425
Filed by AT&T Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: BellSouth Corporation
Commission File No.: 1-8607
Call to Action with Stan Sigman and Ralph de la Vega
Audience: Cingular Directors and above (614 participants)
Moderator: Tim Klein
Date: March 7, 2006
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.
See disclaimer language at end of this transcript
Operator: Good afternoon. My name is Lou Ann and Ill be your conference operator today. At
this time Id like to welcome everyone to the Call to Action with Stan Sigman conference call. All
lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After
the speakers remarks there
will be a question and answer session. If youd like to ask a question during this time, simply
press star and the number 1 on your telephone keypad. If youd like to withdraw your question,
press the pound key. Thank you. Mr. Klein, you may begin your conference.
Tim Klein: Thank you Lou Ann, and thank you all for joining us for this special edition of our Call
to Action session with Stan and Ralph de la Vega. Stan and Ralph asked us to schedule this session
so that they could share information and answer some of your questions about the announced AT&T and
BellSouth merger. Stan and Ralph will share some remarks, after which youll have the opportunity
to ask some questions through the conference bridge. When you do that I suggest you use your first
name and your location and the area of the business that youre in. At the appropriate time, Lou
Ann the operator will come back on and give us instructions for how to ask a question. Now, Im
pleased to turn the call over to our CEO Stan Sigman.
Stan: Thank you Tim, good afternoon everyone, and good morning I suppose to those of you on the
West coast that are listening in. I appreciate you taking time to be with us today to talk to... to
visit with what I believe is a very smart and important move that is being made with the
acquisition of AT&T purchasing BellSouth. If you have anxieties about this transaction or if you
have concerns about this transaction, you have no one within Cingular to blame but me, because I
very much wanted this to happen. I believe that this transaction is very positive for the
shareholders of both companies, but more importantly, I am convinced this transaction is good for
Cingular, for the Cingular customers, for the Cingular employees, and for the good of all of our
stakeholders that deal with Cingular. This is something that Ive wanted to happen for some time,
and Im pleased that its happening now, and the sooner the better.
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What its important that we all understand is this is not a merger of wireless assets. The wireless
assets of these two companies were merged together five years ago in the year 2000. This is a
merger of the holding companies of the two companies that owned Cingular going from two holding
companies to one holding company, and it is also a merger of their wireline assets. So again, it is
not a merger of the wireless assets. That was done five years ago.
This is another smart move on the behalf of BellSouth and AT&T. Theyve made many many smart moves in
their heritage, but they started in the wireless industry with many acquisitions theyve made. And
then they put those assets together in the year 2000, then another smart move is they took those
assets to purchase AT&T Wireless and now they brought this ownership from two to one. This isnt
something that was done to Cingular. This is something that was done for Cingular. This was
something that was done to take away complexities that we had with strategic decisions, technology
decisions, overlaps of brand, etc. for the betterment of Cingular. Thats why this was done. This
is why Im so supportive of it.
The reason were having this call today is to try to answer any concerns or questions you may have
about this transaction and to get your focus behind this issue and get us focused, make sure we
remain focused on what is important to us. What is important to us is that we fulfill the promises
that we have made. Our owners have made big investments in wireless. They continue to make big
investments in wireless. With the AT&T acquisition, with the investments they put in our networks, our
products and services last year, that theyre investing in products and services and customer
experiences this year, and now in the premium theyre paying to bring these two companies together,
those are all investments that theyre making believing well deliver on the business plans weve
committed to.
What is important is that we stay focused on the plans that we have. Our vision has not changed for
this company. Our vision remains to become the most highly regarded wireless company in the world,
driven by execution around sales and service. Our strategic imperatives... the four strategic
imperatives do not change. The 14 key initiatives do not change. The four Rs and the metrics that
we measure our success by do not change. All of that is the same. And we must stay focused on that
because that delivers the promise. The promise that weve made to our parents of what we will do
from the investment theyve put in us.
And if we meet our promises we have no concern about our future and the control of our future. I
would assume that there are some people out there that when this transaction was named, or
declared, became paranoid that this may take some controls away from our domain and our future. I
have no concerns, no concerns about that as long as we deliver on our promises. They didnt make
this investment to change the way were running this business. They made this investment to make it
better for us the way we run this business. And if we deliver on our promises, we will control our
future. Well have the credibility in the future as we do today to control our future. If we fail
on our promises, then we will
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have earned the right for management to come in and take control from us and give us oversight. We
will have earned that.
