quality specifications to ILTE which provides the other principal raw material for printing, such as ink. Although SEAT is required to use ILTE for its printing needs throughout the duration of the agreement, SEAT has an option to terminate the entire agreement, or the exclusivity requirement with respect to 30% of SEAT’s printing needs, in the event that ILTE is unable to meet the performance criteria set out in the agreement.

Billing and Credit Management Systems. SEAT’s advertising customers are invoiced for the cost of advertisements placed in its publications on an agreed upon timetable when the order is placed. The “canvassing” for advertising orders begins approximately 11 months prior to publication of the relevant edition. Revenue from advertising sales is recognized upon publication of the relevant directory. Prior to extending credit to a customer, the customer, SEAT performs a credit check.

SEAT’s market share in Italy in the telephone directory segment is approximately 90%. In 1997, the Italian publishing company Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. (“Mondadori”), and Pagine Italia S.p.A. (“Pagine Italia”), both subsidiaries of Fininvest S.p.A., the parent company of the Fininvest S.p.A. group of companies (“Fininvest”), launched Pagine Utili, an on-line and paper-based Yellow Pages directory. Pagine Utili has a 5% market share, SEAT currently has no other significant national direct competitors for its printed directory products.

The number of employees in the Directories business segment decreased from 2,281 at December 31, 2001, to 2,220 at December 31, 2002.


	•	Telegate Group

	•	IMR S.r.l.; and

	•	Pronto Pagine Gialle 89.24.24 (a division of SEAT)

SEAT’s strategy for Directories Assistance is focused on increasing Pronto Pagine Gialle’s relatively small market share of the Italian telephone directory assistance market and the expansion of Telegate in European countries other than Germany, specifically the U.K. and Spain.

SEAT currently holds a direct and indirect interest of 78.4% of Telegate AG. This is a result of the capital increase approved by the shareholders’ meeting of Telegate AG of November 18, 2002. The shareholders’ meeting resolved to increase the share capital by €46,973,700.00 against the issuance of 12,730,000 new shares at an issue price of €3.69 including a premium of €2,69. Of this amount, €6,360,740.83 was contributed by SEAT, €23,950,229.17 by Telegate Holding GmbH and €16,662,730.00 by the remaining shareholders. Currently the subscribed share capital of Telegate AG amounts to €20,954,355.00

Telegate had 2,383 employees at the end of 2002 (primarily call-center operators) and its main operations are in Germany although it is also active in Italy, Spain, the UK and the United States.

In 2002, SEAT continued the implementation of its international strategy for the Directories Assistance business segment:


	•	Telegate’s main service in Germany is the telephone number 11.88.0. In 2002, it handled a total of approximately 93.6 million calls.

	•	In December 2002, Telegate began providing services through its subsidiary 11.88.66 Ltd. in the UK through the telephone number 11.88.66.

	•	Through Telegate Italia S.r.l. (“Telegate Italia”), its Italian subsidiary, Telegate also provides telephone services for 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle.

By dialing each call-center number, users can transfer calls, access information relating to telephone numbers and access other information services (weather updates, films at cinemas and other events) via a hotline for booking and buying tickets. Telegate handled more than 119 million calls during 2002.

Pronto Pagine Gialle is a relatively new business unit that was transferred out of Directories Italia and into Directory Assistance in 2002. Pronto Pagine Gialle’s activities relate exclusively to the provision of telephone directory assistance services to the general public in Italy, via the branded telephone number service “89.24.24.” Pronto Pagine Gialle receives a share of the call charges levied by the telephone network operators on the users of its 89.24.24 services. In addition small and medium size business and corporate clients wishing to receive priority listing on Pronto Pagine Gialle 89.24.24 service are also advertising customers for Pronto Pagine Gialle. These

SEAT provides call-center services through Giallo Voice, consisting of four call-centers (IMR S.r.l., Teleprofessional S.r.l., OPS S.r.l. and Call Center Services S.r.l.). After the Spin-off, IMR S.r.l. will be part of New SEAT. In June and July 2002, Giallo Voice increased its stake in IMR S.r.l. from 51% to 100%.

IMR S.r.l. is based in Turin, where its main activity is to assist Pronto Pagine Gialle in its directory assistance services.

In Germany, Telegate’s main competitors are free Internet-based search-engines. As of December 31, 2002, Telegate’s market share in Germany was approximately 32%.

The number of employees in the Directories Assistance business segment decreased from 3,775 at December 31, 2001 to 2,712 at December 31, 2002.

SEAT provides direct marketing and database services through its subsidiaries Consodata, NetCreations, PanAdress, Databank and Datahouse. These companies operate in the business-to-business market, providing a wide range of direct marketing services, including direct mail campaign management, preparing demographically tailored mailing lists, data treatment and enhancement, and marketing database management.


(1)	After the spin-off Databank S.p.A. would be included in Telecom Italia Media.

(2)	On August 13, 2002, SEAT sold its stake in Datahouse to Dun & Bradstreet S.p.A., for €15.9 million.

In compliance with the goals and strategy set forth in the 2002-2005 business plan, which provides for the divestiture of non-core assets, SEAT is still evaluating the possibility of disposing of its Business Information activities due to weakening demand of services in the business-to-business market, and the decrease of investments in the direct marketing area which persisted during the course of 2002.

Consodata, a French company, is a leading European company in the development and management of information about consumer trends. The acquisition was originally part of SEAT’s strategy to strengthen its position in the consumer marketing intelligence services sector.


	•	Information gathering services, using traditional and on-line questionnaires with different criteria to identify consumer profiles (lifestyle);

	•	geomarketing, profiling and cartography (marketing intelligence); and

	•	direct marketing, consumer information services, management and/or enhancement of proprietary and third-party databases (one-to-one).

SEAT currently holds 98.60% interest in Consodata. Pursuant to its 2002-2005 business plan, SEAT is currently evaluating the possibility of disposing of its interests in Consodata. In accordance with the agreement reached with Consodata minority shareholders, before any such sale, SEAT will transfer its interests in Pan-Adress and NetCreations to Consodata. In an agreement with the founders of Consodata dated August 2, 2002, SEAT amended certain terms and conditions of previous agreements among the same parties dated July 31, 2000, and February 11, 2002, respectively. The new agreement provided for a put option in favor of the founders (which hold the minority stake) on their stake in Consodata, exercisable only if SEAT disposes of its controlling stake in Consodata;

On February 12, 2003 pursuant to a put option exercised by the founders of Consodata, SEAT acquired 1,108,695 ordinary shares of Consodata at €44 per share (corresponding to an 8.17% interest) for a total consideration of €48.8 million. Please see under “Business Overview-Business Information-Consodata”.

On April 15, 2002, Consodata S.p.A. (Consodata’s subsidiary for Italian operations) (“Consodata”) acquired an additional stake of 36% in Consodata Marketing Intelligence S.r.l. for a total consideration of €3,780,000. On May 19, 2003 Consodata entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining 2.69% of the share capital of Consodata Marketing Intelligence. Consodata now owns 100% of Consodata Marketing Intelligence S.r.l.

Datahouse is an Italian company which specializes in real estate market intelligence. Datahouse provides information on Italian real estate properties through a database of more than 20 million documents, partly retrieved from land registries, bankruptcy court procedures files and databases specialized in security. Datahouse makes its content available on-line for a fee and targets professionals in the legal and banking businesses, real estate agencies and brokers. On its Internet site, Datahouse also offers additional services including a search engine in cooperation with Altavista.it and other enhanced research features relating to the real estate market.

On August 13, 2002, SEAT sold its stake (100%) in Datahouse to Dun & Bradstreet S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of the U.S. parent, for a sale price of €15.9 million (at the closing SEAT bought back its minority stake (48%) in Datahouse for €11.0 million and was repaid by the purchaser of an intercompany debt of €6.5 million.)

Pan-Adress is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEAT specializing in off-line direct marketing. Pan-Adress was acquired in July 2001 by SEAT from the Beisheim Holding Switzerland, a sister company to the Metro Group, one of the leading German companies in the direct marketing sector. Pan-Adress was founded in 1962, is currently based in Munich, and offers a broad range of products and services as well as experience in mailing list management, based on databases.

NetCreations is a U.S.-based company which specializes in opt-in e-mail data collection, database management and e-mail marketing services. At the end of 2002, its database contained over 45 million e-mail addresses of consumers who have identified and confirmed areas of special interest to them. NetCreations has partnerships with over 400 websites and provides direct e-mail marketing services to over 2,000 clients. NetCreations is the U.S. leader in Opt-In® e-mail marketing services. Through the Opt-In® service NetCreations

obtains authorization for the handling of personal data from the contacts in its own database, and is thus capable of offering businesses precise targets of possible customers to whom promotional messages can be addressed.

Consodata’s main competitors are: Axciom, Wegener, Experian, InfoUSA, Doubleclick, SE Equifax, D&B, Claritas, Nielsen, Caci. Databank competition’s consists primarily of Eurisko, Centrale bilanci, Cerved, Prometeia, D&B, Gartner Gr., Ipsos Explorer, Nielsen, while Datahouse competes with SE Equifax, Consit and Crif.

The number of employees in the Business Information business segment decreased from 912 at December 31, 2001 to 812 at December 31, 2002.

SEAT’s success and ability to compete in Italy depends to a significant extent on the marketing effectiveness of the PAGINE GIALLE brand name and logo, as well as the names and logos of SEAT’s other products and services. In order to protect its proprietary rights, SEAT has received Italian and international registration in respect of approximately 235 product names, including “PAGINE GIALLE,” “PAGINE GIALLE On-Line” (its new name PAGINE GIALLE.it, “TuttoCittà,” its former company name, “SEAT S.p.A.,” its new name “SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A.,” “Pronto PAGINE GIALLE 892424,” “PAGINE BIANCHE” and PAGINE BIANCHE.it. SEAT, as an Internet Service Provider, also holds a number of trademark registrations in Italy and the European Union, including for Tin.it, ClubNet, E-Vai, Premium and C6 (“Here You Are”) and about 190 domain names registration including SEAT.it, PagineGialle.it, PagineBianche.it, PagineGialleon-line.it, Tin.it, Clubnet.it, Atlantide.it and E-vai.it. Tin.it also licensed software and other technology from various third parties.

SEAT has offices throughout Italy, but its principal offices are located in Turin, Italy. The following is a list of SEAT’s principal real property holdings as of December 31, 2002 all of which are used as office space and owned by SEAT without any major encumbrances.

The following real estate was included as part of the Project Tiglio, as described above, in October 2002 and is still rented by SEAT:

SEAT is not aware of any environmental issues that may affect its use of its assets and management believes SEAT is fully compliant with Law 626/94 which sets environmental standards for all companies operating in Italy.

The directory market is fully liberalized. The provision of a local telephone subscriber’s directory however, is also an important part of the Universal Service Obligation. Currently in Italy, Telecom Italia is designated to provide the service under the Universal Service Obligation, which requires Telecom Italia to provide local telephone subscriber directory services in the whole of Italy. Telecom Italia is using SEAT’s PAGINEBIANCHE directory to fulfill its duty to provide the local telephone subscriber directory under the Universal Service Obligation.

Any voice telephony operator is obliged to guarantee the availability of subscriber data on a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory basis and to provide directory and directory assistance services. Moreover, since the SEAT-Tin.it merger in 2000, Telecom Italia is obliged to guarantee the availability of subscriber data without charge.

From January 1, 1998 the potential designation of companies other than Telecom Italia has been authorized in order to guarantee maximum efficiency (art.3 dPR 318/97). The National Regulatory Authority for Communications (Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni — AGCom) by resolution 36/02/CONS allows for a tender for various telecommunication services. This provision is not applicable to the directory business since the market is already open to competition and a tender would re-introduce exclusive rights, not allowed in the European or Italian regulatory environments. The new EU regulatory framework (EU Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services) confirms this interpretation: the EU directory market is fully liberalised and no barriers for new market participants exist since subscriber data is available to third parties.

This EU Directive however requires that at least one comprehensive directory is made available to end users in a form approved by the relevant authority, whether printed or electronic, or both, and is updated on a regular basis, and at least one on an annual basis. The adoption under Italian law is expected by the end of July 2003.

AGCom called for consultation on the possible introduction of electronic support (CD Rom) as part of the scope of universal services of telephone directories. The initial data on CD Rom usage has highlighted that there is a substantial lack of utility of the product as it cannot be used by all customers and that therefore cannot be considered a universal service.

AGCom, by resolutions 36/02/CONS and 180/02/CONS in application of dPR 77/01, has fixed the criteria for the constitution of the comprehensive customer database (“Universal Database”) for the general directory containing the information of all subscribers (fixed and mobile) in order to guarantee more readily the availability of subscribers data for directories and directory assistance services. Licensed Operators with direct access to subscribers are obliged to create and operate this Universal Database. The Universal Database will be made available to all parties who provide a telephone directory service or directory assistance service on a fair, transparent and non discriminatory basis.

The fixed network operators have reached a partial agreement on the technical specifications for the production of the Universal Database.

The mobile network operators have signed a similar agreement. Once the fixed network operators agreement is finalized, the agreement between the mobile network operators will need to be revised to ensure both agreements are consistent. The Privacy Authority (“Garante per la protezione dei data personali”) has provided guidelines regarding the acquisition of consent to processing of customer data. Subscribers must be informed, free of charge, about the purpose of a directory available to the public or obtainable through directory inquiry services, in which their personal data can be included and of any further usage possibilities based on search functions embedded in electronic versions of the directory. Subscribers will be given the opportunity not to be included in a public subscriber directory. Existing fixed network subscribers will be treated with an opt-out approach, new subscribers and mobile with an opt-in approach. Under the opt-out approach a subscriber has the option to be deleted from the directory under the opt-in approach the subscriber has the choice to be listed.

Starting with the Rome directories in October 2002, SEAT produced a multi-brand product (PAGINEBIANCHE) which included subscribers of Telecom Italia and competitors, that complied with the regulations prior to implementation of the Universal Database.

SEAT’s management believes that these requirements do not impose any limitations on SEAT’s competitiveness in the directories market.

AGCom is evaluating the appropriateness of introducing by mid-2003 a number specifically assigned to directory assistance services (12XY) within the National Numbering Plan. The existing National Numbering Plan assigns codes and numbers for fixed telephony services, mobile, value added services, but does not identify any specific code for directory enquiry services. The introduction of a specific code for directory enquiry is consistent with present or past initiatives in other European countries. This initiative would provide equal opportunities for all the parties offering directory assistance services, whether they be network operators, or service providers like SEAT S.p.A.

Seat-Tin.it is present in the residential and SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) retail market for both dial-up and ADSL Internet access. Seat-Tin.it acquires from Telecom Italia all network services for the realization of such offers: access (mainly, call origination for dial up calls, ADSL wholesale access, IP transport, national and international bandwidth).

After the first quarter 2002, Seat-Tin.it activated new numbers for dial-up calls: (i) 7020001033 for premium, and (ii) 7020001099 for free dial-up calls. The old geographic numbers are still in operation. The financial relationship with Telecom Italia was based on revenue sharing both for the old (geographic) and new (70X) numbering.

On October 7, 2002, the Ministry of Communications assigned to Seat-Tin.it the right of use of 70X numbering. As a consequence, Seat-Tin.it negotiated and signed with Telecom Italia a contract related to 70X dial-up calls which provides: from January 1, 2003 (i) SEAT is entitled to all the revenues of 70X calls and (ii) Seat-Tin.it pays the correspondent call origination and IP transport to Telecom Italia. The publication of Law

59/02 and subsequent implementation of the relevant resolution by AGCom (9/02/CIR) require Telecom Italia to grant Internet Service Providers the same economical conditions for network services that it does to other licensed telecommunication operators.

For the remaining SEAT Tin.it regular traffic, Seat Tin.it shares its revenue with Telecom Italia only for geographic numbering.

The applicable regulatory provisions (AGCom decision 407/99, 217/00/CONS, 15/00/CIR, 06/03/CIR) require Telecom Italia make a wholesale offer to access broadband ADSL Internet services available to competing operators, before providing services to its own customers. This wholesale offer forms the basis upon which Seat Tin.it defines its offer conditions for broadband ADSL Internet access for its customers.

As an ISP, SEAT prices its services to its customers based on the wholesale offering. With the 06/03/CIR resolution, the AGCom has reviewed the economic conditions of the wholesale offer by Telecom Italia in order to guarantee suitable financial spaces for competition and required Telecom Italia to decrease its prices. Like other operators, also SEAT has benefited from this price reduction.

SEAT has obtained the authorization for the experimentation of the public Radio-LAN, access to public electronic communications networks, and services in the 2.4 GHz band (WIFI service). The authorization does not allow any commercial visibility. The regulations for the issue and the authorization for offering of the commercial services in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands has been published (Decree dated May 28, 2003). SEAT has opened its own experimental WIFI access areas (currently, more than 50 locations). Currently, the access is limited to no more than 3,000 selected customers. SEAT intends to open its own WIFI access areas and to form agreements with other authorized parties to grant access for its customers (Internet roaming).

EU Directive 200/31/CE on Electronic Commerce has implemented in Italy by Law No. 70/03 which establishes specific harmonized rules to ensure that businesses and citizens can supply and receive e-commerce services throughout the EU. These include:


	•	Conclusion and validity of electronic contracts;

	•	Transparency requirements. It subjects commercial communications over the Internet, such as advertising and direct marketing, to certain transparency requirements to ensure consumer confidence and fair dealing;

	•	Liability of Internet intermediaries. It establishes an exemption from liability for intermediaries, who play a passive role as a “mere conduit” of information from third parties and limits service providers’ liability for other “intermediary” activities, such as the storage of information; and

	•	On-line dispute settlement.

In February 2003, MTV Italia and TV Internazionale requested and obtained from the Italian Ministry of Communications the authorization for the first commercial tests of digital terrestrial television (DTV).

A new regulatory framework regulating broadcasting is expected to be implemented by mid 2003. The provisional text confirms the switch-off of the analog broadcasting network and the full roll-out of DTV broadcasting by 2006.

SEAT is subject to Law No. 287 of October 10, 1990, the Italian competition law of general application, and to the competition rules of the EU (the “Law No. 287”). Law No. 287 prohibits:


	•	agreements, including resolutions and concerted practices, aimed at fixing prices, limiting production or access to markets and technological developments, sharing of markets, applying different conditions for the same services to the detriment of competitors, and subjecting contracts to the acceptance of conditions that, according to their nature and common practice, are not linked to the object of the contract;

	•	abuses of dominant position, including practices aimed at fixing prices, limiting production or access to markets and technological developments, applying different contractual conditions for the same services to the detriment of competitors, as well as subjecting contracts to the acceptance of conditions that, according to their nature and common practice, are not linked to the object of the contract; and

	•	concentrations of enterprises, such as mergers, acquisitions of controlling interests and concentrative joint ventures, which would result in the creation or strengthening of a dominant position. All concentrations in relation to which the combined overall turnover, in Italy, of the companies involved is higher than €377,013 or the turnover of the company being acquired is, in Italy, higher than €39,000, must receive a prior authorization from the Antitrust Authority. These thresholds are adjusted every year to take account of inflation. Failure to file prior notification of a concentration to the Italian Antitrust Authority will result in a fine of up to 1% of the turnover of the parties involved in the concentration, or higher in the case of fines for violation of a prohibition of a concentration.

The Italian Antitrust Authority administers Law No. 287, either on its own initiative or following a complaint submitted by any interested party, and has the power to investigate and ascertain compliance with Law No. 287. When the Italian Antitrust Authority finds evidence that Law No. 287 has been violated, the parties involved, including the interested party, are notified of the opening of a formal investigation. The party under investigation and the interested parties have the right to be heard and to file written arguments with the Italian Antitrust Authority. Pending the investigation, the Italian Antitrust Authority may also require the parties involved and third parties to disclose information or to submit documents that it considers useful for the investigation. In addition, the Italian Antitrust Authority may appoint experts and carry out direct inspections at the investigated party’s premises in order to examine and seize relevant documents.

If at the conclusion of the investigation the Italian Antitrust Authority determines that Law No. 287 has been violated, it may order the investigated party to cure the relevant violation and, in the case of serious violations, impose fines ranging from 1% to 10% of the turnover relating to the relevant activities. Any failure to comply is sanctioned with an additional fine of up to 10% of the turnover of the investigated party.

The competition rules of the EU also apply directly in Italy. The main principles of EU competition law are contained in Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty of Rome. Article 85 prohibits collusion between competitors that may affect trade between Member States and has the object or effect of restricting competition within the EU. Article 86 prohibits any abuse of a dominant position within a substantial part of the EU that may affect trade between Member States. These rules are primarily enforced by the European Commission, which cooperates with the national competition authorities, and through the national courts. The Italian Antitrust Authority has the power to apply Article 85(1) and Article 86, following its own procedures and imposing, if necessary, the fines provided for under Law No. 287. In September 1991, general guidelines were published by the European Commission on the application of EU competition law in the telecommunications sector. These guidelines outline the EU’s approach to common competition issues. On November 5, 1998, following the EU’s guidelines, the Italian Antitrust Authority amended the form required for filing notices of concentration.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Such financial statements have been prepared in connection with U.S. GAAP.

As previously described, effective October 1, 2000, SEAT acquired Tin.it in a two-step transaction through the exchange of newly-issued ordinary shares for 100% of the outstanding shares of Tin.it. After the acquisition, Telecom Italia owned a majority interest in the combined company. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, whereby SEAT was considered the acquiree even though legally it was the acquiror. As a result, the results of operations data included in the table below presents the historical operations of Tin.it to October 1, 2000 and the consolidated results of operations of SEAT and Tin.it since that date. Please see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

The following table sets forth SEAT’s statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002. These amounts have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, SEAT’s audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2001 and 2002 and for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 included in this annual report.


(1)	The 2000 statement of operations data include the effects of the reverse acquisition of SEAT effective October 1, 2000 and certain other acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2000. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

The following discussion is based on and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The scope of the consolidation includes the Italian and foreign companies that are majority owned by directly or indirectly controlled by SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. or its subsidiaries. As discussed in more detail in Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, footnotes to the Selected Financial Data presented in Item 3 of this annual report and discussed in detail in the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared to the year ended December 31, 2001, the scope of consolidation changed in 2001 materially compared to 2000. In 2002 the scope of consolidation changed primarily due to the sale of Datahouse, which was part of the “Business Information” segment, and of several companies of the “Internet Services” segment with impacts, particularly in terms of operating income, that are not significant. Thus the changes to the scope of consolidation do not affect the comparison of the results of the year ended December 31, 2002 with the results of the year ended December 31, 2001. For more information on the disposal of subsidiaries see “Item 4 — Present Organizational Structure and Developments”.

In the following presentation we have grouped the segments together in accordance with whether they will become part of Telecom Italia Media or part of New SEAT after the Spin-off, as described above. This grouping is not a perfectly faithful reflection of the way in which such segments will be divided between the two companies pursuant to the Spin-off plan, in that the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. which is included in the Directories Assistance business segment as part of the analysis below, will remain with Telecom Italia Media. Similarly the Databank Group is included in the Business Information segment in the analysis below but will remain with Telecom Italia Media. The purpose of this presentation is to facilitate a discussion of the results of SEAT in a way that represents approximately the results of the two companies into which SEAT will be demerged.

In this annual report, all of the amounts are expressed in thousands of euro unless otherwise indicated.


(1)	€17,107 for 2001 and €14,924 for 2002 are related to Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€13,930 for 2001 and €12,944 for 2002 are related to Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

Revenues for 2002 were €1,981,081 compared to €1,897,483 in 2001, an increase of approximately 4.4%. In 2002 operating revenues were comprised of revenues of the various SEAT business segments, as discussed below:


	•	€140,419 from the Internet Services segment, consisting of revenues from Internet access subscription fees, revenue sharing fees paid by Telecom Italia based on telephone traffic generated by Internet usage through Tin.it, portal services, on-line advertising and web services, compared to €151,089 in 2001, a decrease of 7.1%. The decrease in net revenues was primarily due to the sale of several subsidiaries, which were no longer deemed part of the core business. As a result of the sale the subsidiaries were eliminated from the scope of consolidation. SEAT decided to focus its Internet business on internet access services and portals. This decrease was partially offset by an increased use of the new ADSL services, while revenues for return commissions from Telecom Italia (€52,248, a 10.3% decline compared to 2001) reflect the drop in dial-up telephone traffic due to migration of previous dial-up use toward ADSL services. Revenues for online advertising, web services and other Internet businesses (€21,284) decreased 43.3 % compared to 2001 due to the winding up or transfer of several companies and their elimination from the scope of consolidation.

	•	€283,845 from the Office Products and Services segment, consisting of revenues from sales of office products of the Gruppo Buffetti and Cipi business gifts products, compared to €262,863 in 2001, an increase of 8.0% primarily due to the increased revenues from sales of Buffetti’s office automation products, management software and promotional items, partially offset by a decrease in sales of Buffetti’s other office products.

	•	€33,548 from the Professional Publishing segment, consisting of revenues from its Giallo Professional Publishing which operates in the field of technical and specialized publications, compared to €33,768 in 2001, a decrease of 0.7% primarily due to the decreases in advertising revenues, as well as the decline in the tourist industry, the principal market for one of the segment’s publishing houses.

	•	€94,135 from the Television segment, consisting of revenues from its La7 and MTV Italia television channels, compared to €64,757 in 2001, an increase of 45.4% primarily due to an increase in net revenues of the MTV Italia channel, despite a slight decline in the advertising market which remains a very competitive market.


	•	€1,121,270 from the Directories segment, consisting of revenues from the sale of advertising in its Yellow Pages, White Pages and other directories, and the distribution of printed and online products and the distribution of other communication products for SME’s compared to €1,105,882 in 2001, an increase of 1.4%. In the Directories segment the overall decline in advertising revenues was offset by the introduction of new products, an increase of 7,000 customers to a total of 743,000 customers as of December 31, 2002, an increase of 10,000 advertisers to a total of 680,000 advertising clients as of December 31, 2002 and an increase of 3,000 units of printed directories as well as increased on-line activities and the development of promotional items. Revenues from TDL Infomedia remained stable despite the unfavorable sterling-euro exchange rate.

	•	€157,192 from the Directories Assistance segment, consisting of revenues from its Telegate voice portal and Giallo Voice call-center services, compared to €155,255 in 2001, an increase of 1.2%. In the Directories Assistance segment net revenues increased primarily due to the revenues generated by 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle due to the increase in revenues from telephone traffic and the substantial increase in advertising revenues in 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle, which were partially offset by an approximate combined 15% decline in revenues from the Italian and foreign call-center operations. The decline in the Italian call-center business was caused by increased competition in the out-bound market and the decline in foreign call-center operations was caused by the poor performance of the German market.


	•	€150,672 from the Business Information segment, consisting of revenues from the direct marketing and database services provided by Consodata, NetCreations, Pan Adress and Databank, compared to €123,869 in 2001, an increase of 21.6%. The increase from revenues was primarily attributable due to a full year of consolidation in 2002 for Consodata and NetCreations compared to only a partial year in 2001, the year of their acquisition by Seat. The primary operating factors that affected the Business Information segment was the continued reduction of investments in direct marketing services by large companies that are the main purchasers of these services, to the trend towards higher value products at the same prices compared to 2001 due to increased financial constraints of the customers of the Business Information segment, and the deconsolidation of Datahouse after July 1, 2002.


(1)	€80 for 2001 and €84 for 2002 are related to the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€201 for 2001 and €643 for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media Group after the Spin-off.

Cost of materials decreased by 5.7% from €300,895 in 2001 to €283,867 in 2002.


	•	€626 for the Internet Services segment, compared to €13,881 in 2001, a decrease of 95.5%, primarily due to the one-time large purchase in 2001 of computer hardware used for the solicitation of new customers in the high margin business.

	•	€2,559 for the Professional Publishing segment, compared to €3,674 in 2001, a decrease of 30.3%, primarily due to reduced editing and printing costs.

	•	€197,402 for the Office Products segment, compared to €178,587 in 2001, an increase of 10.5%, primarily due to an 8% increase in sales, increased communication costs attributable to increasing presence of the Buffetti trademark in the marketplace and increased costs for office automation products compared to traditional office products.

	•	€3,580 for the Television segment, compared to €10,759 in 2001, a decrease of 66.7% primarily due to lower technical broadcasting costs.


	•	€62,758 for the Directories segment, compared to €60,230 in 2001, an increase of 4.2%, primarily due to the increase in the sales volumes which were partially offset by reduced operating costs, including a decrease in paper consumption and advertising costs.

	•	€61 for the Directories Assistance segment, compared to €597 in 2001, a decrease of 89.8%, primarily due to the further development of proprietary databases.

	•	€16,881 for the Business Information segment, compared to €33,167 in 2001, a decrease of 49.1%, primarily due to a reduction in the use of paper and other operating costs which was partially offset by the purchase of mailing lists for use in the direct marketing of business information products.


(1)	€7,303 for 2001 and €7,465 for 2002 are related to the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in the Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€8,113 for 2001 and €6,232 for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in the Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

The cost of external services was €747,881 in 2002, compared to €744,099 in 2001, an increase of approximately 0.5%.


	•	€93,504 for the Internet Services segment, compared to €143,867 in 2001, a decrease of 35.0%, primarily due to the reorganization, closure and disposals of businesses previously operating in the Internet Services segment.

	•	€19,234 for the Professional Publishing segment, compared to €19,288 in 2001, a decrease of 0.3%, primarily due to lower paper and printing costs.

	•	€46,807 for the Office Products segment, compared to €45,942 in 2001, an increase of 1.9%, primarily due to the first time consolidation of Cipi in 2002 compared to the partial consolidation of Cipi in 2001.

	•	€94,441 for the Television business segment, compared to €60,872 in 2001, an increase of 55.1%, primarily due to the acquisition of more one-year television contracts (which have a higher per-show cost) and less multi-year television contracts (which have lower costs per show) and also due to increased production costs.


	•	€347,820 for the Directories segment, compared to €366,755 in 2001, a decrease of 5.2%, primarily due to the marketing of new products that required more resources in the launch phase.

	•	€74,228 for the Directories Assistance segment, compared to €86,629 in 2001, a decrease of 14.3%, primarily due to a reorganization process aimed at rebalancing the cost structure which has led to a strong reduction in advertising costs and in a shift to a lower cost telecommunication provider.

	•	€71,847 for the Business Information segment, compared to €20,746 in 2001, an increase of 246.3%, primarily due to the inclusion of a full year of costs in 2002 related to the acquisition of Pan-Adress, Consodata and NetCreations compared with the only partially inclusion of these costs in 2001 because the acquisitions occurred during the year.


(1)	€7,073 for 2001 and €6,836 for 2002 are related to the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in the Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€4,349 of 2001 and €4,398 of 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in the Telecom Italia Media Group after the Spin-off.

Salaries, wages and employee benefit costs were €398,247 in 2002 compared to €445,308 in 2001, a decrease of approximately 10.6%.


	•	€36,176 for the Internet Services segment, compared to €53,502 in 2001, a decrease of 32.4%, due to the reduction in headcount to 569 at December 31, 2002 from 981 at December 31, 2001, primarily due to the disposition of non-core businesses and the rationalization measures taken in 2002.

	•	€7,141 for the Professional Publishing segment, compared to €6,760 in 2001, an increase of 5.6%, primarily due to bonuses and other one-time incentive payments to employees.

	•	€21,495 for the Office Products segment compared to €17,550 in 2001, an increase of 22.5%, primarily due to the fact that Cipi was fully consolidated for six months in 2001 compared to the entire year in 2002.

	•	€34,279 for the Television segment compared to €35,471 in 2001, a decrease of 3.4%, primarily due to the fact that in 2001 the restructuring of the programming led to the incurrence of significant one-time salary-related programming costs due to the cancellation of several long-term agreements, which was offset by


		an increase in costs for salaries, wages and employee benefits caused by the increase in the headcount from 559 employees in 2001 to 591 employees in 2002 following the decision by MTV to internalize activities such as signal broadcasting and MTV Italia TV productions.


	•	€181,188 for the Directories segment, compared to €209,476 in 2001, a decrease of 13.5%, primarily due to the reduction in headcount to 2,220 at December 31, 2002 compared to 2,281 at December 31, 2001, which was partially offset by the introduction of the new cash bonus system in favor of the SEAT group executives and middle management and the recruitment of several executives from the Matrix subsidiaries.

	•	€64,493 for the Directories Assistance segment, compared to €76,581 in 2001, a decrease of 15.8%, primarily due to the reduction in headcount to 2,712 at December 31, 2002 from 3,775 at December 31, 2001. The reduction in the headcount was mainly in the German call-center unit.

	•	€53,475 for the Business Information segment, compared to €45,968 in 2001, primarily due to a full year of consolidation in 2002 for Consodata and NetCreations compared to only a partial year in 2001, the year of their acquisition by Seat. This increase was offset by the reduction in headcount to 812 at December 31, 2002 compared to 912 at December 31, 2001.


(1)	€2,299 for 2001 and €580 for 2002 are related to the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€5,617 for 2001 and €2,606 for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

Depreciation and amortization was €607,362 in 2002 compared to €1,794,869 in 2001, a decrease of 66.2%, and consisted primarily in the amortization of intangible assets.


	•	€43,389 for the Internet Services segment, compared to €58,598 in 2001, a decrease of 26.0%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001 and, to a lesser degree, to changes in the estimated useful life of certain depreciable assets.

	•	€595 for the Professional Publishing segment, compared to €2,933 in 2001, a decrease of 79.7%, primarily due to the reduced investments in additional office equipment made in 2002 and due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.


	•	€45,093 for the Office Products segment, compared to €93,791 in 2001, a decrease of 51.9%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

	•	€25,991 for the Television business segment, compared to €50,468 in 2001, a decrease of 48.5%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.


	•	€476,782 for the Directories segment, compared to €1,353,147 in 2001, a decrease of 64.8%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

	•	€4,747 for the Directories Assistance segment, compared to €166,551 in 2001, a decrease of 97.1%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

	•	€10,669 for the Business Information segment, compared to €69,381 in 2001, a decrease of 84.6%, primarily due to the fact that goodwill was not amortized in 2002 but was amortized in 2001.

In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 142, the annual impairment test of goodwill was conducted as of December 31, 2002. As part of that assessment, it was determined that certain reporting units contained goodwill that was potentially impaired. The 2002 review incorporated into the analysis all of the known facts and management strategies at the time, including the possibility that the assessment that the ownership levels of certain businesses may change in the future. In particular, Telecom Italia, SEAT’s majority owner, had been assessing the structure and benefits of having the Internet and Directories businesses constituted as a single business. Although Telecom Italia management had not committed to a plan regarding the sale of certain reporting units of SEAT until after December 31, 2002, the probability that a realignment of the business would take place, including the possible disposal valuations of those businesses, were considered. The 2001 valuation approach was based on a discounted cash flow model, using the best estimates of management at that time, including the intention to keep SEAT together as an integrated asset for the foreseeable future. In 2002 the fair value of the affected reporting units, in particular those to be included in New SEAT, were derived based on an assessment of recent trading multiples for other similar assets. This approach was used as, given the increasing likelihood that Telecom Italia would sell these assets, the use of multiples for recent transactions for similar assets was considered more indicative of fair value than a discounted cash flow analysis. Those to be included in Telecom Italia Media were valued based on a combination of both multiples and the discounted cash flow method. Using the comparables approach to the valuation, SEAT identified that the fair value of the reporting units’ implied goodwill, after performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, including intangibles, was €5,969,126 less than the carrying value of these assets. The most significant writedowns were in the Directories business segment Internet — Portals reporting unit of the Internet Services segment and Office Products segment in the amount of (€5,330,936), (€479,623) and (€138,511), respectively.


(1)	€1,146 for 2001 and €130 for 2002 are related to Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after Spin-off.

(2)	€163 for 2001 and €229 for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

Other operating expenses increased by €44,762 to €161,023 in 2002, compared to €116,260 in 2001, an increase of approximately 38.5%.


	•	€16,808 in the Internet Services segment, compared to €11,438 in 2001, an increase of 46.9% primarily due to the cost related to disposition of non-core businesses.

	•	€916 in the Professional Publishing segment, compared to €1,127 in 2001, a decrease of 18.7% primarily due to a reduction in overhead such as travel expenses and other non-operating costs.

	•	€3,022 in the Office Products segment, compared to €6,070 in 2001, a decrease of 50.2%, primarily due to lower provisions for contractual risks and to lower writedowns of trade receivables.

	•	€8,731 in the Television business segment, compared to €10,844 in 2001, a decrease of 19.5%, primarily due to lower provisions made for contractual risks incurred in 2002.


	•	€66,896 in the Directories segment, compared to €80,759 in 2001, a decrease of 17.2%, primarily due to less write-offs of trade receivables due to better collection and to lower provisions made for contract risks and other charges, as there were no particular risks at the end of the year that would have required a level of provisions similar to that in 2001.

	•	€26,268 in the Directories Assistance segment, compared to €4,340 in 2001, an increase of 505.3%, primarily due to increased provisions recorded for the Telegate Group.

	•	€38,382 in the Business Information segment, compared to €1,683 in 2001, an increase of 2,180.6%, primarily due to increased provisions for NetCreations and an increase of the of Consodata Group excise tax.

Operating loss, was (€6,186,425) in 2002 compared to (€4,669,353) in 2001, an increase of 32.5%, primarily due to the increase in the writedown of impaired assets in the Directories segment in 2002 compared to 2001.


(1)	€446 for 2001 and €709 for 2002 are related to the Giallo Voice Group excluding IMR S.r.l. and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

(2)	€17 for 2001 and €9 for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

Interest expense was €121,236 in 2002, compared to €97,159 in 2001, an increase of approximately 24.8%.


	•	€2,296 in the Internet Service segment compared to €3,734 in 2001, a decrease of 38.5%, primarily due to the entry of Matrix into the group treasury of Telecom Italia which allowed it to receive funding from banks at a lower interest rate.

	•	€1,200 in the Professional Publishing segment compared to €1,024 in 2001, an increase of 17.2%, primarily due to the slower repayment of outstanding debt due to the lower cash flow caused by decreased advertising revenues.

	•	€3,555 in the Office Products segment compared to €4,240 in 2001, a decrease of 16.2%, primarily due to participation of the Group companies of the Office Products segment in the group treasury of Telecom Italia.

	•	€5,361 in the Television segment compared to €5,288 in 2001, a increase of 1.4%, primarily due to a higher net average financial indebtedness in 2002 compared to 2001.


	•	€90,160 in the Directories segment compared to €75,196 in 2001, an increase of 19.9%, primarily due to the higher expense for the medium/long-term debt of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. due to an interest rate collar contract entered into counter the effects in the change of the Euribor for a €700 million credit facility. SEAT has an interest rate swap with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of July 1, 2003, under which SEAT receives 3-month Euribor plus 0.70% and pays 3-month Euribor plus 0.017%. Additionally, SEAT has an interest rate collar with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of


		July 1, 2003 under which SEAT pays the difference between 5.8% and EURIBOR if the EURIBOR is below 3.99%. SEAT receives the difference between EURIBOR and 5.8% if EURIBOR exceeds 5.8%.

	•	€14,962 in the Directory Assistance segment compared to €4,472 in 2001, an increase of 234.6%, primarily due to the exchange rate charges recorded by Telegate Group in 2002 for a total amount of (€10,452 thousand) related to the loans granted to the Telegate Inc. subsidiary.

	•	€3,702 in the Business Information segment compared to €3,205 in 2001, an increase of 15.5.%, primarily due to the exchange rate charges recorded by NetCreations (€145) and Consodata Group Ltd. (€301).


(1)	No equity in losses of affiliated companies have been recorded for the Directories Assistance and the Professional Publishing segments.

(2)	(€20) for 2001 and (€1) for 2002 are related to the Databank Group and would be included in Telecom Italia Media after the Spin-off.

Equity in losses of affiliated companies was (€26,168) in 2002, compared to (€81,747) in 2001, a decrease of approximately 68.0%.

(€29,673) in the Directories segment, compared to (€54,902) in 2001, a decrease of 46.0%, primarily due to the sale of TDL Belgium in the first quarter of 2002.

