EX-12 4 form10q33105ex12.txt Exhibit 12 BellSouth Corporation Computation Of Earnings To Fixed Charges (Dollars In Millions) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 2005 Earnings Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes, minority interest, discontinued operations, and cumulative effect of accounting change $1,773 $1,037 Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates (104) 80 Portion of rental expense representative of interest factor 28 27 Distributed income of equity affiliates -- -- Interest expense 215 291 ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Income, as adjusted $1,912 $1,435 ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Fixed Charges Interest expense $ 215 $ 291 Interest capitalized 1 2 Portion of rental expense representative of interest factor 28 27 ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Fixed Charges $ 244 $ 320 ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 7.83 4.48 =========== ============