How do we avoid that? Stay focused on the business plan and the objectives we have today. Again,
the vision, the imperatives, the key initiatives, the metrics, have not changed. This is not a
merger of wireless companies. This is a merger of our owner companies.
Finally Im sure theres a lot of questions about the brand. This is an opportunity to bring us to
a competitive advantage with Verizon on using one brand. We were at a disadvantage. We were at a
disadvantage. We werent able to leverage the branding and the messaging they did for their
telephone company, for their holding company across their wireless company. Now we can. Now we can.
The three companies together were spending well over $2 billion in advertising. Over $2 billion in
advertising to support three brands. And thats not necessary. Thats not cost-effective. But more
importantly, we can get more messaging out there with our brand, with less money, if we have one
common brand, just as Verizon does.
Oh, and by the way, are we attaching ourselves to a good brand? Fortune magazine last week through
a poll of independent business people declared AT&T as the most highly regarded telecommunications
company in the world. The holding company itself is already what we aspire our wireless assets to
be. The most highly regarded. Were attaching ourselves to a good brand. A brand that represents
integrity, longevity, quality, and its highly regarded. And its global in nature. So all of this
is a positive. I would not be so supportive of this if it werent positive. I love this company. I
protect this company. And I would only do something I think is good for this company, and I
believe, I know, this transaction is good for this company.
So I wanted to visit with all of you. You are our pivotal leaders out in the field and in this
company. Our pivotal leaders. You have to believe that. You have to talk about this today... lets
talk about it as much as you want to. And then lets get it off our radar scope and lets get back
to executing on the business plan we have and fulfilling the promises that weve made.
Ralph, have you got anything to add?
Ralph: Yes, Id just like to echo what youve said, Stan, and reinforce the one thought that I
think is really important here. I think this kind of a merger is going to help us achieve all of
our long-term objectives. Were now part of a company thats 300,000 people strong, unparalleled
market capitalization, the capability were going to have to leverage that large a scale to drive
technology, to drive innovation, to make sure that what we want to do is what gets done across an
industry, across a country or even across the world, I think its going to be unparalleled. So, I
view it as a help to all of our strategic imperatives, to all of our all key initiatives, and yes
were going to have to do some re-branding of our stores, but you know what, we know how to do that
pretty darn well. We did it very well last time, we will do it again. The change in the brand
doesnt
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concern me. What concerns me is that we keep focused by making sure we give great service to our
customers. That we continue to execute on our plans. That we deliver on our financial results that
are such a big part of both companies today. Just think about this... today we are 42 percent of
BellSouths revenues. So when AT&T buys BellSouth, theyre really buying Cingular, and Stan said
this is a combination of the wireline assets more so than the wireless assets. The wireless assets have already been combined.
Im looking forward to the day that it gets done, but in the meantime Im going to work just as
hard as I ever have to make sure that we are successful in delivering this years plan and this
years financial results.
Tim: Alright, with that, Lou Ann, we can open it up for questions. Again, the only thing I ask is
that you give your first name and your question, and Lou Ann if you wouldnt mind giving directions
on how individuals can ask their questions at this time.
Lou Ann: Certainly. At this time I would like to remind everyone if youd like to ask a question,
please press star and the number 1 on your telephone keypad. Well pause for just a moment to
compile the Q&A roster.
Your first question comes from the line of Mike Stephens. Go ahead sir your line is open.
Mike Stephens: Good afternoon gentlemen. Thanks for taking time with us. Some of the press seems to
be somewhat skeptical on the regulatory approval and the timetable. Can you comment on that please?
Stan: Sure, Mike. I can tell by your accent you must be from Boston, huh? (laughter)
Mike: No sir, Im not.
Stan. The guidance that were giving is 12 months. Were hopeful and optimistic that we can do that
sooner and we want to do it as soon as we can. It has to go through approval at the Justice
Department, at the SEC and certain state overviews. Some of the nine states that BellSouth operates
under. Again, weve been through this many times through the approval process so we know what to
anticipate. We know what we must do and were going to move fast on this. And hopefully well get
it less than 12 months. But the guidance were giving is 12 months.