(€1,759) in the Internet Services segment, compared to (€12,709) in 2001, a decrease of 86.2%, primarily due to the sale of subsidiaries in the Internet Service segment that are no longer considered strategic.

(€7,296) in the Business Information segment, compared to (€1,707) in 2001, an increase of 327.4%, primarily due to the loss recorded in connection with the sale of Datahouse during 2002.

(€279) in the Office Products segment, compared to (€361) in 2001, a decrease of 22.7%.

The tax benefit was €268,992 and €245,306 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the tax benefits for the respective years differ from applying the Italian statutory tax rate of 40.25% to pretax losses primarily due to the non-deductibility of goodwill amortization and write-down, the non-deductibility of other expenses and the increase in valuation reserves which will drop to 38.25% for 2003 due to the reduction of the Italian corporate income tax rate from 36% to 34% effective from January 1, 2003.

Net loss was €5,958,629 in 2002 compared to €4,502,274 in 2001, an increase of approximately 32%. The increased net loss was due to the individual factors described above.

Net debt decreased from €922,004 at December 31, 2002 to €679,618 at December 31, 2003 due to the overall reduction in operating costs, the sale of subsidiaries in the Internet Service segment and increased operating revenues.

The following discussion is based on and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

As discussed in more detail in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, SEAT made a number of acquisitions in 2001, and as a result the scope of consolidation expanded significantly compared to 2000. The most important acquisitions were:


	•	in the Television segment, the acquisition of the remaining 75% interest in Cecchi Gori Communication Media Holdings S.p.A. (since renamed Holding Media & Communicazione HMC S.p.A., or HMC) on June 4, 2001;

	•	in the Business Information segment, the acquisition of (i) a controlling interest in Consodata on February 9, 2001; (ii) 100% of Pan-Adress on May 29, 2001; (iii) 100% of NetCreations on June 15, 2001; and (iv) 52% of Data House between March 29, 2001 and June 18, 2001, with a controlling interest being acquired on the latter date; and

	•	in the Office Products and Services segment, a controlling interest in Cipi on July 3, 2001.

The companies acquired were fully consolidated in the financial statements as of the dates on which a majority interest was acquired.

As discussed in more detail in Note 4 to the financial statements, SEAT made a number of acquisitions at the end of 2000, and as a result the scope of consolidation expanded significantly compared to 2000. The most important acquisitions were:


	•	in the Directories segment, the acquisition of a 99.6% interest in TDL Infomedia in December 2000;

	•	in the Directories Assistance segment, the acquisition of a controlling interest in Telegate AG (“Telegate”) in November 2000;

	•	in the Business Information segment, the acquisition of a 93.465% interest in Databank S.p.A. in December 2000; and

	•	in the Internet Services segment, the acquisition of a 46.43% interest in Mondus. In December 2000.

The companies acquired were fully consolidated in the financial statements as of the dates on which a majority interest was acquired.

Finally, as discussed in more detail in Note 4 to the financial statements, the 2000 statement of operations data include the effects of the reverse acquisition of SEAT effective as of October 1, 2000. As a consequence, all the previously existing SEAT businesses were included in the results of operations only effective as of October 1, 2000. The most important businesses already existing in the SEAT Group were:


	•	in the Directories segment, all of the directory publication activities directly managed by SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. and other minor subsidiaries,

	•	in the Office Products and Services segment, all of the Office Products and Services businesses managed through the Gruppo Buffetti subsidiaries; and

	•	in the Internet Services segment, the Internet businesses managed through the Matrix Group.

All of the amounts in the following discussion are expressed in thousands of Euro unless otherwise indicated.

Revenues for 2001 were €1,897,483 compared to €607,306 in 2000, an increase of approximately 212%. In 2001 operating revenues were comprised of:


	•	€1,105,882 from the Directories segment, consisting of revenues from the sale of advertising in its Yellow Pages, White Pages and other directories, compared to €402,629 in 2000;

	•	€155,255 from the Directories Assistance segment, consisting of revenues from its Telegate voice portal and Giallo Voice call-center services. As noted in “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Organizational Structure and Developments” of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, this segment was first created in 2001. The operating revenues of the companies that currently make up this segment were €0 in 2000;

	•	€151,089 from the Internet Services segment, consisting of revenues from Internet access subscription fees, revenue sharing fees paid by Telecom Italia based on telephone traffic generated by Internet usage through Tin.it, portal services, on-line advertising and web services, compared to €122,835 in 2000;

	•	€262,863 from the Office Products and Services segment, consisting of revenues from sales of its Gruppo Buffetti and Cipi products, compared to €66,462 in 2000;

	•	€123,869 from the Business Information segment, consisting of revenues from the direct marketing and database services provided by Consodata, NetCreations, Pan Adress, Databank and Datahouse, compared to €12,575 in 2000;

	•	€33,768 from the Professional Publishing segment, consisting of revenues from its Giallo Professional Publishing publications, compared to €2,805 in 2000; and

	•	€64,757 from the Television segment, consisting of revenues from its La7 and MTV Italia television channels. As noted in “Item 4 — Information on the Company — Organizational Structure and Developments” of the annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, this segment was first created in 2001.

The increase in operating revenues in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily attributable to the following factors:


	•	changes in the scope of consolidation from 2000 to 2001, specifically (i) the acquisition and consolidation during 2001 of the respective operating revenues of Cipi (€19,883) in the Office Products and Services segment; Consodata (€75,675), Pan Adress (€10,512), NetCreations (€14,953) and Datahouse (€7,608) in the Business Information segment; and HMC (€63,962) in the Television segment (these companies contributed a total of €252,340 to operating revenues for 2001); and (ii) the fact that operating revenues for 2000 did not include those of Gruppo Buffetti, SEAT (as added to those of Tin.it), Telegate and TDL Infomedia until, respectively, October 2000, October 2000, November 2000 and December 2000;

	•	a €703,253 (175%) increase in the Directories segment, primarily due to a full year’s consolidation of SEAT and TDL Infomedia. Excluding those factors, the increase in operating revenues was due to price increases, increased advertising sales and new products in Italy, as well as an increase in the number of customers in Italy from 647,000 at year-end 2000 to 670,000 at year-end 2001;

	•	a €155,255 increase in the Directories Assistance segment, primarily due to a full year’s consolidation of Telegate in 2001, as well as several acquisitions by Giallo Voice;

	•	in the Internet Services segment, the €28,254 (23%) increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisitions made in 2001 by Matrix, such as Xoom.it and FreeFinance and the full year’s consolidation of subsidiaries purchased in 2000, such as Matrix. However, the trend in revenues in the Internet Services declined during 2001 primarily due to (i) a decline in advertising revenues, and (ii) a shift in the mix of


		users from subscription access to free access, which resulted in access revenues remaining flat despite an increase in users from 1.66 million to 1.8 million;

	•	a €196,401 (296%) increase in the Office Products and Services segment, primarily due to the full year’s consolidation of Buffetti and the acquisition of Cipi. The trend in Buffetti revenues increased in 2001 due mainly to increases in revenues from sales of Buffetti’s office automation products, partially offset by a decrease in sales of Buffetti’s other office products;

	•	in the Business Information segment, the €111,294 (885%) increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Consodata, NetCreations, PanAdress and Datahouse in 2001, which accounted for €108,748 of the increase. The remaining increase was due to the full year’s consolidation of Databank in 2001, compared to one month in 2000. The trend in revenues of this segment declined in 2001 primarily due to a decline in revenues from direct marketing and information marketing services. These decreases were due to various factors, including declining prices and strong competition;

	•	in the Professional Publishing segment, the €30,963 (1,104%) increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisitions made by Giallo Professional Publishing, such as Gruppo Editrice JCE and TTG Italia, during 2001 and a full year’s consolidation of Giallo Professional Publishing in 2001. The trend in the revenues of the segment have been declining primarily due to decreases in advertising revenues, as well as the decline in the tourist industry, the principal market for one of the segment’s publishing houses; and

	•	the €64,757 increase in the Television segment was primarily due to SEAT consolidating HMC for 7 months in 2001 while accounting for it as an equity method investment in 2000. Therefore, HMC had no effect on SEAT’s 2000 revenues. The trend in revenues in Television increased in 2001 primarily due to the acquisition of MTV Italia in 2001, partially offset by decreases in advertising revenues from La7 resulting primarily from the change in programming content during the course of 2001.

Cost of materials was €300,895 in 2001, compared to €86,236 in 2000, an increase of approximately 249%.

This line item consisted primarily of materials purchased by the Office Products and Services (€178,587 thousand), Directories (€60,230) and Business Information (€33,167) segments in connection with the sale of office products, the cost of paper for the various directories published, and the purchase of mailing lists for use in the direct marketing activities, respectively. The increase in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily attributable to changes in the scope of consolidation.

Cost of external services was €744,099 in 2001, compared to €374,383 in 2000, an increase of approximately 99%. The cost of external services was primarily for services provided to the Directories (€366,755), Internet Services (€143,867), Directories Assistance (€86,629), Television (€60,782) and Office Products and Services (€45,942) segments. It consisted primarily of:


	•	commissions paid to agents of SEAT, which were €146,745 in 2001 compared to €42,104 in 2000;

	•	professional and consulting fees, which were €101,394 in 2001 compared to €30,520 in 2000;

	•	advertising costs, which were €82,462 in 2001 compared to €68,412 in 2000;

	•	production costs, primarily related to the production of the various directories published which were €81,405 in 2001 compared to €15,301 in 2000;

	•	royalties and television rights paid to third parties, which were €30,290 in 2001 compared to €250 in 2000;


	•	network usage fees, primarily related to the use of Telecom Italia’s telephone and ADSL lines, which were €58,274 in 2001 compared to €80,560 in 2000;

	•	television production costs, which were €16,036 in 2001 compared to €0 in 2000; and

	•	distribution costs, which were €25,410 in 2001 compared to €4,158 in 2000.

The increase in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily attributable to changes in the scope of consolidation.

Salaries, wages and employee benefit costs were €445,308 in 2001, compared to €50,405 in 2000, an increase of approximately 783%. The cost of salaries, wages and employee benefits was primarily attributable to the Directories (€209,476), Directories Assistance (€76,581), Internet Services (€53,502), Business Information (€45,968) and Television (€35,471) segments.

The increase was primarily due to changes in the scope of consolidation from 2000 to 2001, and the accompanying increase in the number of SEAT’s employees from 2,654 at December 31, 2000 to 9,264 at December 31, 2001

The largest contributors to SEAT’s increased personnel costs in 2001 were SEAT (€95,452), Telegate (€68,966), TDL Infomedia (€53,772), HMC (€35,471), and Consodata (€27,625), in that they were either fully consolidated for the first time in 2001 or else were fully consolidated for only a part of 2000.

Depreciation and amortization was €1,794,869 in 2001, compared to €612,006 in 2000, an increase of approximately 193%, and consisted primarily of the amortization of goodwill and intangible assets in the Directories (€1,353,147), Directories Assistance (€166,551), Office Products and Services (€93,791), Business Information (€69,381), Internet Services (€58,598) and Television (€50,468) segments.

The increase in depreciation and amortization in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily due to the acquisitions made by SEAT in the course of 2001 and the additional amortization and depreciation resulting from the recognition of fair values of assets acquired in its acquisitions — in particular HMC (€50,468) and Consodata (€28,972) — as well as the full year’s depreciation of SEAT, Telegate and TDL Infomedia compared to only a partial year of amortization in 2000.

SEAT conducts an annual review for indicators of impairment of long-lived assets and, based on its review of the businesses and related cash flows, the Company determined that a potential impairment existed regarding the goodwill arising from many of its acquisitions. SEAT performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy and, as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge of €3,165,405 in 2001. The most significant write-downs were for SEAT (€1,506,014), Telegate (€907,385), and Consodata (€457,437).

In 2000, SEAT recorded a non-cash impairment charge of €10,721,669, all of which was attributable to a write-down of goodwill arising from the acquisition of SEAT by Tin.it.

Other operating expenses were €116,260 in 2001, compared to €40,254 in 2000, an increase of approximately 189%.

Other operating expenses were primarily for services provided to the Directories (€80,759) business segment. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily due to the increase in bad debt expense of €70,710 in 2001 compared to €26,340 in 2000, related to the changes in the scope of consolidation.

Operating loss, which is equal to operating revenues less total operating expenses, was €4,669,353 in 2001, compared to €10,827,648 in 2000, a decrease of approximately 57%.

The lower operating loss for 2001 was attributable to the increase in operating revenues from €607,306 in 2000 to €1,897,483 in 2001 and the reduction in operating expenses from €11,434,954 in 2000 to €6,566,836 in 2001.

The largest contributor to the decrease in operating losses for 2001 and 2000 was the decrease in the write-down of impaired assets from €10,271,669 in 2000 to €3,165,405 in 2001. Excluding the write-down of impaired assets, the operating loss in 2001 by segment was as follows:


	•	€964,484 for the Directories segment, compared to €418,087 in 2000;

	•	€179,443 for the Directories Assistance segment. As noted above, this segment was first created in 2001. The operating loss of the companies that currently make up this segment was €9,170 in 2000;

	•	€130,197 for the Internet Services segment, compared to €108,638 in 2000;

	•	€79,077 for the Office Products and Services segment, compared to €20,992 in 2000;

	•	€47,076 for the Business Information segment, compared to an operating profit of €163 in 2000;

	•	€14 for the Professional Publishing segment, compared to an operating profit of €753 in 2000; and

	•	€103,657 for the Television segment. As noted above, this segment was first created in 2001.

The reduction in operating loss in 2001 compared to 2000 was primarily attributable to the significantly lower write-down of impaired assets in 2001 compared to 2000, partially offset by increases in all other categories of operating expenses attributable to the following factors:


	•	in the Directories segment, primarily attributable to the full year’s consolidation of SEAT and TDL, partially offset by SEAT’s implementation of a cost-cutting plan in Italy that reduced certain distribution costs, marketing costs and advertising expenses during 2001;

	•	in the Directories Assistance segment, primarily due to a full year’s consolidation of Telegate in 2001, as well as several acquisitions by Giallo Voice;

	•	in the Internet Services segment, primarily attributable to the change in the scope consolidation from 2000 to 2001 and as a result of Matrix’s expanded operations;

	•	in the Office Products and Services segment, primarily due to the full year’s consolidation of Buffetti and the acquisition of Cipi. In addition, Buffetti’s operating expenses increased due to higher sales of lower margin products compared to 2000;

	•	in the Professional Publishing segment, primarily attributable to the change in consolidation and the costs of launching a new publication, Fuoricasa magazine; and

	•	in the Television segment, primarily due to SEAT consolidating HMC for 7 months in 2001 while accounting for it as an equity method investment in 2000. Therefore, HMC had no effect on SEAT’s 2000 operating expenses.

Interest expense was €57,150 in 2001, compared to €198,132 in 2000, a decrease of approximately 71%.

The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income from short-term deposits at Telecom Italia’s centralized treasury, mainly from the cash received by SEAT via the conversion of SEAT savings shares to ordinary shares at the end of 2000, compensated by the interest expense resulting from the changes in the scope of consolidation (mostly related to SEAT and TDL) and from the fact that SEAT had imputed interest expense of €172,895 in 2000 related to the reverse acquisition of SEAT by Tin.it.

Equity in losses of affiliated companies was €81,747 in 2001, compared to €26,123 in 2000, an increase of approximately 213%.

The increase was primarily attributable to the full year’s consolidation of the equity losses in affiliated companies. The primary contributors of the equity losses were Mondus (€16,473) TDL Belgium (€15,685) and VIASAT (€9,156).

The tax benefit was €245,306 and €158,335 for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, the tax benefits of the respective years differ from applying the Italian statutory tax rate of 40.25% and 41.25% to pretax losses primarily due to the non-deductibility of goodwill amortization and write-down, the non-deductibility of other expenses and the increase in valuation reserves.

Net loss was €4,502,274 in 2001, compared to €10,886,364 in 2000, a decrease of approximately 59%.

The table below summarizes, for 2000, 2001 and 2002 SEAT’s statement of cash flows. Historically, Tin.it did not have its own bank account and therefore all cash receipts and payments until its legal formation on May 1, 2000 were handled by its parent company on its behalf. This cash flow statement has been presented as if such receipts and payments during these periods had been received or made by Tin.it.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2002 was €302,352 compared to €66,474 in 2001 and net cash used in operating activities of €5,042 in 2000. In 2000, the effect of the continued growth of the Internet activities was mitigated by the operating cash flows related to the addition of SEAT’s business in the last three months of 2000. In 2001, the increased cash flow was related to the acquisitions in 2001 along with a full year’s consolidation of business purchased in 2000. In 2002, the strong increase in cash flow was partially related to the more successful collection of and a resulting decrease in accounts receivable, increased sales at a lower cost caused by a reduction in the cost of salaries, wages and employee benefits, and the disposal of loss-making assets.

The net cash flow from operating activities for New SEAT would have been €336,343 in 2002.

The net cash flow from operating activities for Telecom Italia Media was (€30,849) in 2002. The cash flow from the Internet-Access unit of the Internet Services segment are expected to continue to improve during 2003 with the goal of providing cash flows from operations for the year as a result of Telecom Italia Media’s

reorganization and focus on the Internet ISP business. The Television segment and Internet-Matrix unit of the Internet Service segment are expected to continue to use cash flows form operations during 2003 though at a slower rate than in 2002 due to the positive effects of the Company’s restructuring plans. Telecom Italia Media is expecting to have, after the carve out of New Seat, enough cash on hand to fund its ordinary business operations and that it will not need any additional funding prior to 2005. However the cash available would be insufficient in case of an extraordinary event such as a significant adverse ruling in the De Agostini litigation was to occur. Please see “Item 8. Financial Information — Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal Proceedings”. In any case Telecom Italia Media expects that it will continue to be financially supported by Telecom Italia through the centralized treasury function based on Telecom Italia’s policy to support its group companies.

Net cash used in investing activities was €120,418 in 2002 compared to cash provided by investing activities in the amount of €389,002 in 2001 and €111,690 in 2000. The main item in 2002 consisted of proceeds from disposals in the amount of €43,322 compared to €32,479 in 2001 and €9,201 in 2000. The capital expenditure was reduced to €27,799 compared to €81,958 in 2001 and €63,112 in 2001 and additions to intangible assets decreased to €56,772 compared to €90,000 in 2001, €22,791 in 2000. The disposal of operating assets and the reduction in the acquisition of new operating assets are a result of managements decision to focus on SEAT core business and to reduce capital expenditures.

Net cash used in investing activities for New SEAT would have been approximately €56,797 in 2002.

Net cash used in investing activities for Telecom Italia Media would have been approximately €14,343 in 2002. During 2003, Telecom Italia Media does not expect to invest significant capital in investing activities.

The difference between the net cash used in investing activities for New SEAT and Telecom Italia Media on a stand alone basis and the amount for SEAT on a consolidated basis is primarily related to the accounting treatment of the Tiglio real estate transaction described in Note 11 of the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2002. On a consolidated basis, the cash received was considered as proceeds from long-term debt based upon the structure of the transaction. However, had the spin-off occurred prior to year end, it is expected that New SEAT would have met the criteria for sale-leaseback accounting and, therefore, the cash received would have been considered as proceeds from disposals of plant, property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities was €131,135 in 2002 compared to a net cash provided by financing activities of €328,858 in 2001 and €149,353 in 2000. In addition to the investment by the parent company, 2000 cash flows from financing activities also included €1,120 million cash received from the conversion of savings shares to ordinary shares, offset by (€785,014) advanced to the parent company and €218,789 short-term borrowings. In addition to the investment by parent company, 2001 cash flows from financing activities also included proceeds from long-term debt of €194,862, offset by repayments of long-term debt of €176,023 and short-term borrowings of €116,229. The main change in the net cash provided by financing activities is the net change in short-term advances to parent company from (€148,649) in 2002 compared to €404,415 in 2001 which was primarily due to the need by SEAT for funding by the parent company for its acquisitions in 2001.

Net cash used in financing activities for New SEAT would have been €295,429 in 2002.

Net cash provided by financing activities for Telecom Italia Media would have been €111,875 in 2002. In 2002, Telecom Italia Media obtained financing internally from the central treasury function of Telecom Italia or the cash produced by the business segments that will become a part of New SEAT as a result of the Spin-off. Telecom Italia Media will continue to be included in the Telecom Italia centralized treasury function and, therefore, expects to have continued access to this type of funding. This will allow it to have no significant external debt and to obtain financing from its parent company until such time as the entity can provide enough positive cash flow from operations.

The reason for the difference in the net cash used in financing activities between Telecom Italia Media and New SEAT on a stand alone basis compared to SEAT on a consolidated basis is the same than for net cash used in investing activities as discussed above.

The table below sets forth, for the years indicated, SEAT’s investments in long-lived assets.

Capital expenditures primarily related to hardware and operating software in 2002, 2001 and 2000.

Additions to intangible assets mainly relate to application software for Internet activities and database. The €109,682 thousand and €259,158 thousand of financial investments in 2002 and 2001, respectively, reflects the cash portion of business acquisitions, various minority interest investments and investments in investments funds.

At December 31, 2002, SEAT had unsecured short-term lines of credit with banks, including bank overdraft facilities, providing borrowings up to approximately €85,070 of which €48,923 was advanced at December 31, 2002. The lines of credit bear various interest rates including both fixed and variable interest rates. At December 31, 2002, the weighted-average interest rate was approximately 3.8% per annum. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit are payable upon demand.

SEAT funds its operations principally from cash generated by operating activities and available credit facilities. As described above, in 2002, SEAT’s cash position increased due to cash from operations, investments by the parent company, proceeds from long-term debt and proceeds from disposals, offset by acquisitions of businesses, capital expenditures, investments in intangible assets and financial investments, repayment of long-term debt and short term borrowings.

SEAT’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2002, including amounts due within one year, amounted to €1,192,188.

The tables below show SEAT’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2002.

A significant portion of the debt is represented by SEAT’s €700 million floating rate notes due July 1, 2003, which bear interest at the variable rate of 3 months Euribor plus 0.70% and its €303,040 fixed rate notes due July 1, 2005 bearing interest at a rate of 6.5%. These notes represent unsecured obligations of SEAT and are

listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Interest payments on the variable rate notes are due quarterly each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Interest payments on the fixed rate notes are due annually each July 1. Other components of SEAT’s long-term debt include €119,995 senior subordinated notes due October 2009 bearing interest at 12.125% and €9,889 notes which bear interest at 15.5% through maturity in October 2010, both representing obligations of TDL Infomedia.

SEAT has a number of interest rate swap and collar agreements, which partially modify the interest rate characteristics of SEAT’s fixed and floating rate notes described above and partially limit SEAT’s exposure to variable interest rate risks by providing an interest rate cap and floor. With respect to the €700 million floating rate notes, SEAT has an interest rate swap with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of July 1, 2003, under which SEAT receives 3-month Euribor plus 0.70% and pays 3-month Euribor plus 0.017%. Additionally, SEAT has an interest rate collar with a notional amount of €700 million and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which SEAT pays the difference between 5.8% and EURIBOR if the EURIBOR is below 3.99%. It receives the difference between EURIBOR and 5.8% if EURIBOR exceeds 5.8%.

With respect to the fixed rate notes, SEAT has two interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of €200 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which SEAT receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.07%. SEAT has an additional interest rate swap with a notional amount of €100 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which SEAT receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.11%. Additionally, SEAT has an interest rate collar with a notional amount of €300 million and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which SEAT receives EURIBOR flat and pays fixed rates of 5.255% and 5.1575% respectively.

SEAT also enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion of the risk related to fixed sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of SEAT’s foreign currency risk management activities is to protect SEAT from the risk that future cash flows resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.


	•	two forward exchange contracts US dollars with a notional amount of €16.5 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate AG denominated in U.S. dollars.

	•	three forward exchange contracts to sell US dollars with a net notional amount of €35.5 million to protect it from exchange risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate Inc. denominated in US dollars.

	•	one forward exchange contract to sell pound sterling with a net notional amount of €3.3 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate LTD. denominated in pound sterling.

	•	one forward exchange contract to buy US dollars with a net notional amount of €9.2 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to bonds denominated in US dollars.

SEAT does not currently have substantial capital expenditure plans as of December 31, 2002. Please refer to note 19 of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for a description of SEAT’s capital expenditure commitments as of December 31, 2002. SEAT’s principal capital expenditure plan currently is comprised of a plan to add additional software and hardware. SEAT believes that cash flow from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its anticipated capital expenditure and long-term debt requirements.

In terms of research and development, SEAT pursues the development of new products and services through intense research activities undertaken as an integral part of its production. It also focuses on the technical-specialist training of its personnel. All research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

As of June 13, 2003, neither SEAT nor any company within the SEAT Group is a party of an off-balance sheet transaction.

SEAT’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon SEAT’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP). Reported financial condition and results of operations of SEAT are sensitive to accounting methods, assumptions and estimates that underlie the preparation of financial statements generally. SEAT bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The selection of critical accounting policies, the judgments and other uncertainties affecting application of those policies and the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions are factors to be considered when reviewing SEAT’s financial statements. SEAT believes the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

SEAT’s primary revenue streams consist publication of its directories (both print and on-line), internet access and related services, directory and operator assistance, sales of office products and services, publishing, direct marketing and television.

Revenues related to publication of its directories are the fee that SEAT collects from customers to be listed in the directory. These revenues are recognized at the date of publication, which corresponds to the time at which the related publications are printed and delivered. For revenue related to publication in the on-line directories, revenue is recognized over the length of the contract for which the customer is included on the website, generally one year.

Revenues from Internet access and related services primarily represent subscription services, which are recognized over the subscription period on a straight-line basis.

Revenues from directory and operator assistance are recognized when the services have been provided, which is based upon the number and duration of calls received from end customers at the date of service.

Revenues from the sale of office products are recognized when title transfers to the customer, which is either at the date the products are shipped or when the products are delivered and accepted by the customer.

Revenues from the sale of publishing are recognized at the date of publication, which corresponds to the time at which the related publications are printed and delivered.

Advertising revenue from television is recorded on the date at which the advertisement is shown. Payments received for advertising services to be rendered in future periods are deferred and recognized at the time the advertising is provided.

Provisions for returns and other adjustments related to sales are provided in the same period the related sales are recorded.

The determination of goodwill is dependent on the allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Such allocation is often based on judgmental factors and estimates of fair values for assets that may not have a readily determinable market value.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid for business acquisitions over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. As of January 1, 2002, upon the adoption of SFAS 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized. Prior to adoption of SFAS 142, amortization was provided on a straight-line basis over 5 to 15 1/2 years, the estimated period to be benefited.

The company annually reviews the carrying value of goodwill to determine if impairment may exist and also on an interim basis if certain events occur. The requirements of SFAS 142 include that goodwill be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques, and, specifically, a two-step process must be utilized. The first step is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second part of the test is not considered necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the loss, if any. The second part of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied value of the operating unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The excess of the carrying value over the implied value is then written-off in the period. Implied value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the asset and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The determination of impairment of goodwill requires significant judgement and estimates. If actual results differ from these estimates, or if the Group adjusts these estimates in future periods, operating results could be significantly affected.

Other intangibles assets are recorded at their fair value at the date of purchase when acquired in a purchase business combination. Other intangible assets are stated at the cost to acquire, such as a license or patent, or the cost to produce, such as software. These assets are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. As described above, SEAT will implement SFAS 142 in 2002 which suspend the amortization of infinite lived intangible assets.

Finite lived intangible assets, of which most of SEAT’s intangible assets are, will continue to be amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset.

In 2002, SEAT adopted SFAS 144 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, including intangible assets other than goodwill. Under both SFAS 144 and SFAS 142, the Group assesses potential impairments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or if the price of the asset has had considerable market depreciation. The recoverability of an asset’s carrying value is initially determined by comparing the undiscounted cash flows of the asset to its carrying value. If, after the initial assessment, impairment is deemed to exist, then the Group estimates the fair value of the asset based on discounted cash flows, independent appraisals or quoted marked prices, if available. Any excess of carrying value over estimated fair value is written off and recorded as an expense in current period earnings.

SEAT is required to estimate its income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves the jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction estimation of actual current tax exposure and the assessment of the temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as accruals and amortization, among others, for tax and financial reporting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within SEAT’s consolidated balance sheet. SEAT must assess in the course of its tax planning procedures the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to obtain the benefit of deferred tax assets based on expected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. If in management’s judgment, the deferred tax assets recorded will not be recovered; an impairment is recorded to reduce the deferred tax asset to its estimated recoverable value.

Significant management judgment is required in determining SEAT’s provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities and impairments to reflect the potential inability to fully recover deferred tax assets. If actual results differ from these estimates, or SEAT adjusts these estimates in future periods, SEAT may need to establish an additional valuation allowance, which could adversely effect SEAT’s financial position and results of operations.

Considerable judgment is exercised by SEAT in recording the Company’s accrued liabilities and its exposure to contingent liabilities related to pending litigation or other outstanding claims subject to negotiated settlement, mediation, arbitration or government regulation as well as other contingent liabilities.

Judgment is necessary in assessing the likelihood that a pending claim will succeed or a liability will arise and to quantify the possible range of the final settlement. In case the occurrence of a contingency or potential liability is more likely than not, SEAT accrues an amount for contingent liabilities that represents management’s estimate at that date. Because of the inherent uncertainties in the foregoing evaluation process, actual losses may be different from the original estimated amount accrued.

For purposes of US GAAP, the Group applies the guidance outlined in SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies. Under SFAS 5 a loss contingency is considered to exist when a future use of assets to settle a liability or claim is considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. The necessary estimates used by management rely on the analysis of internal specialists, attorneys, actuaries or other external specialist as considered necessary. A revision of the original estimates may significantly affect future operating results.

The management of SEAT is entrusted to a Board of Directors, which is vested with all the powers for the ordinary and extraordinary management of SEAT, with the sole exception of those which Italian law mandatorily reserves to the shareholders. The day-to-day management of SEAT is entrusted to the Deputy Chairman, the Managing Director and certain other key officers.

Under SEAT’s bylaws, the Board of Directors is made up of 7 to 21 members, as from time to time established by a shareholders’ resolution appointing the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors remains in office for the terms established by the shareholders’ resolution appointing it; no term, however, can be longer than three years. The directors may be re-elected.

Subsequent to the Olimpia acquisition of a 28.736% stake in Olivetti described above in “Item 4. Information on the Company — History — Expansion, Reorganization and Rationalization”, the majority of the members of SEAT’s Board of Directors resigned in October, 2001. On December 11, 2001, the ordinary meeting of SEAT’s shareholders elected a new Board of Directors, consisting of Paolo Ainio, Enrico Bondi, Pierpaolo Contone, Paolo Dal Pino, Gianfranco Negri-Clementi, Giuseppe Parrello, Guido Roberto Vitale and Mario Zanone Poma, all of whom were confirmed. In addition, five new directors were appointed: Gilberto Benetton, Gianni Mion, Giulia Ligresti, Candido Fois and Alessandro Ovi.

As noted in Item 4 — The SEAT-Tin.it Combination Telecom Italia is SEAT’s controlling shareholder. Telecom Italia is controlled by Olivetti with which it is merging pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the extraordinary shareholder’s meetings of Telecom Italia on May 24, 2003 and Olivetti on May 26, 2003, respectively. Olivetti’s major shareholder is Olimpia. (For more information on Olimpia, please see Item 4 — History — Expansion, Reorganization and Rationalization) Olimpia’s shareholders are Pirelli S.p.A. (“Pirelli”), Edizione Holding S.p.A. (“Edizione Holding”), Unicredito Italiano S.p.A. (“UniCredito”), IntesaBCI S.p.A. (“IntesaBci”) and Hopa S.p.A. (“Hopa”). As a result of these various shareholders’ agreements among the Former Olimpia Shareholders, the following arrangements apply to SEAT.

Pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement between Pirelli and Edizione Holding S.p.A. dated August 7, 2001 (as amended on September 14, 2001 and on February 13, 2002), and to an agreement among Pirelli, IntesaBci and UniCredito Italiano dated October 24, 2001 (collectively, the “Shareholders Agreements”) Edizione Finance International S.A. (“Edizione Finance”), a company 100% owned by Edizione Holding, which was subrogated to Edizione Holding’s rights and obligations, may designate one-fifth of the members of the Board of Directors available for nomination (not including the members of the Board appointed by minority shareholders and government agencies) and the Deputy Chairman, who will be the legal representative of the Company. One member of the Board is appointed at the request and designation of IntesaBci and one member of the Board is

Moreover, pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreements, Pirelli pledged, to the extent allowed by law, that no decision will be made by the Board of Directors without the favorable vote of at least one of the Board members appointed by Edizione Finance (if present) on the following points of business:


	•	individual investments greater than €250 million;

	•	purchases, sales and deeds of disposition for any reason of controlling and connecting shareholdings with an individual value of more than €250 million;

	•	deeds of disposition for any reason of businesses or assets with an individual value of more than €250 million;

	•	proposals to call a shareholders’ extraordinary meeting;

	•	transactions between the Olivetti group and the Pirelli group for amounts individually greater than €50 million; and

	•	transactions with related parties.

Hopa is a former bondholder of Olimpia. On December 19, 2002 Hopa and two of its affiliates accepted an offer by Olimpia to retire its bonds in exchange for a 16% interest in Olimpia. As a result the share capital in Olimpia is currently held by Pirelli, Edizione Holding, Unicredito, IntesaBci and Hopa in the following proportion: 50.4%, 16.8%, 8.4% and 16%. In connection with the acceptance of the retirement of the bonds by Hopa, Hopa entered into an agreement with the other Olimpia shareholders on February 21, 2003 which sets forth certain rights and obligations of the shareholders of Olimpia that effect among other interests the governance of their interest in SEAT (the “Hopa Agreement”).

Under the Hopa Agreement, Hopa has the right to appoint one Olimpia director and the other Olimpia shareholders will seek to elect one director of SEAT nominated by Hopa (with a corresponding reduction in the number of Pirelli nominees).

On February 21, and March 6, March 14, 2002, respectively, Mr. Paolo Ainio, Mr. Pierpaolo Cotone and Mr. Gilberto Benetton, respectively, resigned from the Board. The three departing directors were replaced by Mr. Aldo Cappuccio, Mr. Enrico Parazzini and Mr. Carlo Bertazzo, who were elected on May 2, 2002 by the Ordinary Meeting of SEAT’s shareholders.

On September 4, 2002, Mr. Enrico Bondi resigned from the position of Executive Chairman. Mr. Bondi was replaced by Mr. Riccardo Perissich.

The current Board of Directors consists of 13 members. The term of the current Board of Directors expires at the meeting of shareholders which will approve the financial statements of SEAT for the financial year ending December 31, 2003.


(1)	Appointed by the Board of Directors in September, 2002.

(2)	Appointed by the Board of Directors in September, 2001.

(3)	Appointed by the Board of Directors in July, 2001.

Riccardo Perissich, born in Milan in 1942, was appointed Chairman of SEAT Pagine Gialle in September 2002. He is also Vice President of Assolombarda, Unione Industriali di Roma, Assonime, member of the Board of the European Institute of Oncology, the Board and the Executive Committee of ISPI, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London), the Istituto Affari Internazionali (Rome) and of the Aspen Institute Italia (Rome). Mr. Perissich began his career at Italconsult S.p.A. in 1962. In 1966 he became responsible for studies on the European Communities by the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome and he was later appointed as the Deputy Director of the Istituto. From 1970 to 1988 he worked as “Chef de Cabinet” for four members of the Commission of the European Communities. He was Director General of the DG for Industry until 1994 having served as Deputy Director General of the DG for Internal Market and Industrial Affairs from 1988 to 1990. From 1994 to 2001 he was Director of Public and Economic Affairs and a Member of the Board of Directors of Pirelli S.p.A., also in 2001 he coordinated the institutional affairs at the Pirelli Group. From 2001 to 2002 he was

Giuseppe Parrello, born in Milan in 1946, was appointed as director in September 2001 and has been Vice Chairman of the Board since December 11, 2001. He is also Vice Chairman and Managing Director of HMC, the group that manages the La 7 and MTV television stations. He was head of the Organization and Personnel Department of the Montedison Group until 1994 and Member of the Boards of Directors (vested with operating powers) of several Group companies (Telemontecarlo, Messaggero, Trenno, Montecaini, Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Buffetti, Nikols and others). Some of these companies are listed. From 1994 to 2000 he was Managing Director of Calcestruzzi S.p.A. (now Calcemento) and from 1998 he was Managing Director of Heracles Halkis S.A. and Chairman of Concretum S.A. From August 2000 to September 2001 he was Chairman and CEO of Edison Hellas S.A. From September 1, 2001 he is an executive officer of Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Paolo Dal Pino, was born in Milan in 1962, and was appointed Managing Director of SEAT Pagine Gialle in July 2001. From March 1995 to July 2001 he was General Manager of Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso — Republica Division — and a member of the Board of Directors of Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso SpA; Managing Director and founding member of Kataweb SpA, the Group holding company for the Internet business area; Member of the Board of Directors of several subsidiaries (Manzoni, Finegil and others); Member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of ANSA. From 1991 to March 1995 he was Chief Administrative, Financial and Audit Officer of Editoriale la Republica. From 1990 to 1991 he was Controller of Editoriale la Republica. From 1988 to 1990 he was Chief Administrative, Financial and Audit Officer of the Verkerke Group,headquartered in Holland and, from 1987 to 1988, Assistant to the Head of Planning and Control of Mondadori S.p.A. From 1986 to 1987 he was Assistant to the Head of Planning and Control of Fininvest S.p.A.

Aldo Cappuccio, was born in Trieste, Italy in 1949. He has been Head of Telecom Italia Group Corporate and Legal Affairs since March 12, 2002, he was appointed as SEAT Director on May 2, 2002. Mr. Cappuccio began his career in 1976 as a freelance civil lawyer. In 1986, he joined Assicurazioni Generali, where he worked until 2001 in positions of increasing responsibility, rising from Deputy Director in Charge of Legal Consulting to Central Director of Group Legal Affairs, with supervision over the Privacy Service.

Enrico Parazzini, was born in Milan, Italy, in 1944 and was appointed as Director in May 2002. He is also Head of Telecom Italia Group Finance, Administration and Control. Mr. Parazzini began his career in 1968 as a Junior Auditor at Arthur Andersen. In 1969, he was hired by the Finance Department at General Electric. In 1970, he joined Honeywell Information Systems Italia. Over the next 20 years he was promoted through the company, holding the positions of Financial Planning Manager from 1975 to 1980, Administration and Control Manager from 1981 to 1986, and Administrative Coordinator from 1987 to 1990. In 1991, after Honeywell sold its business to the Bull Group, Mr. Parazzini was appointed General Manager of Administration, Control, IT Systems and Logistics. He joined Pirelli as Group Controller in May 1992. He took an active part in the process of Group restructuring, with special reference to reform of the planning and control system. Between 1996 and 1999, he was Head of Administration, Group Acquisitions and Risk Management. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Cables and Systems division in 2000. Mr. Parazzini is currently a Board member of I.T. Telecom, SEAT PG and Tim. Since 1994 he has worked as a visiting lecturer on the Multinational Group Planning and Control Course at the “Luigi Bocconi” University of Milan.

Carlo Bertazzo, was born in Monselice (Padova) on September 24, 1965 and was appointed as Director in 2002. From 1995 to date he has also been CFO of Edizione Holding S.p.A. From 1991 to 1994 he worked for IFI — Istituto Finanziario Industriale S.p.A. and in 1990 for Banca Commerciale Italiana S.p.A.

Gianfranco Negri Clementi, born in 1931, was appointed as Director in May 2001. He is admitted to the Italian Bar and is admitted to plead before the Italian Supreme Court. During that period he establishes his law firm (now named Negri Clementi, Toffoletto, Montironi & Soci) which specializes in commercial law, corporate law (including M&A), banking law, insurance law and law of financial markets and has four offices (Milan, Rome, Verona and Vicenza). He is frequently appointed as common representative of bondholders or savings shareholders, arbitrator, and legal advisor. Mr. Gianfranco Negri-Clementi, also sits on several of the board of directors of leading companies and takes part to many activities carried out by non-profit associations and foundations with cultural aims.

Candido Fois, born in 1941, was appointed as director in May 2001. Mr. Fois is professor of Commercial law at the University of Padua. He is also a director of Unicredito S.p.A., Alleanza S.p.A. and Aprilia S.p.A. Mr. Fois is a lawyer admitted to the Italian Bar. His academic background include the appointment as professor of commercial law at the University of Venice, and Innsbruck. He is author of several publications of insurance corporate and banking law and is an editor of the Giurisprudenza Commerciale law review. His most important appointments in the past include: director and deputy chairman of Banca Cattolica del Veneto and of Mediocredito delle Tre Venezie; director of Banco Ambrosiano Veneto and director and member of the Executive Committee of Mediocredito Lombardo S.p.A.

Mario Zanone Poma, born in 1939, was appointed as Director in May 2001. He currently holds executive and non executive posts in a variety of businesses in Italy. His most important appointments include: chairman of Intesa Mediocredito, member of the governing body of Fondazione Cariplo, chairman of the Italo-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Advisory Board of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and chairman of Governance Consulting. He held the office of chief executive and deputy chairman of Telepiu (the first Italian pay-TV) until 1997, before which he worked for corporations such as Hoechst, Fininvest and Rank Xerox. Since the early 80s he has given seminars and lectures in Italy and abroad on topics such as information technology and television. Mario Zanone Poma’s academic background lies in the discipline of economics, with a degree in business economics followed by a second degree in industrial administration.

Giulia Ligresti, born in 1968, was appointed as Director on December 11, 2001. Ms. Ligresti is a Member of the Board of Directors of SAI Assicurazioni S.p.A., Vice Chairman of the Sailux S.A., Vice Chairman of Nuova MAA Assicurazioni S.p.A., Managing Director of SAI Holding Italia S.p.A., Managing Director of SAIFIN S.p.A.

Alessandro Ovi, born in 1944, was appointed as Director on December 11, 2001. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Euro Pacific Fund and the New World Fund, and a member of the Board of Advisors of New Perspective Fund. He is also Special Advisor in industrial matters to the President of the EU Board of Directors and Audit Committee of STMicroelectronics to the Board of Advisors of Korn-Ferry, Director of Technology Review Italy (the MIT Journal of Innovation). Member of the Board of Telecom Italia; Alitalia; Finmeccanica. He is President of the Italian Fulbright Association and a member of the Commission for Italy and U.S. Cultural Relations, IAI (International Affairs Institute), the Aspen Institute, the United States — Italy Council, and the Italy-Japan Business Group.] Previous appointments include: CEO of Tecnitel (Telecom Italia Group, Manufacturing activities) from May 1994 to September 2000, when the activities managed by the company have been dismissed by Telecom Italia. He has been Senior Vice President — International and Institutional Affairs from 1993 to 1994, and Senior Vice President — International Affairs from 1989-1992, and Assistant to the President from 1985 to 1989 of IRI S.p.A. He has been Deputy Director and Secretary of the Board from 1982 to 1984, Assistant to CEO and head of Development Planning, Licensing and R&D from 1976 to 1982, Head of Development Planning at CDI (Milan) from 1973 — 75 for Hoffman la Roche Italy. He was as a Fulbright Fellow, a Research Assistant at MIT, and Research Assistant at Politecnico of Milano and CISE from 1970 to 1971.

Guido Roberto Vitale, born in 1937, was appointed as Director in May 2001. Mr. Vitale has been the founder of Euromobiliare in the 70s and of Vitale Borghesi (Lazard Italy since 1998) in the early 90s, of which he was Chairman until May 2001. He is currently Chairman of Vitale & Associati Spa, and Director of AON Nichols Italy and FAI and member of the Council for the United States and Italy. He is very experienced in complex financial transactions.

Gianni Mion, born in 1943, was appointed as Director on December 11 2001. He is Managing Director of Edizione Holding SpA (the holding company of the Benetton family’s businesses) since 1986. He currently is a member of the Board of Directors of several Edizione Holding subsidiaries including Benetton Group, Autogrill, Edizione Property, 21 Investimenti, Autostrade, Sagat Olimpia, Telecom Italia, TIM, Olivetti, Interbanca, Bancantonveneta. Precedent positions include CFO Marzotto SpA (1985 — 86), CEO of Fintermica SpA (1983 — 85), Deputy General Manager Gepi SpA (1974 — 1985), controller at McQuay Europe SpA auditor with KPMG (formerly Peat Marwick, Mitchell) (1966 — 1973).

Fabrizio Grassi, born in 1959, has been Chief Operating Officer of SEAT since 2001. His most important appointments in the past include: Deputy General Manager of La Repubblica, Head of the Organization and Personnel Department of Gruppo Editoriale L’Espresso, several appointments, such as Head of Institutional Relations for Central and Southern Italy, Employees Organization General Manager Assistant to the Head of Industrial Relations, for the automotive and industrial Fiat Group. He is Member of the Supervisory Board of Telegate A.G., Chairman of Databank S.p.A. and Consodata S.p.A., Managing Director of TV Internazionale S.p.A. and Director of Gruppo Buffetti S.p.A., Cipi S.p.A., Holding Media e Comunicazione HMC S.p.A., Consodata S.A., Matrix S.p.A., TDL Infomedia Ltd, Editoriale Quasar S.r.l., Quasar e Associati S.r.l., Giallo Professional Publishing S.p.A., Gruppo Editoriale Faenza Editrice S.p.A., Gruppo Editoriale JCE S.p.A. and Promo Advertising S.r.l.

Angelo Novati, born in 1954, has been Chief Financial Officer of SEAT since 1999. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Novati served as Financial Director in FIAT AUTO S.p.A. He is Member of the Supervisory Board of Telegate A.G. and Director of Consodata S.A., TDL Infomedia Ltd, Matrix S.p.A., Holding Media e Comunicazione HMC S.p.A. and Gruppo Buffetti S.p.A.

Ernesto Mauri, born in 1946, has been Senior Vice President, Directories, of SEAT since 2003 and, Office Products and Services, since 2002. Before jointing SEAT, Mr. Mauri served as Vice President — Periodicals of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore S.p.A. Mr. Mauri has been Managing Director of Cecchi Gori Advertising S.r.l., Cecchi Gori News and Sport S.r.l., Cecchi Gori Broadcasting S.r.l., and a Director of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. He is Chairman of TDL Infomedia Ltd and Director of TDL Infomedia Group PLC, TDL Group Ltd, TDL Infomedia Finance Ltd, TDL Infomedia Holdings PLC, Thomson Directories Ltd and Euredit S.A.

Harald Rosch, born in 1968, has been Senior Vice President, Internet, of SEAT since 2002. From 1999 until 2001, Mr. Rosch served as Marketing Director of Italia Online and Internet Services. From 1993 until 1998 he served as Engagement Manager for McKinsey Co. in Milan. He is Managing Director of Matrix S.p.A. and Director of Miaeconomia S.r.l.

Paolo Gonano, born in 1960, has been Senior Vice President, Directories Assistance, of SEAT since 2001. Since April 1994 to January 1999, Mr. Gonano served as Marketing Manager of PIAGGIO V.C. S.p.A. He is Chairman of Giallo Voice S.p.A. and Telegate Italia S.r.l., Member of the Executive Board of Telegate A.G. and Director of NetCreations Inc.

Pierre Le Mahn, born in 1966, has been Senior Vice President, Business Information (Consodata Group), of SEAT since 2003. He previously served as General Manager of Consodata Group French activities. He also had previous experiences in restructuring and implementation of financial controlling systems as a Consultant at Andersen Consulting. He is Chairman of Netcreations, Inc., Consodata Espana S.A., BCA Finances S.A. and Consodata Solutions S.A., Managing Director of Consodata S.A. and Director of Consodata S.p.A., Cal Ltd, Consodata UK Ltd, Consobelgium S.A. and BCA S.A.

Paolo Cellini, born in 1958, has been Senior Vice President, Office Products and Services, of SEAT since 2003. He has also served as General Manager of Italian Consodata Group subsidiary since 2002. He previously has been Vice President of Disney Internet Group International. He is Chairman of SK Direct S.r.l., Office Automation Products S.p.A., Orma Informatica S.r.l., PBS Professional Business Software S.p.A. and Cipi Sp.A. and Director of Gruppo Buffetti S.p.A.

Carlo Basile, born in 1947, has been Senior Vice President of the Sales Division since 2003. Since joining SEAT in 1985, Mr. Basile was promoted to head of sales in March of 1998 assuming the responsibility for the entire sales network after assuming various other leading positions in the sales area. Between 1975 and 1985 Mr. Basile worked in various capacities with the Banca Commerciale Italiana. He is Director of Consodata S.p.A. and Euredit S.A.

Under Italian law, in addition to electing the board of directors, SEAT’s shareholders elect a Board of Statutory Auditors (Collegio Sindacale) at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The statutory auditors are elected for a term of three years, may be re-elected for successive terms and may be removed only for cause and with the

The Board of Statutory Auditors is currently comprised of three statutory members (sindaci effettivi) and two alternates (sindaci supplenti) as follows:

The term of the current Board of Statutory Auditors will expire at the annual general meeting held to approve the financial statements of SEAT for the financial year ending December 31, 2003.

Under Italian law, the Board of Statutory Auditors is required to verify that SEAT: (i) complies with applicable law and its bylaws; (ii) respects the principles of correct administration; (iii) maintains adequate organizational structure, internal controls and administrative and accounting systems; and (iv) adequately instructs its subsidiaries to transmit to SEAT information relevant to the disclosure obligations of SEAT.

SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors is required to meet at least once each quarter. In addition, the statutory auditors of SEAT must be present at meetings of SEAT’s Board of Directors and shareholders’ meetings and at meetings of SEAT’s senior management. On May 9, 2003 the extraordinary meeting of SEAT’s shareholder the by-laws were revised to allow to hold meetings of the Statutory Auditors via video-conference or audio-conference.

The statutory auditors may decide to call a meeting of the shareholders, the Board of Directors or the senior management, ask information on the management of SEAT from the directors, carry out inspections and verifications at SEAT and exchange information with SEAT’s external auditors. The Board of Directors must report to the statutory auditors at least quarterly on its activities and on the main transactions carried out by SEAT.

Any shareholder may submit a complaint to the Board of Statutory Auditors regarding facts that the shareholder believes should be subject to scrutiny by the Board of Statutory Auditors, which must take any such complaint into account in its annual report to the shareholders’ meeting. If shareholders collectively representing 2% of SEAT’s share capital submit such a complaint, the Board of Statutory Auditors must promptly undertake an investigation and present its findings and any recommendations to a shareholders’ meeting (which must be convened immediately if the complaint appears to have a reasonable basis and there is an urgent need to take action).

The Board of Statutory Auditors may report to the competent court serious breaches of the duties of the directors. SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors is also required to notify the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (“CONSOB”) without delay of any irregularities found during its review activities. CONSOB itself may report to the competent court serious breaches of the duties of the statutory auditors of a listed company.

The following table shows the compensation, benefits and fees paid by SEAT to members of the Board of Directors and members of the Board of Statutory Auditors of SEAT in 2002.


(1)	The amount indicated was not collected by Messr. Perissich, Bondi, Cappuccio, Cotone and Parazzini but paid to Telecom Italia S.p.A.

(2)	The amount indicated was not collected by Messr. Bertazzo and Mion but paid to Edizione Holding S.p.A.

(3)	The amount indicated was not collected because it was waived.

(4)	Mr. Bondi resigned from Chairman on August 30, 2002.

(5)	The amount indicated was not collected by Messr. Dal Pino and Parello but was paid to Telecom Italia S.p.A. and is equivalent to the total cost borne by the company.

(6)	The amount indicated is a fee paid pursuant to article 2389, paragraph 2, of the Italian Civil Code.

For the year ended December 31, 2002, the aggregate compensation paid to SEAT’s senior management was approximately €4,758,034.40.

On December 13, 1999, SEAT’s Board of Directors approved the terms of a stock option plan providing for the grant of stock options to SEAT’s sales managers and certain senior employees (the “Stock Option Plan 1999-2003”). The Stock Option Plan 1999-2003 was adopted pursuant to a resolution adopted by the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of SEAT on September 24, 1999, which granted the Board of Directors the power to increase SEAT’s share capital by up to €1,363,446.21 through the issuance of up to 38,332,800 ordinary shares and up to 14,467,200 convertible savings shares to be offered for subscription to SEAT’s employees. The Stock Option Plan 1999-2003 is intended to strengthen loyalty to the Company and provide incentives to employees who hold strategic positions or are considered to be important to the success of the Company. Directors of SEAT and of SEAT’s subsidiary companies are not beneficiaries of the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003.

The duration of the plan is five years and it comprises several tranches of share capital increases, generally annual, tied to the achievement of the objectives in each reference year according to the methods defined in the plan.

As of December 31, 2002, there were 325,004 outstanding SEAT options entitling holders to 10,725,132 SEAT ordinary shares, under the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003. Each option entitles the holders to subscribe to 33 SEAT ordinary shares. All outstanding options may be exercisable, depending on the achievement of defined objectives during 2003. The exercise price will be fixed at a rate between the nominal and market value of each newly issued SEAT share pursuant to the plan rules for the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003.

In March 2001, Mr. Pellicioli, the then Managing Director and director, was granted, as an employee of SEAT, a total of 72,382 options (“Tranche II”), carrying the right to subscribe to a total of 2,388,606 SEAT ordinary shares, 50% were, at the time they were assigned, granted non-transferable until the approval of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002.

Also, in March 2001, Mr. Ainio, the then Managing Director of Matrix and a senior manager of SEAT, was granted, as an employee of Matrix, a total of 10,000 options, carrying the right to subscribe to 330,000 SEAT ordinary shares. On February 21, 2002 Mr. Ainio resigned from Managing Director of Matrix and senior manager of SEAT. Mr. Ainio waived its rights under the stock option plan.

On April 12, 2001, SEAT issued 5,246,835 new SEAT ordinary shares, under the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003, with a share issue price of Lit. 50 (approximately €0.025, then rounded up to €0.03). On April 12, 2001, senior managers of SEAT (excluding Mr. Pellicioli) subscribed to a total of 1,386,264 SEAT ordinary shares at the exercise price of Lit. 50 (approximately €0.025).

As of December 31, 2001, Mr. Pellicioli owned options for a total of 2,561,637 SEAT ordinary shares, 100% of which were, at the time they were granted, non-transferable until the approval of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002. On May 5, 2003, the Board of Directors of SEAT resolved to increase SEAT’s share capital by up to €249,198.84 through the issuance of up to 8,306,628 ordinary shares of which 2,595,054 to be used in case Mr. Pellicioli exercises its right to subscribe to the SEAT ordinary shares he is entitled to and 5,711,574 for certain beneficiaries. The exercise price is fixed at a rate amounting to the former nominal value expresses in lire (Lit. 50, approximately €0.025). On May 12, 2003 5,711,574 ordinary shares were issued and subscribed for €0.03 each for an amount of €171,347. On June 13, 2003 2,595,054 ordinary shares were issued and subscribed for €0.03 each for an amount of €77,851.62.

Following the redenomination of the share capital of SEAT in euro, which was implemented through an increase of the par value of each share to €0.03 using available reserves, on December 11, 2001, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved a resolution to constitute a special reserve of €170,097.98 for the increase of the share capital due to the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003. The special reserve will be used by the Company to pay the difference between the issue price (€0.03) and the exercise price (originally set at Lit. 50, which corresponds to €0.025).

On November 20, 2000, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting approved a share capital increase, excluding option rights, for a maximum nominal amount of €3,279,501.30 through the issue, in more than one installment, of a maximum of 127,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal value of €0.03 each, reserved to the employees of the Company and its directly or indirectly-controlled subsidiaries, including:


	•	a plan for certain employees (managers, junior managers and certain senior staff) to be identified within the Company and subsidiaries who hold positions vital for the achievement of Company objectives (the “Stock Option Plan 2000-2002”); and

	•	a plan for all the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Stock Option Plan 2001-2002”) which, as of June 13, 2003 had not yet been implemented.

On May 10, 2001, SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting resolved to extend the Stock Option Plan 2000-2002 to the directors of subsidiary companies and to detail certain aspects concerning the determination of the issue price of the shares.

On July 30, 2001 a resolution was passed for a further extension of the plan to the directors of SEAT, establishing that 20% of the total shares to be issued would be earmarked for the Stock Option Plans for the directors of SEAT.

As of December 31, 2002, there were 44,669,976 outstanding SEAT options entitling holders to 44,669,976 SEAT ordinary shares, under the Stock Option Plan 2000-2002. Each option entitles the holders to subscribe to one SEAT ordinary share. All the outstanding options (44,669,976) were granted in 2002 on the basis of certain objectives already reached and may be exercisable as follows:


	•	32,456,451 from May 2002 to May 2005;

	•	7,408,117 from May 2003 to May 2006;

	•	4,805,408 from May 2004 to May 2007;

The exercise price for all the outstanding options is fixed at €1.22 per share.

As of June 13, 2003, no shares under the Stock Option Plan 2000-2002 had been issued.

Pursuant to the power to increase the share capital conferred by SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of September 24, 1999, on May 17, 2002 SEAT’s Board of Directors approved:


	•	the terms of a new stock option plan (“the Stock Option Plan TOP”);

	•	the regulation of the Stock Option Plan TOP concerning one category of beneficiaries (beneficiaries “A”);

	•	the granting of options under the Stock Option Plan TOP to the beneficiaries in three lots: (i) 30% of the total amount of the options granted with a five-year exercise period starting from May 2003, (ii) 30% of the total amount of the options granted with a four-year exercise period starting from May 2004 and (iii) 40% of the total amount of the options granted with a three-year exercise period starting from May 2005;

	•	the determination of the exercise price at a rate equal to the average share price in the 30 days preceding the exercise (€0.8532); and

	•	the granting of 1,500,000 options, carrying the right to subscribe for an equal number of SEAT ordinary shares at the exercise price of €0.8532, to SEAT’s Managing Director, Mr. Paolo Dal Pino, as the sole “A” Beneficiary.

On the same date, SEAT’s Board of Directors approved the above-mentioned share capital increase, for a maximum nominal amount of €45,000.00 through the issue of up to 1,500,000 SEAT ordinary shares with a par

Pursuant to the share capital increase approved by SEAT’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of November 20, 2000, on May 17, 2002, SEAT’s Board of Directors also approved:


	•	the terms of a new stock option plan (the “Stock Option Plan Key People”);

	•	the regulation of the Stock Option Plan Key People concerning the beneficiaries which are divided into two main categories (beneficiaries “B” and “C”);

	•	the granting of options under the Stock Option Plan Key People to the beneficiaries in three lots: (i) 30% of the total amount of the options granted with a five-year exercise period starting from May 2003, (ii) 30% of the total amount of the options granted with a four-year exercise period starting from May 2004 and (iii) 40% of the total amount of the options granted with a three-year exercise period starting from May 2005;

	•	the determination of the exercise price at a rate in the 30 days preceding the exercise (€0.8532);

	•	the nominal list of the “B” beneficiaries, with the detail of the options granted to each of them, for a total amount of 2,500,000 options at the exercise price of €0.8532;

	•	the conferral to the Managing Director of the power to define the nominal list of the “C” beneficiaries, including the number of options granted to each one of them, for a total amount of 45,000,000 options at the exercise price of €0.8532.

As of December 31, 2002, there were 46,400,000 outstanding SEAT options entitling holders to 46,400,000 SEAT ordinary shares, under the Stock Option Plan Key People. Each option entitles the holders to subscribe to one SEAT ordinary share. All the outstanding options (46,400,000) were granted in 2002 and may be exercisable as follows:


	•	13,920,000 from May 2003 to May 2008;

	•	13,920,000 from May 2004 to May 2008;

	•	18,560,000 from May 2005 to May 2008;

As of the effective date of the Spin-off, the stock options that were granted to but not yet exercised by the employees of either Telecom Italia Media, New SEAT or controlled companies, will be transferred at the same conditions to either Telecom Italia Media and New SEAT which will take over all obligations of SEAT relating to such plans.

Pursuant to his employment contract, Mr. Mauri will serve as senior vice president until December 31, 2004 and is entitled to a severance payment in the case of termination without just cause.

SEAT’s Remuneration Committee is composed of non-executive directors and is currently represented by Guido Roberto Vitale (Chairman), Candido Fois and Aldo Cappuccio.


	(i) remuneration of the Managing Directors and all those directors who are appointed to particular positions, including those positions that make the determination of stock option plans; and

	(ii) determining the criteria for total remuneration to the top management of the Company, on recommendation of the Managing Director.

The Committee was established during the Board of Directors’ meeting held on July 3, 2001. Since the term of office of the then-Board expired, the Committee was reappointed on December 11, 2001 and therefore reintegrated on March 25, 2002 (appointment of Mr. Cappuccio as a replacement for Mr. Cotone, who resigned in the interim).

On July 3, 2001, the Board established an Internal Audit Committee, whose task consists of making recommendations and proposals and is currently composed of non-executive directors represented by Mario Zanone Poma (Chairman), Alessandro Ovi (Gianni Mion resigned on February 10, 2003) and Gianfranco Negri Clementi. The Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors and, for particularly important discussions, the entire Board of Auditors, may attend the Committee meetings.

The Internal Control Committee must, according to the recommendations of the Preda Code:


	(i) assess the adequacy of the internal control system;

	(ii) assess the operating plan prepared by the persons responsible for internal control and receive their periodic reports;

	(iii) assess the proposals put forward by the Independent Auditors to obtain the audit assignment, the operating plan for carrying out the audit and the results thereof as laid down in the Auditors’ Report and their letter of suggestions;

	(iv) report periodically to the Board of Directors on its activity and the adequacy of the internal control system; and

	(v) perform the other duties entrusted to it by the Board of Directors, particularly as regards relations with the Independent Auditors.

The so-called Preda Code is a voluntary corporate governance code drawn up by the Italian Committee for the Corporate Governance Committee of Listed Companies.

On December 11, 2002, the Board of Directors of SEAT approved the Code of Ethics and the Code of Behavior on Insider Dealing. The decision is in line with the strategy of the Telecom Italia Group to reinforce its rules of corporate governance, making them even more effective and in line with international best practices and the new rules required by the CONSOB.

The Code of Ethics is the underlying concept for the entire system of Corporate Governance, and as such it plays a vital role in terms of planning, as it represents the body of principles for the ethically oriented conduct of business. The document in which the Code of Ethics is embedded sets out the objectives and information values of business practices, with reference to the main shareholders with which the SEAT Group of companies interact on a daily basis: shareholders, the financial market, customers, the community and personnel.

The Code of Behavior on Insider Dealing has been drawn up in fulfillment of the regulations recently introduced by Borsa Italiana. Starting January 1, 2003, these regulations require listed companies to make periodic disclosures concerning any transactions involving the listed securities of the issuer and its subsidiaries that have been made by parties with access to price-sensitive information.

With respect to the reference regulations drawn up by Borsa Italiana, the document is qualified by the following aspects:


	•	flexibility in identifying the list of people subject to the disclosure obligation, so that contingent situations involving access to confidential information can be taken into consideration;

	•	extension of the notification obligation to cover transactions involving listed financial instruments issued by parent companies (as well as subsidiaries);

	•	significant reduction in the thresholds that are relevant for the purposes of transactions to be reported to the market on a quarterly basis (€35,000 instead of €50,000) or immediately upon completion of the transaction (€80,000 instead of €250,000);

	•	extension of the obligation for transparency to include the exercise of stock options or option rights, as well as to all transactions involving financial instruments issued by companies in the Olivetti-Telecom Italia Group, also when conducted as part of management relations on individual basis of investment portfolios in which the customer waives the right to give instructions;

	•	inclusion of blackout periods, i.e. established time frames in which the persons subject to the provisions of the Code of Behaviour on Insider Dealing cannot perform transactions.

The Code of Behavior on Insider Dealing also envisages a particularly strict set of penalties that includes the possible proposal to the Shareholders’ Meeting to revoke the appointment of Directors and Statutory Auditors.

In accordance with the mandatory term set by the Italian stock exchange regulations, the Code went into effect on January 1, 2003.

As of December 31, 2002, SEAT had 7,715 employees, broken down into the following categories:

All of SEAT’s employees are covered by national collective bargaining agreements and company specific collective bargaining agreements. Until 1998, managers, directors and middle management benefited from a cash bonus scheme. In September 1999, SEAT resolved to replace this cash bonus scheme for certain senior employees with the Stock Option Plan 1999-2003. See “— Compensation — Stock Option Plan 1999-2003” above. SEAT believes that its relationship with its employees is good.

SEAT’s future success will depend, in part, on its ability to continue to attract, retain, manage and motivate highly qualified employees, particularly in management and Internet development services.

The following table shows the number of SEAT ordinary shares owned by directors and members of the Board of Statutory Auditors of SEAT as of June 13, 2003.


(1)	The number of shares held as of June 13, 2003 is not indicated due to the Director’s resignations during the year 2002.

As of June 13, 2003, the total ownership of SEAT shares by senior managers of SEAT was 1,453,360 ordinary shares, representing less than 0.02% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital. As of June 13, 2003, SEAT’s directors and senior managers did not own any Savings Shares. As of the same date, the members of SEAT’s Board of Statutory Auditors did not own any SEAT Shares.

Telecom Italia, SEAT’s parent company, owns directly and indirectly 56.147% of SEAT’s ordinary shares. The Shares held directly amount to 54.063%. Through Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and TI.IT-Telecom Italia Information Technology S.p.A. Telecom Italia owns indirectly 2.084%. Telecom Italia is the largest fixed-line telecommunications operator in Italy. It has interests in fixed-line and mobile telecommunications operations in a number of European and Latin American markets, including Spain, Austria, Serbia, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile as well as other international investments. Olivetti S.p.A. owned approximately 54.96% of Telecom Italia ordinary shares as of June 13, 2003.

The following table sets forth SEAT shareholders who own more than 2% of SEAT ordinary shares as of June 13, 2003.

There is no person known to SEAT who owns more than 2% of SEAT’s ordinary shares other than as set forth above. SEAT’s major shareholders do not have different voting rights.

Telecom Italia became SEAT’s controlling shareholder as a result of several transactions completed in 2000, including the merger of Tin.it and SEAT and the agreement to acquire SEAT shares from Huit II. Prior to these transactions, Telecom Italia’s interest in SEAT consisted of its interest in Huit II, whose shareholding in SEAT is described below. After a series of intercompany mergers, Huit II interest in SEAT is now held by Telecom Italia Finance.

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. is in turn owned by Telecom Italia (99.9%) and Mr. Adriano Trapletti (0.01%).

In 1999, Huit owned approximately 50% of SEAT’s ordinary shares. In early 2000, Huit was contemplating a reduction in its participation in SEAT through a secondary offering of SEAT shares. On March 15, 2000, the same date as the framework agreement described below, Telecom Italia entered into an agreement with Huit, Huit II, the other Huit shareholders and Lorenzo Pellicioli, then the Managing Director of SEAT, pursuant to which Telecom Italia agreed to acquire from Huit II approximately 812,535,304 ordinary shares of SEAT at €4.5 per SEAT ordinary share, corresponding to approximately 19.93% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital. The acquisition of SEAT shares through this agreement and the merger of Tin.it into SEAT allowed Telecom Italia to become the controlling shareholder of SEAT. As of the date of Telecom Italia’s agreement with Huit II for the acquisition of SEAT shares described below, the other shareholders of Huit were Banca Commerciale Italiana, De Agostini and four other financial investors, and Huit II owned 47% of SEAT’s ordinary shares. Telecom Italia owned 21.07% of Huit II.

As part of this agreement, Telecom Italia granted to Huit II a put option for approximately 710 million SEAT shares. On December 5, 2000, Telecom Italia announced that it had reached an agreement with the Chase Manhattan Group and Huit II, pursuant to which Chase Equities Ltd., a company of the Chase Manhattan Group, acquired approximately 710 million SEAT ordinary shares from Huit II along with Huit II’s put option to sell such shares to Telecom Italia at the price of € 4.20 per share. Chase Manhattan and Telecom Italia also agreed to extend the put option until December 2005, except that Chase Manhattan had the right to exercise it sooner, in April and May of 2003, 2004 or 2005. The Telecom Italia group also purchased a call option on over 660 million SEAT ordinary shares under the same terms and conditions as the put option with a premium payment of approximately €747 million. The terms of the put and call options have since been renegotiated between Telecom Italia and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank; the price has been reduced to €3.40 per share, and the put option cannot be exercised until December 2005.

On May 12, 2003, an agreement was reached between Telecom Italia Finance S.A. and Mr. Paolo Ainio and Carlo Gualandri to remove the share transfer restriction on the 26.802.272 shares. Therefore these SEAT shares are now freely tradeable.

In March 2000, Telecom Italia entered into a framework agreement with SEAT contemplating the combination of Tin.it and SEAT. Telecom Italia received 4,675,461,657 new SEAT ordinary shares in the merger of SEAT and Tin.it, which was completed in November 2000. Telecom Italia had also acquired 339,291,608 SEAT ordinary shares, representing 8.32% of SEAT’s ordinary share capital, in a tender offer for all of SEAT ordinary shares, except those which Telecom Italia already indirectly owned or had a right to acquire under the agreement described above, and all outstanding savings shares of SEAT, at €4.20 for each SEAT ordinary share and €2.94 for each SEAT savings share.

As of June 13, 2003, there were 11,193,400,970 outstanding SEAT ordinary shares, of which 10,145,541,115 were registered in the SEAT shareholders’ register in the name of approximately 784.214 holders. As of the same date, a total of 907.573.038 SEAT ordinary shares were registered in SEAT shareholders’ register in the name of 618 holders resident in the United States. These shares represented 8.11% of the total outstanding SEAT ordinary shares, of which 6.787% owned by J.P. Morgan Whitefriars Inc. Not all shareholders may be reflected on SEAT’s shareholder register at any given time. The actual numbers of holders of SEAT ordinary shares, therefore, may be less or more than these numbers indicate.

Because most SEAT savings shares are in bearer form, SEAT has not determined the number of holders of savings shares, including holders resident in the United States.

As of June 13, 2003, there were 187,689,368 outstanding SEAT savings shares. As of the same date a total of 117,601 SEAT savings shares were registered in SEAT shareholders’ register in the name of 2 holders resident in the United States. Not all shareholders may be reflected on SEAT’s shareholder register at any given time. The actual numbers of holders of SEAT savings shares, therefore, may be more or less than these numbers indicate.


	•	Call origination and IP transport and bandwidth for dial up Internet access. Internet access call origination through the nationwide 702 access code also comprises billing to end customers, which are part of Telecom Italia Reference Interconnection Offer. IP transport and bandwidth is a commercial service named E@sy.IP.

	•	ADSL wholesale and IP transport and bandwidth for ADSL Internet access. ADSL wholesale service is a regulated offer based on retail less price. IP transport and bandwidth is a commercial service named E@sy.IP ADSL.

All of these contracts have standard terms approved by the AGCom and apply on equal terms to all OLO/ISPs.


	•	Internet Service Provider (ISP) services, customer service and other related services for Telecom Italia’s ADSL retail services and

	•	Proxy radio services for Virtual Internet Service Providers on the Telecom Italia network.

SEAT provides Telecom Italia PAGINEBIANCHE copies. With this contract Telecom Italia fulfils its Universal Service Obligation.

Please see Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for additional information.

All the transactions entered into with related parties, including intragroup transactions, are part of ordinary operations and were entered into at market conditions or based on specific regulatory provisions. In addition, there are no atypical and/or unusual transactions or transactions that may represent a conflict of interest.

SEAT, like other companies involved in the telephone directories business, is frequently named as a defendant in routine litigation relating to printing and pricing mistakes occurring in SEAT’s publishing of client advertisements in its directories and other products. SEAT was the defendant in 157 new court proceedings in 2002 in which clients sought compensation for printing mistakes made by SEAT. The number of these claims is very small relative to the total number of SEAT’s advertising clients, which in 2002 exceeded 670,000. In the event of a printing mistake, SEAT generally offers a client some form of compensation, such as a price reduction or a free connection. In 2002, the average size of a claim paid by SEAT was €2,614.02. SEAT paid 125 claims in 2002 resulting from litigation for a total of €287,541.61. SEAT currently has a total of approximately 339 pending claims with an aggregate of approximately €18,252,947.71 in claimed damages. SEAT believes, based on its historical experience, that it will settle such claims for significantly less than the aggregate damages claimed. However, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these claims, and the award of substantially all the amounts claimed by clients would have a material adverse effect on SEAT’s operating results and financial condition.

In relation to litigation following the sale of WEBFIN to SEAT by De Agostini, in December 2001, De Agostini commenced an arbitration proceeding against SEAT before the National and International Arbitration

Chamber of Milan in Italy, claiming enforcement of the clause providing for the purchase by SEAT of the remaining 40% of WEBFIN. De Agostini is seeking specific performance of the clause (for an originally agreed purchase price of €700 million with payment beginning June 30, 2003) plus damages of approximately €33,000,000 to cover losses incurred by the plaintiff. SEAT argues in response that the purchase clause was terminated. SEAT bases its termination on a material adverse change clause of the contract and, particularly as it was the case with all internet companies with regard to the loss of value of the company. Management expects a verdict by November 2003.

SEAT and Telecom Italia are defendants before the civil court of Venice in a lawsuit by Sign S.r.l., an Italian software company (“Sign”), alleging damages due to SEAT’s refusal to license the telephone-subscriber listings file to Sign. In connection with this lawsuit, SEAT and Telecom Italia were charged by the Antitrust Authority for abuse of a dominant position. Subsequently, on April 19, 1994, Sign filed a civil lawsuit before the court of Venice alleging damages due to a breach of contractual and pre-contractual responsibilities. On the same date, Sign also filed another lawsuit with the court of appeals of Venice sitting as a court of first instance for damages allegedly suffered because of the antitrust violation. A decision on the merits was issued in May 2003. Judgment was rendered against SEAT requiring payment to the plaintiff in the amount of €146,867 in damages and a fine of €750,000 for violation of antitrust law. Telecom Italia and SEAT have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the judgment of Court of Appeals sitting as a court of first instance.

In relation to litigation following the sale of TeleMonteCarlo television network, or La7 and MTV, through a sale and purchase agreement among SEAT, Cecchi Gori Group Media Holding S.r.l. and Cecchi Gori Group FIN.MA.VI. S.p.A. (“Cecchi Gori Group”) on August 6, 2001, the Cecchi Gori Group filed a proceeding with the civil court of Milan asking for the rescission of the pledge agreement by which Cecchi Gori Group granted a security interest in Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A.’s (now named HMC S.p.a.) ordinary shares to SEAT. After the preliminary hearing, the next hearing will be held on September 18, 2003.

On July 31, 2001, the Cecchi Gori Group, enforcing an arbitration clause, commenced an arbitration proceeding against SEAT claiming rescission, invalidity or termination of the purchase and sale agreement of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. and claiming damages. A judgment is expected by July 25, 2003.

The Cecchi Gori Group parties have also challenged, in the civil court of Rome, the validity of a resolution of the ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. (on April 27, 2001), which approved the company’s annual report, resolved to cover the losses for the year 2000 and increased its share capital. On December 11, 2001, the hearing on the merits was concluded. On June 13, 2002, the court dismissed the complaint filed by the Cecchi Gori Group. The complaint was based on the (i) invalidity of the shareholders resolution of April 27, 2001 and (ii) lack of authorization on behalf of the shareholder SEAT to cast the vote of MEDIA Holding. The decision was later appealed by the Cecchi Gori Group and a first court hearing was scheduled for April 30, 2003.

In April 2001, the Cecchi Gori Group has also challenged before another judge of the civil court of Rome, the validity of a resolution of the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. (on August 11, 2000), which approved an amendment to the company’s by-laws to modify the meeting and voting quorums of the ordinary shareholders’ meeting. On May 14, 2003, the civil Court of Rome rejected the plaintiff’s requests and sentenced the Cecchi Gori Group to pay the trial expenses incurred by SEAT and by Cecchi Gori Communications.

SEAT does not have a policy of declaring a regular dividend. Rather, SEAT declares a dividend from time to time in light of prevailing circumstances and its future capital requirements. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of SEAT, subject to limitations imposed by Italian law.

Consistent with Italian law, the payment of annual dividends by SEAT is made out of the distributable profits and reserves of SEAT on an unconsolidated basis for each relevant year and upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Any recommendation is subject to approval by the ordinary shareholders of SEAT at the annual shareholders’ meeting, which must be convened for the approval of the annual financial statements of SEAT within four months after the end of the financial year to which the financial statements relate.

The payment and amounts of future dividends, if any, will depend upon the following factors:


	•	the amount of distributable profits and reserves on an unconsolidated basis;

	•	SEAT’s capital expenditure and investment plans;

	•	earnings and level of profitability;

	•	the ratio of debt to equity;

	•	applicable restrictions on the payment of dividends under Italian law;

	•	the level of dividends paid by other comparable listed companies in Italy and elsewhere; and

	•	other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Before SEAT may pay dividends with respect to any financial year, SEAT must allocate to its legal reserve (Riserva Legale) an amount equal to 5% of its net profit on an unconsolidated basis for that year, until the reserve, including amounts set aside during prior years, is equal to at least 20% of the aggregate nominal value of SEAT’s share capital.

In addition to paying dividends from unconsolidated distributable profits, SEAT may also distribute dividends by charging reserves, some of which may only be charged for such distributions, provided that, prior to the distribution, the legal reserve is at or above the legally required 20% minimum referred to above.

In addition to annual dividends, SEAT’s bylaws give the Board of Directors the power to approve the distribution of “interim dividends”. Pursuant to Italian law, after the approval of the preceding financial year’s financial statements and provided that the financial statements do not reflect current and/or accumulated losses, interim dividends may be distributed provided that they do not exceed the lower of:


	•	the profit of the current financial year, net of the amount to be attributed to legal and other reserves; and

	•	distributable reserves.

On May 9, 2003, the extraordinary meeting of SEAT’s shareholders approved an amendment of the Article 6 of SEAT’s bylaws concerning the procedures to pay the preferred dividend of the savings shares; in particular, the new clause enables the shareholders’ meeting which approves the financial statements in case that the net profit shown in the financial statement is non-existing or insufficient, to use the available reserves to meet the financial rights of those holding savings shares.

Once dividends have been paid in compliance with applicable laws, shareholders cannot be required to repay interim dividends, or annual dividends paid on the basis of duly approved financial statements, to SEAT if the shareholders collected such dividends in good faith.

In December 2000, SEAT completed a conversion offer of SEAT savings shares into SEAT ordinary shares, which allowed holders of savings shares to exchange one savings share plus €0.89 for each ordinary share. On completion of the conversion, SEAT received acceptances for approximately 87% of all outstanding savings shares and savings shares now represent only 1.7% of SEAT’s share capital. As a result of the conversion, SEAT issued 1,261,108,452 new ordinary shares and received cash proceeds of €1.122 billion in January 2001.

SEAT’s ordinary and savings shares are traded in euro on the Italian stock exchange’s Mercato Telematico. SEAT’s shares commenced trading on the Telematico on January 2, 1997. The shares are traded on the Telematico in minimum lots of 500 shares. Smaller lots of shares are traded on the Telematico in the opening tender.

Following the acquisition of Consodata and as agreed with the French financial authority (Conseil des Marchés Fiduciaries), SEAT’s ordinary shares have been trading on the Premier Marché of Euronext in Paris since August 7, 2001.

The following tables show the high and low official price, which represents the weighted average of the trading prices for all trades effected on a trading day, for SEAT’s ordinary shares and savings shares as reported through Telematico. All prices are expressed in euro.


(1)	Beginning January 4, 1999, SEAT’s ordinary and savings shares began trading on Telematico in Euro. The prices for 1998 have been restated, based on the fixed Euro/Lira exchange rate of Lit. 1936.27 = €1.00 established on December 31, 1998, as if the SEAT’s ordinary and savings shares had been trading in Euro since the beginning of the period.