Ralph: Mike and the rest of you on this call, youre going to hear some negative things from people
that even opposed our merger, like the Consumers Union. They opposed our merger with AT&T Wireless
and theyre still opposing this. But theres an incredible number of people that think this is
absolutely the right thing to do, and it will benefit investors, employees and customers. Even here
in Atlanta, our Atlantas own Clark Howard, who is a consumer activist, thought it would be a good
thing because it may lower overall prices on DSL long term. Were going to get people out there who
are not going to like it, but I think theyll be in the minority.
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Lou Ann: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, if youd like to ask a question, please press star and
the number 1 on your telephone keypad now.
Stan: did we scare you guys off? Is there anybody out there?
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Mark Collins.
Luis: Stan, this is actually Luis Gonzalez in Boston. My question to you sir is will we truly be a
converged company or business unit with similar support systems, or will AT&T Wireless continue to
be a separate entity.
Stan: Well be a standalone entity subsidiary of AT&T. As much as possible, we want to convert the
customer experience particularly around converged devices and converged network experiences when we
call IMS and IP network, so when we converge the customer experience, we want to do that, but well
be a standalone company just like we were before we formed Cingular when we were separate companies
within Bellsouth and within SBC, and just as Verizon Wireless is within Verizon. Does that answer
your question?
Luis: Yes sir it does. Thank you.
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Clark Coles.
Clark: Good afternoon, gentlemen.
Stan: Hi Clark.
Clark: AT&T doesnt really have any retail presence. Do you see using our wireless stores to sell
some of their products and services in the future?
Stan: They do today. It may be surprising to some of you but AT&T has employees in several of our
stores today selling DSL services and landline services. And this will give us an opportunity to
continue to expand that. BellSouth is in several of our stores where they actually have their
employees in our stores selling their services. I think thats the smart thing to do. We need to
look how we leverage all of the assets of this new company to the betterment of our go-to-market,
our market opportunities out there.
Ralph: I tell you in both cases, weve been pretty successful. The model of having an in-store rep
from either BellSouth or SBC has demonstrated that it works well. Stan and I were in a store in
Schaumburg in Chicago and they were doing a very nice job of selling DSL in that store. And in the
case of BellSouth, theyve been really selling Long Distance well and all the other added-on
features in the markets that we have. So I think its going to be a case to leverage these
opportunities in the future, Clark.
Clark: Thanks.
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Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Metcalf.
Michael: Good afternoon Stan and Ralph. Im from Philadelphia. One of the first things when I heard
about the announcement on Sunday was just the confusion to our customers. We went from... we had
SBC bought AT&T, when AT&T... in this particular market we went from two networks to a gold
network. Weve completed our integration. I think the response to the quality in our network has
been very positive and now were going back to AT&T. Ill assume theres going to be a really good
marketing campaign and education to our customers.
Stan: Well, Mike, in Philadelphia weve gone through a lot of brand changes. I was talking to a
group this morning about the experience we have with brand changes. When I started my career in
wireless, it was Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems. And then we bought Cellular One and we had that
brand. And we bought Comcast Cellular, and we changed that brand to Cellular One. And then we
bought PacBell and PacBell Mobile Services. Then we bought Ameritech Wireless and then we bought
SNET Cellular Services. And then we put all of that together and we formed Cingular. And then we
did the AT&T/Cingular brand. So we have a lot of experience in going through brand changes and
brand transitions, and I think were pretty good at that.
But Id remind you Mike, Im really pleased with the traction that were getting in Philadelphia.
Im pleased when I see the churn levels that were getting there, the satisfaction levels were
getting out of the customers there, and I dont believe its because of our brand. I believe its
what weve done around the four strategic imperatives, I believe its around the quality of the
network were giving there, once we integrated that network. I believe its around the compelling
products and services that were introducing, from RAZR phones to SLVR phones to the MEdia releases
to Push to Talk. I believe its around the improvements weve made in our customer care, calling
rates improvements that weve made. And I believe its around the rationalization weve done with
our distribution channels. And thats all reflected around improved churn and sales and everything
that we talked about when we were up there just a week ago. But I dont think the brand did that. I
think its the four strategic imperatives, the 14 key initiatives that did that, and thats why
its so important that we stay focused on those.
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Elizabeth Arnold.
Elizabeth: Hi. Im wondering if you can speak to what you think the strong benefits will be in the
markets where our parent companies dont sell landline services, such as the northern central and
the northeast, and second do you envision us becoming publicly traded.