The following table shows the high and low official price, which represents the weighted average of the trading prices for all trades effected on a trading day, for SEAT’s ordinary shares as reported through Premier Marché. All prices are expressed in euro.

Legislative Decree No. 213 of June 24, 1998 (“Dematerialization Decree”) provided for the dematerialization of financial instruments publicly traded on regulated markets including treasury bonds. From July 9, 1998, all companies that issue financial instruments that are publicly traded on regulated markets must inform Monte Titoli S.p.A., a centralized securities clearing system owned by certain of the major Italian banks and financial institutions (“Monte Titoli”), which will open an account in the name of each company in its register.

Beneficial owners of Shares and Savings Shares must hold their interests through specific deposit accounts with any participant having an account with Monte Titoli. The beneficial owners of Shares and Savings Shares held with Monte Titoli may transfer their shares, collect dividends, create liens and exercise other rights with respect to those Shares and Savings Shares through such accounts and may no longer obtain physical delivery of

share certificates in respect of their Shares and Savings Shares. All new issues of Shares and Savings Shares and all other transactions involving Shares and Savings Shares must settle electronically in book-entry form.

Shares and Savings Shares are accepted for clearance through Euroclear and Clearstream. Holders of shares may elect to hold such Shares and Savings Shares through Euroclear or Clearstream (outside the United States).

SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. is a public company (societá per azioni) incorporated and regulated under the Italian Civil Code.

On May 9, 2003, the extraordinary meeting of SEAT’s shareholders approved the amendment of the following articles of SEAT’s Bylaws: Article 6 (“Shares”), concerning the procedures to pay the preferred dividend of the savings shares; Article 12 (“Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting”), concerning the reference to the relevant legal provisions establishing quorum requirements for holding the meetings and approving resolutions; Article 15 (“Composition of the Board of Directors”) concerning a technical specification; Article 17 (“Meetings of the Board of Directors”) concerning providing information (pursuant to Art. 150 of Legislative Decree 58/98) to the Board of Statutory Auditors; Article 23 (“Board of Statutory Auditors”) concerning the possibility to hold meetings of the Statutory Auditors via video-conference or audio-conference.

The objects and purpose of SEAT are set out in Article 4 of the Bylaws, which are attached as Annex B to the Articles of Association.


	•	to operate in the industry and trade of publishing, printing and graphics in general, in any form and by any means, including on-line;

	•	to gather and engage in advertising in any form and for any means of communication, even in exchange for goods or services or on the account of third parties;

	•	to manage activities, including promotional activities, in the field of advertising communications and public relations initiatives;

	•	to engage, to prepare and to sell, with all technological means and any other transmission support, including on-line and via the Internet, all types of documentation services, including but not limited to databases and support services for trading goods or services;

	•	to manage all activities related to information processing and use of any type and of any manner, including the use and sale of communications services of any type, by any instruments and means and to manage all related, complementary or instrumental production and sales activities in the these areas;

	•	to engage in all commercial, industrial and financial operations and transactions involving real or personal property that are considered appropriate for the carrying out of SEAT’s objectives; and

	•	to acquire, directly or indirectly, interests and holdings in other corporations or companies as long as it is not SEAT’s primary activity and so long as no activities inherent to bringing in public funds or not permitted by law are carried out.

SEAT’s Board of Directors consists of not fewer than seven and not more than 21 directors. Directors and deputy directors are elected annually at the annual general meeting for a term expiring at the end of the next annual general shareholders meeting. Under the voting list system contained in SEAT’s bylaws, SEAT’s directors are to be elected on the basis of candidate lists presented by one or more shareholders representing at least 3% of the share capital of SEAT having the right to vote at the annual general meeting of shareholders. The candidate

lists must be deposited at the head office of SEAT at least ten days before the date of the first call of the general meeting of shareholders. Each shareholder may present or participate in the presentation of, and may vote for, only one candidate list.

A director of SEAT may not vote in respect of any proposal in which such director, or any person connected with the director, has any material interest other than by virtue of his interests in securities of, or otherwise in or through, SEAT.

The compensation of SEAT’s directors is resolved by the meeting of SEAT’s shareholders. The directors may authorize the issuance of bonds or other indebtedness only if empowered by a shareholders’ resolution.

There is no mandatory retirement age for directors of SEAT, and directors may be reelected to successive boards. Directors are not required to hold any shares of SEAT to be qualified for membership on the board.

As of June 13, 2003, the issued and outstanding share capital of SEAT amounted to €341,432,710.14 divided into 11,193,400,970 ordinary shares and 187,689,368 savings shares with a nominal value of €0.03 each. All of the ordinary shares and savings shares are validly issued and fully paid. The ordinary shares are in registered form, while the savings shares may be either in registered or bearer form.

The payment by SEAT of any annual dividend is proposed by the Board of Directors and is subject to the approval of the shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting, which must be convened within four months or, under special circumstances, six months after the end of each financial year. Before dividends may be paid out of SEAT’s unconsolidated net income in any year, an amount equal to 5% of net income must be allocated to SEAT’s legal reserve until the reserve is at least equal to 20% of the par value of SEAT’s issued share capital. The Board of Directors may authorize the distribution of interim dividends, subject to certain statutory and legal limitations. Holders of savings shares have preferential rights on the distribution of dividends.

Dividends are payable to those persons who hold the shares through an intermediary on the dividend payment date declared by the shareholders’ meeting. Payments in respect of dividends are distributed through Monte Titoli on behalf of each shareholder by the intermediary with which the shareholder has deposited its shares. See “Item 8. Financial Information — Financial Statements — Dividends”.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to attend and vote at ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meetings. Votes may be cast personally or by proxy. Shareholders’ meetings may be called by SEAT’s Board of Directors (or the Board of Statutory Auditors or at least two statutory auditors) and must be called if requested by holders of at least 20% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Shareholders’ meetings may also be called if requested by holders of at least 10% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares. In this latter case, however, the Board of Directors may refuse to call the meeting if calling it conflicts with SEAT’s interest; any dispute arising from a refusal to call a meeting must be resolved by the competent court. Shareholders are informed of all shareholders’ meetings to be held by publication of a notice in the Italian Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale) at least 30 days before the date fixed for the meeting. The period is reduced to, respectively, 20 days with respect to meetings convened at the request of minority shareholders and meetings convened to resolve upon SEAT’s dissolution, and 15 days for meetings convened pending a public tender offer launched on SEAT’s shares. The notice is also published in at least one national daily newspaper, as recommended by CONSOB.

Shareholders’ meetings must be convened at least once a year. The annual unconsolidated financial statements of SEAT are submitted for approval to the ordinary shareholders’ meeting which must be convened within four months or, in the event of exceptional circumstances, within six months after the end of the financial year to which the financial statements relate. At ordinary shareholders’ meetings, shareholders also approve the distribution of dividends, appoint the Board of Directors and statutory auditors, determine their remuneration and vote on any business matter submitted by the directors. Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be called to

pass upon proposed amendments to the bylaws, capital increases, mergers, de-mergers, dissolutions, issuance of debentures, appointment of receivers and similar extraordinary actions. The notice of a shareholders’ meeting may specify up to two or three meeting dates, respectively, for an ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting; these meeting dates are generally referred to as “calls”.

The quorum required for shareholder action at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting on first call is at least 50% of the total number of issued and outstanding ordinary shares, while on second call there is no quorum requirement. In either case, resolutions may be approved by holders of the majority of the ordinary shares present or represented at the meeting. The quorum required at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on first, second and third call is determined by statutory law. Resolutions of any extraordinary shareholders’ meeting require the approval of a majority set forth by statutory law. In addition, a meeting will be deemed duly convened if shareholders representing 100% of SEAT’s share capital, together with all members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors, are present at the meeting.

To attend any shareholders’ meeting, shareholders must be in possession of an appropriate certificate. This certificate may be obtained by owners of ordinary shares through the intermediary associated with Monte Titoli, the company authorized by CONSOB to operate a centralized clearing system, or the centralized security custody and administration system with which their accounts are held. Shareholders must deposit their shares with the authorized intermediary for the certificate to be issued.

Shareholders may attend the shareholders’ meeting by proxy. A proxy may be given only for a single shareholders’ meeting (including, however, the first, second and third calls of such meetings) and may be exercised only by the person expressly named in the applicable form. The person exercising the proxy cannot be a subsidiary of SEAT, a director, statutory auditor, or employee of SEAT or of any of its subsidiaries.

Proxies may be solicited by an intermediary (banks or investment companies, asset management companies and companies having proxy solicitation as their sole purpose) on behalf of a qualified soliciting shareholder or group of shareholders (who individually or as a group own and have owned at least 0.5% of SEAT’s voting capital for at least six months and who have been registered with SEAT as holder or holders of the shares for the same period of time). Proxies may also be collected by a shareholders’ association from among its members provided that the association has been formed by notarized private agreement, does not carry out business activities other than those relevant to the purpose of the association and is made up of at least 50 individuals each of whom owns not more than 0.1% of SEAT’s voting capital. Members of the shareholders’ association may, but are not obliged to, grant proxies to the legal representative of the association and proxies may also be granted in respect of only some of the matters to be discussed at the relevant shareholders’ meeting. The association votes in different manners in compliance with the instructions given by each member who has guaranteed a proxy to the association. CONSOB has established provisions which govern the transparency and proper performance of the solicitation and collection of proxies.

Italian companies which have their shares listed on the Telematico can issue savings shares (azioni di risparmio) which carry preferential rights in the payment of dividends and no voting rights. SEAT, in accordance with Italian law and its bylaws, has issued savings shares which have the following characteristics:


	•	they have a right to the distribution of net income of up to 5% of their nominal value;

	•	thereafter they must be allocated dividends in an amount at least 2% higher than the par value in comparison to dividends allocated to ordinary shares;

	•	if dividends cannot be distributed as above in any financial year, the unpaid amount accrues to the following two financial years;

	•	they have the same rights as other shares in the distribution of reserves;


	•	should a capital reduction become necessary due to losses, the nominal value of the savings shares is reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the loss exceeding the nominal value of all the other shares; and

	•	in the liquidation of assets they rank prior to other categories of shares for the full nominal value.

On May 9, 2003, the extraordinary meeting of SEAT’s shareholders approved an amendment of the article 6 of SEAT’s Bylaws concerning the procedures to pay the preferred dividend of the savings shares; in particular, the new clause enables the shareholders’ meeting which approves the financial statements in the case that the net profit shown in the financial statement is non-existing or insufficient, to use the available reserves to meet the financial rights of those holding savings shares.

In accordance with SEAT’s bylaws, in the case of delisting of the ordinary shares or savings shares, the savings shares will keep their rights and characteristics unless the holders of savings shares wish to exercise the right to convert their shares into:


	•	listed preferential shares, which would have the same features as savings shares, in accordance with the Italian law in force at the time of conversion, and would be entitled to vote at the extraordinary general meeting; or

	•	ordinary shares.

The right to convert would be exercised by the holders of savings shares in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the resolution of the extraordinary meetings and where necessary with the approval of the holders of savings shares.

Italian Legislative Decree No. 58 of 1988, dated February 24, 1998 (“Decree No. 58”) provides for a special meeting of holders of savings shares for the approval of resolutions regarding the following matters:


	•	appointment and removal of the savings shareholders’ common representative and the commencement of legal action for liability against such person;

	•	approval of any resolution taken by the ordinary or extraordinary meetings of the company that may prejudice rights of savings shareholders;

	•	creation of a fund for the expenses necessary to protect common interests and the approval of the related statement of account;

	•	settlement of disputes with the company; and

	•	any other matter of common interest.

In December 2000, SEAT completed a conversion offer of SEAT savings shares into SEAT ordinary shares, which allowed holders of savings shares to exchange one savings share plus €0.89 for each ordinary share. Following completion of the conversion, savings shares now represent only 1.7% of SEAT’s share capital. As a result of the conversion, SEAT issued 1,261,108,452 new ordinary shares and received cash proceeds of €1.122 billion in January 2001.

Pursuant to Italian law and subject to the satisfaction of the claims of all other creditors, shareholders are entitled to a distribution of all the remaining liquidated assets of SEAT proportional to the nominal value of their shares. Holders of savings and preferred shares are entitled to a priority right to any distribution of liquidated assets up to their par value. Thereafter, all shareholders would rank equally in their claims to the distribution of surplus assets, if any. Ordinary shares rank equally among themselves in liquidation.

Pursuant to Italian securities laws, any acquisition of any interest in excess of 2% of the voting shares of a listed company, as well as the acquisition by a listed company of an interest exceeding 10% of the voting shares

of an unlisted company, must be notified to CONSOB and the company whose shares are acquired. In the case of an acquisition of shares of a listed company, the purchaser must notify CONSOB and the company within five business days following the acquisition. In the case of an acquisition of shares of an unlisted company, the purchaser must notify the company within seven days and must notify CONSOB biannually and at the end of each fiscal year. The voting rights attributable to the shares in respect of which the notification has not been made may not be exercised. Any resolution taken in violation of this restriction may be annulled if the resolution would not have been adopted in the absence of those votes.

In addition, any person whose aggregate interest in the voting shares of a listed company exceeds or falls below 2%, 5%, 7.5%, 10% and successive percentages being multiples of five, respectively, of the listed company’s voting share capital, is obliged to notify CONSOB and the issuer. For the purpose of calculating these ownership thresholds, shares owned by any person, irrespective of whether the voting rights are exercisable by that person or by a third party, are taken into consideration and, except in limited circumstances, account should also be taken of shares held through, or shares the voting rights of which are exercisable by, subsidiaries, fiduciaries or intermediaries. For the purpose of calculating the ownership thresholds of 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 75%, shares should also be taken into account which:


	•	a person has an option to, directly or indirectly, purchase or sell; and

	•	a person may acquire pursuant to the exercise of a warrant or conversion right which is exercisable within 60 days.

The notification must be repeated when the person, upon the exercise of either of these rights, acquires shares which causes the person’s aggregate ownership in the listed company to exceed the relevant thresholds. Notification should be made (except in limited circumstances) within five business days of the event which gives rise to the notification obligation.

Cross-ownership of listed companies may not exceed 2% of their respective voting shares and cross ownership between a listed company and an unlisted company may not exceed 2% of the voting shares of the listed company and 10% of the voting shares of the unlisted company. If the relative threshold is exceeded, the company which is the later to exceed the threshold may not exercise the voting rights attributable to the shares in excess of the threshold and must sell the excess shares within a period of 12 months. If the company does not sell the excess shares, it may not exercise the voting rights in respect of its entire shareholding. If it is not possible to ascertain which is the later company to exceed the threshold, subject to a different agreement between the two companies, the limitation on voting rights and the obligation to sell the excess shares will apply to both of the companies concerned. The 2% limit for cross ownership is increased to 5% on the condition that the limit is only exceeded by the two companies concerned following an agreement authorized in advance by an ordinary shareholders’ meeting of each of the two companies. Furthermore, if a party holds an interest in excess of 2% of a listed company’s share capital, the listed company or the party which controls the listed company may not purchase an interest above 2% in a listed company controlled by the first party. In case of non compliance, voting rights attributable to the shares held in excess may not be exercised. If it is not possible to ascertain which is the later party to exceed the limit, the limitation on voting rights will, subject to any different agreement between the two parties, apply to both. Any shareholders’ resolution taken in violation of the limitation on voting rights may be annulled if the resolution would not have been adopted in the absence of those votes. The foregoing provisions in relation to cross-ownership do not apply when the thresholds are exceeded following a public tender offer aimed at acquiring at least 60% of a company’s ordinary shares or when a controlled company purchases shares of a controlling company within the limits mandated by Italian law; however, certain restrictions on the manner of purchase will apply.

Pursuant to Decree No. 58, agreements among shareholders of a listed company or of its parent company must be notified to CONSOB within five days, published in summary form in the press within ten days and filed with the Chamber of Commerce within 15 days. Failure to comply with these rules will render the agreements null and void and the shares cannot be voted. These rules apply to shareholders’ agreements which:


	•	regulate the exercise of, or require prior consultation for the exercise of voting rights in a listed company or its controlling companies;


	•	contain limitations on the transfer of shares or securities which grant the right to purchase or subscribe shares;

	•	provide for the purchase of those shares or securities; or

	•	have as their objective or effect the exercise, including joint exercise, of a dominant influence over the company.

Any shareholders’ agreement of the nature described above may have a maximum term of three years or, if executed for an unlimited term, can be terminated by a party upon six months’ prior notice. In case of a public tender offer, shareholders who intend to participate in the tender offer may withdraw from the agreement without notice. This withdrawal is effective only in the event that the relevant shares are actually sold.

Regulation 11971, as amended, contains provisions which govern the method and content of the notification and publication of the agreements as well as of subsequent amendments thereto. The regulation also provides that any party to an agreement described above concerning more than 5% of the listed company’s share capital is obliged to notify CONSOB and the listed company in question of its overall shareholding in the listed company, unless the information has already been notified in compliance with other provisions of Decree No. 58.

In accordance with Italian antitrust laws, the Italian Antitrust Authority is required to prohibit the acquisition of control in a company which would thereby create or strengthen a dominant position in the domestic market or a significant part thereof and which would result in the elimination or substantial reduction, on a lasting basis, of competition, provided that specified turnover thresholds are exceeded. However, if the turnover of the acquiring party and the company to be acquired exceed certain other monetary thresholds, the antitrust review of the acquisition falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the European Commission.

There are no provisions in SEAT’s bylaws that would either prevent or delay a change of control or discriminate against large shareholders of SEAT.

There are no limitations imposed by Italian law or SEAT’s memorandum or articles of association on the right of non-residents or foreign persons to hold or vote SEAT’s ordinary shares or savings shares, other than the limitations that would generally apply to all of SEAT’s shareholders.

Certain contracts with Telecom Italia to which SEAT is, or has been since January 1, 2002, a party, are described above under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Related Party Transactions”.

As of the date of this annual report, ILTE has contracts with SEAT to print the following products: PAGINEBIANCHE (the subscribers’ alphabetic telephone directory), the Pagine Gialle (home and office editions), TuttoCittà (the SEAT city guides), Annuario SEAT NeoExpo (the SEAT yearbook), Pagine Gialle Professional, Annuario Kompass (classified business to business yearbook) and Guida degli Alberghi d’Italia (on hotel guide).

A contract to print PAGINEBIANCHE will terminate on December 31, 2007. SEAT may terminate the contract earlier if the publication of PAGINEBIANCHE ends for any reason.

A contract to print the Pagine Gialle will terminate on December 31, 2007. SEAT may terminate the contract if the publication of the Pagine Gialle ends for any reason.

A contract to print TuttoCittà and AnnuarioSEAT NeoExpo will terminate on December 31, 2007 but SEAT may terminate the contract if the publication of TuttoCittà and/or Annuario SEAT NeoExpo ends for any reason

(if publication of just one of these products ends, SEAT’s right to terminate shall be only partial). Under a December 1999 agreement (which is renewed annually), ILTE printed SEAT’s Pagine Gialle Professional (only six editions for the regions of Lombardia, Triveneto, Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio and Umbria).

A contract to print Annuario Kompass, Guida degli Alberghi d’Italia and two other minor business to business directories will terminate on December 31, 2004.

All the above contracts contain detailed technical and quality specifications and contain penalties ranging from progressive fines (in the event of failure to meet deadlines and quality criteria) to loss by ILTE of its sole printer position (allowing SEAT to award part or all of one or more of the above contracts to other firms, up to a maximum of 30% of ILTE’s total sales to SEAT) in the event of a serious default or poor service.

The above contracts list unit charges per process. Starting from year 2003, the charges are updated each year, except the contract to print Annuario Kompass, Guida degli Alberghi d’Italia and two others minor business to business directories on the basis of a different percentage of the variation dell’indice dei prezzi al consumo over the previous year published by Istat (the Italian Statistics Institute).

Under a contract signed on July 14, 1998 and ending on December 31, 2007, ILTE will also produce cellophane-wrapped sets for SEAT, i.e., it will assemble the main product plus all its accessory publications and printed material intended for the telephone subscriber in a single, thermoplastic-sealed pack.

Pursuant to an agreement dated November 30, 2001 SEAT outsourced to Accenture S.p.A. the management and assistance services of the Sales Force Automation system (including the “Click and Commission” system realized by Amdocs and licensed to SEAT) until December 31, 2004. After this date, it can be renewed for terms of one year each unless terminated by SEAT with a 6-month notice by Accenture with a 9-month notice. Pursuant to the agreement, SEAT keeps the right to terminate the contract starting from July 1, 2002 with a 6-month notice.

Under an outsourcing contract signed on December 31, 2001, Saritel (now known as TI. IT-TELECOM ITALIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) will furnish to SEAT certain services for facility management, housing of hardware and software, system and objective management of hardware and software systems. SEAT has entered into paper supply contracts with Swedish and Finish companies for the Directory business. For more information see Item 4 — New SEAT Business Segments — Directories Operations. Under a software licensing agreement signed on January 1, 2000, VOLT DELTA EUROPE Ltd. granted SEAT the use of the necessary software for the operation of the 89.24.24 Pronto Pagine Gialle call center service.

There are no exchange controls in Italy. Residents of Italy may hold foreign currency and foreign securities of any kind, within and outside Italy. Non-residents may invest in Italian securities without restriction and may export cash, instruments of credit and securities, in both foreign currency and euro, representing interest, dividends, other asset distributions and the proceeds of dispositions. There are no limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign beneficial owners to vote their Shares except as provided for all SEAT’s shareholders by law. See “— Memorandum and Articles of Association — Limitations on Voting and Shareholding.”

Updated reporting and record-keeping requirements are contained in recent Italian legislation which implements an EU Directive regarding the free movement of capital. Such legislation requires that transfers into or out of Italy of cash or securities in bearer form in excess of €10,329.14 be reported in writing to the Ufficio Italiano Cambi (the Italian Exchange Office) by residents or non-residents that effect such transfers, or by credit institutions or other intermediaries that effect such transactions on their behalf. In addition, credit institutions and other intermediaries effecting such transactions on behalf of residents or non-residents of Italy are required to maintain records of such transactions for five years, which may be inspected at any time by Italian tax and judicial authorities. Non-compliance with these reporting and record-keeping requirements may result in

administrative fines or, in the case of false reporting and in certain cases of incomplete reporting, criminal penalties. The Ufficio Italiano Cambi will maintain reports for a period of ten years and may use them, directly or through other government offices, to police money laundering, tax evasion and any other crime or violation.

Certain additional procedural requirements are imposed for tax reasons. Non-corporate residents of Italy effecting transfers to and from Italy in excess of €10,329.14 in one year must disclose them in their annual tax declarations. Non-corporate residents must also give details in their tax declarations of financial assets held outside Italy at the end of the fiscal year and of transfers in excess of €10,329.14 to, from, within and between foreign countries in connection with such assets during the fiscal year. No declaration is required in respect of foreign investments and foreign income-earning assets that are exempt from income tax or subject to withholding tax in Italy. Such disclosure requirements do not apply (i) if the total value of the investments and assets at the end of the taxable period or the total amount of the transfers effected during the year is not greater than €10,329.14 or (ii) in respect of foreign investments, foreign assets or transfers within the EU (except for transfer from or to Italy). For corporate residents there is no requirement for such a declaration because their financial statements (on the basis of which their tax returns are prepared) already contain the information.

There can be no assurance that the present regulatory environment in or outside Italy will endure or that particular policies presently in effect will be maintained, although Italy is required to maintain certain regulations and policies by virtue of its membership in the EU and other international organizations and its adherence to various bilateral and multilateral international agreements.

Unless otherwise indicated, for purposes of the following discussion regarding taxation the Shares and the Savings Shares are collectively referred to as the “SEAT Shares.”

The following is a summary of certain Italian tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares or Savings Shares as at the date hereof. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax matters relevant to a decision to hold Shares or Savings Shares.

Savings Shares and Shares. Under Italian law dividends paid to holders of Savings Shares who are not Italian residents and do not have a permanent establishment in Italy to which dividends are connected are subject to a 12.5% withholding tax.

With respect to dividends paid to beneficial holders of Shares who are not Italian residents and do not have a permanent establishment in Italy to which dividends are connected, Italian law provides for a 27% withholding tax on dividends paid.

Under Italian law, all shares of Italian listed companies have to be registered in a centralized deposit system. With respect to dividends paid in connection with shares held in the centralized deposit system managed by Monte Titoli, such as SEAT Shares, instead of the 27% or 12.5% withholding taxes mentioned above, a substitute tax will apply at the same tax rates as the above-mentioned withholding taxes. This substitute tax is levied by the Italian authorized intermediaries participating in the Monte Titoli system and with whom the securities are deposited and also by non-Italian authorized intermediaries participating, directly or through a non-Italian centralized deposit system, in the Monte Titoli system.

Non-resident holders of Shares have the right to recover up to four-ninths of the 27% substitute tax on their dividend income by establishing to the Italian tax authorities that the dividend income was subject to income tax in another jurisdiction in an amount at least equal to the total refunds claimed. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers concerning the possible availability of these additional refunds, which traditionally have only been payable after extensive delays.

These refunds are normally subject to extensive delays. In addition, these refunds are an alternative to seeking any relief from double taxation under the Italian-U.S. income tax convention (“the Treaty”).

U.S. resident owners of Shares may be entitled to reduced rates of tax on their dividends under the Treaty. Under circumstances where a U.S. resident owner is the actual beneficiary of the dividends and the dividends paid are not connected with a permanent establishment in Italy through which the U.S. resident owner carries on a business or with a fixed base in Italy through which the U.S. resident owner performs independent personal services, the Treaty provides that Italian taxes cannot exceed 15% of gross dividends.

To qualify for the reduced tax rate afforded by the Treaty, a beneficial owner of Shares must provide the intermediary with which the shares are deposited and which participates in the Monte Titoli system with the following:


	(i) a declaration by the beneficial owner containing all the data identifying this person as the beneficial owner and establishing the existence of all the conditions necessary for the application of the Treaty; and

	(ii) a certification (Form 6166) issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that states that the beneficial owner is a U.S. resident for tax purposes. The certification is valid until March 31 of the year following the submission.

IRS Form 6166 may be obtained by filing a request with the Internal Revenue Service Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Foreign Certification Request, P.O. Box 16347, Philadelphia, PA 19114-0447. Requests for certification must include the holder’s name, mailing address, social security number or employer identification number, tax return form number, and tax period for which the certification is requested. In addition, each certification request for Italy must include a statement declaring, under penalties of perjury, the following:


	•	that the holder is a U.S. resident;

	•	that the holder does not have a permanent establishment in Italy;

	•	the holder’s permanent street address; and

	•	if a corporation, the holder’s state of incorporation.

If the holder of Shares fails to obtain the reduced rate provided by the Treaty, a refund equal to the difference between the Treaty rate and the Italian 27% tax must be claimed directly from the Italian tax authorities. Extensive delays have been encountered by U.S. residents seeking payments directly from the Italian authorities pursuant to the Treaty.

In the case of dividends derived by a U.S. partnership, the reduction of the tax rate under the Treaty is only available to the extent such dividends are subject to U.S. tax in the hands of the partners.

No transfer tax is payable upon the transfer of SEAT Shares through Telematico. Other types of transfers of shares listed on Telematico are also exempted from the payment of transfer tax provided that the parties entering into the agreement pursuant to which the transfer takes place are (i) banks, Italian securities dealing firms (“SIMs”) exchange agents or (ii) banks, SIMs or exchange agents on the one hand, and non-residents on the other hand or (iii) banks, SIMs or resident or non-resident exchange agents, on the one hand, and investment funds on the other hand. In any other case, transfer tax is currently payable at the following rates:


	•	€0.072 per €51.65 (or any fraction) of the price at which the shares are transferred when the transfer is made between private individuals directly or through an intermediary that is not a bank, SIM or exchange agent;

	•	€0.0258 per €51.65 (or any fraction) of the price at which the shares are transferred when the transfer is made either (i) between bank, SIM or exchange agent and a private individual or (ii) between private individuals through a bank, SIM or exchange agent; and


	•	€0.0062 per €51.65 (or any fraction) of the price at which the shares are transferred when the transfer is made between banks, SIMs or exchange agents.

The mere change of the depositary (e.g., Euroclear, Clearstream, Monte Titoli, DTC or the Depositary) not involving a transfer of the ownership of the transferred shares will not trigger the Italian transfer tax.

Under Italian law, capital gains tax (“CGT”) is levied on capital gains realized by non-residents from the disposition of shares in companies resident in Italy for tax purposes even if those shares are held outside of Italy. Capital gains realized by non-resident holders on the sale of non-qualified shareholdings in companies listed on a stock exchange and resident in Italy for tax purposes are not subject to CGT.

In order for a non-resident holders to benefit from the exemption from non-qualified shareholdings, SEAT may require the shareholder to provide a declaration in which they have to declare that they are U.S. residents for tax purposes.

A “qualified shareholding” consists of securities that (i) entitle the holder to exercise more than 2% of the voting rights of a company with shares listed on a stock exchange (as is SEAT’s case) or 20% of the voting rights of other companies, in each case in the ordinary meeting of the shareholders or (ii) represent more than 5% of the share capital of a company with shares listed on a stock exchange (as is SEAT’s case) or 25% of the share capital of other companies.

The relevant percentage is calculated taking into account the holdings sold during a 12-month period. Where losses exceed gains, they can be carried forward for up to the fourth taxable period.

Pursuant to the Treaty, a U.S. resident will not be subject to CGT unless the SEAT Shares form part of the business property of a permanent establishment of the holder in Italy or pertain to a fixed base available to a holder in Italy for the purpose of performing independent personal services. U.S. residents who sell SEAT Shares may be required to produce appropriate documentation establishing that the above mentioned conditions of non-taxability pursuant to the Treaty have been satisfied if CGT would otherwise be applicable.

Gift tax is payable on transfers of shares of Italian companies by reason of donation, regardless of the residence of the donor and even if the shares are held outside Italy, the application of Italian gift tax depends upon the value of the gift and the relationship between the donee and donor.

The following summary describes material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and sale of SEAT Shares that are generally applicable to U.S. holders who own SEAT Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For these purposes, you are a U.S. holder if you are for U.S. federal income tax purposes:


	•	a citizen or resident of the United States;

	•	a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, organized under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States; or

	•	an estate or trust the income of which is includible in gross income regardless of its source.

This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States currently in effect, including the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury Regulations, administrative announcements, and judicial decisions, as well as the Italian-U.S. income tax convention (the “Treaty”). These laws may change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address U.S. state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences.

Please note that this discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of your particular circumstances. In particular, it does not address purchasers subject to special rules, including:


	•	partnerships;

	•	persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

	•	tax-exempt entities;

	•	dealers and traders in securities or foreign currencies;

	•	insurance companies;

	•	financial institutions;

	•	persons who own the SEAT Shares as part of an integrated investment, including a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, comprised of the SEAT Shares and one or more other positions for tax purposes;

	•	persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

	•	persons who actually or constructively own 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock.

Please consult your tax advisors with regard to the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to the SEAT Shares, and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions.

Distributions made with respect to the SEAT Shares (other than certain pro rata distributions of SEAT Shares), before reduction for any Italian tax withheld, will generally constitute foreign source dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent such distributions are made from the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Under recently enacted legislation, dividends received by noncorporate U.S. holders of SEAT Shares may be subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than other types of ordinary income if certain conditions are met. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of this new legislation to your particular circumstances.

You will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction for dividends paid on the SEAT Shares. The amount of any distribution paid in euros will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such euros on the date of receipt by the U.S. holder, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Gain or loss, if any, recognized on the sale or other disposition of such euros will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.

Subject to certain limitations and restrictions, Italian taxes withheld from distributions up to an amount not exceeding the rate provided in the Treaty will be eligible for credit against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. Italian taxes withheld in excess of the rate provided in the Treaty will generally not be eligible for credit against a U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability.

The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends the Company distributes with respect to the SEAT Shares will generally constitute “passive income” or, in the case of certain U.S. holders, “financial services income”. You should consult your tax advisor concerning the foreign tax credit implications of the payment of these withholding taxes.

You will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the sale or exchange of SEAT Shares in the same manner as you would on the sale or exchange of any other shares of stock held as capital assets. As a result, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realized and your adjusted basis in the SEAT Shares. The gain or loss will generally be U.S. source income or loss. You should consult your own tax advisor about the treatment of

The Company believes that it will not be considered a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes for 2002. However, since PFIC status depends on the composition of the Company’s income and assets and the market value of the Company’s assets (including, among others, less than 25 percent 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 treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder held SEAT Shares, certain adverse consequences could apply to the U.S. holder.

You may, under certain circumstances, be subject to information reporting and backup withholding with respect to dividends or the proceeds of any sale, exchange or redemption of SEAT Shares unless you:


	•	are a corporation or come within certain other exempt categories, and, when required, demonstrate this fact, or

	•	provide a correct taxpayer identification number, certify that you are not subject to backup withholding and otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

Any amount withheld under these rules will be creditable against your U.S. federal income tax liability if you provide the required information to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. If you are required to and do not provide a correct taxpayer identification number, you may be subject to penalties imposed by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

It is possible to read and copy documents referred to in this annual report on Form 20-F that have been filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. As of November 2002 we file our reports electronically. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the “Summary of Accounting Policies” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in conjunction with Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements, which provides a summarized comparison of the nominal amounts, carrying values and market values of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments and other information relating to those instruments. In the normal course of business, the financial position of the SEAT Group is routinely subjected to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risks. These market risks principally relate to the SEAT Group’s outstanding debt and non-Euro denominated assets and liabilities. The SEAT Group does not enter into derivative transactions for trading or speculative purposes. The following discussion is based on the amounts of indebtedness as derived from our Italian GAAP financial statements. See footnote 20 for a further discussion of items which, for purposes of U.S. GAAP, are considered to be debt.

SEAT Group’s debt used to support the financing of its domestic business and international expansion (and the expanding geographic breadth of its business) contains an element of market risk from changes in interest and currency rates. With respect to interest rates applicable to medium and long-term debt, SEAT Group’s policy is to utilize both floating rate and fixed rate with different ranges of maturity. SEAT Group’s policy is intended to optimize the cost of funding/risk exposure mix, utilizing as providers funds of Telecom Italia as centralized

The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the aggregate principal amount of long-term debt (including current portion) payable in each year through 2007 and thereafter.


(1)	Bonds are callable at October 15, 2004 at a price respectively of 106.0625% for the GBP Bond and 107.75% for the USD Bond. The originals on October 15, 2004 maturity dates are 2009 and 2010.

The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the aggregate principal amount of long-term debt outstanding at year-end (excluding current portion of long-term debt) and the average interest rate, broken down by type of loan. As of December 31, 2002 the fair value of such outstanding debt amounted to about €1,182 million. The financial debt’s market value is estimated on the basis of the present value of the future cash flows.


(1)	Bonds are callable at 15/10/04 at a price respectively of 106.0625% for the GBP Bond and 107.75% for the USD Bond. The originals on October 15, 2004 maturity dates are 2009 and 2010.

As of December 31, 2002, approximately 90% of SEAT Group’s long term debt was denominated in Euro, while the remainder, approximately €116 million, was denominated in foreign currencies primarily US dollars and Pound Sterling. After taking into account the SEAT Group’s derivative financial instruments, the SEAT Group’s long-term debt is not materially exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. At December 31, 2002, approximately 90% of the long-term debt carried a floating rate.


	•	The Centralized Treasury at Telecom Italia determines the maximum level of interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk to which Telecom Italia and its affiliated companies benefitting from Telecom Italia’s Centralized Treasury should be exposed. A Supervisory Committee meets on a regular basis to monitor the activities and the level and value of the current market risk exposures. The Centralized Treasury,


		operating as a service center, supplies financial services and actively supports to Telecom Italia’s subsidiaries according to their requirements and local circumstances.

	•	The SEAT Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage these risks as discussed below and does not, in the ordinary course, enter into such instruments on a speculative basis. It is SEAT’s policy to retain any such instruments until maturity.

	•	The SEAT Group continually evaluates the credit quality of counterparties to minimize the risk of non-performance. Any such derivative financial instruments are entered into with major banks or financial institutions.

The SEAT Group seeks to minimize market risk of its operating and financing activities and according to the evaluation of its exposures, selectively enters into derivatives instruments with the support of the Telecom Italia Centralized Treasury. The SEAT Group defines the optimal mixture of fixed and floating-rate debt in each currency, and enters into financial derivatives to adjust their risk profile to the defined target mixture. Interest rate swaps (“IRS”) are therefore used to reduce the interest rate exposure on fixed-rate and floating-rate bank loans and bonds. As a result of these hedge activities, the SEAT Group as of December 31, 2002 was not subject to any material foreign exchange risk in its financial indebtedness nor in its commercial operations.

To determine the market value of the financial derivatives, the SEAT Group uses Telecom Italia Treasury Department pricing models. The market value of interest rate swaps reflects the present value difference between the fixed rate to be paid/received and the interest rate assessed on the basis of the market trend having the same expiry date as the swap. With regard to IRSs, they involve or can involve the exchange of flows of interest calculated on the applicable notional principal amount at the agreed fixed or variable rates at the specified maturity date with the counterparties. This amount does not represent the amount exchanged between the parties and therefore does not constitute a measure of exposure to credit risk, which is instead limited to the amount of interest or interest differentials to be received at the interest date.

The counterparties to derivative contracts are generally highly rated banks and financial institutions and such counterparties are continually monitored in order to minimize the risk of non-performance.

The following tables give a description of the SEAT Group’s financial derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2002 to hedge the debt positions.

Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A., under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chairman of the Managing Board and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective for gathering, analyzing and disclosing the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which by their nature can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or other factors that could significantly negatively affect internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

The following consolidated financial statements and related schedule, together with the report thereon of Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen, are filed as part of this annual report:

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrants as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrants and we have:


	(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

	(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

	(c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrants’ auditors and the audit committee of registrants’ board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):


	(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants’ ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrants’ auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

	(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants’ internal controls; and

6. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.;


	(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

	(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

	(c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;


	(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrants’ ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrants’ auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

	(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants’ internal controls; and

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002. 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the 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 SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A. at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

As discussed in Note 3 and Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2002 the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets.

SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A. (“SEAT Old”), was incorporated in July 1997, and in November 1997, through a wholly owned subsidiary, acquired a majority interest in SEAT S.p.A., a company quoted on the Italian Stock Exchange. Through a series of transactions during 1998 and 1999, SEAT Old acquired the remaining ownership of SEAT S.p.A. primarily through the exchange of shares. Upon completion of SEAT Old’s acquisition of the remaining ownership of SEAT S.p.A. in December 1999, SEAT S.p.A. was merged into SEAT Old, and SEAT Old changed its name to SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A., (“SEAT New”) which continues to be a publicly traded company in Italy.

SEAT New’s principal revenue generating activity is advertising in the Italian and European markets. The Company also operates in the business solutions and office products markets in the Italian market as a result of its majority ownership of Gruppo Buffetti. SEAT New is involved in the selling, in Italy, of advertising in telephone directory products that it publishes in the Italian Yellow Pages (Pagine Gialle) and in the Italian White Pages (Elenco Alfabetico). SEAT New also derives revenue from the sale of its published products, participates in the European telephone directory advertising market, and is involved in a variety of other advertising and marketing services, including an Internet based Yellow Pages service (Pagine Gialle On-Line), an operator assisted talking Yellow Pages directory service (Pronto Pagine Gialle) and direct mail advertising campaigns. SEAT New also owns, through a joint venture, a controlling interest in Matrix S.p.A., a company that operates the Italian Internet portal “Virgilio”, an Italian on-line advertising network and a division developing Internet projects.

Effective October 1, 2000, SEAT New acquired Tin.it S.p.A. (“Tin.it”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia S.p.A. through the exchange of newly issued ordinary shares for 100% of the outstanding shares of Tin.it (the “Transaction”). Tin.it is an Italian stock company, which provides internet access, internet portal services, internet content management services, web hosting, and e-commerce solutions. After the Transaction, Telecom Italia owns a majority interest in the combined company. Accordingly, the Transaction has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition whereby SEAT New is considered to be the acquiree even though legally it is the acquiror. As a result, the accompanying financial statements present the historical financial statements of Tin.it until October 1, 2000, the effective date of the acquisition, and the consolidated financial statements of SEAT New and Tin.it since that date.

Upon consummation of the Transaction, the combined company continued to operate under the name SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A. Hereinafter, the terms “the Company” and “SEAT” refer to the operations of Tin.it prior to the Transaction, and the consolidated Tin.it/SEAT New entity subsequent to the transaction.

In 2001, the Company completed its purchase of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. and now owns two over-the-air television stations in Italy. SEAT obtains revenue via the sale of advertising space on these two national television channels. SEAT also has expanded into the field of business information services with its purchase of Consodata S.p.A., NetCreations Inc, and PanAdress DirecMarketing GmbH. With these businesses, SEAT provides information marketing, data collection, surveys of domestic consumption patterns, e-mail marketing, competition studies and research and property information for the national and international market.

As of December 31, 2002 the Company was a majority-owned subsidiary (61.50% of ordinary shares) of Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom Italia”), a publicly traded company in Italy that has related party transactions with the Company.

On May 1, 2000, Telecom Italia S.p.A. and two of its subsidiaries (Telespazio S.p.A. (“Telespazio”) and Saritel S.p.A.(“Saritel”)) spun-off the following activities into the Company:


	•	Telecom Italia’s internet division known as Tin.it, which provides internet access and interactive content and services to residential and small business customers throughout Italy, including Small Office/Home Office, or SOHO, customers and Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises, or SMEs;

	•	Netway ISDN, a dial up access to the internet for basic internet applications; Village Commerce, a package for e-commerce based on the Transact platform and Village Windows, a package for web hosting solution;

	•	Telecom Italia’s 49% interest in ESRI Italia S.p.A., which distributes and customizes environmental software applications in Italy;

	•	Telecom Italia’s 50% interest in Excite Italia B.V., its joint venture with Excite Inc.;

	•	Ownership of Telecom Italia’s White Pages, including the assignment of its contracts with SEAT New relating to the production of and advertising for the White Pages in Italy;

	•	A 50% interest in VIASAT S.p.A.(“Viasat”), a joint venture held directly and indirectly by Telespazio, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia. Viasat provides security and communications services for automobiles based on satellite (GPS) and mobile phone (GSM) platforms; and

	•	The content management division of Saritel, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia, which provides customers with Internet access to banking data and credit information services.

The amounts presented in the accompanying financial statements prior to May 1, 2000, represent the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses attributable to the Company’s business. These amounts differ from the actual assets and liabilities, which Telecom Italia transferred to the Company pursuant to the agreement with SEAT New. Any additional assets or liabilities transferred to the Company from Telecom Italia, which were not reflected in the historical carve out financial statements, have been reflected in “Change in cumulative investment by parent through legal formation” in the accompanying 2000 statement of shareholders’ equity. Subsequent to May 1, 2000, and through December 31, 2002, the accompanying financial statements represent the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Company as a separate legal entity.

The Company’s financial statements for the four month period ending April 30, 2000, included in the 2000 consolidated financial statements, have been prepared on the basis set out below.

a) Structure of the financial statements — The spun-off activities of the Company referred to above were carried out on an integrated basis as part of Telecom Italia group and, as such, the operations comprising the spun-off activities have been carved out from the financial statements of Telecom Italia and its subsidiaries. Consequently, certain revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities have been allocated to reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities attributable to the spun-off activities.

Indirectly attributable expenses and revenues have been allocated using bases which management believes provide an appropriate mechanism to present the Company’s financial results for the four months ended April 30, 2000 (included in the 2000 statement of operations).

As a result of the carve out, the statement of shareholders’ equity at January 1, 2000 presents the item “cumulative investment by parent company, consistent with the fact that the spun-off activities did not operate as a stand-alone company. This item, combined with the Company’s ordinary share capital reflected under reverse acquisition accounting (see Note 4), represents the net investment in the spun-off activities held by Telecom Italia, Telespazio and Saritel and the accumulated net losses incurred by the activities.

b) Revenues — All of the spun-off activities’ revenues are specifically identifiable from the total revenues of Telecom Italia and its subsidiaries.

For the year ended December 31, 2000, such revenue includes approximately €58 million, based upon an agreement that the Association of Internet Service Providers, including the Company, entered into with Telecom Italia. This agreement specifies that the network revenues earned by Telecom Italia for Internet usage are shared with the relevant internet service provider. The agreement expired in August 2000, at which point the parties renegotiated the terms and entered into a new agreement.

c) Costs — Approximately 75% of costs for the four-month period ended April 30, 2000 were directly attributable to the Company’s businesses. These include staff costs related to employees wholly engaged in the business, advertising costs, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation attributable to fixed assets used in the business and bad debt expense attributable to receivables arising from the Company’s activities. Directly attributable costs also include network operations costs charged based upon a network service agreement that regulates the relative usage of Telecom Italia’s network by those products and services provided by the Company. The rates charged to the Company for use of the network have been regulated by the Italian Telecommunications Authority since January 1, 1998 and the agreements regulating such charges are renegotiated annually. Under Italian law the rates charged by Telecom Italia to the Company are the same as those charged to third party internet service providers and are based on volume of traffic. Amounts owed by the Company to Telecom Italia are paid on a monthly basis.


	•	Indirect staff and related costs have been allocated primarily based upon management’s estimate of the relative proportion of an individual’s time spent providing services to the Company’s activities.

	•	Facilities, information technology and other related costs have been allocated primarily based on administrative services agreements, which reflect the relative usage by the Company. These agreements are also negotiated annually.

The Company believes that the allocation of such costs have been calculated on reasonable bases and that the total amount of costs recognized in the statement of operations approximates what its actual costs would have been as a stand-alone entity.

d) Losses and accumulated deficit — The losses for the four month period ended April 30, 2000 have been classified as part of the “cumulative investment by parent company in excess of (less than) cumulative losses”.

e) Cash flow statement — Prior to May 1, 2000, the Company did not maintain its own bank account, and, therefore, all cash receipts and payments have been handled by Telecom Italia group companies on its behalf. The cash flow statement has been presented as if such receipts and payments had been received/made by the Company.

f) Allocation of indirectly attributable assets and liabilities — Assets obtained or liabilities incurred for the benefit of the Company’s activities, which were not specifically attributable to Company activities, for instance trade payables for goods and services provided to both the Company and other Telecom Italia group companies, have not been specifically allocated to the Company. Instead such amounts have been added to or deducted from the “cumulative investment by parent company in excess of (less than) cumulative losses”, since they represent funding provided to the Company.

g) Borrowings and interest — There were no borrowings specifically attributable to the Company’s businesses. Accordingly, no borrowings or interest expense is reflected in the financial statements for the four month period ended April 30, 2000.

h) Income taxes — The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the differences between the carrying value and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

For the four months ended April 30, 2000 Tin.it was not a separate legal entity. The results of the business were included in the tax returns of other legal entities within the Telecom Italia group. Accordingly, for these periods the tax calculations and disclosures only reflect the legal entities within the group. The difference between the carrying value and tax bases of the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated business was recognized when the business was incorporated to Tin.it. No tax losses generated by the unincorporated business were contributed to Tin.it.

The Company has generated substantial tax losses since inception. Under generally accepted accounting principles, deferred tax assets are recognized when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be realized. In view of the historic losses incurred by the Company, no deferred tax assets have been recognized prior to the acquisition of SEAT New.

i) Limitations on use of financial statements — Because of the allocations referred to above and the changes in the Company’s structure going forward, the carve out financial statements should not be relied upon as being representative of the future financial position or performance of the Company. In particular, the operating costs attributed to the activities for the four month period ended April 30, 2000 included in the 2000 financial statements are not necessarily representative of the costs incurred after the spin-off transaction as they represent the carve out of costs incurred by Telecom Italia group companies in managing integrated businesses.

Principles of consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates — The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign currency translation — The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the subsidiaries’ local currency. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are translated to Euro using year-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for the year for revenues, costs, and expenses. Translation gains (losses) are deferred and reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and cash equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of all cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Sale of trade accounts receivable — During 2002, the Company entered into a factoring arrangement with a third party financial institution in order to sell approximately € 29,905 of trade accounts receivable: 90% of these accounts receivable was sold without recourse, while 10% (or € 2,990) was transferred with recourse.

The Company collected approximately € 26,800 on the sale without recourse, recognizing a loss of € 115 in the 2002 statement of operations. With regards to the sale with recourse, no amounts have been received and these receivables have not been deconsolidated from the balance sheet at December 31, 2002.

Inventories — Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined using the weighted average method, or market.

Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant and equipment are recorded at historical cost. Repairs and maintenance are expensed in the period incurred. Plant and equipment leased under capital lease arrangements are capitalized and depreciated. Depreciation of these assets is at rates equal to the term of the lease or the useful life used for similar owned assets and is included in depreciation expense.

Depreciation is computed on the historical cost of the assets using principally the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, as follows:

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 144 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Statement applies to certain long-lived assets, including those reported as discontinued operations, and develops one accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale. SFAS 144 supersedes SFAS 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, and APB 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations — Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions”, for the disposal of a segment. The Group adopted the provisions of SFAS 144 effective January 1, 2002. Prior to 2002, the Group applied SFAS 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, to all long-lived assets, including goodwill.

Under both SFAS 121 and 144, the Group assesses potential impairments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable or if the price of the asset has had considerable market depreciation. The recoverability of an asset’s carrying value is initially determined by comparing the undiscounted cash flows of the asset to its carrying value. If, after the initial assessment, impairment is deemed to exist, then the Group estimates the fair value of the asset based on discounted cash flows, independent appraisals or quoted market prices, if available. Any excess of carrying value over estimated fair value is written off and recorded as an expense in current period earnings. No impairment charges were taken under SFAS 144 in 2002. During 2001 and 2000, under SFAS 121, the Company recorded a pretax impairment charge of €3,165,405 and €10,271,669, respectively to adjust the carrying values of certain of its long-lived assets to fair value.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid for business acquisitions over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. As of January 1, 2002, upon the adoption of SFAS 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is no longer amortized. Prior to adoption of SFAS 142, amortization was provided on a straight-line basis over 5 to 15 1/2 years, the estimated period to be benefited.

The Company annually reviews the carrying value of goodwill to determine if impairment may exist and also on an interim basis if certain events occur. The requirements of SFAS 142 include that goodwill be assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques, and, specifically, a two-step process must be utilized.

The first step is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second part of the test is not considered necessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the loss, if any. The second part of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The excess of the carrying value over the implied value is then written-off in the period. Implied value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the asset and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The determination of impairment of goodwill requires significant judgment and estimates. Based upon the tests required above, an impairment of goodwill was recorded in 2002 for €5,969,126.

Other intangible assets — Other intangible assets represent primarily the fair value of customer lists, brand name, trademarks and other intangible assets purchased in business acquisitions, costs incurred for software, and costs incurred to obtain patents and licenses. Such costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

Software costs capitalized represent only those costs associated with the development of new software or the enhancement of software when additional functionality is provided. The Company applies the same policy in accounting for web site development costs as for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. All costs of maintaining existing software, costs for the enhancement of software that does not provide for additional functionality, and costs pertaining to the preliminary stage of software development are expensed as incurred. The Company reviews these items for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144, as described above.

Investments — Investments in which the Company has significant influence, which generally represents common stock ownership of at least 20% and not more than 50%, are accounted for under the equity method. Other investments, which represent less than 20% ownership of non-marketable securities, are carried at cost, adjusted when necessary to reflect an other than temporary decline in value of the investment.

Effective January 1, 2001, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. SFAS 133 requires the Company to recognize all of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, the gain or loss is reported in other comprehensive income as part of the cumulative translation adjustment to the extent it is effective. Any ineffective portions of net investment hedges are recognized in current earnings during the period of change. For derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change.

The adoption of SFAS 133 on January 1, 2001 resulted in the cumulative effect of an accounting change of €2,296, net of tax of €1,292, being recognized as income in the statement of operations and a charge of € 6,885 net of tax of € 3,873 in other comprehensive income. The charge to other comprehensive income will be amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining useful lives of the related derivative instruments. The cumulative effect income of €2,296 had no effect on earnings per share on both the ordinary and savings shares. A charge of €1,979 net of tax of €1,019 and €1,919 net of tax of € 1,079 has been included in the statement of operations representing the amortization for 2002 and 2001, respectively. Of the remaining € 4,756 charge in accumulated other comprehensive income, € 1,979 net of tax of € 1,019 will be amortized in 2003.

The Company enters into interest rate swap and collar agreements as part of the management of its interest rate exposures. These interest rate swaps and collar agreements are not accounted for as hedges and, as such, the gain or loss based upon the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations. The total amount recognized during the year ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 was income of €10,967 and expense of €17,756 respectively, and is included in other expenses in the statement of operations.

The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts as part of the management of its foreign currency exchange rate exposures related to financing through April 2003. These foreign currency forward exchange contracts are not accounted for as hedges and, as such, the gain or loss based upon the change in fair value is recorded in the income statement. The total expense recognized during the year ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 was € 1,903 and € 214, respectively, and is included in other expenses in the statement of operations.

Income taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method and accordingly deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period the tax rate change was enacted.

Revenue recognition — The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from advertising and publishing, sale of office and related products, and internet access and related services. Revenues from the sale of advertising and publishing are recognized in the statement of operations according to the date of publication, which corresponds to the time at which the directories are printed and delivered. Advertising revenue from on-line and

telephone services is recorded over the period the advertising service is delivered. Advertising revenue from television is recorded on the date at which the advertisement is shown.

Revenues from the sale of office and related products are recognized when title transfers, which generally corresponds to the date when products are shipped. Provisions for returns and other adjustments related to sales are provided in the same period the related sales are recorded.

Revenues from internet access and related services primarily include subscription services and telephone traffic fees. Revenues from subscription services are recognized over the subscription period on a straight line basis. The Company also receives a portion of the revenues earned by Telecom Italia for telephone traffic fees from the Company’s internet subscribers. Such revenues are recognized when the communication services are provided based on the number of minutes of traffic utilized.

Deferred income is primarily related to payments received for advertising services to be rendered in future periods and prepaid internet subscription services and are reported on the balance sheet as deferred income.

Shipping and handling costs — Shipping and handling costs on product sales are classified as Costs of External Services and were not significant during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000.

Research and development costs — Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed when the advertisement is run. Advertising expense was € 54,434, € 82,462 and € 68,412 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Accounting for stock-based compensation — The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and complies with the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” and SFAS 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure.” Under APB 25, compensation cost is recognized over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period, based on the difference, if any, between the fair value of the Company’s stock at the related measurement date and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock.

For the year ended December 31, 2002, total compensation expense recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements amounted to € 2,236. The Company’s net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 indicated below.

Net loss per share — Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss allocated to ordinary and savings shares by the weighted average number of ordinary and savings shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised or converted into ordinary shares or resulted in the issuance of ordinary shares that then shared in the loss of the entity. Diluted loss per share are the same as the basic loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, as the computation of diluted loss per share did not assume the effect of shares contingently issuable upon the exercise of stock options because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Credit risk — Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and derivative financial instruments. The Company places its funds into high credit quality financial institutions and, at times, may be in excess of insured limits. Credit risk on trade receivables is minimized as a result of the large and diversified nature of the Company’s customer base. With respect to its derivative contracts, the Company is also subject to credit risk of non-performance by counter-parties and its maximum potential loss may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. The Company controls its exposure to credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. Collateral is generally not required for the Company’s financial instruments.

New accounting standards — In November 2002, the FASB issued FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). The Interpretation requires expanded disclosure to be made in the guarantor’s financial statements in regards to the guarantees and obligations under certain agreements. It also requires that a guarantor recognize, as of the inception of the guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 are effective for financial statement periods ending after December 15, 2002 and have therefore been applied in the accompanying financial statements. The recognition requirements of FIN 45 are applicable for guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002. The Company does not believe

that the adoption of FIN 45 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (“FIN 46”). The Interpretation requires the consolidation of entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in the entity. Currently, entities are generally consolidated by an enterprise when it has a controlling financial interest through ownership of a majority voting interest in the entity. The Company does not believe that the adoption of FIN 46 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) of the FASB reached a consensus on EITF 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Element Deliverables”. The EITF addresses how to account for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services or rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet certain criteria. Arrangement consideration should be divided into separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values. The Issue also supersedes certain guidance set forth in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 101. The final consensus is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscals periods beginning after June 15, 2003, with early adoption permitted. Additionally, companies are permitted to apply the consensus guidance to all existing arrangements as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. The Company will adopt this new pronouncement as of January 1, 2004. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the Issue on results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses the financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. This standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development or normal use of the asset. SFAS 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated long-lived asset and is depreciated over the asset’s useful life. The liability is accreted to its present value each period through charges to operating expense. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss on settlement is recognized. The Company is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS 143, effective January 1, 2003. To accomplish this, the Company must identify all legal obligations for asset retirement obligations, if any, and determine the fair value of these obligations on the date of adoption. The determination of fair value is complex and will require gathering market information and the development of cash flow models. Additionally, the Company will be required to develop processes to track and monitor these obligations. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 143 will have a material impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, which effectively nullifies EITF 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit Activity (Including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” The principal differences between SFAS 146 and EITF 94-3 relates to SFAS 146’s requirements for recognition of a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity. SFAS 146 requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. A fundamental conclusion reached by the FASB in this new Statement is that an entity’s commitment to a plan, in and of itself, does not create an obligation that meets the definition of a liability. Therefore, this Statement eliminates the definition and

requirements for recognition of exit costs in EITF 94-3. This Statement establishes that fair value is the objective for initial measurement of the liability. SFAS 146 also changes the accounting recognition of one-time termination benefits, requiring that those costs be recognized over the period of the employees’ service if that service is beyond a minimum retention period. Under EITF 94-3, these costs were accrued upfront when all the criteria of EITF 94-3 were met. The effective date for the new Statement is January 1, 2003, with earlier adoption allowed. The Company will apply the provisions of the Statement as of January 1, 2003.

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure an Amendment of SFAS 123. The new Statement is applicable to those entities that decide to adopt the fair value stock based compensation as their primary accounting policy, as opposed to APB 25. The Company has adopted the additional disclosure requirements of SFAS 148.

In May 2003 the FASB issued SFAS 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity”, the new accounting standard for certain types of freestanding financial instruments and disclosure regarding possible alternatives to settling financial instruments. The Group has started to evaluate what impact, if any, adoption of the Statement will have on the Group’s consolidated financial condition and results of operation. The Statement is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period after June 15, 2003.

Fair value of financial instruments — The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:


	Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is assumed to approximate fair value as cash equivalents include all highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less

	Accounts receivable: The carrying amount of accounts receivable is assumed to approximate fair value as a valuation allowance is recorded to adjust the nominal value of accounts receivable to the expected recoverable value

	Trade payables: The carrying amount of trade accounts payable is assumed to approximate fair value as trade accounts payable includes short-term payables, which will be due within three months or less

	Short and long term debt: The carrying amount of the Company’s variable rate debt is assumed to approximate fair value based upon periodic adjustments of the interest rate to the current market rate in accordance with the terms of the debt agreements. The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s estimated current borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements

	Foreign currency forward contracts: The fair values of the Company’s foreign currency contracts were estimated based on differences between the exchange rate inherent in the contracts and the related exchange rate at the end of the period

	Interest rate swap and collar agreements: The fair values of interest rate swap and collar agreements is based upon quotes received from the related counter-parties and represents the cash requirement if the existing agreements had been terminated at the end of the year

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 141, “Business Combinations”. The Statement requires the use of the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, thereby eliminating the use of the pooling of interest method of accounting for business combinations. In addition, SFAS 141 requires that intangible assets be recorded apart from goodwill if they meet certain criteria. This new standard did not have an impact on the Seat’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows upon adoption. In addition, on January 1, 2002, the Company ceased amortizing goodwill for all business combinations initiated before June 30, 2001.

In July, 1997, due to the merger of the former Telecom Italia S.p.A. (Old Telecom Italia) with and into its parent company, Stet, which changed its name to Telecom Italia after the merger, Stet increased its ownership of Old Telecom Italia to 100% by acquiring the then outstanding minority shareholdings. The acquisition of the minority interest of Old Telecom Italia has been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. As a result, Stet recorded approximately € 3,100,000 of goodwill. Of this total, management has estimated that € 108,300 related to certain activities comprising Tin.it. Management has estimated goodwill attributable to White Pages of € 106,400 based on the present value of estimated future cash flows of that business. White Pages goodwill is being amortized over its estimated useful life of 15 1/2 years. Management has estimated the goodwill attributable to its investment in VIASAT of € 1,900 based on the fair value of VIASAT by reference to other 1997 transactions involving acquisitions of interests in that company. VIASAT goodwill was being amortized over its estimated useful life of five years.

Effective October 1, 2000, SEAT New acquired all of the outstanding shares of Tin.it S.p.A. (Tin.it) through the exchange of newly issued shares for 100% of the outstanding shares of Tin.it (the “Transaction”). 4,675,461,457 ordinary shares were issued to Telecom Italia and 415,864,739 ordinary shares were issued directly to the shareholders of Telecom Italia. Subsequent to the Transaction, Telecom Italia and its shareholders owned approximately 65.7% of the Company. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States require that SEAT New be considered the acquiree for financial statement purposes (a reverse acquisition) even though legally it is the acquiror. Therefore, the acquisition has been recorded as the acquisition of SEAT New by Tin.it in the accompanying financial statements. The accompanying financial statements present the historical financial statements of Tin.it from January 1, 2000 to October 1, 2000, the effective date of the acquisition, and the consolidated financial statements of SEAT New and Tin.it since that date. Historical stockholders’ equity has

been restated to reflect the shares issued in the Transaction as outstanding for all periods prior to the effective date of the Transaction.

The purchase price was determined by applying the average quoted market price of shares of SEAT New two days before and after the date of announcement of the Transaction to the number of shares outstanding of SEAT New on the effective date of the Transaction. In addition, the purchase price includes the fair value of stock options of SEAT New outstanding at the effective date of the Transaction, approximating €76,791 and acquisition costs approximating €65,074.

The total purchase price of €23,933,247 was allocated to the fair value of the net assets of SEAT New, as the accounting acquiree, at the date of the Transaction under the purchase method of accounting. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets has been recorded as goodwill. The amortization of intangible assets and goodwill is computed using the straight line method over the expected period to be benefited, which is 12 years for customer lists and goodwill, 15 years for brand name, and the remaining contractual life of interest rate swap and collar agreements.

As a result of the Transaction, the Company was required to dispose of SEAT New’s equity investment in MC Link S.p.A. (“MC Link”) to comply with anti trust requirements in Italy. The sale was completed on September 27, 2001 for €516. The carrying value of McLink was €13,022. The difference between the sale price and the carrying value increased the goodwill that was recorded in purchase accounting.

As described above, the value assigned to the purchase price of SEAT was primarily based on the quoted market price of SEAT shares two days before and after the announcement of the transaction. From the date of announcement to the effective date of the transaction, and subsequent to the effective date of the transaction, the quoted market price of SEAT and of the newly combined entity, respectively, decreased considerably. Although a relatively minor portion of SEAT’s historical operations consisted of internet and internet related activities, its quoted market price increased significantly during the latter part of 1999 and early 2000 consistent with other companies in the technology sector. Also consistent with many other companies in the technology sector, its market value decreased significantly during the second half of 2000 attributable to, among other factors, decreases in multiples of expected future revenue and decreases in expected profitability and cash flows of the sector as a whole. The declining trend in SEAT’s quoted market price continued through 2002. During the Company’s annual review for indicators of impairment of long-lived assets in 2001 and 2000, based on the significant decrease in market capitalization, the Company determined a potential impairment existed regarding goodwill arising from its acquisition of SEAT New. At January 1, 2002, the Company performed the transition testing required under FAS 142. This included identifying the reporting units at the date of transition and assigning goodwill to these reporting units. Also at the date of transition an impairment test of the new reporting units was performed under the FAS 142 guidance and no impairment charge was recorded at that date. In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 142, the annual impairment test of goodwill was conducted as of December 31, 2002. As part of that assessment, it was determined that certain reporting units contained goodwill

that was potentially impaired. The 2002 review incorporated into the analysis all of the known facts and management strategies at the time, including the possibility that the assessment that the ownership levels of certain businesses may change in the future. In particular, Telecom Italia, Seat’s majority owner, had been assessing the structure and benefits of having the Internet and Directories businesses constituted as a single business. Although Telecom Italia management had not committed to a plan regarding the sale of certain reporting units of SEAT until after December 31, 2002, the probability that a realignment of the business would take place, including the possible disposal valuations of those businesses, were considered. The 2001 valuation approach was based on a discounted cash flow model, using the best estimates of management at that time, including the intention to keep SEAT together as an integrated asset for the foreseeable future. In 2002 the fair value of the affected reporting units, in particular those to be included in New SEAT, were derived based on an assessment of recent trading multiples for other similar assets. This approach was used as, given the increasing likelihood that Telecom Italia would sell these assets, the use of multiples for recent transactions for similar assets was considered more indicative of fair value than a discounted cash flow analysis. Those to be included in Telecom Italia Media were valued based on a combination of both multiples and the discounted cash flow method. Using the comparables approach to the valuation, SEAT identified that the fair value of the reporting units’ implied goodwill, after performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, including intangibles, was €6,035,790 less than these assets carrying value. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its applicable policy described in Note 3 for 2002, 2001 and 2000, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge of €5,656,538 in 2002, € 1,506,014 in 2001 and € 10,271,66 9 in 2000.

On August 8, 2000, SEAT new purchased 25% of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. (“CGC”) for a total of €129,114 in cash from Cecchi Gori Communication Media Holdings (“CGCMH”). It also signed an agreement to purchase the remaining 75% of CGC for a fixed price of approximately € 387,342, to be paid in SEAT shares. During the period after the agreement was signed, the value of SEAT stock significantly decreased. Since the value of the stock decreased and the number of shares were fixed, the seller requested to renegotiate the sale agreement. On April 27, 2001, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of CGC approved the financial statements at December 31, 2000 and moved to cover the loss shown therein by a capital increase to be subscribed by the owners. On that day, SEAT covered its 25% of the losses with a payment of €21,175. The deadline for exercising the right to subscribe to the capital increase described above was June 4, 2001, and CGCMH, the owners of the other 75% of CGC, failed to cover their percentage of the previous year’s losses. As such, SEAT contributed the remaining 75% of the losses for € 64,506, and took ownership of those shares. As a result, the shares owned by CGCMH were cancelled and new shares were issued in SEAT’s name, which thus holds 100% of the share capital of CGC. The Company’s cumulative purchase price of its investment in CGC totaled €216,857, including €2,062 of transaction costs. The operations of CGC have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase, using step-acquisition accounting, and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €71,720 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. In December 2001 CGC changed its name to Holding Media e Comunicazione HMC S.p.A. (“HMC”).

On February 9, 2001, SEAT gained a controlling stake (54.5%) of Consodata SA (“Consodata”), a company listed on the Paris Nouveau Marché in the business of information marketing. The acquisition occurred in the following manner: (i) SEAT issued 63,789,104 ordinary shares to the Consoldata shareholders for 3,986,819 Consodata shares, corresponding to 39.27% of the French company’s share capital; (ii) SEAT contributed their entire stake (100%) in Giallo Dat@ to Consodata in return for 3,383,520 new ordinary shares (25% of the new post-increase capital of Consodata). On May 30, 2001, SEAT announced a public tender offer in which sixteen new ordinary SEAT shares were offered for each Consodata share. The holders of 5,981,625 Consodata shares, equivalent to approximately 44.19% of the share capital, participated in the offer in which 95,706,000 new

ordinary SEAT PG shares were issued on August 8, 2001. SEAT, therefore, gained a total interest of 90.735% in the new combined entity Consodata-Giallo Dat@. The contribution of Giallo Dat@ was recorded at historical cost for the portion retained and at fair value for the portion attributed to the remaining minority shareholders of Consodata, resulting in a gain of € 14,924. The Company’s cumulative purchase price of its investment in Consodata totaled €553,526, including €5,362 of transaction costs. The operations of Consodata have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase, using step-acquisition accounting, and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €513,514 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. During 2002, the Company recorded an additional purchase of 8.19% of the company for €48,783 in cash. This purchase completed SEAT’s obligations under previously signed put and call options. The entire €48,783 was recorded as goodwill. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 3, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to the goodwill related to Consodata of € 457,437 in 2001 while there was no impairment charge recorded in 2002.

On May 29, 2001, SEAT purchased 100% of Pan-Adress Direktmarketing GmbH and of General Partner GmbH (collectively “Pan-Adress”), companies incorporated under German law in the business of direct marketing. Under the terms of the agreement SEAT initially exchanged 1,084,912 of Consodata shares which it held for 100% of the share capital of Pan-Adress. These Consodata shares were then contributed back to SEAT in exchange for 17,358,952 SEAT shares via the public tender offer for Consodata described above. The Company’s purchase price of its investment in Pan-Adress totaled €20,578, including €622 of transaction costs. The operations of Pan-Adress have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €18,922 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 7 years computed on the straight line method.

On June 15, 2001 SEAT acquired 100% of the share capital of NetCreations Inc (“NetCreations”) via Sogerim, a 100% owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia. Telecom Italia loaned 76,310,000 of its SEAT shares to its subsidiary Sogerim. Sogerim then sold the SEAT shares in the open market for U.S.$109,000 cash, which it then used to purchase NetCreations. On June 15, 2001, SEAT issued a total of 76,310,000 new ordinary SEAT shares to Sogerim in exchange for 100% of NetCreations. The shares issued to Sogerim were ultimately returned to Telecom Italia to repay the loaned shares. The Company’s purchase price of its investment in NetCreations totaled €124,946, including €7,896 of transaction costs. The operations of NetCreations have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €14,059 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 3, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to the goodwill of related to NetCreations of € 13,055 in 2001.

On March 29, 2001 SEAT purchased 3% of Data House S.p.A. (“Data House”), a company in the business of collection, electronic handling and marketing of realty information. SEAT purchased additional ownership interest on May 29, 2001 of 17% and on June 18, 2001 of 32% for a total interest of approximately 52%. The 32% stake was purchase via the issuance of 2,849,417 new ordinary SEAT shares while the other 20% was purchased with cash. The Company’s purchase price of its investment in Data House totaled €14,425, including €284 of transaction costs. The operations of Data House have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase using step acquisition accounting and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €8,811 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 7 years computed on the straight line method. On August 9, 2002, Seat sold its interest in Data House for proceeds of €15,939 and recording a loss of € 6,667.

On July 3, 2001 SEAT purchased 60% of CIPI S.p.A. (“CIPI”), a company operating in the B2B internet sector, handling promotional items and corporate gifts. SEAT issued 15,698,286 new ordinary shares for its 60% ownership interest. The Company’s purchase price of its investment in CIPI totaled €22,643, including €377 of transaction costs. The purchase price was determined based on the average market price of SEAT’s stock over the period including two days before and two days after the terms of the acquisition were agreed to and announced, which was April 15, 2001. The operations of CIPI have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of € 16,813 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 5 years computed on the straight line method and is not deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets with finite lives had a fair value of € 7,800 at the time of acquisition. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

The € 16,813 of goodwill has been assigned to the Office Products segment in which CIPI operates.

As of October 1, 2000, SEAT owned 2.2% of Telegate AG, a publicly traded company in Germany, with a fair value of € 36,834. During November 2000, the Company acquired an additional 11.34% of Telegate AG and 51.37% of Telegate GmbH, a German holding company. Telegate GmbH directly owns 50.99% of Telegate AG. The acquisition was accomplished through the issuance of 147,446,627 ordinary shares for a total purchase price of € 758,269, including € 41,531 of acquisition costs. On April 5, 2001, the Company purchased the remaining 48.63% of Telegate GmbH through the issuance of 150,579,625 new ordinary shares for a purchase price of €308,869 including €9,667 of acquisition costs. Including the fair value of the 2.2% of Telegate AG previously owned by SEAT, the Company’s cumulative purchase price of its investment in Telegate GmbH and Telegate AG totaled €1,103,972. The operations of Telegate GmbH and Telegate AG have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of majority acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase, using step-acquisition accounting, and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €1,047,516 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 7 years computed on the straight line method. During 2002, the Company purchased an additional 13.9% of Telegate AG for €30,311 via a capital increase. The capital increase was only subscribed by Seat and Telegate GmbH and, as such, the Company now owns 78.44% of Telegate AG. An additional €9,005 of goodwill was recorded as part of this purchase. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 3, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill related to Telegate of € 907,385 in 2001.

During December 2000, the Company acquired 99.6% of TDL Infomedia Ltd. (TDL) through the issuance of 140,672,537 ordinary shares for a total purchase price of € 526,798, including € 5,185 of acquisition costs. The operations of TDL Infomedia Ltd. are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of

acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of €446,782 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 15 years computed using the straight line method. The Company has an option to acquire the remaining 0.4% of TDL from certain executive shareholders beginning in 2002 at a price to be determined based on a multiple of the operating results of TDL during 2001 through 2003, up to a maximum purchase price of €120,172. In connection with the acquisition of TDL, the Company entered into share lock-up agreements with certain executive shareholders of TDL. Under the terms of these agreements, the executives are restricted through 2004 from selling the 13,684,099 aggregate shares of the Company received. As consideration, the Company has guaranteed the executives a value of € 3.53 per share, as long as the executive remains employed by TDL at the end of the lock-up period. If at the conclusion of the lock-up period the quoted market price of the Company’s shares fall below the guaranteed value, the Company will be required to issue additional shares to the executives such that the total market value of all shares received equals the value of the original number of shares received at the guaranteed value. The purchase option and share lock-up agreements result in potential additional compensation to the executives. As a result, during the term of the option and lock up periods, compensation expense will be recorded to reflect the fair value of any additional shares, if any, to be issued at the end of each reporting period and the excess of the option price over the estimated fair value of additional shares to be acquired. The amount of compensation expense related to these agreements in 2002 and 2001 was approximately €21,000 and €32,000, respectively, while in 2000 it was not material. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 3, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill related to TDL of € 154,021 in 2002.

As of October 1, 2000, SEAT New owned 4.31% of Mondus Ltd. (Mondus), with a fair value of €11,076. During December 2000, the Company acquired an additional 42.13% of Mondus through the issuance of 44,344,611 ordinary shares for a total purchase price of € 164,425, including €1,192 of acquisition costs. Including the fair value of the 4.31% of Mondus previously owned by SEAT New, the Company’s cumulative purchase price of its investment totaled € 175,501. This investment is being accounted for under the equity method, with the amount of the purchase price in excess of the value of the Company’s ownership in the underlying net assets of Mondus of € 138,328, amortized over 7 years. The Company performed an impairment review in accordance with its policy described in Note 3, and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment charge to its equity carrying value related to Mondus of € 128,418 in 2001. Mondus was subsequently sold in 2002 for €19,100. See Note 9 for additional information on the sale.

During December 2000, the Company acquired 93.465% of Databank S.p.A. through the issuance of 11,402,738 ordinary shares for a total purchase price of € 46,980, including €563 of acquisition costs. The operations of Databank have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired of € 29,887 was recorded as goodwill, which is being amortized over 10 years computed on the straight line method. The Company also provided the shareholders of the remaining 6.535% of Databank an option to put their shares to the Company from May 2001 through May 2004, at a price based on Databank’s future operating results.

In addition, the Company acquired various percentages of other businesses through the payment of cash, each of which have been consolidated or included in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method from the date of acquisition. The acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting with the aggregate purchase price of approximately € 121,173 in 2001 and €26,300 in 2000, allocated to the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, aggregating approximately € 80,450 in 2001 and €19,100 in 2000, has been recorded and is being amortized over 5 to 10 years computed using the straight line method.

The pro forma unaudited results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, assumes the purchases of SEAT New, Telegate, TDL, Consodata and HMC had been consummated as of January 1, 2000.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at December 31:

Over the next five successive years the amortization of intangibles by asset class is expected to be the following:

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 142 effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. SFAS 142 changed the accounting for goodwill from an amortization method to an impairment-only approach based on the supposition that goodwill is not a “wasting asset” that requires periodic cost allocation. Thus, amortization of goodwill, including goodwill recorded in past business combinations and amortization of intangibles with an indefinite life, ceased upon adoption of SFAS 142.

SFAS 142 was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2002 (except for acquisitions made subsequent to June 20, 2002), and required that goodwill no longer be amortized. As a result, a significant portion of the Company’s total intangibles, essentially related to goodwill, ceased allocating costs to the statement of operations on a periodic basis. Total amortization expense was € 552,522, € 1,727,216 and €589,277 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Accumulated amortization of goodwill and intangible assets was € 2,534,431 and € 2,030,400 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

The Company’s 2001 and 2000 results of operations do not reflect the provisions of SFAS 142. Had the Group adopted SFAS 142 as of January 1, 2000, the net loss and basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share and savings share would have been the adjusted pro forma amounts indicated below:

The Company completed the SFAS 142 transitional impairment test before June 30, 2002 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill at that time, as the fair value of its reporting unit exceeded their carrying amounts as of January 1, 2002. Therefore, the second step of the transitional impairment test required under SFAS 142 was not necessary.

As required under SFAS 142, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill at the end of 2002 at the reporting unit level. At December 31, 2002, the fair value of the reporting units within the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information segments were derived based on an assessment of recent trading multiples for other similar assets. This approach was used as, given the intent of Seat’s parent company, Telecom Italia, to sell their interest in these assets, the use of multiples for recent transactions for similar assets was considered more indicative of fair value than a discounted cash flow analysis. The remaining businesses were valued based on a combination of both multiples and the discounted cash flow method, with impairments identified at the reporting unit level. The Company identified that the fair value of the reporting units’ implied goodwill, after performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation, including intangibles, was €5,969,126 less

than the carrying value, of which €638,190 related to businesses that are not expected to be spun-off as described in Note 22.

A summary of the changes in the Company’s goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2002, by business segment is as follows:

The Company has numerous investments in unconsolidated affiliates as follows as of December 31:

A buyback agreement was entered on March 15, 2002, whereby Mondus Ltd. acquired SEAT’s equity investment, equivalent to 46.4%, in Mondus Ltd. The agreement also provides for the transfer to SEAT of the 10% stake in the share capital that Mondus Ltd. holds in the company Giallo Market S.r.l. The carry value of the investment as of December 31, 2001 has been written down to € 18,000 reflecting the estimated fair value of consideration to be received under the agreement of € 19,100 less € 1,000 of related transaction costs

The Company’s equity in net losses of its equity affiliates was € 26,168, € 81,747 and € 26,123 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. At December 31, 2002 2001 and 2000, the amount of consolidated accumulated deficit representing net losses of equity affiliates approximated € (107,915), € (107,870) and € (20,266).

The Company has certain equity investments for which its recorded share of losses exceed its equity in the underlying net assets, and for which the Company has committed to contribute such excess to the related affiliate. The net accrual representing such excess losses is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities (see Note 13). The above disclosures include the results of all equity affiliates of the Company. For investments

recorded at cost, a fair value cannot be estimated at December 31, 2002 as none of these investments are publicly traded securities.

At December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, the Company had unsecured short-term lines of credit with banks, including bank overdraft facilities, providing borrowings up to approximately € 85,070 and € 73,381 of which € 48,923 and € 68,497 was advanced. The lines of credit bear various rates of interest, including both fixed and variable interest rates. At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the weighted-average interest rate was approximately 3.80% and 5.15% per annum, respectively. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit are payable upon demand.