Stan: Hi Elizabeth. The advantage we will have in the northeast is the power of the AT&T branding
and advertising. For years Ive visited the northeast and I would always hear about the
disadvantage we have over Verizon, that we didnt get the lift from the brand advertising from
their telephone company like Verizon Wireless did. That issue goes away. We will now get the
advantage of that brand advertising. When they do the
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Pebble Beach golf tournament. When they do the Olympics. They have an all-time high brand spending
rate going on right now around AT&T brand. If we were on that brand, we would get that lift. So
thats the lift we get in the Northeast from this that we dont have today, by going to that common
brand.
And to answer your question of being a company, absolutely. We will be a public company because
well be 100 percent owned by AT&T, already a public company.
Lou Ann: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, if youd like to ask a question, please press star and
the number 1 on your telephone keypad. Your next question comes from the line of Steven Skinner.
Steve: Afternoon Stan, Im just downstairs from you in Atlanta. When we acquired or merged with
AT&T Wireless, during a pretty lengthy time period, there was severe restriction on communication
between us and AT&T Wireless personnel. Do you envision anything of that nature occurring during
this acquisition?
Stan: Thank you Steve for asking that question because its an important point that we need to
make. Until this merger is approved we need to continue our relationships with our two parent
companies just as we did last week at this time. Nothing changed. We do not to be accused of what
is referred to as gun-jumping, assuming that this merger has been approved. We need to continue our
relationship, our interface, work with them just as we have in the past. Its been a friendly, open
relationship. They own us today. All were doing is going from two owners to one owner. So well
continue to work with those owners today. But the conflicts that we have that sometimes come up
between what is in the best interest of an AT&T shareowner vs. a BellSouth shareowner, those conflicts go
away. Cause you know what? Now its all the same. All those shareholders become the same
shareholder. This is strictly a stock exchange transaction. And the conflicts you have over what is
best over wireline vs. wireless, that conflict goes away, because its now the same shareholder
owning both the assets. So now we get into the more logical, more informed debates about what is
best for the customer and what is best for the shareholder. We dont have a conflict anymore.
Verizon cant say that, by the way. They will continue to have a conflict because what is best for
their wireline may not be what is best for their 45 percent owner called Vodafone in their wireless
assets.
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Barry Rabinowitz.
Barry: This question is for both Stan and Ralph. Im wondering if at this point you can say
anything about specifically your roles and positions as far as remaining at the helm of Cingular
for the next couple of years.
Stan: Unless somebody fires us for failing to deliver on our promises, Ralph and I... this
transaction has no changes for us. I fully plan and Ralph fully plans we will be here through this
year and through next year. We have no visions of changing unless we get fired. Right Ralph?
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Ralph: We dont intend to get fired. Were going to deliver on those three year plans, right?
(laughter)
(PAUSE)
Stan: AT&T And BellSouth wouldnt have made a $41 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless if they
werent confident in their management and their leadership team. You dont do that. AT&T wouldnt
have made this investment, they didnt make this investment to get access lines in nine states.
They made this investment to increase their shareholders exposure to wireless and the
opportunities in wireless. They wouldnt have done that... wouldnt have paid $67 billion, if they
werent confident in the management team and the leadership team that they have in Cingular. And
the leadership is not just Ralph and myself. Its all of the leadership team. Its all of the
management team. Its the people were talking to today. Thats why were talking to you today. You
are the pivotal managers and leaders in this business. And they have confidence in that, or they
wouldnt have made this investment. And thats why its so important that we fulfill the promises
that weve made to them so theyll continue to have that confidence in you and in me. We dont need
to worry about what may happen a year from now with this new company. We need to worry about whats
happening now. What were doing about our job now. And if we do that, then the future is bright...
we dont need to be concerned about the future. We just need to deliver on the promises today.
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Terry Stenzel.
Terry: The question was already asked.
Lou Ann: Your next question comes from the line of Eric Manikowksi.
Eric: Hi Stan and Ralph. You mentioned in your recorded message Stan on Sunday and again on todays
call that Fortune magazine cited AT&T as the most highly regarded communications company in the
world. My understanding is that measurement is based on feedback from executives and directors at
Fortune 1000 and global 500 companies. Do we have similar measurements from consumers and if so,
what do those measurements tell us.