The maturities of long-term debt over the next five years as of December 31, 2002 are as follows:

The floating and fixed rate notes (collectively, the Notes) were originally issued by SEAT New and were outstanding at the date of acquisition by the Company. The carrying amount of the fixed rate notes was adjusted

to fair value at acquisition and the related discount of € 1,650 from the principal balance of € 300,000 is being amortized over the remaining term of the Notes. As of December 31, 2000 the unamortized balance of the discount was €1,477. Remaining unamortized debt issuance costs at the date of acquisition were fully written off as part of the purchase price allocation. The Notes represent unsecured obligations of the Company and are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Interest payments on the variable rate notes are due quarterly each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Interest payments on the fixed rate notes are due annually each July 1. Upon adoption of SFAS 133 on January 1, 2001, the debt was marked to fair market value. The difference between book value and fair value of € 6,514 was recorded as a liability and is being amortized over the life of the debt. The balance of the fair value adjustment at December 31, 2002 and 2001 was € 3,908 and € 5,211, respectively.

The senior subordinated notes represent obligations of TDL which was acquired by the Company in December 2000. The notes have a nominal value of £ 70,000, which is equivalent to € 107,609 at December 31, 2002. These notes were adjusted to fair value as part of the Company’s purchase price allocation during 2000. The resulting premium of € 16,435 is being amortized over the life of the notes of which € 1,869 and € 1,869 was amortized during 2002 and 2001. The senior subordinated notes require semi-annual interest payments each April 15 and October 15. £ 69,250 (€ 106,457 at December 31, 2002) of the senior subordinated notes are registered in the United States under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes may be repaid in advance beginning in 2004 at a price equal to 106.0625% of their nominal value.

The zero coupon notes represent obligations of TDL, which was acquired by the Company in December 2000. The notes have a nominal value of $ 13,150, which is equivalent to € 13,785 at December 31, 2002 and were originally issued at 47.366% of their nominal value. These notes were adjusted to fair value as part of the Company’s purchase price allocation during 2000. The resulting discount of € 7,292 is being amortized over the remaining life of the notes, of which € 964 was amortized during 2002. The notes are zero coupon notes through October 15, 2004, at which time they convert to interest bearing at an annual rate of 15.50%. Subsequent to October 15, 2004, the notes require semi-annual interest payments each April 15 and October 15.

The floating rate notes due through September 30, 2008 require principal and interest payments each March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, with the interest rate adjusted quarterly.

The Company has a number of interest rate swap and collar agreements, which partially modify the interest rate characteristics of the Notes and partially limit the Company’s exposure to variable interest rate risks by providing an interest rate cap and floor. With respect to the € 700,000 variable rate notes, the Company has an interest rate swap with a notional amount of € 700,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which the Company receives 3 month Euribor plus 0.70% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 0.017%. Additionally, the Company has an interest rate collar with a notional amount of €700,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2003 under which the Company’s pays the difference between 5.8% and EURIBOR if the EURIBOR is below 3.99%. It receives the difference between EURIBOR and 5.8% if EURIBOR exceeds 5.8%.

The Company has entered into a transaction under which it has sold approximately €48,553 of real estate assets to a special purpose entity called Tiglio and then leased the assets back under a 6 year by 6 year lease. A portion of this transaction did not qualify for sale leaseback accounting under SFAS 98, Accounting for Sale-Leaseback Transactions; therefore, the real estate assets have not been deconsolidated and the future lease payments are considered debt. The Company received approximately €53,064 in cash from Tiglio offset by its purchase of 2% of Tiglio for €10,613 and its loan to Tiglio of €2,663. The debt will be paid back over the life of the lease term.

With respect to the fixed rate notes, the Company has two interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of € 200,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which the Company receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.07%. The Company has an additional interest rate swap with a notional amount of € 100,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005 under which the Company receives 6.5% and pays 3 month Euribor plus 1.11%.

Additionally, the Company has two interest rate swap with a combined notional amount of € 300,000 and a maturity of July 1, 2005, under which the Company receives Euribor flat and pays fixed rates of 5.255% and 5.1575% respectively.

The fair value of the interest rate swap and collar agreements at the date of the Company’s acquisition in 2000 of SEAT New of € 7,592 has been recorded as other non-current assets and is being amortized over the contractual terms of each such agreement through December 31, 2000. Total amortization of € 816 was recorded as additional interest expense during 2000. As of January 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS 133, as described in the company’s accounting policies related to derivative financial information. The difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the interest rates swaps and collars at the date of adoption was recorded as a charge to other comprehensive income of € 6,885, net of € 3,873 tax and is being amortized over the life of the related derivative instrument. The gross fair value of these swaps and collars at December 31, 2002 and 2001 is recorded in either other non-current assets or other non-current liabilities, with the change in fair value of € 10,967 and €17,756 for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, recorded in other income.

For the four months ended April 30, 2000 the Company was not a separate legal entity. The results of the business were included in the tax returns of other legal entities within the Telecom Italia group. The Company generated substantial tax losses from inception through May 1, 2000, and accordingly, the resulting net deferred tax asset was fully reserved, and no tax benefit was recognized in the accompanying financial statements. The tax effect and related disclosures of separate legal entities within the Company during these periods was not material, and therefore the disclosures below only reflect those related to the period from May 1, 2000. The net deferred tax asset derived from the difference between the carrying value and tax bases of the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated business as of May 1, 2000 was fully reserved at the date of legal formation of the Company. No tax losses generated by the unincorporated business through the date of legal formation were contributed to Tin.it.

The Company’s income tax benefit consisted of the following for the year ended December 31:

The reconciliation between the Italian statutory tax rate and the effective consolidated tax rate for the year ended December 31 is as follows:

The Italian statutory tax rate for 2002 and 2001 was 40.25% consisting of a 36% national corporate income tax rate (“IRPEG”) and a 4.25% Regional Tax on Productive Activities (“IRAP”). A new tax law was enacted in December 2002 that will have the effect of reducing the IRPEG tax rate from 36% to 34% from January 1, 2003.

Principal items comprising the deferred income tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31 were as follows:

The valuation allowance at December 31, 2002 and 2001, relates to net operating loss carryforwards of approximately € 917,870 and € 518,215, respectively, and other temporary differences related to the operations of subsidiaries acquired during 2002 and 2001, the recovery of which is not considered more likely than not. The valuation allowance of €277,061 was provided against net operating loss carry forwards pertaining to Italian and foreign subsidiaries. The net operating loss carry forwards relating to Italian subsidiaries of approximately € 721,520 of which approximately € 34,152 expires in 2003, € 42,110 in 2004, € 46,056 in 2005, € 166,428 in 2006, € 345,813 in 2007 and € 86,961 with an unlimited expiration. In addition, the operating loss net carry forwards pertaining to foreign subsidiaries aggregating approximately € 93,365.

In addition to the NOL’s that have been provided for described above, at December 31, 2002, the Company has net operating loss carry forwards in Italy aggregating approximately € 102,985 of which approximately € 1,524 expires in 2004, € 1,771 in 2005, € 1,512 in 2006, € 74,288 in 2007 and € 23,890 with an unlimited expiration. No valuation allowance has been provided for in regards to these NOLs as the Company considers them more likely than not to be recoverable.

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following at December 31:

The accrual for losses in equity investments in excess of equity in net assets of such entities is comprised of the following as of December 31, (see Note 9):

The liability for termination indemnities relates to the employees of the Company’s Italian operations. In accordance with Italian severance pay statutes, an employee benefit is accrued for service to date and is payable immediately upon separation. The termination indemnity liability is calculated in accordance with local civil and labor laws based on each employee’s length of service, employment category and remuneration. The termination liability is adjusted annually by a cost-of-living index provided by the Italian Government. There is no vesting period or funding requirement associated with the liability. The liability recorded in the balance sheet is the amount that the employee would be entitled to, immediately upon separation. The related charge to earnings was € 11,156, € 10,901 and € 2,775 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

As described in Note 4, during December 2000, the Company acquired 99.6% of TDL. A wholly owned subsidiary of TDL sponsors a contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees of the related subsidiary. Benefits under the plan are based on participants’ years of service and level of compensation.

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001, the funded status and amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet for the plan were as follows:

The changes in the projected benefit obligation for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

The changes in the fair value of the plan assets for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

The funded status of the plan for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 is as follows:

The net periodic cost for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 is as follows:

The net pension liability is included in other non-current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2002 and 2001. Assumptions used to determine pension obligation for the defined benefit plan were:

Reverse Acquisition: — As described in Notes 1 and 4, the acquisition of Tin.it by SEAT in 2000 has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition of SEAT by Tin.it. In accordance with reverse acquisition accounting, the 5,091,326,196 ordinary shares of SEAT issued in the reverse acquisition have been treated as if they were outstanding for all periods presented.

Ordinary Shares: — The share capital of the Company is stated at €0.03 per share and as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 was fully paid in. During 2001, the Company converted the par value of its ordinary shares from Lit. 50 per share to €0.03 per share during Italy’s conversion to the Euro. This conversion had no effect on total equity. The shareholders of the ordinary shares have voting rights.

Savings Shares: — The share capital of such shares was stated at €0.03 per share and as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 was fully paid in. During 2001, the Company converted the par value of its ordinary shares from Lit. 50 per share to €0.03 per share during Italy’s conversion to the Euro. The shareholders of the savings shares do not have voting rights. In accordance with Italian law and the Company’s by-laws such shares have the following characteristics: (i) they are preferred in the distribution of dividends up to 5 percent of the nominal value of all shares issued; (ii) thereafter they must be allocated dividends of an amount being at least two percent higher than the par value in comparison to dividends allocated to ordinary shares; (iii) if dividends cannot be distributed as described in (i) and (ii) in any fiscal year, the unpaid amount accrues to the following two fiscal

years; (iv) they have the same rights as other shares in the distribution of reserves; (v) should a capital reduction become necessary due to losses, the nominal value of the savings shares is reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the loss exceeding the nominal value of all the other shares; and (vi) in the liquidation of assets they rank prior to other categories of shares for the full nominal value.

During December 2000, the Company initiated a public offer in Italy for the conversion of its savings shares into ordinary shares. The public offer was initiated on December 6, 2000 and ended December 21, 2000. Holders of savings shares were required to pay 1,723.3 lire (€ 0.89) per share and were allowed to convert savings shares to ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. At December 31, 2000, the Company had received proceeds of € 1,119,977, net of €2,423 issuance costs, which have been classified as additional paid in capital in shareholders’ equity. On January 2, 2001 the Company issued 1,261,108,452 ordinary shares and an equal number of savings shares were cancelled. As of December 31, 2002, the company had a total of 187,689,368 of savings shares outstanding.

Italian law requires that 5% of a company’s net income be retained as a legal reserve, until such reserve equals 20% of share capital. Included in retained earnings are legal reserves of €30,059 and €30,059 at December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, pertaining to the group’s Italian companies. This reserve is not available for distribution.

The Company grants stock options to employees under a Stock Option Plan and accounts for these stock option grants in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Accordingly, the Company, (i) recognizes compensation expense over the period the employee performs the service measured by the difference between the fair value of the shares on the measurement date and the stock option exercise price and (ii) records the sum of the compensation accrued in addition to the cash paid by the employees as consideration for the stock issued in connection with the exercise of the stock option.

Prior to the Transaction (as defined in Note 1), no stock options were granted by the Company; however, SEAT New had previously granted stock options to employees, a portion of which were unexercised at the date of the Transaction. Even though SEAT New is considered the acquiree for accounting purposes, as it was the legal acquiror, the outstanding options existing at the date of the Transaction continue to be outstanding subsequent to the Transaction. As discussed in Note 4, the fair value of outstanding options issued by SEAT New prior to the Transaction have been included in the determination of its purchase price. For unvested options outstanding at the effective date of the Transaction, the excess of the quoted market price of the underlying shares over the option price at the date of acquisition of €56,123 has been recorded as unearned compensation and is being amortized to compensation expense over the remaining service period.

Under the terms of the Company’s incentive stock option plan, certain key employees identified by the Board of Directors and executive management are eligible to participate in the plan. Options granted under the plan have an exercise price determined by the Board of Directors and executive management in accordance with the plan. The duration of the plan is five years. Options granted under the plan vest only upon the achievement of certain financial objectives as established by the Board of Directors and executive management, and the date for final subscription and payment is established at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As the vesting of the options is dependent on the achievement of defined financial objectives, the plan is considered to be variable. Accordingly, changes in the quoted market price of the underlying stock from the grant date to the date at which the final number of shares to be granted is determined is recorded as an adjustment to compensation expense over the related service period.

The net effect of the amortization of unearned compensation recorded at the date of acquisition of SEAT New and changes in the quoted market price from the acquisition date, resulted in the recognition € 2,236, € 7,307 and € 166 of compensation expense in the Company’s statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 respectively.

The Company initially granted employees the option to subscribe to 26 ordinary shares and 10 savings shares per option. In conjunction with the Company’s conversion of savings into ordinary shares, the Company resolved to convert options for savings shares into ordinary shares at a ratio of 7 ordinary shares for each 10 savings shares.

As of December 31, 2002, no granted options were vested and exercisable. Options for 29,995,881 ordinary shares were available for future grant under the plan at December 31, 2002.

SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” requires that when APB Opinion 25 is applied in computing compensation cost of stock based compensation that pro forma information as to net income and earnings per share be presented as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock based compensation in accordance with SFAS 123.

The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated on the date of acquisition of SEAT New using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The weighted average estimated fair value of options outstanding at date of acquisition of SEAT New amounted to € 2.73.

In January 2001, the Company approved the 2001 Stock Option Plan (“2001 Plan”) authorizing the issuance of stock options up to 127,000,000 ordinary shares to certain employees of the Company. The 2001 Plan provides for the allocation of options in three annual installments following attainment of Company and personal objectives according to the guidelines as defined in the 2001 Plan. The exercise price of stock options granted under the 2001 Plan will approximate the fair market value on the grant date. The 2001 Plan expires on December 31, 2008.

No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 or 2001 for options granted related to the 2001 Plan as the Company’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2001.

As of December 31, 2002, options granted which were vested and exercisable were 32,456,451 ordinary shares. Options for 82,330,034 ordinary shares were available for future grant under the plan at December 31, 2002. The weighted-average remaining contractual life was 3.8 years at December 31, 2002.

The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during 2001 amounted to € 0.55.

All the options of the aforementioned new stock option plans are exercisable at a price of Euro 0.8532 (equal to the market value of the share at the date of May 17, 2002).

The Top Plan resulted in the allocation of 1,500,000 options, reserved for the Managing Director of the Company, of which on May 17, 2002 the Board of Directors resolved to increase the share capital by payment at a maximum par value of Euro 45,000.00, by the issue of maximum 1,500,000 ordinary shares with a par value of Euro 0.03 each, cum coupon.

No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 for options granted related to the Top Plan as the Company’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2002.

The Key People Plan on the other hand led to the allocation of 46,400,000 options, of which 2,500,000 reserved for “B” Beneficiaries and 43,900,000 reserved for “C” Beneficiaries.

No compensation expense was recognized during 2002 for options granted related to the Key People Plan as the Company’s stock price was below the exercise price at December 31, 2002.

The fair value of each stock option granted under the two new plans was estimated on the grant date using the Cox-Ross-Rubenstein option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during 2002 amounted to € 0.46.

Prior to 2002, the Group had used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted to employees. Starting in 2002, the Group revisited the use of the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and concluded that certain other option-pricing models, in particular binomial models, were better adapted to capturing the complexity of the fair value of these options. Therefore, effective January 1, 2002, the Group adopted the Cox-Ross-Rubenstein (“CRR”) binomial model for estimating the fair value of employee stock options. The CRR model uses a binomial tree to assess the probabilities that the price of the underlying stock might follow over the life of the option.

In contrast to the Black-Scholes model, the CRR model takes into account possible future stock prices at specified times between the grant date and the option maturity. An additional strength of the CRR model is that it is specifically designed to value options that can be exercised at any time (so called “American” options), as opposed to those that can only be exercised at the end of their maturity (so called “European” options). The CRR model also has the flexibility to incorporate assumptions related to the payment level of future dividends. The CRR model was designed for these types of options, therefore it provides more useful fair value information.

The Black Scholes option valuation model, which was by Seat used prior to 2002, was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because of the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the employee stock options. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized over the service period, which approximates the vesting period.

As described in Note 4, during November 2000, the Company acquired 51.37% of Telegate GmbH and the remaining 48.63% in April 2001. Telegate AG, a majority owned subsidiary of Telegate GmbH had, at the date of each acquisition, 200,000 shares of its common stock reserved under its 1999 stock option plan. Under the terms of the plan, options are awarded to selected executives and other key employees at exercise prices not less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant. The stock options vest over a two year period, contingent upon increases in the quoted share price of Telegate AG compared to various industry indices. As the vesting of the options is dependent on the achievement of defined objectives, the plan is considered to be variable. Accordingly, changes in the quoted market price of the underlying stock from the acquisition date to the date at which the final number of shares to be granted is recorded as an adjustment to compensation expense over the related service period.

At December 31, 2001, there are no stock options exercisable. The following table summarizes the related stock options outstanding at December 31, 2002.

The fair value of each stock option were estimated on the grant dates using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The weighted average estimated fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were €1.51 and €19.62, respectively

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:

In computing diluted loss per share, 103,295,108, 81,696,653 and 24,325,521 ordinary share equivalents for performance stock options were excluded for the year ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, from the diluted loss per share computation because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

During 2002 and 2001, the Company recorded revenue from parent company of € 52,248 and € 58,274, respectively, for telephone traffic, € 20,889 and € 18,410, respectively, for revenues generated by internet use; € 2,195 and € 2,009 for advertising on yellow pages in 2002 and 2001, respectively; € 9,369 for advertising on “Pronto Pagine Gialle” in 2002. In connection with the legal formation of the Company, Telecom Italia

contributed its ownership of the Italian White Pages to the Company, including the assignment of its contracts with SEAT New relating to the production of and advertising in the White Pages in Italy. Under the terms of the contracts, prior to the acquisition of SEAT New, the Company paid SEAT for the production and printing of the White Pages and received advertisement royalties from SEAT New. Subsequent to the acquisition of SEAT New, these revenues and expenses and have been eliminated in consolidation. Prior to the acquisition of SEAT New in 2000, the Company recorded advertising royalties from SEAT New of €106,743 and production and printing expenses to SEAT New of € 66,590.

Costs due to the use of Telecom Italia’s interbusiness network for connection to the Internet in 2002, 2001 and 2000 were € 45,943, € 40,888, € 80,560, respectively. Costs related to other services provided by Telecom Italia were € 17,085 and € 16,357 during 2002 and 2001, respectively: they include costs for employees (€ 4,369 in 2002), telephone subscriptions (€ 6,137) and rental costs (€ 1,978). Costs related to other services provided by other subsidiaries of parent company and other related parties were € 21,460 and € 37,994 in 2002 and 2001 respectively: they include € 6,025 for services rendered by TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile S.p.A.), € 5,591 for internet subscriptions made by Saritel, and € 2,422 for products sold by Olivetti Lexikon.

At December 31, 2002 and 2001, accounts receivable from parent company include € 529,249 and €380,600, respectively, of short-term advances to Telecom Italia S.p.A., with due dates between seven days and six months, bearing interest at variable rates. Furthermore the Company has trade receivables from Telecom Italia for € 42,072 and € 52,699, of which € 23,071 and € 34,981 related to internet telephone traffic fees for 2002 and 2001 respectively.

Accounts receivable from affiliated companies at December 31, 2001 consisted primarily of short-term advances of € 5,623 to Viasat S.p.A. and € 6,596 to Softe, while at December 31, 2002, they are reduced to zero because Viasat S.p.A. has been sold.

Accounts payable to parent company at December 31, 2002 are related to services provided by Telecom Italia to the Company for € 46,219. At December 31, 2001, accounts payable to parent company are primarily related to services provided by Telecom Italia to the Company for € 59,186.

Accounts payable to affiliated companies at December 31, 2001 are primarily related to various services provided by Saritel to Tin.it for € 7,705 and by Netikos S.p.A. to Seat for € 4,207, while at December 31, 2002 they are primarily related to various services provided by Tinweb S.p.A. for €4,628 and by Giallo Market for €3,096.

Short-term borrowing from affiliated companies at December 31, 2002 consists of credits from Telecom Italia Finance S.A. to TDL and Consodata for € 161,018. Short-term borrowing from affiliated companies at December 31, 2001 consists of a revolving credit facility from Sogerim, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telecom Italia, to TDL for € 80,108 and to Consodata of € 25,949.

The Company leases buildings, automobiles, and other minor fixed assets including office equipment under various operating lease agreements. Commitments for minimum rentals under noncancellable operating leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

Rent expense for operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 amounted to approximately €45,113, €45,664 and €4,580, respectively.

As of December 31, 2002 and 2001 the Company has purchase commitments for paper and distribution of directories through 2003, of approximately € 118,150 and € 113,453, respectively, of which approximately € 63,781 and € 40,399 is expected to be expended in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Additionally, the Company has an agreement with ILTE, under which ILTE provides printing services to the Company for inflation indexed prices through 2003 of approximately € 104,900 of which € 52,600 and € 53,300 are expected to be expended in 2003 and 2004, respectively. The price terms under the printing services agreements will be renegotiated from 2003 to 2007.

The Company also has commitments outstanding for capital expenditures under purchase orders and contracts amounting to €8,904 at December 31, 2002, of which €4,471 and €4,250, are expected to be expended in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

The Company has entered into contracts for marketing and EDP services with total future minimum payments under non-cancelable contracts with initial terms of one year of more totaling €5,951 at December 31, 2002. Approximately €5,672 and €1,086 of the future minimum payments are due in 2003 and 2004, respectively, with the remaining commitment due thereafter.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company has given guarantees on behalf of affiliated companies and other third parties for their borrowings and other obligations, of € 37,558.

During 2001, Giallo Professional Publishing (“GPP”), a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company, purchased 65% of Gruppo Editoriale JCE S.p.A. (“JCE”) and has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 35% of JCE. The Company and JCE have corresponding put and call options based upon a multiple of the average financial results of JCE, as defined, for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The options are exercisable during September 2003 and must be exercised 90 days after the approval of the JCE 2003 financial results.

During 2001, GPP also purchased 60% of Gruppo Editoriale Faenze Editrice S.p.A. (“GEFE”) and has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 40% of GEFE. The Company and GEFE have corresponding put and call options based upon a multiple of the average financial results of GEFE, as defined, for the years

ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The options are exercisable during September 2003 and must be exercised 90 days after the approval of the 2003 GEFE financial results.

During December 2000, the Company acquired 99.6% of TDL Infomedia Ltd. (“TDL”) and has an option to acquire the remaining 0.4% of TDL beginning in 2002 at a price to be determined based on a multiple of the operating results of TDL during 2001 through 2003, up to a maximum purchase price of €120,172. During 2002, the Company purchased 0.1% of TDL for a total of €7,417 as called for in the aforementioned agreements and has one-third of the original 0.4% still to purchase.

During December 2000, the Company acquired 93.465% of Databank S.p.A. The Company provided the shareholders of the remaining 6.535% of Databank an option to put their shares to the Company from May 2001 through May 2004, at a price based on Databank’s future operating results. The company has a corresponding call option during this same period.

The Company entered into numerous other call options and/or put options with companies of which it does not own 100%. These agreements may either allow SEAT to purchase additional shares or require SEAT to purchase additional shares based upon a pre-determined formula. The exercise of these agreements may be dependent upon events that are outside of the control of the Company and the seller. Some of these agreements include pre-determined floor and/or ceilings for the price that SEAT would pay. The final price for these additional shares, if the options are exercised, cannot be determined as of December 31, 2002, though none of the individual agreements are considered likely to be material to the Company.

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company owns 60% of Webfin S.p.A. (Webfin), which owns 66% of Matrix S.p.A (Matrix). The Company also directly owns 0.7% of Matrix. In September 2000, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 40% of Webfin for € 700,000 cash or shares to be paid in June 2003. Additionally, in September 2000, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 33.93% of Matrix through for 190,985,294 shares to be issued in June 2003. The Company passed a resolution during 2001 not to proceed with this acquisition, due to the excessive burden that has arisen from the framework agreement dated September 20, 2000 with the De Agostini Group concerning this acquisition, following the unexpected loss of value that occurred among internet business companies. De Agostini has initiated arbitration proceedings against SEAT, for the alleged non-fulfillment of the framework agreement with regard to this obligation. The De Agostini Group is asking for the specific execution of the framework agreement and therefore that its Webfin shares should be transferred to SEAT for the amount originally agreed of €700 million, with payment beginning in June 30, 2003, as well as the payment of unspecified damages. Although during the period the two parties have filed with the Board of Arbitrators several briefs, including technical experts reports, and the preliminary hearing for the attempt to conciliation in April 2003 has failed, the arbitration procedure is still currently in the preliminary phase and an outcome of the case cannot be reasonable determined. In the event of a completely negative outcome, SEAT would be required to fulfill the obligations set forth in the contract of September 20, 2000 and thus the acquisition of the equity investment would take place at a value substantially higher than the current fair value.

During 2000 and 2001, SEAT has purchased 100% of Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. (“CGC”). See discussion in Note 4 Business Combinations and Acquisitions for more information related to this acquisition. In relation to this purchase, the former shareholders have initiated litigation against the Company. The objective of their litigation is: to invalidate the resolution passed in August 2000 by the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of CGC amending the company bylaws; to invalidate the financial statements of CGC at December 31, 2000 and

the ensuing resolution to recapitalize CGC, pursuant to which SEAT came to hold a 100% stake of CGC; and to invalidate or rescind a contract by which, in August 2000, Cecchi Gori Media Holding S.r.l. pledged CGC shares to SEAT as security. Also, on August 2, 2001, the former owners of CGC filed for arbitration, citing the arbitration clause in the contract dated August 7, 2000. Through this last procedure, the former owners requested invalidation and/or rescission of the acquisition contract dated August 7, 2000 and requested an order that SEAT reimburse 75% of the share capital of CGC or a substantial sum as compensation for damages to the former owners. SEAT, based on the preliminary sentences of various judiciary authorities that expressed their favorable opinion concerning the Company’s premise, considers that the risk stemming from the dispute is remote.

SEAT is exposed to foreign currency risks, interest rate risks and equity price risks arising from fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and quoted share prices. The Company’s risk policy generally only takes into account matters affecting the Company’s cash flow and foreign exchange risks. Therefore, fair value risks arising from changes in fluctuations in quoted share prices of investments are normally not hedged. SEAT does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes or other speculative purposes.

The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion of the risk related to fixed sales commitments denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency risk management activities is to protect the Company from the risk that future cash flows resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had two forward exchange contracts to sell US dollars with a net notional amount of $ 16.5 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate AG denominated in US dollars.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had three forward exchange contracts to sell US dollars with a net notional amount of $ 35.5 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate Inc. denominated in US dollars.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had one forward exchange contract to sell GB pounds with a net notional amount of $ 3.3 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to a credit facility agreement with Telegate Ltd. denominated in Great British pounds.

As of December 31, 2002, the Company had one forward exchange contract to buy US dollars with a net notional amount of $ 9.2 million to protect it from exchange rate risks related to bonds denominated in US dollars.

The Company enters into interest rate swap and collar agreements as part of the management of its interest rate exposures. Under these agreements the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between specified interest amounts calculated on an agreed notional principal amount. A description of the Company’s interest rate swap and collar agreements as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 is included in Note 11.

The Company’s accounting policies related to derivative financial statements, the fair values of its derivatives as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the impact of adopting SFAS 133 are disclosed in Note 3.

Prior to May 1, 2000, the Company was part of Telecom Italia and was primarily in the business of providing internet access services, internet portal services, internet content management services, web hosting, and e-commerce solutions in the internet market. The Company also owned the rights to the Italian White Pages, Telecom Italia’s primary telephone directory.

Subsequent to the acquisition of SEAT New in 2000, the Company operates primarily in seven segments, each of which are strategic businesses that are managed separately because each business develops, produces, and sells distinct products and services. The segments and a description of their businesses are as follows.

Telephone Directories: — Telephone Directory publishing and advertising represents the Company’s principal revenue generating segment. The Company’s most significant products within this segment include nationally distributed Italian Yellow Pages and White Pages directories. Additionally the Company publishes certain Yellow Pages directories with regional coverage, national subscriber-only directories, various industry specific directories, and operates an operator-assisted talking Yellow Pages directory service. The Company also holds the Italian license for a European business directory, publishes city maps to be inserted into certain editions of the Yellow Pages, publishes a directory of facsimile numbers in Italy, and offers certain of its directories in electronic formats, such as CD-ROM. This segment also includes the operations of the Company’s on-line telephone directories including its online Yellow Pages service and online White Pages service.

The Company also participates in the European telephone directory advertising and services market through shareholdings in a) TDL Infomedia, which is the second largest directories publisher in the United Kingdom, b) EUREDIT S.A., which publishes and distributes “Europages”, and c) Euro Directory S.A., which publishes Yellow and White Pages telephone directories in Luxembourg.

Directories Assistance: — The Directories Assistance group is composed of two main components, Telegate and Giallo Voice. Telegate and its subsidiaries are the second largest operator of directory assistance services in Germany. Giallo Voice and its subsidiaries operate in the directory assistance services in Italy. They both provide operator and directory assistance services for private and corporate customers of various telephone companies.

Internet: — The Company’s internet segment consists of a broad range of Internet services including Internet access services, Internet portal services, on-line advertising services, web-hosting, Internet content management services and e-commerce consulting and solutions.

Office Products and Services: — The Company operates in this segment primarily through its ownership in the Buffetti group. Buffetti and its subsidiaries distribute office products and related services throughout Italy, through a nationwide franchised network of approximately 1,200 Bufetti and Maggioli retail stores. The Company also sells office products and services directly through its direct-to-business agency network, independent retailers and through the Internet. A significant portion of the products and services included in this segment are produced by others on behalf of the Company, however, are designed and sold under Buffetti’s own brand names.

Professional Publishing: — The operations of this segment consist primarily of publishing of and advertising in various specialty magazines focused on business and economics and entertainment and leisure, among other areas.

Business Information Services: — This segment represents direct marketing and database services consisting primarily of direct mail campaign management, demographically tailored mailing lists, data management and enhancement, and marketing database management.

Television: — This segments represents the two over-the-air television stations in Italy that the Company owns.

Management utilizes more than one measurement and multiple views of data to measure segment performance and to allocate resources to segments. However, the dominant measurements are consistent with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, are reported on the same basis herein. Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them primarily based on actual and expected operating profitability. Intersegment sales are generally accounted for at amounts comparable to sales to unaffiliated customers, and are eliminated in consolidation. The accounting policies of the segments are

substantially the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, as discussed in Note 3.

Certain items are maintained at the Company’s corporate headquarters and are not allocated to the segments. They primarily include the net cost of the Company’s interest expense, impairment of assets and non-operating items. Management views interest income and expense as corporate financing costs and not as a business segment cost. In addition, management applies one effective tax rate such that income taxes are not reported or viewed internally on a segment basis.

A reconciliation of segment operating income to consolidated pretax income is as follows:

For 2000, no geographic information for revenues from external customers is disclosed as substantially all of the Company’s operating activities are concentrated in Italy. For 2002 and 2001, revenue by geographic region is as follows:

Geographic information for long-lived assets based on physical location is as follows:

On February 12, 2003 Seat acquired 1,108,695 ordinary shares in the French subsidiary Consodata S.A., listed on the Paris Nouveau Marché stock exchange, after the founding shareholders’ exercised their option to sell, which was extended to them under an agreement made in the original acquisition by the preceding Seat Pagine Gialle management on July 31, 2000. This transaction, undertaken at an agreed consideration of Euro 44 per share, for a total of approximately €48,782, has enabled Seat to acquire a further 8.17% of the company share capital and voting rights, thereby raising its stake in Consodata S.A. to 98.60%.

On May 9, 2003, the Extraordinary Shareholders’ meeting of the Company entered into a plan to divest its Directories, Directories Assistance and Business Information segments from it other segments. The divested subsidiaries are to be listed on the Italian stock exchange and renamed Seat (“New Seat”). The non-divested segments, Internet, Television, Office Products and Services and Professional Publishing will be renamed as Telecom Italia Media.

On June 11, 2003 Telecom Italia and a consortium of investors formed by BC Partners, CVC Capital Partner, Investitori Associati and Permira entered into a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of New SEAT held by Telecom Italia, the new company to be composed of the aforementioned units. The parties agreed on a sale price of € 0.598 per New SEAT ordinary share, for a total consideration of €3,032,923,166. The buyers will also accept the estimated Euro 708 million of debt at the closing. The completion of the sale will be subject to the spin-off becoming effective, the admission to listing of New SEAT that is expected to occur by the beginning of August and the approval of the relevant Italian Antitrust Authority.

The following table summarizes the changes in accounts receivable and inventory allowances for each of the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000:

SEAT Pagine Gialle’s Plan for the Proportional Spin-off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. to a Newly Incorporated Company, is incorporated by reference herein. You should read the Spin-off Plan in its entirety.

The Board of Directors of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (“Seat” or the “Company effecting the Spin-Off”) has adopted the following plan for the partial, proportional spin-off plan of Seat, in accordance with article 2504-(viii) of the Civil Code (the “Spin-off Plan”), to a newly incorporated company which shall take the name of the Company effecting the Spin-Off (the “Spin-Off”).

Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A., with registered office in Milan, Via Grosio 10/8 and secondary office in Turin, Via Aurelio Saffi 18, Tax and Registration number with Milan Companies Registry no. 12213600153, VAT no. 13289460159. At the date of the drafting of this Spin-Off Plan, Seat’s subscribed and paid, up share capital as recorded in its Articles of Association was EUR341,183,511.30, divided into 11,372,783,710 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each, comprising 11,185,094,342 ordinary shares and 187,689,368 saving shares.

(a)

The Board of Directors may increase the share capital by issuing either ordinary and saving shares or only ordinary shares of the nominal value of EUR0.03 to employees of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.; of its controlling company pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Civil Code; and of the controlled companies up to an amount of 39.221.013 shares within a statutory time frame of five years. Such increases will not allow the exercise of the option rights under the last paragraph of article 2441 of the Civil Code and paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 134 of Legislative Decree no. 58 of 24th February 1998.


	Following the conversion of the share capital in Euros, the Shareholders’ meeting convened on 11th December 2001 voted to allocate EUR170,097.98 to a restricted reserve in connection with said capital increase.


(b)	In accordance with article 2443 of the Civil Code, on 17th May 2002 — pursuant to the authorization received from the Extraordinary Meeting of the Shareholders held on 24th September 1999 as amended by the Extraordinary Meetings of 4th July 2000 and 27th October 2000 — the Board of Directors approved a capital increase for a maximum nominal amount of EUR45,000.00 through the issue of a maximum of 1,500,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each, for a total price of EUR0.8532 per share, which the Board of Directors may offer to those persons already participating in the “Top 2002” stock option plan, such as employees of “SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A.”; of its controlling company pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Civil Code; and of the controlled companies. If the increase is not entirely subscribed before 31st May 2008, the capital will be considered increased by an amount equal to the subscriptions received.

(c)	The Extraordinary Meeting of 20th November 2000 (and subsequently the Extraordinary Meeting of 11th December 2001) approved a capital increase of EUR4,303,807.5 exclusively reserved to De Agostini Invest S.A through the issue of 166,666,667 new ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03. The issue price of the new shares will be determined based on the criteria set out in the above mentioned resolution, but in any event shall not be lower than EUR3,45. The Meeting, held on 11th December 2001 adopted the resolution that the issue price of the new shares shall be calculated on the basis of their new nominal value, so that irrespective of the issue price already fixed (EUR3.45), in any event an amount of EUR0.03 shall be posted as payment of the nominal price and the difference as share premium.

(d)	On 20th November 2000, pursuant to articles 2440 and 2441, paragraph 4, of the Civil Code; the Extraordinary Meeting (and subsequently the Extraordinary Meeting of 11th December 2001) approved a capital increase up to the amount of EUR4,931,783.63 through an issuance up to an amount of 190,985,294 new ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03, payable in kind by transfer of up to 732,600 shares in Matrix S.p.A. with a nominal value of EUR0.52 each. Following the conversion of the share capital in Euros, the Shareholders’ meeting held on 11th December 2001 resolved to set aside a restricted reserve of EUR797,775.19 in connection with the capital increase.

(e)	The Extraordinary Meeting held on 20th November 2000, (and subsequently the Extraordinary Meeting of 11th December 2001) approved a capital increase, pursuant to articles 2440 and 2441, paragraph 4 of the


	Civil Code, up to an amount of EUR2,837,091.00, through the issuance up to 190,867,484 new ordinary shares in Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each. The increase will be implemented in two tranches, one for a maximum of EUR1,891,522.59 through the issuance of up to 73,249,969 new ordinary shares, and a second tranche up to EUR945,568.41 through the issuance up to 36,617,515 new ordinary shares, to be paid in kind by transfer of up to 7,354 ordinary shares in Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. with a nominal value of EUR516.46 each and in particular, for each tranche, respectively up to 4,903 ordinary shares and up to 2,451 ordinary shares in Cecchi Gori Communications S.p.A. Following the conversion of the share capital in Euros the Shareholders’ Meeting held on 11th December 2001 adopted the resolution to set aside a restricted reserve of EUR458,933.52 in connection with the capital increase.

(f)	The Extraordinary Meeting held on 20th November 2000 and the subsequent resolutions of the Meetings held on 10th May 2001, 30th July 2001 and 11th December 2001, approved a capital increase for a nominal amount up to EUR3,279,501.30, through the issuance of up to 127,000,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each to be allocated, pursuant to the last paragraph of article 2441, paragraph five of article 2441 of the Civil Code and paragraphs 2 and 3 of Legislative Decree 58/98, to the directors and employees of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. and of its direct or indirect subsidiaries in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Italian Civil Code. In the Meeting held on 11th December 2001, the shareholders adopted a resolution providing that the issue price of the new shares will be determined on the basis of their new nominal value, so that irrespective of the issue price already fixed, the amount of EUR0.03 shall be recorded as payment of the nominal price and the difference as share premium. In addition, the shareholders adopted the resolution providing that in connection with the subscription rights already acquired by the beneficiaries of the option rights, the share issue premium shall be recalculated so that, without prejudice to the issue price already fixed and taking into account the nominal value of the shares, an amount of EUR0.03 shall be posted as payment of the nominal value and the difference as share premium.

Seat ordinary and saving shares are listed in Italy on the automated screen-board trading system (Mercato Telematico Azionario) of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and are registered in the USA in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Act of 1933.

Ordinary Seat shares are also listed in France on the Premier Marché of the Paris Stock Exchange.

As the newly incorporated beneficiary company (the “Spun-Off Company”) shall take the name of the Company effecting the Spin-Off; the latter starting from the effective date of the spin-off. The Company effecting the Spin-Off will be called “TELECOM ITALIA MEDIA S.p.A.”

The new company to be created from the spin-off will take the name of “Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.”, will have its registered office in Milan, Via Grosio 10/8 and a secondary office in Turin, Via Aurelio Saffi 18. It will be registered with Milan Companies Register and its share capital, based on the provisions of paragraph 2.1 below, may vary as follows:


—	from a minimum of EUR247,358,045.04 divided into 8,245,268,168 shares of which 8,109,193.382 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each;

—	to a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32 divided into 8,440,990,444 shares of which 8,304,915,658 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each.

The minimum and maximum share levels have been determined taking into account that the majority shareholder Telecom Italia S.p.A. has waived its right to the application of the share swap for a minimum ratio of 22 ordinary shares and 8 saving shares held and a maximum of 37 ordinary shares and 8 saving shares held.

2. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE SPUN-OFF COMPANY AND OF THE COMPANY EFFECTING THE SPIN-OFF

The Articles of Association of the Spun-Off Company will contain the following information:

Objects of the Company: the purpose of the Company is to operate in the industry and trade of publishing, printing and graphics in general, in any form and by any means, including online; to gather and engage in advertising — including for the account of third parties — in any form and for any means of communication, including the exchange for goods or services; management of activities, including promotional, in the field of advertising communications and public relations initiatives; engaging in, preparing and selling, with all technological means and any other transmission support, including online and via the Internet, all types of documentation services, including but not limited to databases and support services for trading goods and services; managing all activities related to information processing and use of any type and in any manner, including the use and sale of communications services of any type, by any instruments and means, and any related, complementary or instrumental production and sales activity in the areas mentioned above. The Company may also engage in all commercial, industrial and financial operations and transactions involving real or personal property that are considered appropriate for the furtherance of the corporate purpose; for this purpose, it may also directly or indirectly acquire as an exception, interests and holdings in other corporations or companies, expressly excluding any activities inherent to bringing in public funds and any other activities not permitted by law.

Capital Contribution: the company shall receive the share of net equity of the Company effecting the Spin-Off specified by the Spin-off Plan.

Share Capital: EUR247,358,045.04 divided into 8,245,268,168 shares, comprising 8,109,193,382 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each.

Upon execution of the spin-off, the share capital may increase up to EUR253,229,713.32 divided into 8,440,990,444 shares, comprising 8,304,915,658 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares: (i) according to the exercise, if any, of the option rights granted to the beneficiaries of the employee performance incentive plans of the Company effecting the Spin-Offs prior to the spin-off for whom the capital increases mentioned at paragraph 1.1 (a), (b) and (f) of the Spin-off Plan are intended and (ii) according to any subscriptions to the SEAT’s share capital made prior to the Spin-Off under paragraph 1.1 (c).

In any event, the Articles of Association shall contain the following provisions:


(a)	the option to increase the capital up to EUR3,098,853.24 through the issue of up to 103,295,108 ordinary shares, or by the higher amount specified by the resolutions adopted in accordance with paragraph 1.1 a) but not yet effective at the date of signing of the spin-off agreement, through the issue of the relevant number of ordinary shares of EUR0.03 nominal value, to be set aside for the implementation of the resolutions not implemented before the Spin-Off, which after the Spin Off shall also be adopted by the Spun-Off Company under paragraph 1.1 b), f), as well as;

(b)	the power to grant to the Board of Directors a power of attorney for one or more capital increases within five years from the date of registration of the Spun-Off Company, for up to EUR5,031,630.39 through the issue of up to 167,721,013 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 to be set aside for the stock option plans to be transferred to the Spun-Off Company upon the Spin-Off and/or for any other plans approved by the Board of Directors, to be offered to the following persons as specified by the Board of Directors as participants in the stock option plan: employees of the Spun-Off Company; of its controlling company pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Civil Code; and of the controlled companies. Such increases


	will not allow the exercise of the option rights under the last paragraph of article 2441 of the Italian Civil Code and paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 134 of Law-Decree no. 58 of 24th February 1998. 58.

The additional shares mentioned above shall be allocated to the holders of ordinary and saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off on the basis of the criteria identified under item 4 of the Spin-Off Plan.


•	The positive difference between: (i) the book value of the spin-off equity of EUR1,080,945,482.90, which may increase up to EUR1,567,832,143.53 (subject to the above explanations under “share capital”) and (ii) the capital amount (from a minimum of EUR247,358,045.04 to a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32) shall be allocated to the following net equity items: from a minimum of EUR799,018,669.23 to a maximum of EUR1,280,033,661.59 to the share premium reserve;

•	EUR2,808,905.30 will be allocated to the reserve pursuant to law no. 413 of 30.12.91;

•	EUR8,888,966.54 will be allocated to the reserve pursuant to law no. 342 of 21.11.00;

•	EUR21,822,610.44 to the legal reserve;

•	EUR1,048,286.35 to the accelerated depreciation and amortisation fund.

All of the above is based on the financial results as of 31st December 2002 and subject to any changes arising from the distribution of reserves approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company effecting the Spin-Off called to approve the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2002 (the “Company Financial Statements”), as set out under paragraph 8 below.

Allocation of profits: allocations shall be made pursuant to articles 6 and 24 of the Articles of Association.

Articles of Association: the company shall be governed by its Articles of Association attached hereto under annex A.


(a)	until the approval of the financial statements for the company’s first financial year the Board of Directors will be comprised of the following 13 members:

the total annual remuneration for the Board of Directors pursuant to article 2389 of the Civil Code — to be divided among its members in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors itself — is EUR1,162,018; b) until the approval of the financial statements of the company’s third financial year the Board of Internal Audit — whose annual remuneration is fixed as follows: EUR61,975 to the Chairman; EUR41,317 to each Auditor — will be comprised of the following members:

If for any reason one or more of the above Directors or Auditors should fail to take office, the names of their appointed substitutes shall be specified in the spin-off agreement.

Stock Exchange listing: the ordinary and saving shares of the Spun-Off Company have been admitted to listing on automated screen board trading system Borsa Italiana S.p.A.

External Auditors: pursuant to article 159 of Legislative Decree no 58/98 and to the resolution of the Meeting which approved the Spin-Off, Reconta, Ernst & Young S.p.A shall be the external auditors for the three year period 2003-2005 and will audit the Spun-Off Company’s financial and consolidated financial statements, its half-yearly accounts and all other interim reports. Their retainer is EUR109,000, plus 5% as reimbursement of expenses.

Incorporation costs: to be borne by the Spun-Off Company, approximately EUR[ . . . ]

The Articles of Association of the Company effecting the Spin-Off effective after the Spin-Off date is attached hereto under Annex B. In addition to the following changes to be made in connection with the spin-off, the new Articles will contain additional changes to be adopted by the shareholders as the first item on the agenda of the meeting called to approve this Spin-Off Plan. In particular these changes concern: (i) article 6, regarding the proposal to grant the Shareholders’ Meeting the power to allocate available reserves, if the company has made no profit, in payment of the preferential dividend as increased under paragraph 7 of article 6 of the Articles of Association of the Company effecting the Spin-Off due to the holders of saving shares, (ii) article 12, concerning the redrafting of the clauses relating to the attendance and voting quorum requirements for the Meeting in accordance with the currently applicable provisions of law; (iii) article 15, 4th paragraph, concerning the substitution of the word “outgoing” with “resigning”; (iv) article 17, concerning changes to the provision on reporting duties towards the Board of Internal Audit in accordance with article 150 of Legislative Decree no. 58/98; and (v) article 23 concerning the right to hold the meetings of the Board of Internal Audit using video or teleconference facilities.

The changes to the Articles of Association arising from the Spin-Off include the following:


—	the company name (article 1) which, starting from the effective date of the Spin-Off shall be “TELECOM ITALIA MEDIA S.p.A.” since the current name will be assumed by the Spun-Off Company;

—	the registered office (article 2), effective with the date of the Spin-Off shall be located in Rome at Via Cristoforo Colombo no. 142;

—	the share capital (article 5) which, in view of any subscriptions of shares in the Company effecting the Spin-Off by the date of signing of the spin-off agreement, in connection with the capital increases under paragraph 1.1 a), b), c), and f), may vary from a minimum of EUR93,825,465.36 divided into 3,127,515,512 shares comprising 3.075.900.938 ordinary shares and 51,614,574 saving shares up to a maximum of EUR96,052,649.88 divided into 3.201.754.996 shares comprising 3.150.140.422 ordinary shares and 51,614,574 saving shares, subject to the provisions of paragraph 1.2 last sentence.

With regard to article 5 of the Articles of Association, the following should be noted:


—	the provisions of Articles 1.1 a), b) and f) will remain unchanged as far as necessary for the implementation of the existing stock option plans in favor of the employees who will remain in the employment of the Company effecting the Spin-Off or of its subsidiaries or holding companies, or for closed plans;

—	with reference to the capital increase under Article 1.1 (c), in view of the possible subscription by De Agostini Invest S.A within 15th April 2003 of the shares reserved to it, the capital of the Company effecting the Spin-Off may be increased by a maximum EUR5,000,000.01. The relevant clause shall however be removed upon the Spin-Off;

—	with reference to the capital increase under Article 1.1 (d), on 31st March 2003, the beneficiary of the subscription rights in the above capital increase has decided to waive such rights. Accordingly, upon the Spin-Off the respective clause will be removed from Seat’s Articles of Association;


—	with reference to the capital increase under Article 1.1 (e), the subscription deadline having expired, upon the Spin-Off the relevant provision shall be removed from Seat’s Articles of Association.

The business segments to be transferred to the Spun-Off Company are comprised mainly of the Directories business segment — which sells advertising space and distributes paper and online directories and other communication products aimed at small and medium enterprises — the Directory Assistance segment, providing telephone information and call center services, and the Business Information segment (excluding the stake in Databank S.p.A.), as well as from the stakes relating to the above mentioned business segments as described more fully in Annex C to the Spin-Off Plan (the “Business Segments”).

With reference to Seat’s balance sheet position at 31st December 2002, which in accordance with article 2501-(iii) of the Civil Code comprises the preliminary Financial Statements approved by Seat’s Board of Directors on 11th March 2003 to be submitted together with this Spin-off Plan for adoption by the next Shareholders’ Meeting, the assets and liabilities making up the spin-off Business Segments are detailed, at their values as at the Spin-Off date, in Annex C attached hereto, which is an integral part of this Spin-Off Plan.

Upon the Spin-Off, after transfer of the Business Segments to the Spun-Off Company in accordance with the above procedure, the net shareholders equity of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall be reduced by an amount between a maximum of EUR1,080,945,482.90 and a minimum of EUR1,567,832,143.53, while the relevant amount shall be posted as follows:


—	an amount between a minimum of EUR247,358,045.04 and a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32 will be deducted from the share capital;

—	an amount between a minimum of EUR799,018,669.23 and a maximum of EUR1,280,033,661.59 will be allocated to the share premium reserve;

—	EUR2,808,905.30 will be deducted from the reserve pursuant to law no 413 dated 30.12.91;

—	EUR8,888,966.54 will be deducted from the reserve pursuant to law no. 342 dated 21.11.00;

—	EUR21,822,610.44 will be allocated to the reserve pursuant to law;

—	EUR1,048,286.35 will be allocated to the reserve pursuant to law.

All of the above is based on the financial results for the year ended 31st December 2002 and subject to any changes arising from any distribution of reserves approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company effecting the Spin-Off called to approve the Financial Statements, as set out under paragraph 8 below.

The equity of the Spun-Off Company will be comprised of the items detailed in Annex C.


	(a)	Any discrepancies in the book value of the transferred assets effecting shareholders equity subsequent to December 31, 2002 and the date of the effectiveness of the Spin-Off arising from the ongoing activities of SEAT will not be reflected in either of the company’s shareholders equity in case of a cash settlement; and

	(b)	any positive or negative contingencies arising after the effective date of the Spin-Off shall accrue to the benefit or to the detriment of either the Company effecting the Spin-Off or the Spun-Off Company.

The stakes held by the shareholders in the Spun-Off Company shall be the same as those held in the Company effecting the Spin-Off, on the basis of the following allocation criteria:


	(a)	for each lot of 40 ordinary shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off which will be withdrawn and cancelled, each shareholder shall receive 11 ordinary shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off


		with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each and 29 ordinary shares of the Spun-Off Company with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each;

	(b)	for each lot of 40 saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off which will be withdrawn and cancelled, each shareholder shall receive 11 saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each and 29 saving shares of the Spun-Off Company with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each;

The share capital of the Company effecting the Spin-Off will be reduced accordingly.

To the holders of ordinary and saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off special service will be made available a service to deal with stock splits free of charge, stamp duty or commissions, in order to achieve full allocation ratios. The shareholders will be notified of this procedure and the name of the appointed broker by a notice published in at least one national daily newspaper. If necessary, the majority shareholder of the Company effecting the Spin-Off, Telecom Italia S.p.A. will subscribe any remaining shares for rounding purposes.

Starting from the effective date of the Spin-Off all the ordinary and saving shares of the Spun-Off Company will be admitted to listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of Borsa Italiana S.p.A.. Accordingly, in due course an application will made for listing on this market.

Unless required by the competent authorities there is no intention to file a listing application for the shares of the Spun-Off Company for trading on the French regulated markets.

The allocation of the shares in the Spun-Off Company to the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off will follow the procedures specified through a special notice in at least one national daily newspaper, which may coincide with the notice under paragraph 4 above.

The shares in the Spun-Off Company allocated to the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall entitle the holder to receive the dividend distributed by the Spun-Off Company starting from the effective date of the Spin-Off, pursuant to paragraph 7 below, however in the first financial year the dividend due to the holders of saving shares of the Spun-Off Company will be five percent of the nominal value of the shares even if the financial year is shorter than the calendar year, subject to the provisions of paragraph 8 below. The preferential dividend due to the saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off for the financial year in which the spin-off takes place will be paid only to the saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off allocated to shareholders in accordance with paragraph 4 b).

The effectiveness of the Spin-Off is conditioned upon the ordinary and saving shares of the Spun-Off Company being accepted for listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of Borsa Italiana S.p.A..

The accounting and fiscal consequences of the Spin-Off will accrue from the date of filing of the spin-off agreement with the competent Company Register, pursuant to paragraph 2 of article 2504-(x) of the Civil Code.

The holders of saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall be allocated as shares in the Spun-Off Company of the same class and with the same characteristics of the savings shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off, and their rights shall accrue starting from the effective date of the Spin-Off.

In addition, the Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company effecting the Spin-Off approving SEAT’s Financial Statements shall also be asked to approve, pursuant to the statutory requirements under paragraph 2.2 above, the allocation of the available reserves emerging from SEAT’s Financial Statements in order to distribute to the

There are no other classes of shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off other than the ordinary and saving shares under this paragraph 8.

68,387,274 is the maximum number of stock option shares allocated to the employees of the Company effecting the Spin-Off or of its subsidiaries within the transferred Business Segments in connection with any stock options of the Company effecting the Spin-Off unexercised before the effective date of the Spin-Off will be transferred to the Spun-Off Company, which shall also take over the existing stock option plans of the Company effecting the Spin-Off in accordance paragraph 2., “Share Capital” a) and b).

No special rights shall be granted to the Directors of the companies involved in the Spin-Off.

All of the above is subject to the changes, if any, required by the competent authorities and any adjustments to the figures arising from or relating to the provisions of this plan.

SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.’s Report of the Directories on the Planned Proportional Spin-off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A., is incorporated by reference herein. You should read the Board of Directors Report in its entirety.

pursuant to article 2504 (vii) and following articles of the Italian Civil Code

You have been asked to attend this Extraordinary Meeting in order to approve the proposed proportional, partial spin-off of Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. (hereinafter “Seat” or “Company effecting the Spin-Off”), drafted, filed and registered in accordance with the law, based on Seat’s preliminary financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2002.

In addition, you have been called to vote on the issues linked and relevant to the above proposal and to grant the relevant powers in connection with the signing of the spin-off agreement.

The transaction which is to be submitted for your approval concerns the proportional, partial spin-off by Seat in favor of a newly incorporated company which will assume the current name of Seat (the “Spun-off Company”), through the transfer of the part of Seat’s business activities principally comprised of the Directories business segment — which sells advertising space and distributes paper and online directories and other communication products aimed at small and medium enterprises — the Directory Assistance segment, which provides telephone information and call center services, and the Business Information segment (excluding the stake in Databank S.p.A.), as well as from the interests in the above mentioned business segments as described more fully in Annex C to the spin-off Plan (the “Business Segments”).

In the last few years Seat has become one of the leading players in the Internet market, achieving a significant integration between the access business managed by Tin.it and the content business offered by the Virgilio web portal. In addition, the integration of these two services has produced synergies between the Directories core business and the Internet-based IT services, which have greatly strengthened and developed the service provided by Pagine Gialle’s On-Line, thus completing the integration process between Tin.it and Seat’s businesses that began in March 2000 with the aim of creating a major Italian player with the required resources, infrastructure and business skills to compete on an international level in the Internet market, with particular emphasis on access, content and e-commerce services.

However, recent developments within the target markets including the downsizing of the economics related to the Internet have prompted a strategic review of the situation. The business is now developing in two different directories with well defined characteristics in terms of client needs, product innovation and marketing and distribution tools.

The first trend concerns the Directories market, whose scope is expanding towards a fully-fledged “key-word search” service, where it will be of crucial importance to provide “answers” to “key-word searches” on multiple platforms. Seat is already meeting such demand with its printed directories (in Italy and in the UK), its telephone directory services (in Italy, Germany and the UK) and its Internet services (in Italy and the UK). The Spun-off Company will be able to continue growing and improving its competitiveness in these markets and take advantage of the attractive development potential of the Internet search market.

The second trend concerns the development of the multimedia production and content distribution business. In light of the growing popularity of digital terrestrial television channels our Internet business has important synergies with the television market and in general with the telecommunication sector,. Seat’s products and brands targeted by this integration and synergy strategy are mainly the two TV networks (LA7 and MTV), the Virgilio web portal and Tin.it’s Internet access services. We expect the development of broadband to play a crucial role in validating the business model linked to the increase in multimedia services.

In accordance with these market trends, Seat’s strategies have gradually brought about the reorganization of its business in two main areas:


•	Search&Directories: the main market for all Pagine Gialle and Pagine Bianche products, shifting away from printed products to focus on online services and the sale of advertising space on a local and targeted level;


•	Online content and services: the market for products that have a high editorial content component in which classical or display advertising is still dominant on a national level (La7, MTV and Virgilio).

Within Seat the influence of these two trends has already given rise to the creation of management and organizational structures increasingly focused on the various areas of competence.

In order to allow us to better benefit, both in commercial and financial terms, from the potential of each of the business areas and to maximize development opportunities, the next logical step is the change in Seat corporate structure through the spin-off which will create for each of the two business areas a separately incorporated company.

This separation would entail clear advantages, such as better visibility of the individual businesses, the opportunity to establish targeted strategic alliances with other industry players, to access the capital markets on a differentiated basis and to increase the strategic focus on the core businesses, as well as enhancing the value of some non-core assets.

The proposed spin-off will therefore separate the Directories business and almost all Directory Assistance and Business Information activities, as well as the multiplatform research business from content and access services by incorporating the Spun-off Company to which these Business Segments will be transferred. The transaction will create two independent companies, each focused on its core business.

The Company effecting the Spin-off – at least with respect to the existing businesses it will retain will continue to be strictly linked to that of its parent company. However in light of recent announcements made by the controlling company concerning its strategic plans, the Spun-off Company may ultimately undergo a process of disposal.

Seat’s spin off would create a pure player which could consolidate its leadership in the Directories, Directory Assistance and Business Information markets, establish alliances with other sector players, including through share swaps, and occupy a significant competitive position.


•	preservation of market share and quality client portfolio;

•	innovation and diversification of the product range through better segmentation of the client base and development of high value-added services;

•	convergence of the client base on all platforms providing access to search services (print, telephone and Internet) through the sale of integrated services, diversified in accordance with the communication needs of different enterprises;

•	progressive extension of the multiplatform model successfully launched in Italy and in other European countries (UK and Germany) where SEAT has operations, bringing service quality levels in line with each other and further developing the existing product range;

•	rationalization of the transferred parts of the Business Information business.

In the new frame of reference the Company effecting the Spin-Off of the “key-word search” service and Directories business would acquire a more defined identity and reinforce its potential as a qualified content provider, which can easily be integrated within the multimedia and multiplatform strategy implemented by Gruppo Telecom. In particular, by focussing on its Internet and media businesses, the Company effecting the Spin-Off will be able to consolidate the experience gained and forge ahead towards future convergence, also in view of the growing popularity of digital terrestrial TV channels. In addition the operation will allow us to restructure our financial investment portfolio.

Thanks to the better use of resources, both in financial and management terms, we expect to produce synergies which should enable us to face the difficult challenges ahead and complete the turnaround process recently started by the management and achieve the targeted profitability levels and return to net profits within a couple of years. This would create the basis for a content provider capable of offering quality digital media products and of reducing production and acquisition costs through the sharing of content levels among different production units.

Existing content synergies will be further developed in order to achieve the following strategic targets:


•	to consolidate Virgilio’s online leadership through the offering of enhanced content, better suited to the future needs of the broadband market;

•	to prepare the two television networks for the growing market of digital and interactive services;

•	to offer value-added paid services and contents (Virgilio+) to the clients of the ISP Tin.it;

•	to become a supplier of multiplatform digital contents.

The Company effecting the Spin-Off is a leading content provider whose offering is already targeted to specific market segment (LA7, MTV, Virgilio) and a quality content provider to third parties due to its development skills and its technological know-how (Tin.it and Matrix). In addition, the proposed deal offers substantial potential for top-line growth due to the expansion and innovation of the range of offered services, as well as extensive potential for margin growth due to the cost reduction caused by the gradual integration of production processes and the shorter time-to-market for digital products compared to other Italian competitors.

According to civil law, the spin-off will be subject to the provisions of article 2504 (vii) and following articles of the Italian Civil Code and to the terms and conditions set out in the spin-off plan. The implementation of the above strategy will involve the partial, proportional spin-off of Seat and the incorporation of a new company to which the Business Segments will be transferred. The allocation of shares in the Spun-off Company shall be based on the proportional criteria pursuant to paragraph 3 of article 2504 (ix) of the Italian Civil Code, therefore no expert report on the adequacy of the share exchange ratio under article 2501-(v) of the Civil Code is needed.

The spin-off will be implemented, in accordance with the relevant provisions of article 2501-(iii) of the Civil Code (pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2504-(ix)), on the basis of Seat’s preliminary financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2002 approved by the Board on 11th March 2003 and submitted for approval by the Shareholders’ Meeting prior to the approval of the spin-off plan. The value of the spin-off shall be determined on the basis of the values reported in the financial statements of the Company effecting the Spin-off.

As set out in the spin-off plan, after transfer of the Business Segments to the Spun-Off Company the net book equity of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall decrease in an amount between a maximum EUR1,080,945,482.90 and a minimum of EUR1,567,832,143.53. The breakdown of this amount is as follows:


—	an amount between a minimum of EUR247,358,045.04 and a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32 will be deducted from the share capital;

—	an amount comprised between a minimum of EUR799,018,669.23 and a maximum of EUR1,280,033,661.59 will be allocated to the share premium reserve;

—	EUR2,808,905.30 will be allocated to the reduction of the legal reserve pursuant to law no 413 of 30.12.91;

—	EUR8,888,996.54 will be allocated to the reduction of the legal reserve pursuant to law no 342 of 21.11.00;

—	EUR21,822,610.44 will be allocated to the reduction of the legal reserve;

—	EUR1,048,286.35 will be allocated to the reduction of the accelerated depreciation and amortization fund;

All of the above is based on the financial results for the year ended 31st December 2002 and subject to any changes arising from the distribution of reserves approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company

The statutory provisions relating to the capital of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall therefore be consequently modified in order to take into consideration the above reduction.

The spin-off shall also involve changes to the Articles of Association of the Company effecting the Spin-Off concerning:


—	the company name (article 1) which, starting from the effective date of the spin off shall become “TELECOM ITALIA MEDIA S.p.A.” because the current name will be assumed by the Spun-Off Company;

—	the registered office (article 2), effective as of the date of the spin off shall be located in Rome at 142, Via Cristoforo Colombo. 142;

—	the share capital (article 5) which, —as a consequence of any subscriptions of shares in the Company effecting the Spin-Off up to the signing of the spin-off agreement, in connection with the capital increases under paragraph 1.1 a), b), c), and f), of the spin-off plan — may vary from a minimum of EUR93,825,465.36 divided into 3,127,515,512 shares comprising 3,075,900,938 ordinary shares and 51,614,574 saving shares up to a maximum of EUR96,052,649.88, divided into 3,201,754,996 shares comprising 3,150,140,422 ordinary shares and 51,614,574 saving shares. The minimum and maximum share numbers have been determined taking into account the waiver by the majority shareholder Telecom Italia S.p.A. of its right to apply the following exchange ratio, which was set at a minimum ratio of 22 ordinary shares and 8 saving shares held and a maximum of 37 ordinary shares and 8 saving shares held as a result of the spin-off.

The ordinary and saving shares issued by the Spun-off Company shall be proportionally allocated to the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off (for a total minimum nominal value of EUR247,358,045.04 up to a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32) on the basis of the allocation criteria set out under paragraph 3 below, and both classes of shareholders shall enjoy equal treatment in order to keep their original investments unchanged.

The net equity of the Spun-off Company (between a minimum of EUR1,080,945,482.90 and a maximum of EUR1,567,832,143.53) will be made up as follows:


—	share capital: an amount between a minimum of EUR247,358,045.04, divided into 8,245,268,168 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each, comprising 8,109,193,382 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares, up to a maximum of EUR253,229,713.32 divided into 8,440,990,444 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each, comprising 8,304,915,658 ordinary shares and 136,074,786 saving shares;

—	Share premium reserve: between a minimum of EUR799,018,669.23 and a maximum of EUR1,280,033,661.59;

—	Reserve pursuant to law no. 413 of 30.12.91: EUR2,808,905.30;

—	Reserve pursuant to law 342 of 21.11.00: EUR8,888,966.54;

—	Legal reserve: EUR21,822,610.44;

—	Advance amortisation and depreciation costs: EUR1,048,286.35.

All of the above is based on the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2002 and subject to any changes arising from the distribution of reserves approved by the Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company effecting the Spin-Off called to approve the Financial Statements.


	(a)	Any differences in the book value of the transferred assets and liabilities affecting shareholders equity between 31st December 2002 and the date of the effectiveness of the spin-off arising from the ongoing


		activities of SEAT will not be reflected in either of the companies; shareholders equity in case of a cash settlement; and

	(b)	any positive or negative changes arising after the effective date of the spin off shall accrue to the benefit or to the detriment of either the Company effecting the Spin-Off or the Spun-Off Company.

Pursuant to paragraph 2 of article 2504-(ix) of the Civil Code, we confirm that the actual value of the net equity transferred to the Spun-off Company under the spin-off is higher than its book value (which on 31st December 2002 was equal to EUR1,080,945,482.90). In addition we confirm that the actual value of the residual net equity pertaining to Seat after the spin off is higher than its book value (which on 31st December 2002 was Eur407,960,518.34).

Upon transfer, the ordinary and saving shares of the Spun-off Company will be admitted to trading on the automated screen-based trading system (Mercato Telematico Azionario) of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. The effectiveness of the spin-off is conditioned upon the shares being accepted for listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario. Accordingly, the necessary steps will be taken in due course to effect a listing application. However unless required by the competent authorities there is no intention to file a listing application of the shares of the Spun-Off Company for trading on the French regulated markets.

The partial, proportional spin-off described above will require the approval of the spin-off plan and the approval of the memorandum and articles of association of the Spun-off Company, which shall also include: (a) the appointment of the first Directors and Statutory Auditors; (b) the request of admission to listing for the ordinary and saving shares of the Spun-Off Company on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and (c) the appointment and the determination of the fees, pursuant to the applicable laws, of the external auditors for the three-year period from 2003 to 2005, in connection with the audit of the annual and consolidated financial statements of the Spun-Off Company, the limited review of its half-yearly interim financial statements and any other regular audits. We underline that the relevant resolutions will be approved by the Meeting called to approve the spin-off plan.

The assets and liabilities making up the Business Segments to be transferred to the Spun-Off Companies are those set out in Annex C to the spin-off plan. The difference between the book value of the assets and liabilities making up the transferred Business Segments, as set out in Annex C, may vary between a minimum of EUR1,080,945,482.90 and a maximum of EUR1,567,832,143.53.

The ordinary or saving shares issued by the Spun-Off Company shall be proportionally allocated to the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off using the following criteria:


	(a)	for each lot of 40 ordinary shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off which will be withdrawn and cancelled each shareholder shall receive 11 ordinary shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each and 29 ordinary shares of the Beneficiary with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each;

	(b)	for each lot of 40 saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off which will be withdrawn and cancelled each shareholder shall receive 11 saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each and 29 saving shares of the Beneficiary with a nominal value of EUR0.03 each.

The share capital of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall be reduced accordingly.

Thus we will ensure equal treatment for both classes of shareholders and keep the original character of their investments unchanged. To the holders of ordinary and saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off a dedicated service will be made available to deal with any fractional shares, free of charges, stamp duty or

commissions, in order to enable shareholders to receive whole shares. The shareholders will be notified of this procedure in at least one national daily newspaper, which may also specify (unless such information is to be released by separate notice) how the Spun-Off Company will allocate the newly issued shares to Monte Titoli S.p.A., a centralized depository which will hold the newly issued shares in electronic book entry form.

As outlined above, the effectiveness of the spin-off is conditioned upon the Spin-Off Company’s being listed on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of Borsa Italiana S.p.A.. For this reason the provisions of article 131 of Legislative Decree 58/98, shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off have no right to withdraw from the Company as a result of the transaction. Similarly, the provisions of article 2437 of the Civil Code granting the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off the right of withdrawal do not apply, since the spin-off will not entail any changes to the company’s purpose.

5. FORECASTED SHAREHOLDINGS OF THE COMPANY EFFECTING THE SPIN-OFF AND OF THE SPUN-OFF COMPANY AFTER THE SPIN-OFF

As the spin off is proportional and partial, no changes are forecast in the shareholdings of the companies, since the shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall acquire a proportional stake in the Spun-off Company.

The following table sets out the names of the holders of Seat’s ordinary shares who, according to the books of the Company effecting the Spin-Off, currently hold over 2% of its ordinary shares.

(1) % held directly and indirectly by Telecom Italia S.p.A. in Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. The direct holding is 54.103%.

Telecom Italia Finance S.A. indirectly holds a 2.068% stake of the share capital and TI.IT — Telecom Italia Information Technology S.p.A. indirectly holds a 0.017% stake.

6.1 The spin off might entail consequences for any shareholders’ agreement under article 122 of Legislative Decree 58/98 entered into by some of Seat’s shareholders. In connection with the lien on the Seat shares held by Mr Paolo Ainio and Mr Carlo Gualandri, which are the subject of the agreement between them and Huit Il S.à.r.l. (now Telecom Italia Finance S.A.) (published on 13th August 2001, subsequently modified by the agreements published on 24th December 2002), pursuant to article 6.03 (iii) of the above shareholders’ agreement, Mr Ainio and Mr Gualandri are entitled to apply for the cancellation of the above lien provided that they can show that Seat’s Ordinary General Meeting has approved “the spin off of Seat [ . . . ] into companies whose main line of business is not mainly focussed on the Internet market and listed on one or more national or foreign stock exchanges”.

6.2 For information purposes we provide a list of all the shareholders’ agreements relevant under article 122 of Legislative Decree 58/98, which are not affected by the proposed spin-off:


	(i)	agreement between Pirelli S.p.A. and Edizione Holding S.p.A. — Edizione Finance International S.A.;

	(ii)	agreement between Pirelli S.p.A., UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. and Intesa S.p.A.;

	(iii)	agreement between Pirelli S.p.A., Edizione Holding S.p.A. — Edizione Finance International S.A., UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., Intesa S.p.A., Olimpia S.p.A. and Hopa S.p.A.

The above agreements are meant to regulate the conduct of and the relationships between their parties in connection with their holdings in Olimpia S.p.A., a company which holds a stake in Olivetti S.p.A.. In addition,

the above agreements contain some clauses relating to the members and resolutions of Seat’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to the agreement between Pirelli S.p.A., Edizione Holding S.p.A., Edizione Finance International S.A., UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., Intesa S.p.A., Olimpia S.p.A. and Hopa S.p.A., Olimpia S.p.A.’s Meeting of 3rd March 2003 approved the merger of Holy S.r.l., a 100% subsidiary of Hopa S.p.A., with Olimpia S.p.A. Upon completion of the merger, Olimpia S.p.A.’s share capital shall be distributed as follows: 50.4% Pirelli S.p.A., 16.8% Edizione Finance International S.A., 16% Hopa S.p.A. and 8,4% UniCredito Italiano S.p.A. and Intesa S.p.A. Olimpia S.p.A. shall hold 28.5% of the share capital of Olivetti S.p.A., the holding company of Telecom Italia, which is the parent company of Seat.

The above agreements and their amendments have been disclosed to the market in accordance with the law.

7. DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS CONNECTED WITH THE SHARES TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY EFFECTING THE SPIN-OFF

The shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall be allocated shares in the Spun-off Company having the same characteristics of the outstanding shares in the Company effecting the Spin-Off:

The shareholders of the Company effecting the Spin-Off holding shares in the Spun-off Company will be entitled to a dividend from its profits starting from the effective date of the spin-off, set out under paragraph 7 of the spin-off plan.

The holders of saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off shall be allocated shares in the Spun-Off Company of the same class and with the same characteristics of the savings shares as the Company effecting the Spin-Off, starting from the effective date of the spin-off.

However, in the first financial year the holders of saving shares issued by the Spin-off Company in connection with the spin-off will be entitled to a preferential dividend equal to five per cent of their nominal value even if the financial year is shorter than the calendar year, subject to the following provisions. The preferential dividend for the saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off for the financial year in which the spin-off is implemented will be paid only to the saving shares of the Company effecting the Spin-Off allocated to its shareholders’ in accordance with paragraph 4 b) of the spin-off plan.

The Shareholders’ Meeting of the Company effecting the Spin-Off approving the Financial statements shall also be asked to approve, pursuant to the statutory requirements under paragraph 2.2 of the spin-off plan, the allocation of available reserves shown in the Financial statements, in order to distribute to the holders of saving shares, even if the Company effecting the Spin-Off has not made a profit, the preferential dividend to which they are entitled for the financial years 2001 and 2002.

As envisaged by the plan, the accounting and fiscal consequences of the spin off shall take effect starting from the filing of the spin-off agreement with the Companies Register, pursuant to article 2504-(x) paragraph one, of the Civil Code. The filing of the agreement will create the Spun-off Company which will acquire all the legal rights and obligations inherent in the assets and liabilities transferred to it by the spin-off, assuming for example all the assets, rights, interests, powers, obligations, duties, commitments and charges of Seat relating to the transferred Business Segments.

All the necessary measures shall be taken in order to obtain third party approvals for the spin off, where necessary, in connection with the agreements to which the Company effecting the Spin-Off is a party.

The effectiveness of the spin-off is conditioned upon the ordinary and savings shares of the Beneficiary Company being listed on the Mercato Telematico Azionario of Borsa Italiana S.p.A..

Pursuant to article 123-(ii) of Presidential Decree no. 917 of 22nd December 1986, the spin off is tax free and therefore does not involve any taking or distribution of profits or losses on the assets of the Company effecting the Spin-Off. The tax obligations of the Company effecting the Spin-Off have been split between the

Company effecting the Spin-Off and the Spun-Off Company proportionally to each of their shares of the net equity, unless the tax obligation is connected, specifically or in the aggregate, to to specific elements of the transferred or retained shares of the net equity, in which case the tax obligations apply to the shares of the net equity to which the relevant element belongs.

The by-laws of “New” Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. are incorporated by reference herein.

A corporation is organized under the name of “Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A.” (the “Company”). The company name may be written in upper or lower case letters, with or without dashes and/or periods. The Company may validly identify itself, for all legal purposes, in all acts in which it is involved, by the abbreviated name “SEAT s.p.a.”, without being linked to any graphic representation.

The registered office of the Company is located in Milan at Via Grosio, 10/8; the secondary office in Turin at Via Aurelio Saffi 18.

The duration of the Company is until December 31, 2100, and may be extended by resolution of the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

The purpose of the Company is to operate in the industry and trade of publishing, printing and graphics in general, in any form and by any means, including online; to gather and engage in advertising — including for the account of third parties — in any form and for any means of communication, including the exchange for goods or services; management of activities, including promotional, in the field of advertising communications and public relations initiatives; engaging in, preparing and selling, with all technological means and any other transmission support, including online and via the Internet, all types of documentation services, including but not limited to databases and support services for trading goods and services; managing all activities related to information processing and use of any type and in any manner, including the use and sale of communications services of any type, by any instruments and means, and any related, complementary or instrumental production and sales activity in the areas mentioned above.

The Company may also engage in all commercial, industrial and financial operations and transactions involving real or personal property that are considered appropriate for the furtherance of the corporate purpose; for this purpose, it may also directly or indirectly acquire as an exception, interests and holdings in other corporations or companies, expressly excluding any activities inherent to bringing in public funds and any other activities not permitted by law.

The Company’s share capital is EUR 247,538,714.46, divided into 8,251,290,482 shares of the nominal value of EUR0.03 each, of which 8,115,215,696 are ordinary shares and 136,074,786 are savings shares.

The share capital approved by the Company’s Ordinary Shareholders Meeting is hereby increased by a maximum of EUR3,098,853.24 through the issue of up to 103,295,108 ordinary shares of the nominal value of EUR0,03, to be offered to the directors and employees of the Company or to the employees of its controlling company pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Italian Civil Code, or to the employees of its controlled companies pursuant to the stock option plans implemented by the Company.

The Board of Directors may, within five years from the date of registration of the Company with the Companies Register, increase the share capital of the Company once or more for a maximum of EUR5,031,630.39, through the issue of up to 167,721,013 ordinary shares of the nominal value of EUR0,03, in order to service the stock option plans implemented by the Company and/or any other plan which may from time to time be approved by the Board of Directors, in order to offer such shares to the directors of the Company or to its employees to be identified by the Directors, or to the employees of its controlling companies pursuant to paragraph 1 of article 2359 of the Italian Civil Code, or to the employees of any controlled company. Such increases will not allow the exercise of the option rights under the last paragraph of article 2441 of the Italian Civil Code and paragraphs 2 and 3 of article no. 134 of Law-Decree no. 58 of 24th February 1998.

The General Shareholders’ Meeting may resolve to issue shares with varying rights, in accordance with law. Within the limits and conditions established by law, the shares may be bearer shares. Bearer shares may be converted into registered shares and vice versa at the request and expense of the interested party.

Savings shares have the privileges and rights described in this article. Net profits and reported in the regularly approved balance sheet, less allocations to legal reserves, must be distributed to holders of savings shares up to an amount equal to five percent of the par value of the shares. Any profits remaining after allocating the savings shares as established in the previous paragraph and as resolved by the General Shareholders’ Meeting shall be distributed among all shares so that savings shares receive a greater cumulative dividend that common shares, equal to two percent more than cumulative dividends paid to ordinary shareholders.

When a dividend that is less than the amount indicated in the fifth paragraph from above is allocated to savings shares during any fiscal year, the difference shall be added to the preferred dividend during the two subsequent fiscal years.

In the case of distribution of reserves, savings shares have the same rights of other shares. The shareholders’ meeting which approves the financial statements is moreover entitled, in the case that the net profit shown in the financial statement is non-existent or insufficient, to use the available reserves to meet the financial rights as set forth in paragraph five above as they might have increased pursuant to the preceding paragraph seven above.

A capital stock reduction due to losses shall not entail a reduction in the par value of savings shares except for the portion of the loss exceeding the total par value of the other shares. At the winding up of the company, savings shares shall have preference in redemption of capital stock for the full par value. In order to provide the common share representative with sufficient information on operations that may impact on the price development of savings shares, said representative shall be sent notices with regard to this matter, as it is relevant and required by law.

If at any time common or savings shares of the company are excluded from trading, savings shares shall retain their rights and characteristics, unless savings shareholders are given the right to request conversion of their shares to preferred shares listed on the exchange, with the same characteristics as the savings shares, in accordance with pertinent legal provisions in effect at that time, and the right to vote in Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meetings. The right to convert may be exercised by savings shareholders according to the terms and conditions to be defined by a resolution of the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting convened for this purpose, subject to approval by a meeting of savings shareholders, if applicable.

In the case of capital increases, if the deadline established by law for payments by shareholders has elapsed, provided that the Company has taken any prior steps required by law, annual interest shall accrue on the amount of the payment due at the official discount rate then in effect plus three points.

Shareholders who have complied with the law are entitled to participate in the General Shareholders’ Meeting personally or, alternately, by means of a representative with a written proxy, in accordance with law. The proxy may be issued to an individual or legal entity. The Chairman of the General Shareholders’ Meeting is responsible for verifying the right to participate in the General Shareholders’ Meeting, the uniformity of proxies and whether the quorum is met.

The General Shareholders’ Meeting has the authority expressly conferred to it by law.

The General Shareholders’ Meeting is convened in accordance with law at the registered office of the company or elsewhere in Italy by means of a notice published in the manner and within the terms prescribed by law. The General Shareholders’ Meeting must be convened within four months from the close of the fiscal year, or later, but within six months, when special circumstances so require.

Only common shares are entitled to vote in ordinary shareholders’ meetings. Ordinary shareholders’ meetings are to be regularly held; when initially convened, with the attendance of shareholders representing at least half of the voting capital; if reconvened, with any proportion of voting capital represented.