Stan: Im not aware of similar measurements from consumers. This is the poll that Fortune has done
for years that goes out and polls the Fortune 1000 companies and Im not aware that there is
something from consumers.
Ralph: Not for the combined company that just recently formed.
Lou Ann: Once again, ladies and gentlemen, if youd like to ask a question, please press star and
the number 1 on your telephone keypad now. Mr. Klein, there are no further questions at this time.
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Tim: Alright we thank you for your participation. Stan and Ralph, do you have closing comments
before we end the call?
Ralph:
Id just like to say first of all thanks for the good results were beginning to see this
year. It looks like were firing on all cylinders. Lots of good momentum in sales. Good momentum in
churn. Good churn in building the network and doing all the things we know are the critical things
for us to be successful this year. So Id encourage our people to stay focused and not let this get
to be a distraction with you or your front line people, and continue to do the things that we know
will lead us to success.
Stan: Let me thank you for what you did for us, for the company in 2005 and thank you for the
strong start that we have in 2006. Were asking a lot of all of us in 2006. More than we asked in
2005. Asking more of myself, more of Ralph, and more of you. But Ive never been more encouraged
about what I think the future holds for all of us in Cingular. We have high goals and high
aspirations for what we want this company to be. But I can clearly see the pathway to achieve our
aspirations. I can see the momentum thats coming into this business. This is starting to happen.
And theres not anything that keeps us from being successful unless its the failure to execute and
you and I control the execution in this company. So lets keep it going, I wish you the best, hope
to see you soon. Have a good day.
Tim: Just one final note for everybody. There will be an e-mail that will summarize this call and
also provide you with information for a playback if youd like to share it with some of those that
havent been on the call. Again, that information will be available to you as well as a link that
if you have any additional questions that you need responses to, if you would forward your
questions to that line, well get them turned around for you.
With that, our call is completed. Stan, Ralph, thank you both. And Ill turn it back to you Lou
Ann.
Lou Ann: Thank You. This concludes todays conference call. You may now disconnect.
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Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
We have included or incorporated by reference in this document financial estimates and other
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These estimates and statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results
might differ materially from these estimates and statements. Such estimates and statements include,
but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger, including future financial and
operating results, the combined companys plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other
statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of the management of AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corporation and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties outside of our control.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those described in
the forward-looking statements in this document: the ability to obtain governmental approvals of
the merger on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of AT&T shareholders to approve the
issuance of AT&T common shares or the failure of BellSouth shareholders to approve the merger; the
risk that the businesses of AT&T and BellSouth will not be integrated successfully or as quickly as
expected; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the merger, including any
savings and other synergies relating to the
resulting sole ownership of Cingular Wireless LLC may not be fully realized or may take longer to
realize than expected; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain
relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; and competition and its effect on pricing,
spending, third-party relationships and revenues. Additional factors that may affect future results
are contained in AT&Ts, BellSouths, and Cingular Wireless LLCs filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available at the SECs Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
Neither AT&T nor BellSouth is under any obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to
update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may
be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NOTE: In connection with the proposed merger, AT&T intends to file a registration statement on Form
S-4, including a joint proxy statement/prospectus of AT&T and BellSouth, and AT&T and BellSouth
will file other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Investors are
urged to read the registration statement, including the joint proxy statement (and all
amendments and supplements to it) and other materials when they become available because they
contain important information. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the registration
statement and joint proxy statement, when they become available, as well as other filings
containing information about AT&T and BellSouth, without charge, at the SECs Web site
(www.sec.gov). Copies of AT&Ts filings may also be obtained without charge from AT&T at AT&Ts Web
site (www.att.com) or by directing a request to AT&T Inc. Stockholder Services, 175 E. Houston, San
Antonio, Texas 78205. Copies of BellSouths filings may be obtained without charge from BellSouth
at BellSouths Web site (www.bellsouth.com) or by directing a request to BellSouth at Investor
Relations, 1155 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309.
AT&T, BellSouth and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of
management and employees are potential participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of
the proposed merger. Information regarding AT&Ts directors and executive officers is available in
AT&Ts 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2006 and AT&Ts proxy
statement for its 2006 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2006, and
information regarding BellSouths directors and executive officers is available in BellSouths 2005
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2006 and BellSouths proxy statement
for its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 3, 2006. Additional
information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the
registration statement and joint proxy statement, and the other relevant documents filed with the
SEC when they become available.