Resolutions are to be passed in all cases with an absolute majority of votes, except for the appointment of the statutory auditors, in which case the provisions of Article 23 are applicable.

Common and preferred shares, if any, are entitled to vote in Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meetings. A valid quorum for the adoption of a resolution at a Shareholders’ Meeting will be determined by statutory law.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors presides over the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

If she/he is absent or otherwise impeded from presiding, the meeting is to be chaired by the Vice Chairman, if any, or by the person appointed by those present. At the request of the Chairman, the Meeting appoints a secretary, who need not be a shareholder.

In the situations provided by law and if the Chairman of the Meeting deems it appropriate, the minutes may be prepared as a public instrument by a notary appointed by the Chairman.

The Chairman regulates the meeting, controls those in attendance and establishes the methods for voting that must allow the voters to be identified.

The Chairman may select two or more tellers to count votes from among those in attendance.

The meetings may be controlled by Regulations approved by resolution of the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

Copies and abstracts of minutes of shareholders’ meetings may be issued and certified by the Chairman or the Secretary of the Board of Directors.

The Company is managed by a Board of Directors composed of a minimum of 7 (seven) and a maximum of 21 (twenty-one) directors.

The General Shareholders’ Meeting determines the number of members of the Board of Directors, which remains unchanged until otherwise resolved and throughout the term of office, subject to the maximum limits established by law. Directors may be reelected.

Whenever, for any reason whatsoever, the majority of directors elected by the General Shareholders’ Meeting cease to perform their duties before their term of office has elapsed, the term of office of the outgoing directors on the Board of Directors is considered to have expired and they shall cease to perform their duties when the Board of Directors is reappointed by the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

The appointment of the Board of Directors shall be based on a list submitted by the shareholders, in accordance with the following paragraphs, or by the exiting Board of Directors, and in each case the candidates must be listed progressively. The list submitted by the exiting Board of Directors shall be deposited at the registered office of the Company and published in at least one nationally circulated daily newspaper at least twenty days prior to the date scheduled for the initially convened General Shareholders’ Meeting.

The lists submitted by the shareholders shall be deposited at the registered office of the Company and published in at least one nationally circulated daily newspaper at the expense of the shareholders at least ten days prior to the date scheduled for the initially convened General Shareholders’ Meeting.

Every shareholder may submit or agree to the submission of only one list, and every candidate may list himself/herself on only one list, or otherwise shall be disqualified.

Only those shareholders who, alone or together with other shareholders, own voting shares representing at least 3% of the voting capital in ordinary shareholders’ meetings shall be entitled to submit a list. In order to prove the ownership of the number of shares necessary for submitting lists, the shareholders shall submit a copy and/or a summary of the documentation attesting to the right to participate in the General Shareholders’ Meeting at the registered offices of the Company at least five days prior to the date scheduled for initially convening the Meeting.

Together with each list, within the term indicated above, statements are to be submitted in which each candidate accepts the nomination and attests, under his or her own responsibility, that there is no cause for ineligibility or disqualification, and to his/her compliance with the requirements of law and the bylaws prescribed for the position. Any lists which fail to observe the foregoing requirements shall be considered as not having been submitted.

The procedures indicated below are to be followed in electing the Board of Directors:


(1)	from the list that received the majority vote in the General Shareholders’ Meeting, four fifths of the directors to be elected are selected, rounded down to the next whole number if this is a fraction, based upon their order of priority on the list.

(2)	the remaining directors are elected from other lists; for this purpose, the votes received by the lists are successively divided by one, two, three, four, according to the number of directors to be elected. The resulting quotients shall be progressively assigned to the candidates on each of these lists, according to the


	respective order of priority. The quotients assigned to the candidates on the various lists shall be arranged in a single list in decreasing order. Those who receive the highest quotient shall be elected. If two or more candidates receive the same quotient, the candidate on the list that has not elected any director or which has elected the least number of directors shall be elected.

If none of the lists have elected a director or if all have elected the same number of directors, the candidate on the list that received the greatest number of votes shall be elected. In the event of an equal number of votes and the same quotients, a new vote shall be held, and the candidate who receives the simple majority vote shall be elected.

In order to appoint directors for any reason who are not appointed in the manner described above, the General Shareholders’ Meeting shall pass resolutions with the majority provided by law.

If, during the course of the fiscal year, one or more directors cedes from his post, the procedures indicated in Article 2386 of the Italian Civil Code shall prevail.

The Board of Directors, in its first meeting following the General Shareholders’ Meeting that elected it, shall elect a Chairman, if the shareholder’s Meeting has not already done so, and may elect a Vice Chairman.

In the same meeting, the Board shall appoint a Secretary, who need not be a member of the Board.

The Board of Directors shall be convened by the Chairman or, if he/she is unable to do so, by the Vice Chairman, if any, or the Managing Director, if any, of by the oldest Director, and meetings are held at least quarterly and whenever considered necessary, or when a written request for a meeting is submitted to the Chairman, indicating the agenda, by at least two Directors or two permanent Statutory Auditors. Board meetings shall be held at the registered offices of the company or elsewhere, as indicated in the meeting notice. Board meetings may be held by teleconferencing or videoconferencing, provided that all participants may be identified by the Chairman and all other participants, and that they are able to follow the discussion and participate in real time in the deliberations, and that they are able to exchange documents regarding such deliberations, and that all of the foregoing is recorded in the minutes. If such circumstances are verified, the Board meeting is considered to be held at the location of the Chairman and where the Secretary of the meeting is, in order to be able to draft the minutes. Notice of the meeting shall be sent by mail, express mail, telegram, fax or telex to each Director and permanent Statutory Auditor at least 5 (five) days prior to the date scheduled for the meeting. In emergencies, the meeting notice may be sent by telegram or fax at least 1 (one) day prior to the date scheduled for the meeting. If the Chairman is absent or otherwise unable to preside, the Board meeting is presided over by the Vice Chairman, if any, or the Managing Director, if any, or by the eldest Director.

If the Secretary of the Board is absent, a Recording Secretary shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and does not need to be a Director.

The Board of Directors , through its Chairman or other directors so delegated, shall report to the Board of Statutory Auditors on activities undertaken and on the more important economic, financial and patrimonial transactions carried out by the company or by subsidiary companies; in particular it shall report on transactions where there is a potential conflict of interest. The notice is to be sent timely and in any event at least quarterly, on the occasion of meetings of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee or by a written note addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors.

The directors to whom powers of attorney are delegated shall report to the Board of Directors and the Statutory Auditors at least quarterly on the activities performed while exercising such power of attorney, the most important transactions performed by the company or its subsidiaries and any transactions which may potentially constitute a conflict of interest.

In order for the resolutions of the Board of Directors to be valid, the majority of the Directors must be in attendance and the majority of those in attendance must vote in favor.

Resolutions of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in the book of resolutions of the Board of Directors to be maintained in accordance with Article 2421, paragraph 4, of the Italian Civil Code, and shall be signed by the Chairman and the Secretary or by a Notary. When required by law or when the Chairman so deems appropriate, resolutions shall be recorded by a Notary selected by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Copies and abstracts of minutes of Board meetings may be issued and certified by the Chairman or the Secretary of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is vested with the broadest power for ordinary and extraordinary management of the Company, and thus is authorized to perform all actions it considers appropriate for the furtherance and achievement of its corporate purpose, in Italy and abroad, excluding only those actions requiring the vote of a General Shareholders’ Meeting by law.

The Board of Directors may delegate its authority to a managing Director and/or an Executive Committee composed of a number of members as determined by the Board when it makes such appointments, two of whom must necessarily be the Chairman, who presides, and the Managing Partner, the powers of which are determined in accordance with the limits indicated in Article 2381 of the Italian Civil Code.

The Executive Committee shall meet as frequently as necessary in relation to matters delegated to it by the Board of Directors, and whenever it so considers appropriate, at the same locations as the Board meetings, and the members shall personally attend the meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held by teleconferencing or videoconferencing, provided that all participants may be identified by the Chairman and all other participants, and that they are able to follow the discussion and participate contemporaneously in the deliberations, and that they are able to exchange documents regarding such deliberations, and that all of the foregoing is recorded in the minutes. If such circumstances exist, the meeting of the Executive Committee is considered to be held at the location of the Chairman and where the Secretary of the meeting is, in order to be able to draft the minutes. Recording of the minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee is subject to the same provisions as provided for recording the resolutions of the Board of Directors indicated in Article 18 of these bylaws. As provided in article 17, the Directors shall be notified of the resolutions of the Executive Committee during the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the meeting of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee shall be convened by the Chairman or the Managing Partner, or at the request of one of its members, by means of a notice containing the agenda for the meeting, sent by letter, fax, telex, or telegram at least five days prior to the date scheduled for the meeting, or one day in advance, in the event of emergency. When possible, the notice should be accompanied by the documentation regarding the agenda.

The Executive Committee is held and may deliberate when the quorum determined by the Board of Directors is present. The Secretary of the Board of Directors is also the Secretary of the Executive Committee. If she/he is absent, the Recording Secretary is appointed by the Committee, and need not be a member.

The Board of Directors may also appoint a President and an attorney-in-fact for non-litigious matters, and shall determine the duties and authorities thereof.

The Chairman or, if she/he is absent or unable to do so, the Vice Chairman, if any, shall be the legal representative of and shall sign on behalf of the Company; or, within the limits of the powers conferred to them, the Managing Director, or the other Directors to whom power has been delegated by the Board of Directors.

The members of the Board of Directors, in addition to being reimbursed for the expenses they incur in performing their duties, shall receive an annual fee as determined by the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

Directors who are required to perform certain duties shall also receive specific fees for their duties, which shall be established in accordance with law.

The Board of Statutory Auditors is to be composed of three permanent auditors and two alternate auditors appointed by the General Shareholders’ Meeting, which shall also establish their compensation. The duties and responsibilities of the Statutory Auditors are subject to current law. They are entitled to be reimbursed for expenses they incur in performing their duties.

In order to allow minority interests to elect a permanent auditor and an alternate, the Board of Statutory Auditors is appointed based upon a list submitted by shareholders in which the candidates are listed progressively. The list consists of two sections: one for candidates for the position of permanent auditors, and the other for candidates for the position of alternate auditors.

Only those shareholders who, alone or together with others, own voting shares representing at least 3% of the voting capital in the General Shareholders’ Meeting are entitled to submit lists. No shareholder, as well as shareholders belonging to the same group, may submit, personally or through a trustee, more than one list. Each candidate may appear on only one list, or shall otherwise be disqualified.

Candidates who act as statutory auditors in more than five listed companies may not be included in the lists (these limits do not include the parent company and the subsidiaries of the Company), or those who do not meet the ethical and professional requirements established in applicable legislation. Exiting statutory auditors may be reelected. The lists submitted must be deposited at the registered office of the company at least ten days prior to the date scheduled for the General Shareholders’ Meeting as initially convened, which shall be indicated in the meeting notice.

Together with each list, within the term indicated above, statements are submitted by which each candidate accepts the nomination and attests, under his or her own responsibility, that there is no cause for ineligibility or disqualification, and to his/her compliance with the requirements of law and the bylaws prescribed for the position. Any lists which fail to observe the foregoing requirements shall be considered as not having been submitted.


(1)	The procedures indicated below are to be followed in electing the Statutory Auditors: two permanent members and one alternate are to be selected from the list that received the greatest number of votes in the General Shareholders’ Meeting, based upon the order of priority in which they are listed in the sections of the list.

(2)	The remaining permanent member and alternate are to be selected from the list that received the second greatest number of votes in the General Shareholders’ Meeting, based upon the order of priority in which they are listed in the sections of the list.

The chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors is the first candidate of the list that receives the greatest number of votes.

If the requirements of pertinent laws or the bylaws are not met, the statutory auditor is dismissed from the position.

In the event of replacement of a statutory auditor, the alternate auditor from the same list as the auditor being replaced shall be the substitute.

The foregoing requirements for appointing the Board of Statutory Auditors do not apply to the General Shareholders’ Meetings, which, according to law, must appoint the permanent and/or alternate auditors and the chairman as necessary to compose the Board of Statutory Auditors following replacement or dismissal and for appointing auditors for any reason if they are not appointed in accordance with the previous paragraphs. In these cases, the General Shareholders’ Meeting is to proceed according to the legal quorum established in Article 12 of the Bylaws. For the purpose of the Ministry of Justice decree, dated 30 March 2000 n. 162, art. 1, paragraph 3, it is established that publishing, advertising and other communication services, irrespective of its means or used devise are activities that are covered by the purpose of the company. Meetings of the Board of Statutory Auditors, should the Chairman ascertain that they are necessary, can be validly held by video conference or audio conference, on condition that all the participants can be identified by the Chairman and by all those in attendance, that they are allowed to follow the discussion and to intervene in real time in dealing with the arguments being discussed, that they are allowed to exchange documents relating to these matters and that note is made of all the above in the relevant minutes. When these premises are met, the meeting of the Board of Statutory Auditors shall be considered held in the place in which the Chairman is located.

From the net profits reported in the balance sheet, five percent must be deducted and allocated to legal reserves, until said reserve amounts to one fifth of the capital stock.

The remainder is allocated to the dividend resolved by the General Shareholders’ Meeting and/or for other purposes that the General Shareholders’ Meeting considers more appropriate or necessary.

The Board of Directors may, during the course of the fiscal year, distribute partial dividends to shareholders, is subject to relevant legal provisions.

Dividends which are not redeemed within five years from the redemption date shall revert to the Company.

In the event of winding up of business of the Company, the General Shareholders’ Meeting shall determine the method of liquidation and shall appoint one or more liquidators, and shall establish their powers and compensation in accordance with law.

The address of shareholders for company purposes is understood to be, for all legal purposes, the address indicated in the Book of Shareholders.

In accordance with pertinent law, all correspondence between the shareholders and the Company shall be subject to the judicial authorities of the venue of the registered office of the Company.

For anything not provided in these Bylaws, the provisions of pertinent law shall apply.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 29, 2003



	SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.P.A.

	(Registrant)

	BY: /s/ Angelo Novati

	Angelo Novati
	Chief Financial Officer


TABLE OF CONTENTS
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
SUMMARY
Description of the Spin-off
	Spin-off Procedure
	Fractional Shares
	Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights
	Effectiveness of the Spin-off and its Consequences
	Reporting Obligations
	Relationship with Telecom Italia
RISK FACTORS
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF NEW SEAT
EXCHANGE RATES
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPIN-OFF
	Reason for the Spin-Off
	Spin-off Plan
	Current Structure and Structure after the Spin-off
	Spin-off Procedure
	Fractional Shares
	Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights
	Special Interests of Directors
	Impact of the Spin-off on Existing Stock Option Plans
	Dividends
	Effectiveness of the Spin-off and Its Consequences
	Reporting Obligations
	Relationship with Telecom Italia
	Sale of Telecom Italia’s Majority Stake in New SEAT
	Mandatory Public Tender Offer for New SEAT Shares
INFORMATION ABOUT NEW SEAT
	Organizational Structure
	Information about New SEAT’s Business
	Sales Channels and Promotional Activity
	Structure of Production, Sourcing and Distribution
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
	Year Ended December 31, 2002 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
	Special Purpose Carve-out Liquidity and Capital Resources
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
	Debt Policy
	Market Risk Policy
	Financial Instruments
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
	Major Shareholders
	Share Ownership by Directors, Statutory Auditors and Senior Managers
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION ABOUT NEW SEAT
	Directors and Senior Management
	Auditors
	Board Practices
	Employees
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
REGULATION
PROPERTY
	Directories
	Directory Assistance
	Business Information
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW SEAT SHARES
DIVIDEND POLICY
MARKET INFORMATION
	Securities Trading in Italy
	Clearance and Settlement of the New SEAT Shares
TAXATION
	Italian Taxation
	Non-Italian Taxation
FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND EXCHANGE CONTROL REGULATION IN ITALY
SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Auditors
SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. -- “New SEAT” business activities NOTES TO THE SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As of December 31, 2001 and 2002 (All amounts in thousands of Euro, unless otherwise indicated)
	1. Background and Basis of Presentation
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	3. Business Combinations and Acquisitions
SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. -- “New SEAT” business activities INTERIM SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the three months ended March 31, 2003 (Unaudited)
SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. -- “New SEAT” business activities NOTES TO THE INTERIM SPECIAL PURPOSE CARVE-OUT CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2003
EXHIBIT A
PRESENTATION ON INFORMATION
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
PART I
	ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
	ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
	ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
	Selected Consolidated Financial Information
	Exchange Rates
	Risk Factors
	Risks relating to the consequences of the proposed Spin-off
	Risks relating to the business of Telecom Italia Media
	Risks relating to the business of New SEAT
	Risks relating to SEAT’s shares:
	ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
	Introduction
	History
	Recent Developments
	Present Organizational Structure and Developments
	Business Overview
	“Telecom Italia Media” Business Segments
	Internet Services
	Other Businesses and Assets
	Office Products and Services
	Television
	Professional Publishing
	New SEAT Business Segments
	Directories
	TDL Infomedia
	Directories Assistance
	Business Information
	Intellectual Property
	Property
	Regulation
	ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
	ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
	Directors and Senior Management and Employees
	Compensation
	Board Practices
	Employees
	Share Ownership
	ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Major Shareholders
	Ownership of SEAT Ordinary Shares
	Ownership of Ordinary Shares
	Ownership of Savings Shares
	Related Party Transactions
	ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
	Financial Statements
	Legal Proceedings
	Dividends
	ITEM 9. SHARE PRICE INFORMATION
	ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
	Memorandum and Articles of Association
	Material Contracts
	Exchange Controls
	Taxation
	Documents on Display
	ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
	ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
PART II
	ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
	ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
	ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
	ITEM 16. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
PART III
	ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
	Signatures
	Certifications
Report of Independent Auditors
SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 (Amounts in thousands of Euros, except for number of shares, which are in thousands of shares)
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT C
EXHIBIT D
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF NEW SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.p.A.
TITLE I IDENTIFCATION ARTICLE 1 -- NAME
ARTICLE 2 -- REGISTERED OFFICE
ARTICLE 3 -- DURATION
ARTICLE 4 -- PURPOSE
TITLE II CAPITAL STOCK AND BONDS ARTICLE 5 -- AMOUNT
ARTICLE 6 -- SHARES
ARTICLE 7 -- PAYMENTS
ARTICLE 8 -- BONDS
TITLE III GENERAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING ARTICLE 9 -- RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE
ARTICLE 10 -- POWERS
ARTICLE 11 -- MEETING NOTICE
ARTICLE 12 -- ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
ARTICLE 13 -- CHAIRMAN AND CONDUCTING BUSINESS
ARTICLE 14 -- COPIES AND ABSTRACTS
TITLE IV ADMINISTRATIVE AND GOVERNING BODIES ARTICLE 15 -- COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE 16 -- CHAIRMAN -- VICE CHAIRMAN -- SECRETARY
ARTICLE 17 -- MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE 18 -- VALIDITY AND RECORDING OF BOARD RESOLUTIONS
ARTICLE 19 -- COPIES AND ABSTRACTS
ARTICLE 20 -- POWERS OF THE BOARD -- DELEGATION OF POWER
ARTICLE 21 -- LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE COMPANY
ARTICLE 22 -- COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES OF DIRECTORS
ARTICLE 23 -- BOARD OF STATUTORY AUDITORS
TITLE V BALANCE SHEET ARTICLE 24 -- CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR --DISTRIBUTION OF EARNINGS
TITLE VI WINDING UP ARTICLE 25 -- LIQUIDATORS
TITLE VII GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE 26 -- ADDRESS OF RECORD OF SHAREHOLDERS VENUE
ARTICLE 27 -- PREVAILING LAW
SIGNATURES


	Page

New SEAT Unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003		F-38
Notes to the New SEAT Unaudited Interim Special Purpose Carve-out Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003		F-39
EXHIBITS
SEAT Annual Report on Form 20-F for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002		A-1
Plan for the Proportional Spin-Off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A. to a Newly Incorporated Company		B-1
Report of the Board for Directors on the Planned Proportional, Partial Spin-Off of SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.		C-1
By-Laws of “New” SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.		D-1



			As of December 31,				As of
							March 31, 2003
			2001(1)		2002		(unaudited)


			(euro thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			37,515		21,632		19,370
	Receivables:
		Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts		670,251		694,841		694,296
		Due from related parties		589,789		599,602		613,588
	Inventories			1,922		13,183		15,335
	Deferred income taxes			131,875		102,519		110,444
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			64,555		98,044		128,308
		Total current assets		1,495,907		1,529,821		1,581,341
		Property, plant and equipment, net		120,930		53,923		48,984
Goodwill, net of amortization				8,018,002		2,685,191		2,665,055
		Total intangible assets		4,896,610		4,475,776		4,367,273
	Investments in affiliated companies			18,124		9,049		10,106
	Other non current assets			71,367		42,807		42,369

		Total Assets		14,620,940		8,796,567		8,715,128

LIABILITIES AND CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT BY PARENT COMPANY
Current liabilities:
	Short-term bank borrowings			15,995		15,095		16,989
	Current portion of long-term debt			18,771		700,656		700,169
	Trade Payables:			268,593		251,317		171,687
	Short term borrowings from affiliated companies			106,057		161,018		192,341
	Deferred income			152,703		152,795		261,330
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			167,250		143,527		143,842

		Total current liabilities		729,369		1,424,408		1,486,538
	Termination indemnities			29,271		32,412		32,731
	Long-term debt, less current portion			1,230,815		433,073		425,546
	Deferred income taxes			1,981,210		1,697,484		1,656,595
	Other non-current liabilities			87,760		146,862		92,266
	Minority interests			5,668		3,349		3,041
	Cumulative investment by parent company			10,556,847		5,058,979		5,018,591

		Total liabilities and cumulative investment by parent company		14,620,940		8,796,567		8,715,128



	Year ended December 31,						Three months ended
							March 31, 2003
	2001(1)			2002			(unaudited)


	(euro thousands)
Operating revenues		1,375,718			1,419,519			189,880
Operating expenses:
Costs of materials		104,662			96,112			10,761
Costs of external services		454,476			462,244			81,667
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		297,715			280,845			52,072
Depreciation and amortization		1,577,700			530,194			114,795
Writedown of impaired assets		2,930,707			5,330,936			—
Other operating expenses		86,157			66,978			15,517

		5,451,417			6,767,309			274,812

Operating loss		(4,075,699	)		(5,347,790	)		(84,932	)
Interest and other income (expense):
Interest expense		(90,185	)		(117,639	)		(24,321	)
Interest income		48,020			46,185			8,355
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			21,856			—
Equity in net loss of affiliated companies		(28,798	)		(7,739	)		—
Other income (expense), net		(9,303	)		6,368			8,418

Loss before income taxes, minority interests		(4,155,964	)		(5,398,759	)		(92,480	)
Income tax benefit		84,343			122,314			48,355

Loss before minority interests		(4,071,621	)		(5,276,445	)		(44,125	)
Minority interests		17,225			13,087			170

Net loss before cumulative effect of accounting change		(4,054,396	)		(5,263,358	)		(43,955	)

Cumulative effect of accounting change		2,296			—			—

Net loss		(4,052,100	)		(5,263,358	)		(43,955	)



	Year ended December 31,						Three months ended
							March 31, 2003
	2001(1)			2002			(unaudited)



	(euro thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss		(4,052,100	)		(5,263,358	)		(43,955	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		216,357			319,663			59,212
Net cash used in investing activities		(55,746	)		(56,797	)		(19,340	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(165,801	)		(278,749	)		(42,134	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(5,190	)		(15,883	)		(2,262	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		42,705			37,515			21,632

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		37,515			21,632			19,370



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS OF THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

INFORMATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE DEMERGER OF SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.P.A. AND INCORPORATION OF “NEW” SEAT PAGINE GIALLE S.P.A. (AND RELATED EXHIBITS)

SIGNATURES


Calendar Period	High		Low		Average(1)		At Period End

Annual Rates
2001		0.9535		0.8425		0.8909		0.8901
2002		1.0485		0.8594		0.9495		1.0485
2003 (through July 24, 2003)		1.1931		1.0333		1.1485		1.1485
2003 Monthly Rates
January 2003		1.0861		1.0361		1.0622		1.0739
February 2003		1.0875		1.0708		1.0785		1.0779
March 2003		1.1062		1.0545		1.0797		1.0900
April 2003		1.0621		1.1180		1.0862		1.1180
May 2003		1.1853		1.1200		1.1556		1.1766
June 2003		1.1870		1.1423		1.1674		1.1502
July 2003 (through July 24, 2003)		1.1608		1.1110		1.1485		1.1485


• Directories:		Directories Italia Seat Pagine Gialle S.p.A. division, Annuari Italia S.p.A., Euredit S.A., TDL Group, Euro Directory S.A.;
• Directory Assistance:		Directory Assistance Seat Pagine Gialle division, Telegate Group, Telegate Holding GmbH, IMR S.r.l.; and
• Business Information:		Consodata S.A., Consodata Group Ltd (including NetCreations Inc. and Pan Adress).



	Year ended December 31,

	2001			2002


	(euro thousands)
Operating revenues		1,375,718			1,419,519
Operating expenses:
Costs of materials		104,662			96,112
Costs of external services		454,476			462,244
Salaries, wages and employee benefits		297,715			280,845
Depreciation and amortization		1,577,700			530,194
Writedown of impaired assets		2,930,707			5,330,936
Other operating expenses		86,157			66,978

		5,451,417			6,767,309

Operating loss		(4,075,699	)		(5,347,790	)
Interest expense, net		(42,165	)		(71,454	)
Equity in net loss of affiliated companies		(28,798	)		(7,739	)
Gain on extinguishment of debt		—			21,856
Other income (expense), net		(9,302	)		6,368

Loss before income taxes, minority interests		(4,155,964	)		(5,398,759	)
Income tax benefit		84,343			122,314



	Year ended
	December 31,
							Three months ended
	2001			2002			March 31, 2003

							(unaudited)
	(euro thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		216,357			319,663			59,212
Net cash used in investing activities		(55,746	)		(56,797	)		(19,340	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		(165,801	)		(278,749	)		(42,134	)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(5,190	)		(15,883	)		(2,262	)

Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		42,705			37,515			21,632

End of period		37,515			21,632			19,370



	Year ended				Three months
	December 31,				ended
					March 31, 2003
	2001		2002		(unaudited)


	(euro thousands)
Capital expenditures		40,418		13,182		—
Addition to intangible assets		10,943		26,905		6,742

Total		51,361		40,087		6,742
Financial investments		16,591		75,706		137

Total investments		67,952		115,793		6,879


			Less than
	Total		1 year		1-3 years		4-5 years		After 5 years


	(euro millions)
Contractual Obligations:
Long-term debt		1,133,729		700,656		303,189		0		129,884
Capital lease obligations		0		0		0		0		0
Operating lease		80,730		20,478		36,164		20,247		3,841
Cross border lease		0		0		0		0		0

Total obligations		1,214,459		721,134		339,363		20,247		133,729



	Year ended December 31

	2002			2003			2004			2005		2006		2007		Thereafter


	(millions of euro, except for percentages)
Long-Term Fixed Rate Debt(1)		178			169			169			168		164		160		0
Average Fixed Rate		13.55	%		13.56	%		13.56	%		0		0		0		0
Average Total Fixed Rate		13.55	%		13.56	%		13.56	%		0		0		0		0
Floating Rate Debt		1,014			314			308			0		0		0		0

Total Long-Term Debt		1,192			483			417			168		164		160		0



	Interest Rate Derivative Instruments
	(millions of euro)
	Maturities
															Fair
IRS	2003		2004		2005		2006		2007		Thereafter		Total		Value

EURO interest rate Swaps		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Receive variable, pay fixed		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Amount		—		—		600		—		—		—		600		-48
Average pay rate		—		—		5,85%		—		—		—		—		—
Average receive rate		—		—		Euribor 3m+30bp		—		—		—		—		—
EURO Interest rate Swaps		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Receive variable, pay variable		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Amount		1,400		—		—		—		—		—		1,400		2
Average pay rate		Euribor 3m+35,8bp		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Average receive rate		Euribor 3m+66,5bp		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
EURO interest rate Swaps		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Receive fixed, pay variable		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Amount		—		—		300		—		—		—		300		26
Average pay rate		—		—		Euribor 3m+108bp		—		—		—		—		—
Average receive rate		—		—		6,50%		—		—		—		—		—
Options/ Collars
EURO interest rate collar		700		—		—		—		—		—		700		11
Average cap strike rate (purchased)		5,80%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Average floor strike rate (sold)		3,99%		—		—		—		—		—		—		—



	Foreign Exchange Derivative Instruments
	(millions of euro)
	Maturities
															Fair
Cross Currency Interest Rate Swap	2003		2004		2005		2006		2007		Thereafter		Total		Value

Currency forward
Buy U.S.$/Sell EURO
Amount		3,89		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Forward rate		1,00087		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Sell U.S.$/Buy Euro
Amount		56,39		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Forward rate		0,93600		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Sell GBP/Buy Euro
Amount		3,3		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Forward rate		0,65115		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Buy U.S.$/Sell GBP
Amount		9,23		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Forward rate		1,582885		—		—		—		—		—		—		—


	*Directories*


	*Directory Assistance*


	*Business Information*


	*Directories*


Identity of Person or Group	Amount(1)	Percent of Class(2)

Telecom Italia S.p.A.(3)	4,556,464,421		56.147	%
J.P. Morgan Whitefriars Inc.(4)	550,745,659		6.787	%


Name	Amount(1)

Board of Directors
Paolo Dal Pino		—
Giuseppe Parrello		—
Riccardo Perissich		—
Candido Fois		5,266
Giulia Ligresti		—
Gianni Mion		—
Gianfranco Negri Clementi		—
Alessandro Ovi		135
Carlo Bertazzo		—
Aldo Cappuccio		—
Enrico Parazzini		—
Mario Zanone Poma		—
Guido Roberto Vitale		—


	No. of shares
	held as of
Name	July 23, 2003

Board of Statutory Auditors
Enrico Cervellera		—
Franco Caramanti		—
Giovanni Fiori		—
Piero Gennari		—
Roberto Timo		—


Name	Position	Joined SEAT

Riccardo Perissich	Executive Chairman		2002
Giuseppe Parrello	Director		2001
Paolo dal Pino	Director		2001
Candido Fois	Director		2001
Giulia Ligresti	Director		2001
Gianni Mion	Director		2001
Gianfranco Negri Clementi	Director		2001
Alessandro Ovi	Director		2001
Aldo Cappuccio	Director		2002
Enrico Parazzini	Director		2002
Carlo Bertazzo	Director		2002
Enrico Giliberti	Director	Upon effectiveness of Spin-off
Mario Zanone Poma	Director		2001


	As of		As of
	Dec. 31,		March 31,
No. of employees	2002		2003

Executives		183		164
Middle managers		495		485
Clerical Staff		4,679		4,630
Technicians		92		69
Journalists		1		1
Total		5,450		5,349


				Net Value as of
Owner	Location	Square Meters		December 31, 2002

Thomson Directories	Thomson House, 296 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire UK		6,637		€13,382,196.50
SEAT	Via Mocchie 8 10138 Turin Italy		510		€225,078.93


Lessee	Location		City/Address	Term	Lessor

SEAT Pagine Gialle S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Ancona — Via Caduti del Lavoro, 40	03/31/06	Schiavoni Sergio S.a.s.
SEAT		Italy	Bari — C.so Vittorio Emanuele, 60	09/03/05	Ellegiemme S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Bologna — Via Cairoli, 8/f	10/31/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Bolzano — Viale Druso, 281/b	05/31/03	Mondi S.a.s.
SEAT		Italy	Brescia — Via Corfù, 71	05/31/05	Generali Properties S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Cagliari — Via Tuveri, 54-54/b	03/14/09 05/30/03 01/31/09	Raor Costruzioni S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Firenze — Via del Pian dei Carpini,19-21	09/30/02	F.do Pensioni Credito Italyno
			Firenze — Via A. da Noli 4/6	03/31/09
SEAT		Italy	Firenze — Viale Don Minzoni, 48/50	12/15/08	Telecom Italia S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Milan — Via Grosio, 10/8	01/31/07	Gestioni Mobiliari ed Immobiliari S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Milan — Via Varese, 18	02/14/07	Immobiliare Marim S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Milan — Via Domenico Millelire, 10/c	08/31/06	Durante
SEAT		Italy	Milan — P.zza Esquilino, 5	—	—
SEAT		Italy	Napoli — Via G.Porzio C.D.N. Isola E/3	01/31/08	Leonardo S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Palermo — Viale Regione Siciliana, 7275/b	04/30/06	Gitex S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Rome — Via Cristoforo Colombo, 142	04/30/07	Telecom S.p.A. (sub-lease) IM.SER. S.p.A. owner
SEAT		Italy	Rome — Via di Valleranello, 1	12/31/06	Telecom S.p.A. (sub-lease) IM.SER. S.p.A. (owner)
SEAT		Italy	Rome — Via Prati della Farnesina, 57	05/06/07	Impresa Vettore S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via Saffi, 24-26	03/31/06 02/28/04 05/31/06 03/31/06 12/31/08	Martini.Com S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via Saffi, 18	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via Mezzenile, 11	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via Caprie, 18	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via G. Re, 49	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Str. del Lionetto, 6	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via S.Ambrogio, 21	10/28/08	Tiglio 1 S.r.l.
SEAT		Italy	Turin — Via privata A.Filippa, 14	10/15/06	Telecom Italia S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Treviso — P.zza S.Francesco, 1	05/30/03	Generali Properties S.p.A.
SEAT		Italy	Verona — Via Francia,15/a	08/31/07	Lazzarini Capital S.A.S.


(2)	The daily control price is the reference price in the opening auction, the opening-auction price during continuous trading, and the opening- auction price in the closing auction.


			2001			2002


			(in € 000’s)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents			37,515			21,632
	Receivables:
		Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of 114,205 and 135,413 in 2001 and 2002 respectively		670,251			694,841
		Trade, due from related parties		25,851			32,897
		Short term advances to related parties		563,938			566,705
	Inventories			1,922			13,183
	Deferred income taxes			131,875			102,519
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			64,555			98,044
		Total current assets		1,495,907			1,529,821
	Property, plant and equipment, at cost			251,816			150,306
	Less: Accumulated depreciation			(130,886	)		(96,383	)

		Property, plant and equipment, net		120,930			53,923
Goodwill, net of amortization of 1,552,221 and 1,551,071 in 2001 and 2002, respectively				8,018,002			2,685,191
Customer lists, net of amortization of 399,310 and 718,852 in 2001 and 2002, respectively				3,460,465			3,140,923
Brand names, net of amortization of 126,876 and 240,046 in 2001 and 2002, respectively				1,408,637			1,295,467
Other intangible assets, net of amortization of 93,314 and 103,189 in 2001 and 2002, respectively				27,508			39,386

		Total intangible assets		4,896,610			4,475,776
	Investments in affiliated companies			18,124			9,049
	Other non current assets			71,367			42,807

		TOTAL ASSETS		14,620,940			8,796,567

LIABILITIES AND CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT BY PARENT COMPANY:
Current liabilities
	Short-term bank borrowings			15,995			15,095
	Current portion of long-term debt			18,771			700,656
	Payables:
		Trade		219,043			221,625
		Trade, due to related parties		49,550			29,692
	Short term borrowings from affiliated companies			106,057			161,018
	Deferred income			152,703			152,795
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			167,250			143,527

		Total current liabilities		729,369			1,424,408
	Termination indemnities			29,271			32,412
	Long-term debt, less current portion			1,230,815			433,073
	Deferred income taxes			1,981,210			1,697,484
	Other non-current liabilities			87,760			146,862
	Minority interests			5,668			3,349
	Cumulative investment by parent company			10,556,847			5,058,979

		TOTAL LIABILITIES AND CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT BY PARENT COMPANY		14,620,940			8,796,567


	Cumulative			Other			Total Cumulative
	Investment by			Comprehensive			Investment by
	Parent Company			Loss			Parent Company


	(in € 000’s)
Balance as of January 1, 2001		13,982,817						13,982,817
Increase in exchange for shares of Consodata SA		512,118						512,118
Increase in exchange for shares of Telegate GmbH		299,202						299,202
Increase in exchange for shares of NetCreations		117,051						117,051
Increase in exchange for shares of Pan-Adress		19,956						19,956
Compensation expense under stock option plan		7,307						7,307
Distribution to parent company		(319,801	)					(319,801	)
Net loss for the year		(4,052,100	)					(4,052,100	)
Cumulative translation adjustments					530			530
Other comprehensive income					1,919			1,919
Cumulative effect of accounting change					(6,885	)		(6,885	)
Minimum pension liability					(5,267	)		(5,267	)

Total Comprehensive loss								(4,061,803	)

Balance as of December 31, 2001		10,566,550			(9,703	)		10,556,847

Compensation expense under stock option plan		2,604						2,604
Distribution to parent company		(229,401	)					(229,401	)
Net loss for the year		(5,263,358	)					(5,263,358	)
Cumulative translation adjustments					2,835			2,835
Other comprehensive income					1,979			1,979
Minimum pension liability					(12,527	)		(12,527	)

Total Comprehensive loss								(5,271,071	)

Balance as of December 31, 2002		5,076,395			(17,416	)		5,058,979


Buildings			33 years
Machinery and equipment			3 to 10 years
Office furniture and equipment			5 to 10 years
Automobiles and others			4 to 5 years
Hardware and operating software			3 years


Customer lists			12 to 15 years
Brand names			7 to 15 years
Software costs			3 years
Patents and licenses			Legal/ contractual term



	December 31, 2001						December 31, 2002

	Carrying						Carrying
	Amount			Fair Value			Amount			Fair Value

Cash and cash equivalents		37,515			37,515			21,632			21,632
Accounts receivable		670,251			670,251			694,841			694,841
Accounts payable		219,043			219,043			221,625			221,625
Short term debt and short-term borrowings from affiliated companies		(15,995	)		(15,995	)		(176,113	)		(176,113	)
Foreign currency forward contract		(214	)		(214	)		(1,903	)		(1,903	)
Long term debt		(1,249,586	)		(1,217,995	)		(1,133,729	)		(1,123,325	)
Interest rate swap and collar agreements		(11,637	)		(11,637	)		(671	)		(671	)


	2001

	(unaudited)
Revenues		1,417,790
Loss before cumulative effect of an accounting change		(4,124,769	)
Net loss		(4,122,173	)


	2001		2002

Raw materials		521		7,169
WIP and semi-finished goods		889		5,451
Finished goods		512		563

		1,922		13,183


	2001		2002

Advance payments to agents		51,448		62,962
Receivables from tax authorities		2,229		3,332
Other current assets		10,878		31,750

		64,555		98,044


	2001			2002

Land and buildings		93,573			17,181
Machinery and equipment		65,654			49,758
Office furniture and equipment		35,937			24,055
Hardware and operating software		49,476			49,745
Other		7,176			9,567

		251,816			150,306
Less accumulated depreciation		(130,886	)		(96,383	)

		120,930			53,923


	2001			2002

Goodwill, net		8,018,002			2,685,191
Customer lists, net		3,460,465			3,140,923
Brand name, net		1,408,637			1,295,467
Other intangible assets
Software costs		59,768			65,378
Patents and licenses		15,589			17,142
Other intangible assets		45,465			60,055

		120,822			142,575
Less accumulated amortization		(93,314	)		(103,189	)

Total other intangible assets, net		27,508			39,386

Total intangible assets, net		4,896,610			4,475,776


	Customer List		Brand Name		Other Intangibles

2003		320,154		105,809		23,431
2004		320,154		105,809		12,258
2005		320,154		105,809		3,776
2006		320,154		105,809		34
2007		320,154		105,809		34


				Directories			Business
	Directories			Assistance			Information		Total

Balance at December 31, 2001		7,864,497			23,649			129,856		8,018,002
Impairment charges		(5,330,936	)		—			—		(5,330,936	)
Other		(9,927	)		(13,788	)		21,840		(1,875	)

Balance at December 31, 2002		2,523,634			9,861			151,696		2,685,191